Beachfront seafood restaurant · Melkbosstrand
Seafood by the sea, since 1997.
Freshly caught line fish, local mussels and generous platters, served in a beach cottage on the Melkbos beachfront.

Dineplan
Reviewers’ Choice Newcomer Award, Western Cape · 2025
Tripadvisor
Travellers’ Choice
Eat Out critic’s review
Four stars for food, service and ambience · 2017
Eat Out
Top 500 Restaurants in South Africa · 2015
- All awards →
Welcome to Café Orca
A beach cottage with arguably the best view in Melkbos.
Join us on the beachfront patio or inside the cottage. For more than twenty-five years we’ve been refining one thing: seafood that tastes of where it came from, with a view you’ll struggle to look away from.
- Open since
- 1997
- Dineplan
- 4.9★
- Guest reviews
- 3 975

From the kitchen
Signature plates
From starters of local mussels and baby squid to the famous platter for two. We are, after all, the seafood specialists.
At some seafood restaurants it doesn’t really matter what kind of fish you order, it all tastes the same – here all the fish tastes delightfully different.
Reviews
Loved by locals and travellers alike
What a great location, with good food and great service. Terrance was our waiter and he was fantastic. The food was really superb.
Graham B.· via Dineplan The fish was the best I’ve had, and the views second to none.
Chloe N· via Tripadvisor When you think of excellence, think Cafe Orca in Melkbos. Honestly, one of the most exceptional dining experiences we have had in a very long time. We took a client from overseas to Cafe Orca, and the spear-fish steak was simply outstanding. Perfectly prepared, beautifully presented and packed with flavour. It was the kind of dish that makes you stop talking for a moment because you’re too simply enjoyed. Trying to find the right words to describe the experience, the closest comparison I can make is Michelin-star level dining. Not because I’m handing out Michelin stars, but because the food, attention to detail, service by a lovely young lady Michilan and overall experience genuinely felt like something far beyond an ordinary restaurant meal. And then came the comment from our client which, for me, said everything: “This is the type of meal worth booking another flight just for lunch.” And honestly… I couldn’t agree more. From the quality of the food to the service and atmosphere, Cafe Orca delivers an experience that feels thoughtful, refined and memorable without ever being pretentious. If you are in Cape Town and looking for somewhere truly special, put Cafe Orca Melkbos on your list. For us, this wasn’t just lunch, this was excellence on a plate. Cafe Orca, you have set the bar exceptionally high.
Bridgette Noome· via Google Had a wonderful evening celebrating my daughter’s birthday. Everything was perfect. Fantastic service and wonderful food.
Colette P.· via Dineplan One of the very best seafood restaurants I have ever been to.
jenflet2016· via Tripadvisor We visited Café Orca for the first time this Sunday. We invited friends for a hearty fish meal, and we were all very impressed by what we experienced: a lovely, pleasant atmosphere in the restaurant, an excellent fish platter featuring crayfish, and very good service—all at reasonable prices! I highly recommend this restaurant. It was a wonderful experience, and we will certainly be booking a table here again.
Constantia Cottages· via Google Always the best ever. From being welcomed by Enrico to the charming Eva. Our special occasion was superb. Food and presentation top notch.
William W.· via Dineplan One of my clients been asking me for months to come and visit this place to have sea food. Today i finally had the chance, i took my lady for a date there. First of all, the service, a very happy staff members, so welcome and warm people from the moment we walked in till we left the place and every single team member was smiling to us and some was even cracking some jokes. The FOOD!!! I've lived and traveled between different countries and cultures, i must say that this was the best sea food I've ever had in my life 😋 😍 Prices, it's did cost me a bit more than what i usually pay for 2 people, but!! I'm happy to pay even more if this quality will remain the same, every bite was worth every dime. Definitely will be back to this place 🙏🏼 Thank you café Orca's team, you made me and my lady super happy
Tariq Omar· via Google My favourite restaurant in the Western Cape.
Gilbert F.· via Dineplan Wonderful and intimate experience. The vibe is so chill and the view is amazing. The food was exceptional. The owner and the wait staff were also very friendly with great wine recommendations. I would definitely go again!
Mieke Scheepers· via Google We really enjoyed our dinner. The quality of the food, preparation and service was of the highest standard.
Johan V.· via Dineplan This was a surprising perfect quaint seafood restaurant, discovered in passing. How welcoming, from requesting off menu items to the delectable recommendation of Ava on the sauce to be paired with the yellowtail line fish, this restaurant and chef is situated across a lovely view of the beach. The bathroom has excellent open setting with a bar and even a smoking section situated in what seems to be the perfect zen balance if you wanted to sit at that bar. Look at the photos of the line fish, this chef or whoever created this balance obviously knows better than most when it comes to palette. Brilliant…
Johan Matthee· via Google Wonderful place and friendly staff. Quality of food is always excellent!
Michelle C.· via Dineplan Always a pleasure eating at Cafe Orca! Perfect every time. Thank you and keep up the great work!
Angelique M.· via Dineplan
Visit
Come hungry, stay for the sunset.
- Monday – Tuesday
- Closed
- Wednesday – Saturday
- 12:00–15:0018:00–21:00
- Sunday
- 12:00–15:30
Last orders 45 minutes before closing.

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