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Galjoen

Fine Dining Seafood South African Vegetarian Friendly
4.7 RRR
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Attributes

  • Romantic
  • Great Views
  • WiFi
  • Gourmet Guide Plated
  • Reviewers' Choice 2024 - Top 100

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Galjoen is a South African sustainably-sourced seafood restaurant.

We serve a tasting menu where we showcase the beautiful seafood our country has on offer.

What makes us sustainable? Sustainability can mean different things to different people. Our approach is to serve only what is responsibly caught locally. If it’s not from South Africa, it’s not going on the menu.

By reservation only.

Gourmet Guide™ Description

One floor up on vibey Harrington Street, Cape Town, Galjoen is semiindustrial in feel, even a little retro, with one side overlooking buildings and the other facing Devil’s Peak. Here is a duo who are different, but united in their ethos of integrity when it comes to ingredients. Chefs and
co-owners Neil Swart and Anouchka Horn started their journey with a restaurant in the northern suburbs before opening Belly of the Beast through crowdfunding. After that resounding success, Galjoen followed.

Expect to find ABALOBI’s catch of the day rather than imported species. Local sourcing is paramount, as is seasonality. Reducing waste is also crucial, so be prepared to enjoy the less sexy cuts of meat and fish, creatively crafted into memorable plates. Both chefs, along with head chef Isca Stoltz, are constantly sharing ideas and conceptualising new
and innovative dishes.

The recipe is simple but effective – book for what could be a five-, six-, or even eight-course meal, disclose your (only-if-you-may-die) allergies, pay a set price, and simply show up. Entrusting yourself to this Harrington Street team is exciting, alluring, and always downright
delicious.

Opening Hours

  • Monday CLOSED
  • Tuesday 12h30 - 22h00
  • Wednesday 12h30 - 22h00
  • Thursday 12h30 - 22h00
  • Friday 12h30 - 22h00
  • Saturday 12h30 - 22h00
  • Sunday CLOSED

Reviews (1123)

4.7 out of 5.0
Based on the past 12 months
Food 4.8
Value 4.6
Service 4.8
Ambience 4.6
  • Dawn C. Dined: 2 weeks ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Wed 24 Dec 25
    The staff was great and very accommodating. Food was amazing!

  • Amanda R. Dined: 2 weeks ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Mon 22 Dec 25
    Very pleasant experience.

  • Madeleine F. Dined: 2 weeks ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Sun 21 Dec 25
    Excellent food

  • Leandri C. Dined: 2 weeks ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0
  • Kim L. Dined: 3 weeks ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Fri 19 Dec 25
    Each course was exceptional and beautifully thought out. We'll definitely be regular visitors.

  • Stephen S. Dined: 2 weeks ago
    4
    Food 1.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Fri 19 Dec 25
    I’d like to rate this restaurant highly because our experience was mostly very good. However, The upscale atmosphere, with a nice dress code, the design of the setting with an elegant patio door on an upper level was very nice. The prix fixe menu was well planned, enough food that you were full by the end of the evening but small enough you could enjoy each course. The courses themselves were overall delicious. We elected to do the wine pairing with it which did enhance the experience. The staff was mostly very attentative. However; one of the courses was fish, the course name was Vis & Chips. I took one bite of it and thought it tasted off, my husband thought maybe we just didn’t appreciate the taste and ate half of it before stopping. When asked our opinion on this course, we told our waiter that not only do we not like it, the fish had gone bad. We were not asked follow-up questions and no one checked in with us about it. I wish I could rate this place top marks it was so close to being one of the highlights of our time in Cape Town. But unfortunately, we were served bad fish, annd our last night in Cape Town ended with me miserable with stomach cramps and my husband violently ill with food poisoning for most of the night.

  • Theo L. Dined: 2 weeks ago
    4
    Food 5.0
    Value 3.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 3.0
  • Marlese V. Dined: 3 weeks ago
    4.5
    Food 5.0
    Value 4.0
    Service 4.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Thu 18 Dec 25
    Wonderful evening at a special restaurant. The food, wine pairings and service were all outstanding. The one criticism we would have is the lack of a sommelier for a tasting for a restaurant in this league. Also, our guest was a slow eater was constantly rushed by the waiter to finish courses.

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