Harbour Lights Restaurant

165 reviews

Old Harbour, Beach Rd, Gordons Bay Central, Cape Town, 7140, South Africa

+27218563263

About

Harbour Lights Restaurant is a Seafood restaurant located at Old Harbour, Beach Rd, Gordons Bay Central, Cape Town, 7140, South Africa. It has received 165 reviews with an average rating of 3.3 stars.

Photos

F.A.Q

Frequently Asked Questions

  • The address of Harbour Lights Restaurant: Old Harbour, Beach Rd, Gordons Bay Central, Cape Town, 7140, South Africa

  • Harbour Lights Restaurant has 3.3 stars from 165 reviews

  • Seafood restaurant

  • "Our first time there and must say it was the worst experience ever in Cape Town "

    "This was most definitely the worst experience ever!! Absolutely disgusting! From the waiters to the service and to top it all"

    "Terrible place, terrible food and service"

    "Decided to give Harbour lights a try but what an utter disappointment"

    "I would definitely not recommend this establishment"

Reviews

  • john houston

Our first time there and must say it was the worst experience ever in Cape Town . It was valentines night . Poor wine selection ( they said they were waiting for deliveries ) warm white wines , waiters indifferent . Bring you ice on a plate not an ice bucket ! Food average although my steak was good the fat comprised a good third of the meal . Ambiance music nice . Food very pricey R 220 for kingklip when you’re 20 m from fishing boats ?? Cutlery dirty and sticky . Once you settled in they take away the flowers on the tables to put elsewhere . When you get the bill it is hand written and the excuse is ‘ machine is broken ‘ . I can’t imagine how much cash money goes missing with that system . Arragance of waiters . I guess our expectations were too high . Owner hardly there apparently. Original owner went back to Italy and left it for son to run ??? My wife wanted to suggest we leave right in the beginning and perhaps we should have . Will NEVER return and will unfortunately advise our friends too .

  • Melt Roux

This was most definitely the worst experience ever!! Absolutely disgusting! From the waiters to the service and to top it all...absolutely tasteless food!! When I asked to see the Manager ..I was told that- that is not necessary...by a waiter who looks like he just climbed out of the laundry basket. There was only us and two other tables. A party of six arrived ...asked for a table and walked out after ten minutes.One of the other tables ...a couple got into an argument with a waiter about their service fee as they were not happy with the food, service and bill and also walked out. What a shame that tourists should experience this in Gordons Bay harbour. Not one of the menus correspond..but we were told this was due to the Christmas rush.....Really!! After the 4 th try we finally got a menu that we could order from. Just to receive half cold disgusting tasteless food! Fish looked like mash potatoes. And no Manager or Supervisor around. Never again!!!

  • Aidan De Villiers

Terrible place, terrible food and service. We ordered linguini but got spaghetti and waitress denied the whole time. Took 30 mins to bring hake and chips when we were the only ones there. I'd rather eat my burned chicken nuggets. Tartare sauce tasted like feet. Hake was hard. Chips was okay. Sprite was the only thing I had hope for. Also a messy menu. (Yes I look at the menu with e x t r e m e caution) Hope the owner sees this. Read some of the reviews, owner doesn't seem right when he responds to reviews. Moral of the review, don't go to this place do you know da wae BRUDDAS Look Morty, IM PICKLE RICK Hey Vsauce Michael here, where are your fingers? The last thing you would want in your tartare sauce is somebody's foot funguuus, but that might be what you geeeeaaat

  • janine de villiers

Decided to give Harbour lights a try but what an utter disappointment. We were the only patrons in the restaurant so expected service to be faster. Waited about 10 minutes for our cold cappuccino.. Then waited an additional 30 minutes for terribly mediocre food. I ordered the seafood linguine, instead received a big bowl of spaghetti. The waitress then proceeded to argue that the pasta was indeed linguine but they used spaghetti to make linguine... We were eventually told by a different waitress that they were in fact out of stock and simply replaced it. Although barely touching my food, I was still billed the entire amount. Poor poor service and bland food. Will not be returning to this place!

  • Etienne Campbell-Smit

I would definitely not recommend this establishment. The food was mediocre and the service was terrible. The waiter brought the wrong drink order twice (ordered sprite zero, and first got creme soda then coke zero before he brought the right drink). He forgot to bring four drinks that we ordered throughout the duration of our visit. Our food arrived but we had no cutlery, and when we asked for cutlery it arrived wet, and we got only forks without knives. When we asked for salad dressing we were served 3 small bowls of melted butter. The manager did not seem concerned and blamed the heat for our poor service.

  • Debbie Schwemberger

I read the reviews before visiting the Restaurant on Wednesday evening, so was rather nervous about what to expect seeing as there were so many negative comments, especially as I tried calling the whole afternoon and there was no reply. I went with my husband, who is the Head Chef at a top Hotel. We were both pleasantly surprised at the quality of the food...it was fresh, delicious and a good portion. Unfortunately, the place is a little run down and there was only one other couple there, but the food was great. We would be happy to return for a meal again.

  • Kenneth Brookes

I read the reviews before visiting the Restaurant on Wednesday evening, so was rather nervous about what to expect seeing as there were so many negative comments, especially as I tried calling the whole afternoon and there was no reply. I went with my husband, who is the Head Chef at a top Hotel. We were both pleasantly surprised at the quality of the food...it was fresh, delicious and a good portion. Unfortunately, the place is a little run down and there was only one other couple there, but the food was great. We would be happy to return for a meal again.

  • Karina Giralt

It was completely overpriced,the worst food I have EVER eaten! Our coffees arrived with sour cream,we sent them back. Vegetables were cooked from frozen with no flavour....steak was grey and lumpy and definitely not Rump,it was very low grade meat ,it looked as though it was boiled no grill marks like on the pics on their website (they say they take pride in their food,what a joke)...I feel totally cheated and ripped off! I will never eat there again. Will NEVER recommend it! What a sad experience and total waste of money!

  • Glenn McLean - Wilson

Service slow and waiters unattentive. Portions small and pricey. My son ordered crayfish and was delivered a tiny one and they added 4 prawns. Why not consult us why just decide for us. Seafood salad was the variety sans the salad, however it was tasty but small. Wait for food delivery was according to their stipulation around 40 minutes. Lunch on 25th December. Restaurant was not full.

  • Liz Kruger

Very disappointed with the only available red wine by the glass being Two Oceans. Something not right about drinking a (R35 at PnP) bottle of wine with our main meals that cost well R200 each! Food prices comparable with top Cape Town restaurants but rump was tough and no fillet available. Nice location and service (were only 4 other patrons in the whole place on a Saturday night)...

  • Devon Smithers

Been here a few times over the last 5 months. Really fantastic casual dining. I have received nothing but good, friendly service, and simple, tasty food. Portions are hearty and the view is beautiful. If you want a casual dinner, I would not hesitate to make a turn here. Other reviewers seem to have experienced a different place to me!

  • Chanté Dunckley

This is where you go when you either need a reminder that even the lower-average restaurants are worth appreciating by comparison, or if you harbour the peculiar desire to acquire food poisoning... or a good gut purging at best. Dreadful service, rundown amenities, rude management... the food doesn't even deserve a mention.

  • Fabrizio Diantina

Used to be an amazing restaurant but went down big time... The kitchen was awesome. I remember the tuna steak. Today is just a memory of what it was... Seems like have changed ownership / management. A totally different place, with even bad service and a different menu with fewer and poor options. Not recommended.

  • Lucan Page

Edit: restaurant quality and service seems to have gone down, and thus I cannot in good faith recommend. If things turn around I will rate again. Clean. Great views. Good food. Friendly staff. Catering for a more upmarket vibe. Great seafood and steak options. Would definitely recommend.

  • Ella Everts

Calamari full portion just a small handful. Extremely oily and salty. Place very untidy with chairs and tables standing all over. Menu a dirty piece of paper. Service poor. Excuses for many things on menu unavailable. Very bad experience and waste of money.

  • Amber Gunston

Soms in n klein dorpie wil mens mooi aantrek en uitgaan sonder om kaap toe te ry! Meeste restursnte in die dorpie is n vakansie gevoel! Harbour Lights is stylvol met kwaliteit kos,wst baie bekostigbaar is! Baie romantiese kuier restaurant!

  • Christopher Senior

Arrived to a near empty restaurant. Only one staff member in whole restaurant and after having ordered drinks and had them poured, were we only informed that half of the menu was unavailable (only seafood available). Awkwardly had to ask

  • Liam Baker

This is good seafood. If you sit on the second floor you get great views of the beach and the local harbour. Try one of their platters - it will leave you full and happy. Sit down is better than takeaways.

  • Sean Campbell (Striller)

Look like the place to be back in the day ... But how i saw it was not happy with the looks and cleanest of the place .. Looks like this place is run down as there is no control in the staff

  • Mandy V

Good food and awesome location. Ordered the calamari and chips as take-away a few times then have it on the pier overlooking the beautiful ocean. Great value for money.

  • sarel meyer

23 December 2014 - Food very BAD, service even worst. Management arrogant and bombastic. worst meal i had in a long time, will newer go back.... STAY AWAY....,

  • Francois Harmse

the food was sub standard. i tasted soap in my food. the service was terrible with only one waiter for the entire restaurant. what a disappoinment.

  • Dominique Peters

Bad bad bad! Service was bad. Very disappointed. More filling in crayfish than the actual crayfish . Wish we could say something good.

  • Jack Farrand

Took over an hour to be served in an empty restaurant, they got the order wrong and the food arrived lukewarm. Avoid at all costs.

  • D Rossouw

Can be called the shame of Gordon's Bay restaurants. Any prospective customers should read all of the comments on Trip Advisor.

  • Jeanette Powers

Would be nice that harbor lights restaurant would answer their telephone most Frustrating takes for ever to make a booking

  • N Gordon E

Definitely the worst restaurant in the whole area. I would recommend any one to reconsider before booking here.

  • Janet Byrne

Was looking forward to fish and chips after a week in the mountains. A greasy mess. Won't be going back

  • Juan-Paul Kellerman

Amazing setting,great service from Douglas the Manager on the night and awesome food worth every cent!

  • Kenith Alger

Realy incredible view of harbor & marina. Definitely picture res, romantic and gorgeous to boot Xox.

  • Dawie Knoetze

Good food served here with a fantastic view over Gordons Bay with life music on a Sunday afternoon.

  • Jax Wilson

Looks like under new management. Waiter was freindly and helpful and food was excellent.

  • Cheryl Arnold

The food was worth the money and very tasty. A work in progress. The owner friendly.

  • Kevin Baker

Decent seafood restaurant at Gordon's Bay Harbour. Live music on weekends in season.

  • Warda Conrad

The fish was fresh and tasty. Onion rings best I've ever had! Well worth the trip!

  • Gawie van Blerk

Very poor service. Took forever to be served and even longer to get our food

  • Kai Taylor

Large portions, so definitely with it, food is great and service is fast

  • Romano Lekay

Awesome seafood, beautiful views, friendly service and well priced.

  • Marta Tilaro

amazing view, nice food and wonderful view!!!! Highly recommendend

  • Driaan Du Raan

It was.... Ok. Nothing special. I expected more when I walked in.

  • Sunel Kukkuk

Worst service EVER! Dreadful way to spend my new years!!!!!!!!!!

  • Gerda Bruwer

Exquisite food. Special attention from staff. Warm atmosphere

  • Andre Smuts

Food was good, but they have no clue how to make Creme Brule

  • Pierre Le Roux

For a really inexpensive hearty breakfast, this is the spot

  • Taljaardt Catharina

Actually Foodmandu at present....authentic Indian Curry

  • Isabelle Marshall

Really good Mojitos, and the staff were really nice

  • Quintin Horn

Fresh seafood. Views spectacular. Atmosphere chic

  • Malesela Moshidi

We enjoyed the platter and the service was superb

  • Johann Bensch

Food portion was small and not the best I had.

  • marike myburg

I found it to be disappointing. Expected more.

  • EP Adams

Poor service. Terrible to say the least.

  • Marnus van Biljon

Just give it a try yourself. Its a must.

  • Hein Punt

Excellent view and food for a quiet meal

  • Andrew Lee

What's going on here, used to be envied?

  • Anderesa Huisamen

Fabulous food, fast service, excellent

  • Tangerine Snyman

Best fish and chips in Gordon's Bay!

  • Martine Prinsloo

Always nice.... casual and friendly

  • Mariette Chapman

Very nice seafood, with great view

  • Diane du Toit

Lovely place for an beautiful day

  • Keagan Rawlins

Good food at a reasonable price

  • Albertus Faure

Basic restaurant with seafood.

  • henk venter

Harbour Lights Has Closed Down

  • Shaun Taute

Nice atmosphere and food here

  • Arddyn Paarwater

It was very nice and romantic

  • Lynette Davids

Great food and great service

  • Patrick Hughes

Very expensive Not much food

  • Terence Jacobs

Poor service and bad food

  • Clayton Hindle

Good food bad service

  • Linda Muller

Food was excellent!!

  • Siobhan Landman

Permanently closed

  • Nelson Christiaansen

Food are deliciuos

  • Tristan Stoltz

Very nice service

  • Mzo Qatana

Great kingklip

  • Free Spirit Dottie

It is lovely

  • Alton Olivier

Nice food...

  • Manny de Jong

Lekker eten

  • Stuart Entwistle

Closed down

  • 望远

service bad

  • Elden Swart

Good view

  • Emma Bruyns

Good food

  • Chris Serfontein

Avoid.

  • Bernadette Uys

Great,

  • Eve Manyere

NICE

  • Melanie Grobler

Nice

  • Joan Ruiters

Cosy

  • Corrie Froehlich
  • modisha samuel
  • Fred Lawrence
  • Markku Fleischmann
  • JARROD VAN STRAATEN
  • Yusuf Achmat
  • MAMUN RV
  • Shaun Meintjies
  • Simone Clark
  • trevor wheeler
  • MARIE-LEE Kearley
  • Miche Pietersen
  • Raymond De Vries
  • Robin Darius
  • Ants

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