On the Rocks Restaurant — Restaurant in Bloubergstrand

I'm not really impressed. They obviously have a reputation or ride on their location as there was a feeling of superiority. However, upon being shown to our reserved table, it was unset, left as per the previous guests left over cutlery, glasses, etc

It remained like this. We had to request each item we needed as we went along. A menu. A knife. A napkin, etc As the night progressed, we observed other tables left awry after guests left.

The waiting staff hung out jovially at a counter, chatting and laughing together. Creating a wonderful bar atmosphere that might be the feeling the restaurant is going for. Our table would have preferred to hear ourselves better, but that's a personal choice, and we should have sought a more fitting venue.

A hint to other patrons, don't order a starter if you're a light eater. The portions are magnificent. I had the melon and Parma ham salad. It would have been perfect as my main meal. My daughter had the Caesar salad. Hers was almost inedible, but my point here is rather about the size. Skip the starter or have it as a main.

I had the Malai seafood curry. It was not flavourful. It came as a deep bowl of soup. Without the listed fish or mussels. Only 3 prawns and a lake of firm calamari. Sub par even for an average eatery. The maitre d seemed surprised when I ventured a mild negative tilt of my head when she checked on us halfway through our meal. She told me they had no mussels so had been given extra calamari tubes to make up for that. She did offer to bring me a plate of fish pieces.

My curry was not good.

My son had a chicken Kiev. He had food poisoning and spent the following day on a drip in a medical centre in Somerset West instead of on the plane he should have been on. I can't actually say that it was the chicken, but it's a 95% guess as there was nothing else that he ate that I didn't eat.

Everything pales in comparison to his experience, but hopefully, no other diners have his experience. However, a small thing the restaurant can control is the walking ability of the staff.

I was positioned in what became clear to me, was the passage way. Every waitress bumped me or my chair every time they passed. I did fortunately have the option of moving to sit on the bench alongside my daughter which I did after a while. The general feeling though, was of being unseen or irrelevant to the staff.

The cherry on top was the waiter getting upset with his R80 tip.

My feeling is that someone created a good restaurant and it's in a good position, but now...

We booked a table for 8 to celebrate some birthdays and to show international visitors the iconic view of Table Mountain. Positives: the sunset and the view delivered. Booking was streamlined and the responsive, front of house manager secured a window table. Very sweet waitron who obligingly helped us move outside when things became unbearably noisy inside. Negatives: Simply overcrowded and understaffed. Food arrived at our table so slowly that the first people had finished long before the last plate arrived. It took 20mins plus to get fridge desserts to the table! Be prepared - " window seat" is angled lengthways to produce many tables next to the windows so you will be crowded and only two people in your party will actually be at a window seat. The restaurant atmosphere is "pub-like", extremely noisy, a large, echoing room where you will have to shout to be heard ( when phoning the restsurant to book, you will hardly be able to hear the receptionist above the noise). Large parties would be better served by dressing warmly and eating outside on the sort of sunset patio which was empty but windy and cold, soon after sunset. The food was very average compared to similarly priced menus we had sampled with our international visitors ( Seapoint/Constantia). The restaurant could not offer some items on the menu ( paella) and the cheese platter was laughable- stale rounds of French loaf with soy sauce in a bowl( ! )We would have sent it back except we were sick of waiting for long periods and just wanted...

On The Rocks – Bloubergstrand

If you’re looking for a spot in Blouberg that combines great food with unbeatable views, On The Rocks is a winner. The restaurant sits right on the water’s edge, giving you front-row seats to the Atlantic Ocean, with Table Mountain and Robben Island making a picture-perfect backdrop. It’s the kind of place where you can sip a glass of wine while watching the waves crash — pure magic, especially at sunset!

The vibe is relaxed yet elegant — not too fancy, but special enough for a romantic dinner or a celebration with friends. Whether you grab a table inside or out on the terrace, the view steals the show.

Now, let’s talk food. Seafood lovers will be in heaven here. The seafood platter for two is a highlight — a generous spread of fresh fish, mussels, prawns, squid, and more, all perfectly cooked and served with sides like sautéed potatoes and a rich lemon butter sauce. If you’re after something lighter, the smoked chicken and mango salad is fresh, vibrant, and full of flavor — a great choice for a laid-back lunch.

The staff are warm and welcoming, striking that perfect balance between friendly and professional. Even when the place gets busy (which it often does), they keep the service smooth and make sure you’re well taken care of.

All in all, On The Rocks is more than just a restaurant — it’s an experience. Whether you’re a local or just visiting Cape Town, it’s the kind of spot where you can unwind, enjoy fantastic food, and soak up those iconic views....