Bientang's Cave Restaurant & Wine Bar — Restaurant in Overstrand Local Municipality

Trying to come eat here felt like that scene from Pretty Woman on Rodeo Drive in the clothing store… with some kind of secret unspoken code to get a table…

We initially arrived and got seated at a table inside. We checked outside and there was an empty table down by the rocks so we moved downstairs and saw the sign on the table “Reserved - ask to be seated”. We asked about it and were told that it’s reserved and that the seating is not available. I went to speak to the manager/ host and asked what’s the process to get seated at the tables by the rocks. The host then proceeded to tell me they are “very busy” today and there’s a list which is full. I then asked how to get on the list and they proceeded to tell me “they are very busy all day and the list cannot be added to”. I then asked what is the process to get a reservation in general - do I call, speak to them in person, email, go online? Apparently any one of those options work but not today because it’s “very busy”. I then asked what about the upstairs tables because we had initially been seated there. Again, the response was “no not even those tables because we are full and very busy”. So I went back down to the table by the rocks to let my party know we wouldn’t be served today and a waiter tried to give us menus. I advised that the table wasn’t cleaned yet so they cleaned it and we decided to leave so that we didn’t mess with any of the many reservations that were about to come in. We just went to the public area of the rocks to watch the whales for a bit and stayed for about 45min. In that time, the table we had tried to sit at sat empty and six other tables became free. They just sat empty, not cleaned and unoccupied. Wonder where all those “reservations” were…

Just really appalled by the snooty service here by management. Not sure what the end game is because the wait staff don’t have tables to attend to while the place is supposed to be so “busy” and “full”. The reason we had initially tried to go here for wine & food was that it had looked emptier while the surrounding areas were actually very busy for whale watching. It’s a pity about this experience because even when the management wake up and realize that there are tables available some other time we won’t want to come back, I would rather go spend my US Dollars on a restaurant that can...

We were a group of 10 people who booked months in advance to be seated on the rocks, right next to the sea. We also received an email confirming our booking. Once we arrived, on time, the floor manager informed us, in no friendly manner, that she is not going to allocate a table next to the ocean, since there are other people who also booked tables in the same area. When we asked her what the reason is, she became very aggressive and would not answer our question, since she won't be challenged. She became very defensive when we showed her the email of confirmation, and said that no booking preferences are guaranteed. (So why book then?) There were numerous tables on the rocks that were still available, but she said she kept it open for people who booked in advance (like we did!) When we asked her what the difference was between 'other' guests and ourselves, she raised her voice (even more) and said that's how it is and the guests (who was still nowhere to be seen) will arrive later. There were another group from overseas (tour group) who had exactly the same experience as we had. The tour guide also booked well in advance, but to no avail. She didn't budge and we had to take a table on the deck. I've asked her the number of the owner, whereupon she gave me a mobile number. Upon verifying the number, it appeared that she gave me her mother's number. The waiters were very decent and helpful. The food, however, was not fresh and tasted dried out. The portions were also definitely rationed - it wasn't out first visit at the restaurant, so that's how we know. We were there for over an hour, and STILL there were unoccupied tables on the rocks. The floor manager doesn't do the restaurant any favor with her attitude and offensive behavior and is clearly not fit for the position. She refused to apologize for her aggressive behavior. I will definitely not visit Bientang again because of this bad experience and dried out food (fish). What a HUGE...

Beautiful setting, terrible service.

We came to Bientang’s Cave on a trip up from Cape Town, hoping to enjoy a drink with a view at what’s clearly positioned as a premium restaurant. Their website stated they close at 8PM. We arrived at 4:30PM—plenty of time, or so we thought—only to be told they were closing at 5PM because it was “quiet.” Fair enough, we agreed to a quick drink.

But what followed was completely unacceptable.

Our drinks (three espresso martinis) took over 10 minutes and were poorly made. While we drank them, the staff started closing down around us—packing up furniture, dropping umbrellas, and creating a clear message: finish up and leave. Without being asked, they brought the bill with the drinks. It felt rushed and uncomfortable.

To make things worse, staff stood above us on the balcony smoking and watching us, clearly waiting for us to go. We left at 5:15PM—still nearly three hours before their advertised closing time.

When we calmly raised our concerns, we were met with rudeness and condescension. The so-called “manager” (a man who didn’t even bother to introduce himself) claimed they did us a courtesy by serving us, as if we hadn’t arrived well in advance of closing time. He showed zero willingness to engage, listen, or apologise.

As former service industry workers ourselves, we found this appalling. We’ve never experienced a venue begin full shutdown three hours before closing, especially while charging premium prices.

This restaurant has one thing going for it: the view. But the service was unwelcoming, passive-aggressive, and entirely out of touch with the standard expected from a place that charges what Bientang’s does.

We won’t be back. And unless you’re happy to be treated like a burden, I’d suggest looking elsewhere. There are plenty of better spots...