Whale's Rib Paternoster — Restaurant in Saldanha Bay Local Municipality

We had the displeasure to visit the Whale Rib for breakfast this morning before the monthly Paternoster Market at 10:00.

In spite of a warm welcome by the wait staff, the manager's blatant lack of customer care and service had us leaving without placing our food order.

Why? Because (according to the rude manager that apparently also moonlight as a great surgeon) the Whale Rib ONLY serves breakfast with waffles and WILL NOT, under any circumstances, substitute the waffle for the burger buns or the pita bread that's also available on their menu.

If you want breakfast served with a burger bun, you need to place an order for a burger and chips, and request for an egg to be added, at an extra cost of course.

Do customers generally prefer the waffle breakfast over the more traditional breakfast..? No, definitely not. (Confirmed by both said manager and our apologetic waitress.) But apparently that's want Amanda, the absent owner mandated, and that's what they are willing to serve you. NO EXCEPTIONS. That, and a big helping of attitude and bad coffee.

Oh, and if you don't like it, you are most welcome to leave. Which we promptly did in favour of a charming little establishment called Hobnobbery in town.

They serve the best Deluxe Coffee Works coffee, mouthwatering breakfast fare, freshly baked bread and...

I wanted to give zero stars but it doesn't give me an option.

Worst restaurant experience ever. The staff seated us quickly and cleaned our table and after that never heard from our waiter again. Waited more than a half hour and still no service. And the restaurant wasn't even full, it looked like they were ready to close for day. People(group of 6) who came there after us were help immediately with drinks and food. The owner didn't even care about customer service, just standing there doing nothing.

So me and my partner left to blikkies pizzeria, where we were helped immediately. Staff even offered a blanket for my partner when it got a lil chilli. Got served with drinks immediately. Didn't even wait 20min for our food. So far unsurpassed service on every level, to food to drinks...

We visited Paternoster for Sunday brunch and walkabout. The perfect West Coast summer's day had us linger. My partner and I thoroughly enjoyed the breakfast waffles we ordered - so much so that I finished up by having a delectable banoffee waffle as well! The restaurant was not overly busy, and we never felt rushed along during the few hours we soaked in the ambience. The sounds of Karen Zoid performing at Die Koelkamers next door faintly filtered through the theatre's excellent soundproofing, adding to our enjoyment. We appreciated the attentive service and banter from the waitrons, and never had to wait long for attention. Note that all the waffles are freshly prepared on site, and there can sometimes be a wait of large tables for their...