Den Anker — Restaurant in V&A Waterfront

Feb 2017: The service and food quality has steadily slipped ove the years. Where food has always been a highlight, it is now almost a highlight if you get consistency between visits. For a while now I have wondered if it has not become more of an after work watering hole for some locals and a Tripadvisor box to tick for foreign tourists. When your food comes out as efficiently as it does, one would expect fresh mayo and not something with a crusty yellow "cap" hiding a white centre. The location and ambience no longer justify the pricey menu. It is a pity as the location is probably the best on offer in the V&A Waterfront.

PS: last night's rare peppersteak was exceptional though.

Aug 2017: Back with a Belgium colleague. He was down with food poisening for two days after dinner. 🤢

26 Oct 2017: Invited to a business dinner (12pax), so back again, but not as a personal choice: 2 pax had gastro within 4hrs of having dinner Lobster bisque was a bowl of salt 2 pax returned chicken, bacon in red wine special, having barely toucded it 2 pax enjoyed their crepés beers and wine good

Conclusion: Den Anker in my opinion fails to maintain an overall good standard. A prime location does not justify below average and slow service, not to mention steep pricing (R145 for hake and chips is expensive - see photo)

25 Jan 2018: Had a fantastic rare pepper fillet tonight, with service to match. Great work and another star clawed...

Den Anker has long been a staple of the V&A Waterfront. My recent visit revealed a decline in quality that was disappointing.

While the service remains attentive and professional, the food no longer meets the high standards the restaurant was once known for. I ordered the “Poisson et Frites” (fish and chips) and was served a small portion of hake with previously frozen shoestring fries. The fries used to be a highlight, but have been replaced by an uninspired McDonalds-like dish, taking one of their best offerings away.

Coupled with high prices, this gives the impression that Den Anker is now catering more to getting as much money as possible from tourists than maintaining the quality that made it a favorite for locals and tourists alike. Despite its excellent location and good service, I am afraid the current offering lacks value and the charm it once had.

Unless improvements are made, Den Anker risks losing its legacy as one of Cape Town’s go-to dining spots. For now, it feels more like a tourist trap than the institution it once was.

I won’t be going back to my previously favourite restaurant...

Located by the scenic Waterfront, Den Anker offers a delightful harbourside dining experience. The harbourside terrace provides a relaxing view of the water, perfect for unwinding while enjoying the breeze.

Ordered the beef waygu burger. My expectation was a well-done patty that balances flavor and texture. Unfortunately, the patty was overcooked to the point of being burnt, leaving it devoid of flavor. This was disappointing, especially considering the reputation of Wagyu beef. Could be someone forgot the order on the grill. Then we also had Pork Belly. This dish was a highlight. It was perfectly cooked, tender, and flavorful with an impressive balance of texture and seasoning.

While I feel that Den Anker's ambiance and some dishes shine, attention to detail in execution is crucial, especially for premium ingredients like Wagyu beef. A burnt patty is unacceptable at this level, but the excellence of the pork belly shows the potential of the kitchen. Would I come back? Only if I've tried all the other restaurants by...