Port Elizabeth’s food scene is anchored by the Summerstrand beachfront — not the deepest restaurant landscape in South Africa, but more than good enough for the city’s role as an Addo gateway and Garden Route stop. The Richmond Hill neighbourhood in the upper city has a clutch of independent restaurants that locals actually choose over the Boardwalk strip. The Eastern Cape’s seafood is a genuine strength: linefish pulled from Algoa Bay and the warm-water Indian Ocean corridor arrives fresh and is well-handled at the better restaurants.
A few context notes: Port Elizabeth has a large Indian-South African community dating to the 19th-century labour migrations, which shows up in some excellent curry options. The suburb of Newton Park and central Summerstrand have the highest concentration of restaurants; Richmond Hill has the best independent character.
Summerstrand and The Boardwalk
Ginger — The Boardwalk Casino, Summerstrand The most consistent fine-dining option at the Boardwalk complex. The menu spans South African and Asian influences; the Eastern Cape linefish dishes (yellowtail, kingklip) are the standouts. Service is notably better than the surrounding casino-complex restaurants. Good wine list with strong Cape selections. Budget approximately R220–320 per person with wine. Booking recommended for dinner.
Enoch’s Grill and Pub — Marine Drive, Summerstrand A beachfront institution for grilled meat and fish. The peri-peri crayfish (rock lobster) when in season is the signature — expensive by South African standards at approximately R280–380 for a half-cray but genuinely worth it if budget allows. The standard menu of ribs, calamari, and grilled linefish is reliable and well-priced at R130–200 per person. Good sunset views from the terrace.
Guido’s — 5th Avenue, Summerstrand Long-running Italian restaurant with a loyal local following. The pasta is made in-house; the veal scallopine and the seafood linguine are consistently good. Not trying to be anything other than a dependable neighbourhood Italian — which, in a city without many dining options, is exactly what it is. Budget approximately R180–250 per person.
Hacklewood Hill Country House (restaurant) — Hacklewood, 5 km from Summerstrand Attached to one of Port Elizabeth’s most respected guesthouses. The five-course set menu changes seasonally and draws on Eastern Cape produce. One of the more considered culinary experiences available in the city — book ahead and settle in for the evening. Budget approximately R450–600 per person for the set menu, excluding wine. Reserve well in advance.
The Boardwalk Hotel Restaurant — Summerstrand The hotel dining room attached to the Boardwalk Hotel is a step up from the surrounding Boardwalk restaurants. Contemporary South African menu with good sourcing — local beef from the Eastern Cape Karoo, daily linefish. The view across the bay at sunset is hard to beat in the city. Budget approximately R200–300 per person.
Richmond Hill: Independent Dining
Richmond Hill is a residential neighbourhood in the upper city, 3 km from the beachfront, where a cluster of independent restaurants and coffee shops have quietly built the better end of Port Elizabeth’s food scene.
Fushin — Richmond Hill Pan-Asian fusion restaurant that punches well above Port Elizabeth’s dining expectations. The sushi is competent (not trying to be Cape Town but well-executed for a smaller city), and the Asian-South African fusion mains — think wok-fried kudu with ginger and sesame — are genuinely interesting. Budget approximately R180–260 per person. A reliable choice for something more than meat and chips.
Provence — Richmond Hill A relaxed neighbourhood bistro with a French-leaning menu and a wine list that focuses on smaller Eastern Cape and Western Cape producers. The lamb dishes (Eastern Cape lamb is extraordinary — grass-fed, exceptionally flavoured) are what to order. Budget approximately R200–280 per person. Good for a lingering weekend lunch.
Koffie Huis — Richmond Hill The best coffee shop in Port Elizabeth’s upper city. Specialty espresso, excellent homemade cake, light lunches. The veranda is the place to sit. Budget approximately R60–120 per person. A much better option than anything on the beachfront strip for a morning coffee.
Mosaic Eatery and Coffee — Richmond Hill A newer addition to the Richmond Hill cluster. All-day menu, strong breakfast, plant-forward lunch options. The shakshuka is good; the grain bowls are well-constructed. Popular with the Richmond Hill creative-community crowd. Budget approximately R80–140 per person.
Seafood
Port Elizabeth’s best argument for spending time at the table is the seafood. Algoa Bay and the surrounding Eastern Cape coast produce:
Yellowtail (Seriola lalandi) — the most common local catch, meaty, versatile, at its best grilled over coals with lemon butter. Available July–September at peak; present year-round.
Kabeljou (Cob) — mild, flaky white fish; particularly good pan-fried or in a light cream sauce. A South African favourite that holds up to simple preparation.
Kingklip — the premium linefish of the South African coast, with firm white flesh and mild flavour. Expensive on menus but worth ordering once. Budget R180–260 for a main course.
Rock Lobster (Crayfish) — technically a spiny lobster (Jasus lalandii), it’s prepared grilled whole with peri-peri butter or mayonnaise. Best June to November when in-season. At approximately R250–400 for a portion, it’s a treat rather than an everyday order.
Where to find the best fish:
- Enoch’s (Summerstrand) — best peri-peri crayfish and grilled yellowtail
- Ginger (Boardwalk) — best presented linefish dishes
- Ocean Basket (multiple locations including Boardwalk and Greenacres) — a chain but reliable and good value at approximately R100–180 per person
Braai and South African Meat
Spur Steak Ranches — multiple Port Elizabeth locations Not a sophisticated choice, but the Spur chain’s Eastern Cape beef sourcing is genuinely good and the mixed grill (boerewors, lamb chop, rump steak, chicken) is an honest representation of South African braai food. Budget approximately R120–180 per person.
Wijnhuis — Newton Park Neighbourhood bistro in Newton Park with a strong local following for its steaks and Eastern Cape lamb. The wine list skews toward smaller SA producers. Budget approximately R180–250 per person. Popular with Pretoria families and couples doing a proper sit-down dinner.
Self-braai: Port Elizabeth’s warm climate makes self-braai viable almost year-round. Most guesthouses and self-catering units have braai facilities. Eastern Cape Karoo lamb chops and boerewors from a local Pick n Pay or Woolworths Food are approximately R80–130 per kg — cooking your own is the cheapest and most authentically South African option.
Practical Notes
- Booking: Essential at Ginger and Hacklewood Hill; recommended at Fushin and Provence on weekends
- Tipping: 10–15% is standard; service charge sometimes added for groups of 6+
- Hours: Most dinner service starts 6–6:30pm; lunch typically 12–2:30pm
- Budget reality: Port Elizabeth is one of South Africa’s more affordable cities for dining. What costs R250 per person in Cape Town often costs R170 here. Budget considerably less than you would in the Cape
For more on the city see the Port Elizabeth city hub and things to do in Gqeberha.