Set right on the water at the V&A Waterfront, Upper Quay is the kind of place where time slows down just enough to enjoy a long lunch, a celebratory dinner, or a “let’s order one more dish” kind of evening.
Its à la carte menu leans into refined comfort, showcasing local seafood, premium cuts, and thoughtful plates that feel polished without ever trying too hard. [full menu]
The menu opens with a line-up of starters designed for sharing or savouring solo.Expect West Coast influences throughout, from delicately smoked snoek pâté and West Coast mussels in a creamy white wine reduction, to indulgent plates like gambas al ajillo and tuna tartare layered with avocado and Japanese mayo. For those who like to start strong, there’s also roasted bone marrow with chimichurri and aged parmesan, plus a selection of wild oysters served au naturel or with classic accompaniments .
Salads and vegetarian dishes hold their own rather than playing second fiddle. Options like grilled peach and burrata, classic Caesar, Cape Malay vegetable curry, and spinach and ricotta ravioli bring colour, balance, and plenty of flavour to the table. It’s the kind of menu where plant-forward diners don’t feel like an afterthought .
Seafood lovers, though, may want to pace themselves. Upper Quay’s main offerings read like a love letter to the ocean: blackened Norwegian salmon, herb-crusted kingklip, seafood bouillabaisse, and prawn aglio e olio all make an appearance. For those who believe more is more, the restaurant’s signature platters take centre stage — generous combinations of line fish, prawns, calamari, mussels, and even crayfish, designed for sharing and celebrating .
The meat selection is equally confident, featuring everything from sirloin, fillet, and rib-eye on the bone to venison fillet and Karoo lamb dishes. Thoughtful sides, classic sauces, and well-balanced plating keep the focus on quality ingredients and clean execution.
Dessert rounds things off on a high note with crowd-pleasers like rooibos crème brûlée, Basque cheesecake, and indulgent affogatos — plus an entire section dedicated to milkshakes, smoothies, and Freezos for those who prefer their finale icy and nostalgic .
Upper Quay’s menu feels well-suited to its setting: elegant but approachable, indulgent without being intimidating. Whether it’s a seafood feast with friends, a date-night steak, or a long afternoon that turns into dinner, this is waterfront dining done with confidence and care.
Quay 4, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town
021 419 2008
+27 76 981 4503
info@quay4.co.za
