Seafood lovers, home cooks, families and curious foodies have every reason to head to Makers Landing at the V&A Waterfront this winter as the third annual Sustainable Seafood Fest returns on 4 and 5 July 2026.
Open from 10:00 to 17:00 on both Saturday and Sunday, the festival has grown far beyond its origins as a seafood market.
Today, it celebrates not only exceptional local seafood, but also the stories behind it, shining a spotlight on traceable seafood, responsible fishing, ocean stewardship and the communities whose livelihoods depend on healthy marine ecosystems. Best of all, entry is free, with only selected workshops requiring tickets.
- Visitors can browse a bustling Fresh Fish Market featuring suppliers including ABALOBI, Wild Peacock and small-scale fishers from the Western Cape Fishers United Co-Op, offering the opportunity to buy directly from producers while learning about sustainable seafood sourcing.
Across the venue, more than 25 food and beverage vendors will be serving everything from seafood-inspired dishes to global street food, artisanal products and sweet treats.
Festival favourites include Den Anker, Beluga, Jollof Café, Cardamom Kitchen, KaBullz, House of Grace, Kapoochka, Afrikoa, Churn It, Finest Frozen Yoghurt, Twinkle Pop and many more, alongside specialty producers such as Aquatics Caviar, Yeoville’s Sauces, Soul Harvest, Vitra Fruits and Lelos Tasty Foods.
Adding even more flavour to the weekend, acclaimed restaurant Terrarium will host the Makers Landing Restaurant Residency daily from 10:00 to 16:00, while celebrated food storyteller Onezwa Mbola presents an intimate evening dinner residency from 18:00 to 22:00 on both nights. Tickets for the dinner experience are available here.
Throughout both days, the Demo Kitchen will feature live fish filleting by ABALOBI, mussel and oyster demonstrations by Mussel Monger, tuna preparation by Cape Fish, caviar tastings from Aquatics Caviar, and cooking showcases presented by SA Chefs.
Guests wanting to sharpen their own culinary skills can book hands-on workshops in the Thyme Room. The programme includes children’s cooking classes hosted by Ayesha Juwaley (The Charming Chef), adult cooking sessions led by Tariq Kathrada, and family-friendly Mommy & Me cooking experiences.
The festival is equally focused on education and conservation. Organisations including WWF SASSI, MSC with Sea Harvest, Two Oceans Aquarium, Catch Green, SAquaDC and ABALOBI will host interactive exhibits exploring sustainable seafood choices, marine conservation and the future of South Africa’s oceans.
Families are especially well catered for, with a dedicated Kids Zone featuring supervised activities, colouring stations, ocean mascot appearances, Twinkle Pop treats and a mini silent disco to keep younger visitors entertained throughout the day.
Entertainment continues across the weekend with live music by A11, DJs, a Craft & Conversation Corner on Saturday morning, and a Silent Events disco on Sunday, ensuring there’s always something happening beyond the food.
Whether visitors arrive to shop for fresh seafood, learn new cooking techniques, support local fishers, enjoy outstanding food or simply spend a relaxed winter day by the harbour, the Sustainable Seafood Fest offers a memorable experience that connects great food with meaningful conversations about the future of South Africa’s oceans.
Event Details
Dates: 4 & 5 July 2026
Time: 10:00 – 17:00 daily
Venue: Makers Landing, Cruise Terminal, V&A Waterfront
Entry: Free (selected workshops are ticketed)
For programme updates and more information, visit:
https://www.waterfront.co.za
The Sustainable Seafood Fest isn’t simply a celebration of what’s on the plate—it’s an invitation to discover the people, places and practices that ensure South Africa’s seafood can be enjoyed for generations to come.
