Twenty-nine years on, Café Orca in Melkbosstrand remains a place of continuity and excellence thanks to the hands-on owners, half-brothers Ricky Douglas and Jason Barkley. The sea may dominate the view, but it also defines the irresistible cooking and competent service.
Surprises start from the get-go. Gleaming Pesto Baby Squid is bathed in a feather-light basil pesto cream, roasted feta provides the ballast and is offset by a tomato oil drizzle tasting of sunburnt vines. Next up, the Oysters are wooed by an accompanying horseradish cream which gives just enough fire to make you blush, while the French vinaigrette is a masterclass in restraint.
For mains, the Moroccan Line Fish is where Café Orca truly flexes its fins. The fillet—grilled just to the edge of translucence—lounges in a pool of spicy harissa sauce humming with heat and citrus. Cherry tomatoes burst under the fork and capers cut through with their briny punctuation. It’s a plate that speaks of travel and terroir.
The Blue Cheese Line Fish takes a bolder turn. This could easily have gone wrong but it’s tempered into a creamy sauce of balance and intent. Caramelised onions weave sweetness through the richness, making the dish feel like a love affair that shouldn’t work, yet absolutely does.
Everything is served with glossy roasted vegetables and the option of chips or rice. Of course the chips win. They’re the kind that taste of holiday.
Hours: Wed-Sat 12h00-15h00 & 18h00-20h30; Sun 12h00-15h30; Ph 021 5534120; 88 Beach Rd.
