Knysna Oyster Company at the V&A Waterfront Review: Shuck, Tuck, Repeat.

Find yourself craving oysters or seafood at the V&A?

Well then, welcome to The Knysna Oyster Company at the V&A Waterfront, a seafood hotspot in the heart of Cape Town.

This seaside adventure combines the freshest of oysters, delectable seafood dishes, and a luxe but laidback interior with a touch of coastal charm. Don’t assume that it’s catering just to tourists, they have incredible daily specials like:

Buy a bottle of De Grendel wine or bubbly and get 12 oysters for half price! Ready? Ok… Let’s go!

Knysna Oyster Company at the V&A Waterfront Review: Shuck, Tuck, Repeat.

The Venue
You know that delightful sideways Cape Town rain? Well, that’s what set the stage as we were ushered into the warmth of the Knysna Oyster Company at the V&A Waterfront. Whether you’re visiting for a casual lunch or special occasion, the classic, neutral decor creates a relaxed atmosphere with a blend of comfort, class and charm. With seating for up to 30 people inside, and even more outside, it’s an intimate space that can be rented out for private events.

The Food
Feel like a steak? Vegetarian? Go somewhere else. Since 1949, The Knysna Oyster Company has cultivated fresh Pacific oysters all year round. From farm to fork, you can tuck into small, medium, large and giant oysters, as well a range of fish and shellfish dishes. While there is a Wagyu burger on the menu, which could hit the spot for a burger lover, seafood is the order of the day. My favourite dish was the Mussel Laksa served with crusty bread. It featured plump mussels immersed in a fragrant and flavourful spiced ginger and coconut broth. The perfect way to warm up on a chilly day.

The Service
The friendly, knowledgeable staff are passionate about their craft, always ready to guide you through the menu, suggest pairings, and makes you feel right at home. Plus, when I asked for a super spicy, super salty, super acidic Bloody Mary, they actually delivered.

The Detail

The Delightful Dozen // 275

We kicked off with a show-stopping oyster platter to get a taste of each style offered at the Knysna Oyster Company. Classic oysters worked as “palate cleansers” between the flavours, which were made up of: Mignonette oysters topped with a blend of red wine vinegar, minced shallots, and freshly cracked black pepper; tempura oysters with sriracha mayo; oysters with soya sauce and ginger; and finally, oysters with a lime gel and cucumber. I’m a classic gal, but the soya sauce and ginger really complemented the creaminess of the oyster and I was surprised by how succulent the tempura oysters were. While I wouldn’t only order stylised oysters, they add a nice surprise between the classics.

Mussel Laksa // 150

My dish of the day – this combo of plump mussels, pak choi, and aromatic spices will transport you to the vibrant streets of Southeast Asia. The mussels were doused in a spicy laksa soup, that was packed with ginger, lemon grass, coconut and coriander, just waiting to be mopped up with crusty bread. It was a hefty portion of top quality mussels with a broth that packed the perfect punch.

Linefish and Calamari Combo + Prawns // 180 + 85

A generous portion of yellowtail, prawns, calamari, chips, garlic aioli and tartar sauce. What more could you want? Each element was cooked to juicy perfection, which allowed its flavour and freshness to shine. The succulent yellowtail was tender and meaty, the prawns were juicy, the calamari was crispy, and the chips were crunchy. A textural party on a plate. The seasoning was simple – lemon, salt and black pepper – which meant you could add your flavour by adding extra lemon, garlic aioli or tartar sauce.

Softshell Crab // 285

Here’s the truth, it takes a really phenomenal softshell crab to impress me. Not because I’m bougee, but because there are so many other things I’d rather eat when presented with a seafood menu. But I’ll always give something a go. This dish certainly ticked the box for succulent meat and a crispy, golden exterior, but as a whole, it needed a vibrant sauce (other than sriracha mayo) to add some oomph and make sense of the rice that it’s served with.

The Knysna Oyster Company is an inviting venue with a beautiful bar, outstanding service, and a diverse seafood menu. So pop in and buy a bottle of wine or champagne and get all oysters for half price, book for your next date night dinner and movie, or rent the space out for your private event. And whatever you do, order the laksa!