Top 10 Cafés and Restaurants in Port Elizabeth

CCharlie’s Pizza & Pasta, Summerstrand
A family favourite in Port Elizabeth, Charlie’s in Summerstrand cooks up a scrumptious combination of pizzas and pastas. Their policy is homemade – so expect fresh hand rolled pastas, pizzas hot from the wood fired oven, and tenderly prepared seasonings all put together using only the finest organic ingredients. The setting is casual, yet trendy and the menu is priced fairly – try a lamb shank pizza or lasagne.
Bookings: 041 583 2832 

The Coachman on the Bay
When a restaurant is family owned and run it always makes a difference, and in the case of George and Dawn Castis’ The Coachman, the difference is palpable. As the first restaurant in Port Elizabeth to offer calamari on its menu it’s fair to say The Coachman is something of a pioneer when it comes to seafood in the Eastern Cape. At their location on the bay, Patrons can look forward to a warm ambience and hands on dining experience, where each customer is given the endearing attendance of the Castis family and their staff … not to mention juicy steaks, Greek dishes and fresh fish to die for.
Bookings: 041 373 3440 

Ginger, Port Elizabeth Beach Front
For sophisticated eat out options in Port Elizabeth, Ginger next to the Beach Hotel offers a classy fine dining experience by the sea. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion, or simply spoiling yourself, Ginger’s menu, crafted by Michelin Chef Jonathan Hodder, offers a modern interpretation of fresh and familiar flavours, and is as desirable as its promenade location. All of this is supported by an equally impressive wine list and solid service. Deck seating is available for patrons who prefer al fresco dining.
Bookings: 041 583 1229 

Blue Waters Café, Summerstrand
A steakhouse and seafood restaurant in a relaxed, café setting; from the balcony overlooking Algoa Bay, Blue Waters Café offers sunset views that you’ll struggle to match anywhere else in the area. PE’s Shark Rock Pier is the landmark that guides you to this seaside restaurant near the Boardwalk. Menu options are extensive, and a menu comprising light meal, meat and seafood options make for a well-rounded experience in what is arguably PE’s most blissful location.
Bookings: 041 583 4110 

Old Austria, Port Elizabeth
The oldest restaurant in Port Elizabeth, the Old Austria has, over the many years it’s been in business, carried with it a reputation for good food. Since 1972, the restaurant which is housed in an elegantly refurbished Victorian home, has been the meet and eat destination to mark those special occasions such as birthdays or graduations. As with anything that shouldn’t be fixed if it isn’t broken, the menu has remained largely unchanged for more than 30 years, and fresh fish dishes, as well as old Austrian favourites such as schnitzel and pot roast, are still the most popular orders of the day.
Bookings: 041 373 0299 

For the Love of Wine, Richmond Hill
The perfect place to start or end an evening out on the town, this wine bar on fashionable Stanley Street understands that the best memories are made over a bottle of juicy red or sophisticated vintage, as such, a location to complement all the sociable things about it has been created in PE. Exclusively about the wine, don’t come here expecting an accompanying food menu, it’s their focus at the end of the day that has won them a firm place in locals’ bank of places to go. And with more than 250 labels on the list, they promise to challenge the gamut of wine lists in the Friendly City.
Bookings: 072 566 2692 

Bocadillos Bakery & Café, Walmer
A fresh French-style patisserie in Port Elizabeth, Bocadillos welcomes you in whether its breakfast, lunch, dinner or coffee and cake options you’re looking for. Set in a modish house near the airport, like the sweet treats baked daily, Bocadillos’ interior is decadent, and is characterised by a Bohemian look and feel with high ceilings, Persian rugs and cosy touches such as freshly cut flowers. If you’re looking for value and comfort in the city, you don’t need to go anywhere else.
Bookings: 041 581 1523

These are the Port Elizabeth restaurants that best represent the city’s vibrant mix of residents and their tastes.