Galjoen Review: Galjoen Launches Incredible Winter Lunch Menu at R550 Per Person
Launched last year to much fanfare, Cape Town’s ethically harvested seafood restaurant, Galjoen is again making waves with the introduction of a new multi-course winter lunch menu. The exciting new menu is set to change frequently and offers exceptional value at only R550 per person.
Situated in historic District Six, Galjoen fast became synonymous with exceptional South African shoreline dining, showcasing the finest sustainably caught seafood found along the Cape coast. There’s a reason Galjoen is known as one of the best seafood restaurants in Cape Town. Drawing on the culinary expertise honed at sibling restaurant and mega-hit, Belly of the Beast, chef patron duo Neil Swart and Anouchka Horn, alongside Galjoen head chef Isca Stoltz, have crafted a winter lunch menu that embraces the Cape of Storms season.
“At Galjoen, we’re passionate about showcasing the incredible diversity of South African seafood and use the opportunity to also highlight the critical importance of responsible dining practices,” explains Horn. “It’s a clear-cut philosophy of; if it’s not ethically sourced from South African shores, you won’t find it on the menu,“ further comments, Swart.
Led by head chef Stoltz, Galjoen’s kitchen is dedicated to creating dishes that celebrate the natural flavours of fresh produce from the sea. Stoltz taps into childhood memories of holidays in Mozambique, where shellfish was gathered along the coastline and fish procured fresh from the local market. Each Galjoen dish highlights the freshness of the seafood, ensuring it takes center stage.
A taste of Galjoen
I was invited to try out the winter lunch menu, which proved to be the perfect introduction to the much-talked-about restaurant. The fresh ingredients are the primary focus of every dish, with each new arrival at the table as thrilling as the next. I love that each lunch sitting is different, with no set number of courses, instead, guests are presented with an expertly choreographed dance of dishes to surprise and delight.
The dance began with a Saldanha Bay Oyster packed with flavour. Dressed in a perfectly balanced miso dressing with cucumber and sesame, the dish was a true celebration of our local oysters. Another triumph on the day was the Sashimi served with rice crisps, Ponzu, orange, Octopus Marmite, spring onions and aioli. As for the main course, we were treated to a Local fish fermented in a peri-peri sauce with a feta whip, sambal salad, cashew nuts, fresh avocado and triple-cooked chips — talk about an elevated take on fish and chips!
The show came to a close with a decadent and playful dessert course of cinnamon churro doughnuts served with milk tart ice cream, dark chocolate Astros, and a molasses dark chocolate sauce. Everything we needed to create your own doughnut ice cream sandwich. Because no show is complete without an encore, the sweet ending was extended with the arrival of S’mores made with espresso marshmallow, dark chocolate and Maldon salt.
This exciting multi-course winter lunch menu is a testament to the Galjoen team’s commitment to offering exceptional value without compromising on authenticity and quality. It’s a lunch experience seafood lovers do not want to miss out on.
Freshly caught, ocean-to-plate dining
Galjoen has partnered with leading seafood suppliers committed to sustainable fishing practices. From farmed mussels sourced from Saldanha Bay to a variety of fish caught by artisanal fishers, the restaurant prioritises quality and sustainability in every dish. The menu is curated by Chef Stoltz daily based on what’s available from local fishers and merchants. So, no matter when, or how often you visit, you’re in for a surprise and a taste of something new.
Lunch is priced at R550 per person and is available from 12:30, Thursday to Saturday. The winter lunch menu special will be valid until 31 August 2024. If you’re interested in visiting for dinner, you can book to experience the signature dinner menu at R850 per person. Dinner is served from 18:45, Monday to Saturday.
Anyone for surf and turf?
But that’s not all, the team at Galjoen and Belly of the Beast also have something completely different up their sleeves for the month of July. The Belly of the Beast will take a brief slumber in July, when the six-year-old restaurant receives a well-deserved kitchen and interior shake-up. During this time, Galjoen will be offering hungry customers a surf-and-turf-esque menu incorporating Belly of the Beast’s cuisine into a menu that showcases both fish and meats.
Find Galjoen in Cape Town’s historic CBD at 99 Harrington Street. Please reserve your table online via www.galjoencpt.co.za.
