Kenton on Sea Restaurants – where to grab a bite
Kenton on Sea has plenty of places to eat, from casual beach spots to busy village restaurants. Most are small, local and easy to reach, which makes planning meals simple, especially if you’re here for a weekend or a holiday.
Dining here leans toward rustic, easygoing meals, fitting for a town locally referred to as the barefoot capital. You’ll find coffee stops for early beach mornings, laid-back lunch venues and lively spots for sundowners or simple dinners.
This guide shares the Kenton on Sea restaurants we recommend most often to holiday guests looking for good food, friendly service, and a straightforward meal plan for their stay.
Top Kenton on Sea Restaurants to Try During Your Stay
Below is a practical overview of where to eat, what each place offers and why guests tend to return.
The House Kitchen & Cellar
Best for: Breakfast, lunch, coffee, relaxed meals with a view
Where: 42 Kenton Road, Kenton on Sea
The House Kitchen & Cellar is one of the most popular places to eat in Kenton. The river-facing deck fills early with guests looking for breakfast, coffee and long, easy lunches. Inside, the connection to The House Planner homeware store gives the space a polished, modern feel without losing its laid-back character.
The menu leans on fresh, local ingredients and reliable favourites. Cakes, sandwiches, salads, and seasonal plates appear throughout the week. Their Mastertons Coffee is a regional classic that many guests look forward to each morning. Service is friendly and consistent, and the resident hornbill has become a local mascot.
Opening times:
• Mon–Fri: 7h30 to 17h00 (kitchen closes 16:00)
• Sat, Sun & Public Holidays: 7h30 to 14h30 (kitchen closes 14:00)
• Closed Christmas Day and New Year’s Day
Contact: Lauren +27 (0) 83 389 7867 kitchen@houseplanner.co.za
Kenton on Sea Dining: The Volo
Best for: Families, big groups, casual meals, sports watching, and early coffee
Where: 23 Kenton Road Village centre,
The Volo offers several dining experiences in one place. The outdoor Volo Garden is shaded and relaxed, ideal for families and groups. Guests can order from an extensive menu: pizzas, burgers, ribs, salads and light meals. The kids’ play area keeps younger travellers busy while adults enjoy a drink or coffee.
Inside, the à la carte restaurant offers a more refined option, while The Wine Bar is a favourite for sport, cocktails and casual dinners. The café opens early with breakfasts, pastries and excellent gelato, which has become a local favourite after a day on the beach.
Opening times: Daily: 11h00 until late Kitchen closes 22h00
No reservations
Kenton Asian
Best for: Flavourful Asian dishes, breakfast, share-style dining
Where: 5 Kenton Road, Kenton-on-Sea
Kenton Asian started as a small market stall and has grown into one of the busiest restaurants in town. The menu is centred on bold, fresh flavours: bao buns, spring rolls, curries, ramen, pad Thai, lentil curry, Korean fried cauliflower and Mongolian beef. Portions are generous, and dishes are made with fresh ingredients.
In the mornings, the same space becomes Kenton Brekkie, serving everything from eggs and rosti to French toast, brekkie buns and smooth barista coffee. It’s one of the best breakfast options for guests who want something hearty before a beach day.
The restaurant is closed on Mondays in the off-season, but open extra days and extended hours during the busy April and December periods.
Parking is available directly in front of the restaurant for easy access.
Opening times: Breakfast: 9h00 – 11h30 Lunch: 12h00 – 15h00 Dinner: 17h30 – 21h30 (Tuesday to Saturday)
Contact: +27 79 620 4998 | kentonasian@gmail.com
Jerry’s Beach Bar & Restaurant
Best for: Sundowners, pizzas, burgers, live music, beachfront meals
Where: 1 Eastbourne Road, directly on Kariega Beach
Jerry’s is a long-standing favourite for its beachfront setting and easygoing atmosphere. Earlier versions of the venue were known as Homewoods and Jeremiah’s, both staples in Kenton’s social scene. After a major fire in 2021, Jerry’s reopened with a fresher look but kept the relaxed coastal feel that guests love.
Expect wood-fired pizzas, burgers, seafood, cocktails and occasional DJ nights. It’s lively in season, quieter out of season, and always a convenient stop if you’re staying near the beach. Parking can be tight, so walking is often simpler.
Opening times: Daily: 9h00 till late
Contact: +27 72 587 3336
Pizzarella
Best for: Wood-fired pizza, waffles, artisan bread, casual outdoor meals
Where: 3 Eastbourne Rd – Kariega river mouth, under the milkwood trees
Pizzarella is rustic and relaxed, with outdoor seating and sand underfoot. Their thin-crust pizzas have a strong local following, with toppings like fig and camembert, seafood, salami or avo and bacon. They also serve burgers, baked camembert, breakfast rolls and generous waffles.
Their artisanal bread is excellent. Fresh sourdough and ciabatta are baked daily and often sell out quickly. Dogs are welcome.
Opening times: 9h00 – 21h00
Contact: 082 772 0614 / 087 550 0869
The Sandbar Floating Restaurant
Best for: River views, seafood, live music, relaxed evening meals
Where: 4th Ave Riversbend, Bushman’s River Mouth, Kenton-on-Sea
The Sandbar has been operating for more than two decades and remains one of the most unusual dining settings on the river. The barge-style restaurant offers wide views of the water, especially at sunset. The menu includes fish and chips, curries, steaks, vegetarian dishes and seafood platters.
The king prawn platter is one of their most popular dishes. The venue often hosts live music and partners with Kingfisher River Cruises for private or group outings. Reservations recommended
Opening times: Daily: 11h00 to 21h00
Contact: 074 833 3480
Post House Grill
Best for: Portuguese-Mozambican dishes, prawns, chicken and hearty portions
Where: Corner of Hertzog and Park Street, Boesmansriviermond, old post office building
Post House Grill operates from one of the oldest buildings in Bushmans River, a small heritage house that once served as the area’s post office. Locals still refer to it as “the old post house,” and the restaurant has kept much of the building’s character.
The kitchen is small but well known for its flavour and generous portions. Meals are prepared fresh to order, so dishes can take time, but the results are consistently worth the wait.
The menu focuses on Portuguese-Mozambican favourites: peri-peri chicken, prawns, mussels, chicken livers and generous grilled meats. The Portuguese Platter is the standout for guests wanting to try a bit of everything, and there is a takeaway option for nights when you prefer to eat in.
Opening times:
- Monday & Saturday 08:30 – 22:30
- Tuesday CLOSED
- Wednesday & Friday 16:30 – 22:30
- Thursday 12:30 – 22:30
- Sunday 08:30 – 16:30
Stanley’s Country Restaurant
Best for: Sunday roasts, river views, relaxed country meals
Where: Eve’s Retreat, R343 Grahamstown Rd
Stanley’s is a Kenton institution. For years, it has been one of the most familiar stops on the road between Kenton and Grahamstown, known for its warm, family-run feel and its wide views over the Kariega River. The setting is rustic and welcoming, with a large deck that’s ideal for slow weekend lunches or relaxed dinners with friends.
The menu covers hearty, reliable favourites including steaks, seafood and vegetarian options, but most guests come for the Sunday carvery. It’s a tradition in its own right: generous plates of roast meats, seasonal vegetables and extra rounds of potatoes and carved meats that appear just when you think the meal is over.
Another hallmark of Stanley’s is Dot’s dessert table. There are usually at least ten freshly made desserts each week, including favourites like pecan pie, lemon meringue pie, chocolate mousse and pavlova. Many guests make sure to save space, as the dessert selection has become as well-known as the carvery itself.
The atmosphere is unhurried, the service is friendly, and the experience feels much like being welcomed into someone’s home for a long Sunday lunch. Booking for Sunday lunch is essential.
Stanley’s is pet-friendly, ideal for groups and remains one of the most consistent, welcoming places to eat in the area.
Opening times:
Sunday lunch must be booked in advance.
- Monday 16h30 – 23h00
- Tuesday- Saturday 11h00 – 23h00
- Sunday 11h00 – 16h00
The Goat Shed Bush Bistro & Bar
Best for: Rustic bistro meals, live music, relaxed evenings
Where: Woodlands, just off the R343
The Goat Shed has a rural, easygoing setting, and the atmosphere shifts naturally from a laid-back lunch spot to a cosy evening venue once the paraffin lamps and fireplace come on. It’s a good choice after a long beach day when you want a simple, satisfying meal without having to dress up.
The menu is broad and familiar, with crowd-pleasers like fish and chips, calamari, chicken livers, steaks, burgers and pizzas. Portions are generous, and the kitchen keeps things straightforward and flavourful. The bar has a strong following of its own, with a solid wine list, local beers and a relaxed mix of regulars and visitors.
Live music features often, especially in season, and the venue’s open-air layout makes it a comfortable place to linger on warm nights. Parking is secure within the Woodlands property, and the setting has enough space for families while still feeling intimate for couples.
Opening times:
• Wed–Sun: 12h00 to 21h00
• Open daily during high season
Takeaways, Bakeries and Coffee Spots
Not every meal in Kenton needs a sit-down restaurant. If you want something quick after the beach, an easy option for a self-catering evening, or a good coffee to start the day, these local stops are reliable and close to most accommodation.
The Bakery
Best for: Artisan breads, pastries and picnic supplies
Where: Shop 1, The Boardwalk, Kenton Road
The Bakery is a popular stop for sourdough, ciabatta and sweet pastries. They also stock cheeses, preserves and other pantry items that work well for breakfast at your accommodation or a picnic at the beach or river.
Opening times: Mon – Sat 07h30 – 16h00, Sun 07h30 – 13h30
Cornerstone Café
Best for: Curry, hake, calamari and good-value takeaway meals
Where: Corner of Ocean Avenue and Alfred Road
Cornerstone Café is well known for its Durban-style lamb curry, served with rice, vetkoek, roti or as a bunny chow. They also offer hake, calamari, chips, vetkoek with various fillings and milkshakes. Service is welcoming, and orders can be placed via WhatsApp or phone, making it a convenient option for holiday guests.
Opening times: Sat – Thurs 09h00 – 19h00, Fri 09h00 – 20h00
Coffee Spots Worth Knowing
Kenton has several reliable coffee stops within easy reach of the village and beaches.
Mm Coffee: Friendly, busy and located beside The Bakery.
Dilly Deli: On Middle Beach; great for a post-swim coffee and a breakfast roll.
Miki’s Grind: Opens at 6 AM; ideal for early starters heading to the beach or river.
Food Stops on Your Doorstep
One of the perks of staying in Kenton is how easy it is to eat out. Most restaurants, cafés and takeaways are only a few minutes from The Oyster Collection’s beach houses, so you can decide on the go — a quick coffee run, lunch with a view or something simple after a long beach day.
Holiday meals shouldn’t feel like planning, and in Kenton, they don’t. Use this guide to explore what’s close by, try a few local favourites and enjoy having so many good options right on your doorstep.
Kenton is ideal for a slow, laid-back break. If you’re ready for a calm coastal escape with beaches, river walks and plenty of good food close by, book your stay with The Oyster Collection and start planning your holiday.
FAQs for “Kenton on Sea Restaurants”
Q: What are the best Kenton on Sea restaurants for families?
Volo, The House Kitchen & Cellar and Pizzarella are all family-friendly. They offer easy menus, relaxed seating and space for kids, making them reliable options during school holidays.
Q: Which Kenton on Sea restaurants are closest to the beach?
Jerry’s Beach Bar & Restaurant and Pizzarella are the closest, both within steps of the sand. They’re ideal for casual meals after swimming or spending the day at the river mouth.
Q: Where can I find vegetarian options in Kenton on Sea?
Most restaurants offer at least a few vegetarian dishes. Volo, Stanley’s and Kenton Asian have some of the widest selections, and The House Kitchen often includes fresh, veggie-forward plates.
- Do I need to book Kenton on Sea restaurants in advance?
During peak season, booking is recommended for Stanley’s, The House Kitchen’s dinner evenings and The Sandbar. Casual spots like Pizzarella, Jerry’s and Volo operate on a walk-in basis but can get busy.
- Which Kenton on Sea restaurants offer takeaway meals?
Cornerstone Café, Pizzarella, Kenton Asian and Volo’s takeaway counter all offer convenient options. These work well for self-catering accommodation or relaxed evenings at home