Bientang’s Cave

I traveled to Hermanus recently for the Whale watching festival. En route to Hermanus I was amping myself for all the amazing whale sights I was going to see. Friday afternoon provided an inkling of hope but Saturday morning provided nothing. Defeated, I gave up on seeing any whales. Queue melodramatic music. However, with one last hope I made a booking at Bientang’s Cave for lunch. If I wasn’t going to see any whales, I was going to sit in a cave and enjoy the view of the ocean.

Bientang’s Cave is a well-known restaurant for enjoying lunch and whale-watching. The restaurant is well-situated, offering seating close to the rockside (inside seating) or outside seating. The outside seating is incredible. You can sit overlooking the ocean or, if  you’re brave, you can sit on the rocks with the mist from the waves cooling you down. It also has an extensive menu, so everyone’s preferences are met.

The oysters was the first thing ordered. That’s always a great idea when you’re at a coastal town. The oysters were so fresh and, even without any Tabasco sauce, they tasted great.

I had the seafood platter for one that had all the seafood you need. The pan-fried prawns were spicy and cooked well. The mussels were cooked in a white wine sauce, that was creamy but the wine was overpowering. The dish also had deep-fried calamari, which was overcooked. I’m also not a fan of deep-fried calamari so not have a grilled option was disappointing. There was also pan-fried fish of the day, which I assumed was hake. The waitress didn’t know either. The fish was tender and seasoned well. The platter also came with slaap-chips (or fat versions of French Fries), that were way too soggy, rice, and 2 sauces (a butter-garlic sauce and tartar sauce).

My creative boyfriend ordered the ordinary calamari burger. The calamari burger consisted of  deep-fried calamari, that came with French Fries as well. The burger was quite ordinary, nothing to excite the palate. If you were hungry and wanted a burger, the calamari burger is for you.

Bientang’s Cave is a great place for whale sightings and to eat something while you watch the whales frolick around. I spent 2 hours watching whales breach and I must admit that seeing them so close to shore is an amazing experience. In terms of food, however, there are plenty of places in Hermanus town that offer better quality food and lower prices.

I give Bientang’s Cave 1 and a half cupcakes (the half a cupcake is for the view 😉 )

   

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