V&A Waterfront’s free Seafood Fest at Makers Landing

25-odd traders, a pop up with Onezwa Mbola & more

Last updated: Monday, 29 June 2026

Free entry, cooking class with world-travelled chef Tariq Kathrada, a pop-up residency by Terrarium restaurant and food storyteller Onezwa Mbola, a kids' zone with its own silent disco, and a harbour full of fresh catches. That’s all going to be at the Sustainable Seafood Fest at Makers Landing at the V&A Waterfront on Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 July. And because everything on sale is local and responsibly caught, the good-for-the-ocean part is built into every activity.

The Sustainable Seafood Fest runs 4-5 July at Makers Landing in the V&A Waterfront. Image: Makers Landing

THE CATCH BEHIND THE FEAST

Seafood is a year-round delight, from sushi, sashimi, oysters, and fish braais by the sea to warming winter fish curries and fish broths.

“So seafood sustainability needs to be top of mind for all of us throughout the year,” says Star Senamile Shongwe, marketing manager at the V&A Waterfront.

The festival, more than just a genuinely good weekend of feasting, is also an eye-opener on the journey of your seafood from fishing boat to market stall.

Fresh local seafood on offer at the Sustainable Seafood Fest. Image: Makers Landing

FRESH FISH AND FOOD VENDORS

The market brings together 25-odd traders, with Abalobi, Wild Peacock and Southern Cross among them, all selling fish caught locally and traceable to the boat. For example, Abalobi's app follows each fish to the person who landed it, so the tuna on your plate has the fisher’s name attached.

A restaurant and a food influencer anchor the culinary programme. Terrarium, the V&A's plant-forward restaurant, serves a foraging-led menu daily from 10am to 4pm. 

By night, Wild Coast food storyteller Onezwa Mbola hosts intimate dinners. She draws on her deep knowledge of coastal foraging and will be cooking recipes from her new book, A Food Love Story.

Not a seafood fan? Come anyway. There are many more stalls with street food, sweet treats and frozen yogurt, and a lot of food knowledge and skills to gain.

Friends gather for food, talks, and tasting at Makers Landing. Image: Makers Landing

PICK UP SOME NEW SKILLS

Both days of the festival promise a lively mix of hands-on experiences. 

Pick up tips on choosing fresh fish at the market, or enjoy cooking demonstrations in the Demo Kitchen. You might walk in for some caviar and leave knowing how to fillet a hake. 

The upstairs cooking workshops are also worth planning around: A kids’ class with the Charming Chef, Ayesha Juwaley, and adult sessions throughout the day, including one with chef Tariq Kathrada.

Some workshops are ticketed, while others are drop-in with limited space, so arrive early if there's one you want.

Hands-on learning and new skills come to life at the Demo Kitchen. Image: Makers Landing

THINGS TO DO FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY 

There's a slower, sillier side to the weekend, too. Vinyl and other DJs will be playing both days, meaning there will be a vibe whether you're queuing for fish and chips or enjoying the harbour air.

The kids zone, with childminders, will keep the kids busy all day with colouring, Twinkle Pop treats, ocean mascots wandering through, and the cooking workshop with the Charming Chef.

There will also be a free silent disco. It's aimed at kids, but anyone can grab a pair of headphones.

Fresh oysters and citrus served during previous seafood celebration. Credit: Makers Landing

FOR THE LOVE OF THE OCEAN

Sustainability naturally sits at the core of all the activities, with talks and discussions on responsible fishing and the communities that depend on it.

Up in the education village, chat face-to-face with the likes of Abalobi, or pick up a voucher and carry it back downstairs to redeem for a taster.

On both days, you can learn more about marine conservation from organisations such as the Two Oceans Aquarium and WWF SASSI, the WWF’s sustainable seafood initiative.

It also brings small-scale fishers into view, connecting the seafood on sale with the coastal communities behind it.

There’s plenty to explore across the dozens of market stalls. Image: Makers Landing

HOW TO TO MAKERS LANDING + FREE PARKING

Makers Landing is situated at the Cape Town Cruise Terminal. To get there, enter Dock Road from Coen Steytler Avenue, continue towards the Silo District, and at the circle before South Arm Road, turn right into the Cruise Terminal.

Free weekend parking is available at Silo and Clock Tower, both about a 5-minute walk from Makers Landing, and at Battery Park, about a 10-minute walk away.

VISIT THE SEAFOOD FEST 

Seafood Fest is happening: Saturday 4 July to Sunday 5 July 2026
Times: 10am to 5pm both days 
Cost: Entry is free
Bookings: RSVP here
Find it: Makers Landing, Cape Town Cruise Terminal, V&A Waterfront
More info: https://www.waterfront.co.za/events/sustainable-seafood-fest-2026/ 

By Emile Louw

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EXPLORE THE CITY  

Check out Cape Town’s best fish and chip shops. 

Read more about Makers Landing. 

Discover this secret eco-friendly market. 

Be thrifty and try one of these free and cheap things to do with kids. 

See what’s happening this weekend.

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