If Ficks isn’t on your bucket list yet, here’s why it should be

Tucked into the cliffs of a tidal pool, this is THE Hermanus go-to

Last updated: Wednesday, 28 January 2026

Carved into the cliffs of a historic tidal pool, there’s a quiet confidence to Ficks. It’s where long lunches blur into sunset drinks and the setting does as much of the talking as the food and wine. Locals and visitors alike linger over pinchos and glasses of rosé, while the waves of the tidal pool shimmer and crash beneath the decks like something out of a movie scene.

It’s a local favourite with good food, great company, and some of the best Hermanus views. Image: Ficks Restaurant

LAZY DAY BY A TIDAL POOL

From the road, Ficks reveals very little. Only once you descend the stone staircase (or follow the gentle wheelchair ramp from the car park) does the setting open up, unfolding across wooden decks built into the cliff face above the sea.

Below, the tidal pool has anchored this stretch of coastline since the 1920s and remains one of the most beloved spots in the Overberg.

On warm days, it draws swimmers and sunbathers, while above it, guests linger over wine and conversation. The rhythm is unhurried – you’ll want to order another bottle and stay a little longer than planned.

Be sure to bring towels and extra clothes if you’re taking a dip. Image: Ficks Restaurant

IF YOU WANT TO GUARANTEE A SPOT…

Ficks is synonymous with summer afternoons, but it’s just as charming at night; fairy lights illuminate the rocks, and you can clink glasses of rosé as the sky turns pink. 

The quieter months are just as rewarding. Autumn and winter bring crisp, cool days (and a few sunny ones) to Hermanus, making it easier to get a table, especially if you want to arrive with a big party for a birthday or special occasion. 

And if you’re lucky, the late winter months offer an added spectacle: Southern right whales breaching just offshore. From August to November, Ficks becomes a front-row seat to one of nature’s most awe-inspiring performances.

The restaurant works on a first come, first serve basis and is closed in rainy or extremely windy weather. Image: Ficks Restaurant

PINCHOS BY THE SEA

If you like long lunches or lazy dinners, Ficks might ruin you for anywhere else. The menu is built for sharing, inspired by Spanish pinchos, which are small-sized dishes typically served on a skewer that originated in the Basque region of northern Spain.

Think crispy prawns, shrimp croquettes with Sriracha mayo, and fresh salmon ceviche. There are meatier favourites too, like lamb rack cutlets with kumquat chutney, beef and mango empanadas, and flammkuchen (German flatbread with toppings).

The size of these dishes are ideal for sharing. Image: Ficks Restaurant

AFFORDABLE & SPECIAL OCCASION BOTTLES

Pinchos pair well with a chilled bottle of chardonnay or rosé as the afternoon drifts on. The wine list strikes a thoughtful balance between everyday favourites and celebratory splurges, with accessible by-the-glass options like Diemersdal and Spier sauvignon blanc, alongside special bottles like La Motte Brut (delightful with oysters).

Ficks also has cheeky cocktails named by the bartenders, like the unapologetic Balls To The Walls (Six Dogs gin and blue tonic water), the tongue-in-cheek MILF (gin, lime juice, apple juice and sour mix), and Django, a boozy milkshake made from tequila-infused mango cream liqueur.

The cocktails are a treat on a balmy evening. Image: Ficks Restaurant

VISIT FICKS IN HERMANUS

Whether you stop by for a drink or lose an afternoon to the tide, Ficks has a way of quietly encouraging you to stay a little longer.

Ficks is open: 
December to April: Daily, 11am to 9pm
May to November: Sunday to Thursday, 11am to 6pm. Friday to Saturday, 11am to 7pm
Find it: 8 Marine Drive, Westcliff, Hermanus
Book: No bookings, first come first serve
Contact on: 028 312 4082, @ficksrestaurant

By Khadeeja Adams

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DISCOVER MORE MAGIC

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Discover some sizzling beachfront cocktail spots.

Here’s 13 of the best tidal pools in Cape Town.

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