Fick's Pool Restaurant

Oceanside Dining at a Historic Tidal Pool

Fick's Pool Restaurant overlooks a historic tidal pool built in the 1920s, offering one of the most distinctive dining spots along the South African coastline. This open-air restaurant serves Spanish-inspired pinchos (small tapas-style dishes) designed for sharing, alongside flammkuchens and cocktails.

The restaurant is built into the cliff face surrounding the pool, with wooden decks providing panoramic ocean views. During whale season (June-November), diners might spot Southern Right Whales breaching offshore while enjoying their meal.

Practical Tips for Visitors

• No reservations accepted - operates strictly on a first-come, first-served basis
• Arrive early (before 11:00) during peak season to avoid waiting up to an hour for a table
• The restaurant closes during rainy weather or extreme winds (being completely open-air)
• Limited parking available at the top of the cliff with security present
• Bring a swimming costume if you'd like to cool off in the tidal pool between courses
• Evenings can get chilly - blankets are provided but bringing a jersey is recommended

Menu Highlights and Experience

The menu focuses on shareable pinchos plates with fresh ingredients and creative combinations. While portions are small by design, ordering multiple dishes to share is part of the experience. The extensive cocktail menu complements the seaside setting perfectly.

Popular menu items include calamari, crispy prawns, wings with sticky sauce, and flammkuchens (thin, pastry-like pizzas). The restaurant can get busy, especially on weekends, with food preparation sometimes taking up to 35 minutes.

Local Insight

This tidal pool has deep roots in Hermanus history - originally created in the 1920s when a concrete wall was built across a natural cove. The pool's unique design allows ocean waves to refresh the water regularly, making it a popular swimming spot for locals and visitors alike.

For the full experience, plan to spend a few hours here - enjoying the food, watching swimmers in the pool below, and keeping an eye out for dassies (rock hyraxes) scampering among the rocks.