Panama Jack's

Panama Jack's Review

In this raw-timber structure in the heart of the docks, about 3 mi north of other V&A venues, the music is loud, the tables are crowded, and the decor is nonexistent, but nowhere in town will you find bigger crayfish. Your choice, made from large open tanks, is weighed before being grilled or steamed. Expect to pay upwards of R515 per kilogram for this delicacy and a whopping R1,100 a kilogram for the scarce and endangered wild abalone, which is being poached nearly to extinction. Large prawns range in price from R250 for 10 to about R77 each for Mozambique langoustines. There is plenty of less expensive seafood as well, and daily specials such as baby squid and local line-caught fish are competitively priced. It can be difficult to find this place at night, so you may want to come for lunch, which is far more affordable, if it's your first visit.