What They Say
Serving abundant portions of Greek-style seafood, combined with big-hearted hospitality and a little bit of Mediterranean madness, Ocean Basket is the family restaurant that’s gone global.
Originating in South Africa in 1995, there are now over 200 Ocean Basket restaurants in 16 different countries. Marking their two-year milestone in England, Ocean Basket now has restaurants in Kingston upon Thames and Bromley.
To Drink
I’m here with my friend Janie, a journalist who’s spent a lot of time in South Africa. As soon as we sit down, she’s hit by a sense of deja vu, as she realises that she’s been to Ocean Basket before, in Cape Town and Johannesburg, and always enjoyed her experiences there.
As Janie knows her South African wines, I hand her the wine list. There’s a choice of red wine from South Africa and Argentina, Italian Prosecco, and white wine from South Africa, Italy and Spain.
We’re going for white wine with our seafood, and Janie chooses the Benguela Cove Sauvignon Blanc. With a personal back catalogue of South African wine to compare it to, Janie describes this as: “Ordinary. Nothing wrong with it though!”. However, I enjoy it and at £29.50 a bottle, it’s probably not much more than London pub prices.
To Eat
Janie and I start off with the fried calamari heads and panko zucchini, suggested by our waiter Julian who looks after us impeccably. He’s on the ball throughout the evening and we happily put ourselves in his hands, giving him the green light to whisk away our menus and rely entirely on his recommendations.
This leads to an awesome seafood platter for two turning up on our table, piled high with prawns, mussels, cape hake, calamari and crispy calamari heads because really, who can have too much calamari?!
Certainly not Janie, who says afterwards: “The Cajun spiced calamari tubes were perfectly cooked and tasted authentic. It’s a very popular dish in South Africa and they managed to nail it in Kingston!”
Alongside the platter, we have chips, rice, and the Traditional Village Salad, which the menu describes as: “Just like they make it in Greece”. This is exactly what you’d expect from a Greek salad with feta cheese, olives, and all the other usual suspects.
It’s all fab but, despite the abundance of beautiful food, I somehow found myself buttering bread rolls and dipping them in the “liquid gold”, a house sauce which is so wrong it’s right. It’s properly naughty and I would literally go back just to taste that sauce. Janie is also won over by it, describing it as: “Delicious. The ultimate garlic butter!”
All the food gets a big thumbs up from Janie, who says it’s on a par with the Jo’burg branch, and even better than the Cape Town branch.
We are too full for dessert but Julian somehow convinces me that I have a second stomach, purely for this purpose, and so I find myself in heaven with Dom Pedro.
This is an alcoholic milkshake that’s apparently a South African speciality. There’s a choice of Amarula, Kahlua and Jameson. I opt for the Kahlua as I’m told that’s the popular choice in South Africa, and, oh, I am happy that I did. It’s bliss in a glass.
Insider Info
Although the address suggests a high street location, Ocean Basket has outside seating that backs onto Riverside Walk, which overlooks the Thames. Our table had a beautiful view of the water, and the swans made it magical. I’d also add that the outside area is enclosed and raised, so there’s no risk of random passersby pinching your chips!
Arrive by riverboat, stopping at Kingston’s Town End Pier, just a few minutes’ walk away, or take a 10-15 minute stroll from the train station. Rather than walking along the high street, I recommend the scenic route along Riverside Walk. It’s really pretty, and you’ll have lots of lovely options to stop for a drink – and with the right person, I can imagine it being romantic. When you reach Ocean Basket, you’ll be able to access its high street entrance via the side of the building.
The Details
Ocean Basket, 52a High St, Kingston upon Thames KT1 1EU
0203 051 4358
Nearest station: Kingston upon Thames or arrive by boat at Kingston’s Town End Pier
