During my recent trip to the spectacular Sunshine Coast, I had the opportunity to enjoy a delicious meal at Graze by the River, situated in the resort town of Port Alfred.
Port Alfred is located almost exactly between Port Elizabeth and East London.
One can easily drive right past this gem of a restaurant without even knowing it, but if you take the advice from any of their numerous loyal customers, it is certainly worth a visit.
Upon entering the restaurant, myself and my friend noticed that this was not your ordinary eating establishment. The front of house serves as both a sitting area for the restaurant as well as an arts and crafts boutique.
We were greeted by the friendly staff and they showed us to our seats. The weather on that particular evening was very pleasant so we were shown a seat outdoors. The intimate setting of their outdoor area made for an enchanting experience.
We were pleasantly surprised to see the knowledge and helpfulness of the waiters at Graze by the River. One waiter took our drink orders whilst another waiter made their way to each table, explaining their menu in depth for that evening and what to pair their meals with.
This friendly nature is echoed by the owner, Nick Howard, who goes to each table and introduces himself. This personal interaction with his clients makes for a lasting impression.
Each meal was meticulously explained, from the suppliers to the way the food was prepared. Upon enquiry, the team were adamant of the quality of their line fish cob, claiming that it is their speciality and that visitors travel from all over to enjoy their well-prepared fish.
I opted to enjoy a blend of Three Peaks red wine, whilst a glass of fresh squeezed orange juice was enjoyed by my friend.
We took our waiter’s advice and we both ordered their cob. We can both say that we thoroughly enjoyed the meal that was prepared. The fish was flavoursome, whilst the sides and sauce complimented it perfectly. That was certainly the best fish I have had in a long time.
Their desert selection looked too enticing to ignore, so I ordered a Belgian Chocolate Mousse and my friend chose a Caramel Chocolate Cheesecake. My mousse contained an assortment of berries, which enhanced the flavour of the mousse. We both agreed that our desert selections were the perfect way to enjoy a culinary treat.
Once the evening service was drawing to a close, the owner and chef of Graze by the River, Nick, came and chatted to us. He explained that he prepares the menu each day; entirely dependent on the ingredients he has available.
This adaptability and innovation allows for visitors to have a new experience every time they visit, whilst maintaining a high level of standard that is associated with Graze.
We left feeling as though we had experienced something different, a restaurant off the beaten path. Whilst at the same time knowing that it was certainly a memorable visit.
What’s on the Menu at Graze by the River?
The Menu for Graze by the River is a dynamic one, which is what one can expect from quality establishments. However, the core of the menu remains the same more often than not.
The team source their ingredients from in and around Port Alfred, which allows for their produce to remain fresh. Strong working relationships with their suppliers has resulted in Graze given access to some of the best produce in the region.
Nick has used his culinary knowledge to create a menu that has a little bit of everything for everybody.
This adaptability and ingenuity has seen Graze constantly been rated as amongst the best restaurants that Port Alfred has to offer. Read more here…
Parties and Events at Graze by the River
Whether it be enjoying a food and wine pairing, a birthday celebration, a wedding reception, or enjoying some live music in the garden, Graze by the River can accommodate your functions and events.
Reviews from previous Graze by the River guests
“This is the second time I’m reviewing this place and the second time I’ve been there. The food is always amazing, fresh and well prepared. The host is friendly and makes you feel at home. I would recommend everything on the menu. Start from the top down. Excellent gem in beautiful Port Alfred.,” wrote unathik2014 on their TripAdvisor page.
Gareth Foster added; “The food is just 5-star and the atmosphere is so nice & relaxed. We will definitely be back!”
Graze by the River is located at 38 Van Der Riet St, Port Alfred. Here is their location on Google Maps. For bookings, call +27 (0)63 644 3878; email njh4665@gmail.com or visit them online at grazebytheriver.co.za/. Follow them on Facebook here.
