ocean basket menu

Ocean Basket Menu Prices in South Africa

Ocean Basket is South Africa’s best known seafood chain, with over 130 restaurants across the country. It started in 1995 when Fats Lazarides opened the first branch at Menlyn Park in Pretoria, and the formula has barely changed since: Mediterranean style seafood, generous sharing platters, and prices that undercut what most people expect to pay for fish. Here is the full Ocean Basket menu with current South African prices, plus an honest answer on what is happening with the specials.

One thing worth knowing before the tables: Ocean Basket pricing varies more between branches and platforms than most chains on this site. Delivery app prices through Uber Eats and Mr D run noticeably above dine-in prices, sometimes by R50 or more on a platter. The figures below reflect standard dine-in pricing.

Ocean Basket Platter Prices

Platters are what Ocean Basket is built around, and they are the single most searched part of the menu. Each one combines grilled or fried fish, prawns, calamari and mussels with chips or rice.

PlatterServesPrice
Platter for One1R235
Platter for Two2R455
Family Platter3 to 4R575
Full Deck Platter4 to 6R695

The Platter for Two at R455 works out to roughly R228 per person, marginally cheaper than ordering two Platters for One at R235 each. The Family Platter is where the value really kicks in, at around R160 per head across four people. If you are feeding a bigger group, the Full Deck at R695 spreads across up to six, which brings the per person cost down further than any other option on the menu.

Ocean Basket does not sell platters labelled for 3, 5 or 6 people specifically. The four sizes above are the full range, so a group of three would take the Family Platter and a group of six would take the Full Deck.

Ocean Basket Specials: What Is Running Now

Ocean Basket is currently running The Greatest Hits, its 31st birthday campaign, nationwide from 1 July to 31 August 2026 for both sit-down and takeaway.

Greatest Hits SpecialPrice
High Tide + OB SodaR99
Sushi 99 + OB SodaR99
Sushi 16R125
Oceans PlatterR145
Perfect Catch PlatterR299

There is also a one-day-only R31 Famous Fish and Chips offer running on the Ocean Basket app as part of the birthday campaign. The date is announced on the day rather than in advance, so the app needs to be installed to catch it.

Ocean Basket runs seasonal campaigns lasting roughly two months rather than fixed weekly deals, so there is no standing Monday or Tuesday special nationally. For the full breakdown, including past campaigns and when the next one is likely, see our Ocean Basket specials guide.

Ocean Basket Prawn Prices

Prawns come in three grades, sold by count rather than weight. Prince are the smallest and most numerous, King are the largest.

PrawnsCountPrice
Prince Prawns12, 18 or 24From R165
King Prawns4 or 8From R170
Queen Prawns8 or 12From R210

Saucy Prawns are available with either Mediterranean or spicy sauce. If you want the most prawns for your money, Prince Prawns at 24 count are the clear pick. King Prawns are about size and presentation rather than value.

Calamari, Mussels and Oysters

Calamari is arguably Ocean Basket’s signature item after the platters, and it comes in more variations than anything else on the menu. Tubes can be grilled, fried or done Cajun style, and calamari heads are sold separately for anyone who prefers them.

ItemNotes
Calamari TubesGrilled, fried or Cajun style
Calamari HeadsSold separately from tubes
Calamari 3 Ways330g, three preparations on one plate
Calamari TrioSharing portion
Saucy MusselsWhole mussels in creamy garlic sauce with bread rolls
OystersAvailability varies by branch and season

Calamari and mussel pricing shifts more than the rest of the menu because both depend on catch availability, so these are the items most worth confirming with your branch before ordering.

Fish and Chips, and Grilled Fish

The Famous Fish and Chips is the entry point to the menu and the item most first-time visitors order. Beyond hake, Ocean Basket carries a rotating grilled fish selection depending on what is landing.

FishNotes
Famous Fish & ChipsHake, available in 200g and larger portions
KingklipPremium option, priced above hake
West Coast SoleWhole fish
SalmonPriciest fish on the menu
TunaGrilled
Whole Sea BreamWhole fish
Line FishDorado, yellowtail or silver warehou, depending on availability

All fish mains come with a choice of sides and sauces. Fish combos are served with hake unless you specify otherwise, and combos generally include 6 Prince Prawns as standard.

Ocean Basket Sushi Prices

Sushi is a genuinely large part of the Ocean Basket menu rather than an afterthought, split across a Classic range and an Epic range, plus sashimi.

SushiPrice
Sushi For OneR170
Salmon FavouritesR225
Salmon For OneR260
Sushi For TwoR345

California rolls, tempura prawn rolls, salmon roses and rainbow rolls are all on the standard list. Worth knowing if you avoid certain ingredients: Ocean Basket uses honey in some of its sushi sauces.

Combos, Boxes and Meze

Between the single mains and the big platters sits a range of combos and boxes built for one or two people. These are usually better value than ordering items individually.

ItemWhat’s In It
Seafood ComboMixed fried seafood with sides
Coastal CatchFish and seafood combination
Hot Coastal BoxTakeaway-style seafood box
Bite of the OceanSampler across several seafood types
Prawn & Mussels PanPan dish, smaller portion
Prawn & Fish PanPan dish, smaller portion
Meze PlatterMed rice balls, calamari heads, halloumi, hake goujons, tzatziki and herb mayo

The Meze Platter is the one to know about if you are eating with someone who is not a big seafood person, since it mixes halloumi and Mediterranean sides in alongside the calamari and hake.

Ocean Basket Kids Menu

Ocean Basket runs a proper kids menu rather than just smaller versions of adult dishes, which is a large part of why it works as a family restaurant. Portions are scaled down and the range keeps to the simpler items, mainly fish goujons, calamari and chips. Pricing sits well below the main menu, and most branches include a drink with kids’ meals.

Is Ocean Basket Halaal?

This comes up more than almost any other Ocean Basket question, and the answer needs some care.

Seafood itself is generally considered halaal, which is why Ocean Basket appeals to a lot of Muslim diners in the first place. However, formal halaal certification is not universal across the chain. Some branches carry certification and others do not, and the sauces, sides and any non-seafood items are where the differences usually sit. Several branches also serve alcohol, which matters to some diners regardless of the food itself.

If halaal status matters to you, confirm directly with the specific branch rather than assuming it applies chain-wide.

Desserts and Drinks

The dessert menu is short but includes a fruit platter alongside the usual creamy options, which is unusual for a seafood chain. Drinks cover soft drinks, juices, a wine list at licensed branches, and coffee. Both menus are priced modestly relative to the mains, so adding a dessert and a drink to a platter order does not push the bill up dramatically.

Delivery and Takeaway

Ocean Basket delivers through Uber Eats and Mr D Food, and most branches also handle direct takeaway. Delivery fees typically start around R15 to R30 depending on distance, but the bigger cost is the menu markup itself. Platter prices on delivery apps can run R50 to R150 above dine-in, so collecting in person is meaningfully cheaper if a branch is nearby.

Ocean Basket: Quick Answers

Is the Ocean Basket R100 deal still available?

No. The R99 meals people usually mean were part of the Epic Catch range, which included Sushi 11 + Soda, Seafood Burger + Soda and High Tide + Soda. Ocean Basket launches new seasonal promotions periodically, so check the Ocean Basket app or your nearest branch for what is currently running.

Does Ocean Basket have specials at the moment?

Ocean Basket runs promotions in seasonal blocks rather than fixed weekly deals, so there is no standing Monday or Tuesday special nationally. Individual branches sometimes run their own offers. The Ocean Basket app is the most reliable place to see what is live.

Where is Ocean Basket originally from?

South Africa. Ocean Basket was founded in 1995 by Fats Lazarides, and the first restaurant opened at Menlyn Park in Pretoria. It has since expanded well beyond South Africa into other markets.

How much is a platter for two at Ocean Basket?

The Platter for Two costs R455 dine-in. Delivery app pricing runs considerably higher, so ordering in person is the cheaper route.

Which Ocean Basket platter is the best value?

The Full Deck Platter at R695, if you have the numbers for it. Spread across up to six people it works out cheaper per head than any other platter. For a smaller group, the Family Platter at R575 across four people is the next best on a per person basis.

How many Ocean Basket branches are there in South Africa?

Over 130 restaurants across the country, covering all the major cities and a good number of smaller towns.

Is Ocean Basket halaal certified?

Not chain-wide. Certification varies by branch, and some locations serve alcohol. Seafood is generally considered halaal by nature, but sauces and sides differ, so confirm with your specific branch.

Ocean Basket prices vary between branches more than most chains, and delivery app prices run above dine-in. The figures above reflect standard dine-in pricing and should be treated as a guide. Always confirm with your branch before ordering.