Kaai 4 is full of local character – and plenty of local characters. Sitting in Mossel Bay’s working harbour, the open air restaurant is a laid-back place with great views, cold beer, friendly patrons, and a relaxed vibe that quickly sees a quick lunch turn into leisurely afternoon drinks.

The menu is a simple one – roosterkoek (bread baked over coals) filled with cheese or jam, burgers and lamb chops, boerewors (farm sausage), a range of potjies (stews) and a couple of seafood dishes, all of which are cooked before you on a massive fire pit. Service isn’t super-fast, especially when the weather is fine and the wooden benches fill up with local families, but there’s plenty to entertain you while you wait. If the ocean lapping mere metres away or the boats large and small don’t entertain you, there’s excellent beer from a local microbrewery on tap, and every now and then staff have been known to bring out a guitar for an impromptu sing-along.

When the food arrives, it’s good, if not particularly fancy, This is honest, simple cuisine – well-seasoned, well-cooked and utterly unpretentious. Prices are very reasonable, with the most expensive thing on the menu still coming in at under R100. Desserts occasionally grace the menu, or you might get an ice cream if you’re lucky, but this is more a spot for a hearty, affordable lunch, a cold beer and a great view out to sea.