The Ocean Basket story begins in 1995 when the very first restaurant opened in a small retail space in Pretoria, South Africa.

Our Mediterranean passion and love of seafood, conversation and sharing is a heritage inspired by mama Liza the mother of founders Fats and George Lazarides.

At the time, seafood was a delicacy and luxury available only to the wealthy. South Africans quickly fell in love with the simple, generous portions of meticulously prepared seafood served with our irresistible creamy lemon sauce, big-hearted hospitality and a little Mediterranean madness. When queues started to form outside the restaurant doors, Fats and George realised they had a winning recipe.

By 2008, international expansion began. Today, in 16 countries across the globe, 18 million people come together in over 200 Ocean Basket restaurants every year, to enjoy the tastes of the Mediterranean Home of Seafood. From Kazakhstan to Cyprus, Mauritius to Saudi Arabia, couples, friends, families and colleagues unite in their appreciation of Ocean Basket’s award-winning seafood and commitment to value.

Whether near or far, each restaurant remains true to the Ocean Basket philosophy:- An affordable seafood restaurant with an unmistakable Mediterranean spirit, where each guest is welcomed like family.