From Platters to Party: Ocean Basket Hosts its 30th Birthday Bash

This July, Ocean Basket is celebrating 30 years of flavour, family, and shared tables. To mark the milestone, the brand launched its Greatest Hits Menu with a limited-time selection of signature dishes from 1 to 31 July, including the Reel Love Platter, Spicy Prawns, and Seafood Burgers.

But the real showstopper drops with 30 For 30 on Ocean Basket’s official birthday on 16 July. For one day only, they’re serving up their famous full portion hake and chips for just R30. It’s the golden classic South Africans know and love, available for sit-down while stocks last.

To kick off the birthday celebrations, Ocean Basket hosted an intimate lunch at Montecasino on 10 July with media, influencers, and friends of the brand to reflect on a journey that started with one tiny seafood restaurant and now reels in over 18 million guests each year across 16 countries.

A Taste of Where It All Began

Founded by brothers Fats and George Lazarides and inspired by their mother, Mama Liza, Ocean Basket was built on a simple idea: quality seafood should be accessible to everyone.

Back in 1995, seafood was seen as a luxury. But in a small restaurant in Pretoria, the Lazarides brothers changed the game. Ocean Basket brought sizzling pans of prawns, golden calamari, and creamy lemon sauce to the people. All served with heaps of hospitality, a little Mediterranean mischief, and zero pretense.

The Montecasino lunch echoed that spirit. It was the kind of meal where platters disappeared quickly, stories flowed easily, and the energy was as generous as the portions. That same magic still fills every Ocean Basket restaurant today, whether you’re in Sandton or Cyprus.

The Montecasino lunch may be over, but the celebration continues. Ocean Basket’s 30th birthday specials are running until the end of July and the standout moment, the 30 For 30, a full portion of hake and chips for just R30, happens only on 16 July. Sit-down only. One day. One legendary deal.

Whether you’re dining in or grabbing a takeaway, there’s still time to raise a fork to three decades of unforgettable flavour.

Follow the flavour and keep the celebration going by joining Ocean Basket on Instagram and Facebook.