
Cargo Hold Restaurant
Dine aboard the Phantom Ship at uShaka Marine World, surrounded by a mesmerizing shark tank for an unforgettable culinary journey.

Highlights
Must-see attractions
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Cargo Hold Restaurant

Highlights
Must-see attractions
Dine aboard the Phantom Ship at uShaka Marine World, surrounded by a mesmerizing shark tank for an unforgettable culinary journey.
"Dine with the sharks in one of Durban's most spectacular settings, offering a unique and sophisticated ambiance."
Book Tank-Side Tables Early
Reservations are essential, especially for tables next to the shark tank. Book weeks in advance.
Be Prepared for Crowds
The restaurant can get busy, particularly during peak lunch and dinner times.

Quick Facts
Cuisine
Seafood
Price
$$$
Phone
+27 31 328 8037
Address
1 King Shaka Ave, Point, Durban, 4001, South Africa
Website
ushakamarine.com/cargohold/Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Dine with Sharks
Experience a unique underwater ambiance dining next to a captivating shark tank, offering a truly memorable meal.

Peri Peri Prawns
Savor the succulent and flavorful peri peri prawns, often hailed as the best ever experienced by diners.

Seafood Platters
Indulge in generous and fresh seafood platters, featuring crayfish and other oceanic delights.
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Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Book Tank-Side Tables Early
Reservations are essential, especially for tables next to the shark tank. Book weeks in advance.
Be Prepared for Crowds
The restaurant can get busy, particularly during peak lunch and dinner times.
Don't Miss the Prawns
The peri peri prawns are a standout dish, frequently recommended by reviewers.
Check Tank Cleanliness
While the tank is a highlight, be aware that some reviews mention debris in the water.
Tips
from all over the internet
Book Tank-Side Tables Early
Reservations are essential, especially for tables next to the shark tank. Book weeks in advance.
Be Prepared for Crowds
The restaurant can get busy, particularly during peak lunch and dinner times.
Don't Miss the Prawns
The peri peri prawns are a standout dish, frequently recommended by reviewers.
Check Tank Cleanliness
While the tank is a highlight, be aware that some reviews mention debris in the water.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Cargo Hold offers a uniquely captivating dining experience, with the shark tank ambiance being a major draw. Diners rave about the exceptional seafood, particularly the peri peri prawns and seafood platters. However, some guests have noted inconsistencies in service professionalism and found the decor to be a bit dated, while food quality can occasionally be underwhelming or lukewarm.
"Walking in I was quite disappointed with the decor of the restaurant. Yes it is supposed to give off a vibe of a cargo hold of a ship, but as a result it leaves a cold and soulless atmosphere. The large wall to wall and floor to ceiling aquarium is a lovely display of a variety of fish and small shark.
However, once you dig into the food all is forgotten as your attention is drawn to the delicious dish in front of you!
I had the peri peri prawns, like I’ve done in several restaurants around the country, and this was easily the best peri peri prawns dish I have ever had. I will return easily just to have this dish again.
Also at our table , the chicken breasts were ordered and it was juicy and very flavourful-you will not go wrong in ordering this as well."
Deelen Pillay
"The prawns were excellent. The fish of the day had good quality, but no flavor. Of course the highlight is the fish. It's nice, but it would be nice if we were surrounded 360. If you're not sitting right next to the tank, you could miss some views.
The cost is higher than near alternative restaurants, but the amount of food was much more. The family enjoyed it and they aren't easily impressed."
Clifton Russ
"The tank is amazing however the staff are not very professional and need training... the food was ok... we ordered medium to well done steak however the plate was bloody and unappealing. The milkshakes are also very average...Our bill was R750 for 2 pax and really not worth it.The restuarant could also do with moisture absorbers as it creates a stuffy environment."
Chanee Winter
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
It is highly recommended to make reservations well in advance, ideally weeks ahead, and specifically request a table next to the shark tank when booking.
Many diners highly recommend the peri peri prawns and the seafood platters for their freshness and flavor.
Yes, it's considered a perfect place to celebrate birthdays or anniversaries due to its unique ambiance and experience.
One reviewer mentioned being told they couldn't have a drink without ordering food, which might be a policy to check.
Yes, the restaurant is uniquely situated within the stern of the Phantom Ship, with large windows looking into the uShaka Marine World aquarium.
It's a unique experience with a dramatic underwater backdrop, though some find the decor dated and service inconsistent.
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If you choose to visit uShaka Marine World, be sure to book in for lunch or dinner at The Cargo Hold, located on board the infamous Phantom Ship, where guests can dine in fine style surrounded by the deep blue in one of Durban’s most remarkable settings. Enjoy some of the spiciest, fruitiest and most exotic flavors procured from the freshest produce in KwaZulu-Natal, and sample expertly prepared meals while witnessing the beautiful ocean view and the sharks swimming in the tank. Try the grilled crayfish or langoustines, a mouthwatering dish prepared with herbs, spices, lemon and olive oil.
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You might need to book several weeks in advance to secure a table next to the shark tank here, but if you do it'll be one of your most memorable dining experiences. Enjoy a carpaccio of smoked ostrich or tomato veloute—while massive ragged-tooth sharks drift right by your table and sand sharks stir up the sandy bottom. Aside from the array of generous seafood platters, Cargo Hold also serves beef fillet with oxtail phyllo and confit duck with an orange glaze.
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There we had a table booked to have a dinner next to the sharks!. I was very excited and intrigued to see what the restaurant would be like. After crossing the entire aquarium and seeing the different attractions there, we headed to Cargo Hold, a restaurant that is inside the stern of the Phantom Ship, where you will find part of the aquarium and from where you can see the sharks tank guarding what represented a sunken treasure.
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Fine dining with the sharks in one of Africa’s favourite restaurants is a must do culinary experience that offers you a nautical and sophisticated ambiance, nestled in the stern of the Phantom ship, with superb views of the ocean and shark tank you will find the recently refurbished and infamous Cargo Hold Restaurant Executive Chef … More
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Yes, even one of uShaka Marine World’s eateries made the list of romantic restaurants, but this is definitely more on the unique side of the spectrum. The Phantom Ship hosts the secluded Cargo Hold – a restaurant that allows you and a loved one to dine with the sharks!. This will ensure an intimate dining experience.
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uShaka Marine World offers a world-class aquarium experience that kids and adults will love. Get a kick out of dining in the Cargo Hold restaurant in the Phantom Ship with sharks and fish swimming around you. The menu brings together all the spicy, fruity and exotic flavours Durban is renowned for.
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To have an amazing dining experience in Durban, Cargo Hold Restaurant is where to go. This is one of the places I highly recommend for couples looking for a romantic dining experience. Aside from the prices, this is a very nice location with stunning decor and an aquarium inside.
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Take a break from the watery entertainments of uShaka Marine World with a meal at the Cargo Hold Restaurant. Built into the stern of a stranded ship, The Cargo Hold is surrounded by the aquariums shark tanks to amuse the little ones while you enjoy your meal.
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In the stern of the same ship is the Cargo Hold restaurant, surrounded by the glass of a shark tank, where diners can see sub-adult silvertip sharks, black-tip reef sharks, guitarfish and barracudas (among others) while they eat.
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Step aboard a culinary voyage at Cargo Hold, located in a replica of a 1920s cargo ship. This unique restaurant offers a diverse menu with an emphasis on seafood.
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