The Codfather restaurant serves some of the best seafood in town

In August 2014, The Codfather, one of Johannesburg’s most prominent seafood establishments, moved from its rustic surroundings in Rivonia Road to a plush, upmarket, high-rise building in Stan Road, Morningside, Sandton.

To celebrate its fifth birthday in this location, the management will be hosting a daily celebration for the entire month of August. On offer are free wine tastings from South Africa’s best wine estates, whisky promotions, daily prizes and festive seafood dishes.

It’s a venue I’ve always enjoyed since first discovering its culinary delights (and excellent service) way back when it operated in the Rivonia rustic village environment.

Though frightfully upmarket now, on the ground floor of the swish Sandton Skye complex, it cleverly retains the recipe that made it a by-word in fine dining experiences.

The establishment also harbours an in-house deli, the Skye Cafe, serving breakfasts and light meals and 16 different flavoured ice creams.

Adjoining the premises is an outdoor deck and swimming pool.

The Codfather is modern and spacious with open seating, appealingly comfortable chairs and two well stocked bars facing each other.

It boasts an impressive wine cellar in a recess, where an immense range of reds and whites peer at you from behind glass panels, and the famous glass display cabinet housing its fresh bounty from the sea.

The aim is to design a dish to suit your budget, a unique restaurant concept. There is also a separate tank with live crayfish and lobsters.

The restaurant also has an extensive cocktail menu with glamorous names for the spirited offerings, signature and designer sushi and more than 400 premium whiskeys.

However, it’s the quality of the seafood that draws a diner’s attention here with giant prawns, langoustines, live oysters and live crayfish flown in daily.

Meat and poultry have a place on the menu, too, and vegetarians and vegans are not forgotten, with a wide selection of tasty and creative dishes on offer.

A full tapas menu complements the cocktail selections.

The Codfather has plenty of on-site parking too, and security is tight.

Over the years, this restaurant, with its unique perspective on food and wine, has become one of the top culinary destinations for both families and business people alike.

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