The Truth
Andre never intended to open a café. He had studied marine biology, but the sea had a different plan. As a child, he was swallowed by a whale during a family excursion. Three days passed before he was saved. He rarely spoke of it, but it shaped him. He learned early that life is a thin line between terror and grace.
Years later, his closest friends—Wayne, a fisherman’s son, and Anel, a chef with hands like a poet—found an abandoned fishmonger’s shop on West End Lane. Salt still lingered in the wood. Andre ran his hand over the frame. “Call it The Wet Fish,” Anel said. And so they did.
What they built was more than a café. It was a quiet homage to the sea, to the things they had carried with them. A place where people could sit and feel the pull of something vast, even in the middle of the city. A place where Andre, still carrying the weight of the ocean, could finally come to shore.
The Wet Fish Café has stood the test of time, not as a business, but as something more—an anchor for those drawn to it, a place where people don’t just come for food, but to belong.
Andre never intended to open a café.
He studied marine biology, but the sea had already set his course. As a child, he was swallowed by a whale during a family excursion. Three days passed before he was miraculously saved. He rarely spoke of it, but it shaped him. He emerged with a newfound reverence for the sea and its creatures.
Years later, his closest friends— Wayne, a fisherman’s son who had turned his back on the sea but never quite escaped it, and Anel, a chef with hands like a poet—found an abandoned fishmonger’s shop on West End Lane. Salt still lingered in the wood. Andre ran his hand over the door frame. “Call it The Wet Fish,” Anel said. And so they did.
What they built was more than a café. It was a quiet homage to the sea, to the things they had carried with them. A place where people could sit and feel the pull of something vast, even in the middle of the city. A place where Andre, still carrying the weight of the ocean, could finally come to shore.
The Wet Fish Café has stood the test of time, not as a business, but as something more—an anchor for those drawn to it, a place where people don’t just come for food, but to belong.
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The Other Truth
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Back in 2003, it was me, Anel, and Wayne. Somehow, with no experience, a little chutzpah and (allegedly!) a big bag of weed, we made it work.
We took on this old sandwich shop at 242 West End Lane and peeled back decades of paint and plaster to uncover something special. Hidden beneath it all were 1930s Art Deco tiles and enough history to remind us we were part of something much bigger.
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A Day in the Life
Eventually, life called Anel back to South Africa and Wayne to America, leaving me with the keys and a steep learning curve. Having never done a single shift in hospitality, it felt like jumping off a cliff and figuring out how to open the parachute on the way down.
The plan was simple: create a humble neighbourhood café with good food and a welcoming atmosphere. That’s it. No Michelin stars, no pretension—just a place where people could feel at home, where we could follow our passions, and where everyone could indulge their senses.
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Some of life's greatest pleasures – food, music, art, coffee, wine – all come together in café culture.
If the flavours make sense and the dish excites us, we'll try it. Fresh, seasonal ingredients and bold flavours are what matter most, and luckily, some of the best fish on the planet is available right here around the British coastline.
Being a music-head as well as a foodie, hosting live music was inevitable. And well over a hundred music dinners later, we’re proud to say these evenings are truly magical. They showcase London’s incredible talent and bring our space to life in a way that words can’t quite describe.
And then there’s the art. These 1930s tiles have seen their share of stories, now including exhibitions from some of London’s most exciting photographers and artists.
“Situated in a former fishmongers”, this West Hampstead “oasis” is – for its enthusiastic local following – “second to none”; the fish cooking is “delicious”, but the place is also “especially good for breakfast and brunch”.
Hardens
/thewetfishcafe/images/Tomasz__Dan.jpg "Team at The Wet Fish Cafe")
We’ve always aimed to hire, train, and nurture the best talent we can find. Tomasz, our Head Chef, has been with us for over 10 years, and our Floor Manager, Dan, for more than 7. Their creativity, passion and dedication are integral to what makes The Wet Fish special.
Still proudly independent and rooted in the neighbourhood, we pinch ourselves daily that The Wet Fish has become such a busy, buzzing place.
Our 10th birthday celebration... an old church, 1000 candles, 70 guests, 4 courses and 2 live music interludes
If you’ve been here before, thank you for being part of our story. If it’s your first visit—welcome! Whether you’re popping in for a quick coffee, treating yourself to dinner, or catching up with friends over a bottle of wine, we hope you’ll feel right at home.
Andre as a child in the belly of the whale
"Almost worth inducing a hangover for!"
[re. brunch]
WestHampsteadLife.com
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