Love, Food, Family: The Ingredients Behind Ocean Basket’s Success
When Mama Liza Lazarides arrived in Pretoria, she had no idea that the traditions she was passing down to her sons would one day inspire one of South Africa’s most beloved restaurants—Ocean Basket. Now, as she celebrates her 90th birthday, it’s the perfect moment to look back on a life filled with love, food, and family.
For many immigrant families, the kitchen is the heart of their new home. It’s where generations gather, stories are shared, and culture is kept alive. From the moment she set foot in South Africa, Mama Liza began filling her kitchen with the flavours of her Greek homeland. Her recipes were simple but made with care, and the Lazarides kitchen became a place where anyone who walked through the door was treated like family. Her sons, Fats and George, grew up in that kitchen.
Those early lessons became the foundation for Ocean Basket, which opened its doors in 1995 as a small seafood restaurant in Pretoria. Fats and George were guided by their mother’s philosophy that the love you put into food is what people remember. Upon opening their doors, Mama Liza wasn’t just a quiet inspiration behind the scenes—she rolled up her sleeves alongside her sons, preparing everything from dishes and desserts to table settings. The restaurant was an extension of her family table, where every meal was a moment to share and savour.
It wasn’t long before Ocean Basket became a household name, not just for its food but for the experience it created. Today, Ocean Basket has grown to over 200 locations across 16 countries, from Mauritius to Saudi Arabia, Kazakhstan to Cyprus. Yet, no matter how far the journey took them, the heart of the brand has remained unchanged. Each restaurant reflects Mama Liza’s belief that food is a universal language of love and community—and her signature baklava still graces menus as a sweet nod to the traditions that started it all.
When guests sit down to a meal at Ocean Basket today, they’re sharing a story that began with community. It’s a reminder that some of life’s greatest legacies come from the simplest places: a shared table, a family’s dream, and the love that ties it all together.
For more about Ocean Basket, visit their website or follow the brand on Instagram or Facebook.
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