Popular Port Noarlunga restaurant, Horta’s, to close this weekend after 12 years in business

A popular Port Noarlunga restaurant will close its doors for good this weekend – with another locally loved pizza bar set to take its place.

Popular Port Noarlunga esplanade restaurant, Horta’s, will serve its final meals on Sunday.

Owners Philipe and Paula Horta have decided to “take a break” from the industry to spend more time with family – and enjoy a holiday or two.

“We decided we need a break, and there’s not enough people in the industry at the moment to go, ‘oh, I’m going to take time out for a few months and have people come in’ – it doesn’t work like that anymore,” said Mrs Horta.

“We decided, let's go have some freedom and let somebody else have this fabulous location.”

Paula and Filipe Horta, pictured in 2010, ahead of their opening Horta’s.

Horta’s, known for its Portuguese and Mediterranean style tapas and seafood, and beachfront views, has been operating at 2 Saltfleet St for about 12 years.

Glenelg pizza bar Mamma Carmela is believed to be taking over the site, however settlement does not occur until next week.

Mrs Horta said while working in the industry was all-consuming, she and her husband have “loved it”.

“It’s fantastic, this is a great industry; it’s beautiful, you get people at their best,” she said.

“But for two people who at the beginning of the year thought, ‘oh we’re going to try to be normal people and do 40 hours a week’ which of course doesn’t happen, and you end up doing 80 hours a week over summer … there just comes a point where you go, ‘I don’t think I can do it anymore’.”

Seafood at Horta’s, Port Noarlunga

“Normally we’d have 50 people (staff) over summer, and last year we only had 32. And we were doing the same figures, so it’s got to come out of somewhere.”

Horta’s has been a favourite among locals, and was awarded Best Seafood Restaurant by the Restaurant and Catering Association Industry Association SA in 2020.

“Of course we’re excited because we’re going to have a nice big break, and we’re excited for the new people, but of course everyone is coming in to say goodbye and it’s like they’re mourning the loss of something,” Mrs Horta said. “They’ve shared memories with people here, and it’s really lovely.

“We can’t complain about anything, we absolutely love what we’ve created and we’ve loved the ride.”