By Dominic Peel

The 2010 World Cup is in full swing in the Friendly City and restaurant owners are satisfied with the increase in business just under a week into the tournament.

Nelson Mandela Bay 2010 executive director Errol Heynes was thrilled the “local economy was benefiting from the World Cup”.

“We haven’t done a thorough investigation yet, but we are getting reports that the restaurants are full,” he said.

And while getting a seat at the popular eating house is sometimes proving difficult to visitors and residents of Port Elizabeth alike, manager of Squires Legendary Grill, at the Boardwalk, Godfrey Schickerling, said the WC crowds were understanding.

“There is a problem with the availability of seats because of demand but we’ve found that there is a willingness from clients to wait. ”

Schickerling said they were busier than at previous Ironman events.

Mike’s Kitchen owner Alma Veldman was upbeat about how things panned out.

“We are one week into the World Cup and business has been very brisk up until now.”

And although it’s not purely a Portuguese restaurant, Veldman said they had a lot of Portuguese customers.

And because Mike’s Kitchen does not do a lot of business during the Ironman, Veldman was enjoying the fruits of Port Elizabeth hosting eight World Cup matches.

“Unfortunately, our place is on the Ironman route so the road gets closed off, ” she said.

With 32 nations at this year’s tournament, continental-themed restaurants are obviously benefiting from the large influx of foreigners.

Ruvaldo Saayman, of Café Brazillia, said they were full “three quarters of the day”.

“We’ve been very busy this past week but it obviously depends on the match being played.

"Brazil, South Africa and the Argentina games have been the most popular,” he said

Saayman added the restaurant had beefed up their menu for the WC.

With the German team in town, the German Club in Lorraine is expecting 500 people after the game, and have constructed a marquee for the large number of visitors.