When visiting Cape Town, be sure to try the city's unique fusion of African, European, and Asian flavors, which is reflected in its staple dishes such as bobotie, boerewors, and malva pudding.
Quick Facts
Food Culture Overview
Cape Town's cuisine is a unique blend of different cultures, including African, European, and Asian influences. The city's strategic location at the southern tip of Africa made it an important stopover for trade ships, resulting in the exchange of culinary ideas and ingredients. The local cuisine is characterized by the use of fresh seafood, meat, and vegetables, as well as a variety of spices and herbs. The city's food culture is also shaped by its history, with many traditional dishes reflecting the influence of African, Dutch, and British cuisines. For example, the popular dish bobotie is thought to have originated from the Indonesian dish bobotok, which was brought to South Africa by Indonesian slaves.
The cuisine in Cape Town is also influenced by the city's geographic location, with the Atlantic Ocean and the Indian Ocean providing an abundance of fresh seafood. The city's proximity to the winelands region also means that wine is an integral part of the local cuisine, with many restaurants offering a wide selection of South African wines. The local cuisine is also characterized by the use of traditional ingredients such as maize meal, which is used to make dishes such as umngqusho (a staple dish made from maize meal and beans) and samp (a dish made from crushed maize kernels).
Cape Town's food culture is also reflected in its many markets and food festivals, which showcase the city's diverse culinary heritage. The city's markets, such as the Neighbourgoods Market and the Bo-Kaap Market, offer a wide range of traditional dishes and ingredients, as well as a variety of street foods and snacks. The city's food festivals, such as the Cape Town Food Festival and the Franschhoek Food and Wine Festival, also celebrate the city's culinary diversity, with many local chefs and restaurants showcasing their talents.
Must-Try Dishes
| Dish | Type | Description | Where to Find |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bobotie | Main Course | A savory meat pie made with ground beef or lamb and topped with a custard-like egg mixture | Bo-Kaap Kitchen, Cape Town |
| Boerewors | Snack | A type of sausage made from beef, pork, or lamb, and spices | Neighbourgoods Market, Cape Town |
| Malva Pudding | Dessert | A sweet pudding made from apricot jam, sugar, and flour, served with a creamy sauce | The Test Kitchen, Cape Town |
| Umngqusho | Side Dish | A staple dish made from maize meal and beans, often served with meat or vegetables | Mzoli's, Cape Town |
| Sosaties | Snack | Skewers of marinated meat (usually lamb or beef) grilled over an open flame | Cape Town Market, Cape Town |
| Bunny Chow | Snack | A hollowed-out loaf of bread filled with curry | Eastern Food Bazaar, Cape Town |
| Melktert | Dessert | A traditional pastry tart filled with a milky filling | De Kaapse Klopse, Cape Town |
| Peppermint Crisp Tart | Dessert | A sweet tart made from a peppermint-flavored filling, topped with a layer of chocolate | The Shortmarket Club, Cape Town |
| Waterblommetjiebredie | Main Course | A stew made from lamb or beef, and waterblommetjies (a type of flower), served with rice or bread | The Foodbarn, Cape Town |
| Koeksisters | Dessert | A sweet pastry coated in a syrup made from sugar, water, and lemon juice | The Koeksister Shop, Cape Town |
Street Food & Snacks
- Boerewors rolls (a sausage served in a roll with toppings such as cheese, tomato, and onion) ($3-$5 USD)
- Sosaties (skewers of marinated meat) ($5-$7 USD)
- Bunny chow (a hollowed-out loaf of bread filled with curry) ($5-$7 USD)
- Malva pudding (a sweet pudding made from apricot jam, sugar, and flour) ($4-$6 USD)
- Peppermint crisp tart (a sweet tart made from a peppermint-flavored filling, topped with a layer of chocolate) ($6-$8 USD)
- Vetkoek (a type of fried doughnut) ($2-$4 USD)
- Koeksisters (a sweet pastry coated in a syrup made from sugar, water, and lemon juice) ($3-$5 USD)
Drinks
- Roiboos tea (a caffeine-free tea made from the leaves of the Rooibos plant) ($2-$4 USD)
- Castle Lager (a popular South African beer) ($5-$7 USD)
- Sauvignon Blanc (a type of white wine from the Stellenbosch region) ($10-$15 USD)
- Amarula (a cream liqueur made from the fruit of the marula tree) ($10-$15 USD)
- Freshly squeezed orange juice (made from locally grown oranges) ($4-$6 USD)
- Cape Town coffee (a type of coffee made from locally grown beans) ($3-$5 USD)
Dining Customs
- It is customary to tip 10-15% of the total bill at restaurants
- Reservations are recommended for popular restaurants, especially on weekends
- Dress codes vary depending on the restaurant, but smart casual is generally acceptable
- It is considered polite to wait for the host to invite you to sit down before taking a seat
- Table manners are generally formal, with an emphasis on using utensils and not speaking with your mouth full
- [CALLOUT] Be sure to try some of the local wines, which are world-renowned for their quality and variety
Where to Eat
- Neighbourgoods Market (a market featuring a variety of food stalls and restaurants)
- Bo-Kaap Kitchen (a restaurant serving traditional Cape Malay cuisine)
- The Test Kitchen (a restaurant serving contemporary South African cuisine)
- Mzoli's (a restaurant serving traditional township cuisine)
- The Foodbarn (a restaurant serving contemporary South African cuisine with a focus on local ingredients)
Food Markets & Food Experiences
- Neighbourgoods Market (a market featuring a variety of food stalls and restaurants, located in the Woodstock neighborhood)
- Bo-Kaap Market (a market featuring a variety of food stalls and shops, located in the Bo-Kaap neighborhood)
- The Cape Town Food Festival (a festival celebrating the city's culinary diversity, held annually in the city center)
- The Franschhoek Food and Wine Festival (a festival celebrating the region's culinary heritage, held annually in the Franschhoek valley)
- The Spice Route (a destination featuring a variety of food and drink experiences, including a brewery, a winery, and a restaurant, located in the Paarl region)