When visiting the Eastern Cape, be sure to try the region's unique blend of traditional Xhosa and Afrikaans cuisine, which is characterized by a mix of seafood, meat, and vegetable dishes, often flavored with local spices and herbs.
Quick Facts
Food Culture Overview
The Eastern Cape's cuisine is defined by its rich cultural heritage, with influences from the indigenous Xhosa people, as well as Dutch, British, and African settlers. The region's unique blend of traditional and modern flavors is reflected in its use of local ingredients, such as seafood, beef, and mutton, which are often combined with African spices and herbs. The Eastern Cape is also known for its traditional Xhosa dishes, such as Umngqusho and Injera bread, which are often served at social gatherings and special occasions.
The region's cuisine also varies depending on the location, with the coastal areas offering a wide range of seafood dishes, while the inland areas are known for their meat and vegetable dishes. The Eastern Cape is also home to a number of wine farms and breweries, which produce a range of wines and beers that are perfect for pairing with the region's cuisine.
In addition to its traditional cuisine, the Eastern Cape is also home to a number of modern restaurants and cafes, which offer a range of international dishes, from Italian and Chinese to Indian and Mexican. These restaurants often use local ingredients and flavors to create unique and innovative dishes that reflect the region's cultural diversity.
Must-Try Dishes
| Dish | Type | Description | Where to Find |
|---|---|---|---|
| Umngqusho | Traditional Xhosa dish | Made from samp and beans, often served with meat or vegetables | Xhosa restaurants and markets |
| Bobotie | Meat pie | A savory meat pie made with ground beef or lamb, topped with a custard-like egg mixture | Cape Malay restaurants |
| Sosaties | Skewers | Marinated meat skewers, often made with beef, lamb, or chicken | Braai restaurants and markets |
| Malva pudding | Dessert | A sweet and sticky dessert made with apricot jam and served with a creamy sauce | Afrikaans restaurants and cafes |
| Injera bread | Traditional Xhosa bread | A sourdough flatbread made from teff flour, often served with stews or salads | Xhosa restaurants and markets |
| Boerewors | Sausage | A traditional Afrikaans sausage made with beef and spices, often served with pap and vegetables | Braai restaurants and markets |
| Waterblommetjiebredie | Stew | A hearty stew made with lamb or beef, waterblommetjies (water flowers), and vegetables | Afrikaans restaurants and cafes |
| Melktert | Dessert | A sweet pastry tart filled with a creamy milk filling, often served with a caramelized sugar crust | Afrikaans restaurants and cafes |
| Snoek | Fish dish | A traditional fish dish made with snoek (a type of fish), often served with boiled potatoes and vegetables | Seafood restaurants and markets |
| Peppermint crisp tart | Dessert | A sweet and refreshing dessert made with peppermint crisp chocolate, often served with whipped cream | Cafes and restaurants |
Street Food & Snacks
- Bunny chow: a hollowed-out loaf of bread filled with curry, often served with salad or chips ($3-$5)
- Boerewors rolls: a sausage roll made with boerewors and served with pap and vegetables ($5-$7)
- Samoosas: fried or baked pastries filled with spiced potatoes and peas ($2-$4)
- Malva pudding: a sweet and sticky dessert made with apricot jam and served with a creamy sauce ($4-$6)
- Peppermint crisp tart: a sweet and refreshing dessert made with peppermint crisp chocolate ($5-$7)
- Vetkoek: a deep-fried doughnut often served with jam or syrup ($2-$4)
- Magwinya: a deep-fried doughnut often served with jam or syrup ($2-$4)
Drinks
- Umqombothi: a traditional Xhosa beer made from maize and sorghum ($3-$5)
- Castle Lager: a popular South African beer ($5-$7)
- Amarula: a creamy liqueur made from the fruit of the marula tree ($10-$15)
- Rooibos tea: a caffeine-free tea made from the leaves of the rooibos plant ($2-$4)
- Fresh fruit juice: a refreshing drink made from a variety of fruits, such as orange, grapefruit, and mango ($3-$5)
- Mageu: a traditional Xhosa drink made from fermented maize meal ($2-$4)
Dining Customs
- It is customary to greet the host or server with a handshake or a smile
- Table manners are generally informal, but it is considered polite to keep your hands visible and not to eat with your left hand
- Tipping is expected, but not mandatory, and is usually around 10-15% of the total bill
- Reservations are usually not necessary, but it's a good idea to book ahead for popular restaurants
- Dress codes are generally casual, but it's a good idea to dress smartly for more formal restaurants
- It is considered impolite to leave the table until everyone has finished eating
Where to Eat
- Markets: a great place to try traditional Xhosa and Afrikaans dishes, such as Umngqusho and boerewors
- Food courts: a variety of restaurants and cafes, often serving a range of international dishes
- Braai restaurants: a great place to try traditional South African barbecue dishes, such as sosaties and boerewors
- Seafood restaurants: a great place to try fresh seafood dishes, such as snoek and calamari
- Cafes: a great place to try traditional Afrikaans desserts, such as malva pudding and melktert
Food Markets & Food Experiences
- Grahamstown Market: a bustling market selling a variety of traditional Xhosa and Afrikaans dishes, such as Umngqusho and boerewors (Grahamstown)
- Port Elizabeth Market: a large market selling a variety of fresh produce, meat, and seafood, as well as traditional Xhosa and Afrikaans dishes (Port Elizabeth)
- East London Food Festival: an annual festival celebrating the region's cuisine, with a variety of food stalls and cooking demonstrations (East London)
- Addo Elephant National Park Restaurant: a restaurant located in the heart of the Addo Elephant National Park, serving a variety of traditional South African dishes (Addo Elephant National Park)
- The Fynbos Restaurant: a restaurant located in the heart of the Tsitsikamma National Park, serving a variety of traditional Xhosa and Afrikaans dishes (Tsitsikamma National Park)