Unique Things For a Foodie to Do in Cape Town
In recent years Cape Town has become a celebrated foodie destination for travellers from around the world. The country’s diverse history, with influences from both colonisers and local customs and traditions, have resulted in a wide range of incredible foodie experiences. If you’re looking for something a little different when in Cape Town, check out one of these unique things for food lovers!
1. Braai at Mzolis
Though the influx of tourists to this informal butchery and eatery in Cape Town’s Gugulethu township means it’s far from the authentic window into local culture that many outsiders claim it to be, there are still plenty of reasons for foodies to visit. Firstly, you get to pick out your raw meat from the display fridge at the entrance. Staff then baste it with a special sauce and send it to the back, where a team cooks it to perfection over open flames. While doing so, you’re free to drink your own alcoholic beverages on the covered courtyard. When the meat eventually arrives, most people just get stuck in without knifes, forks, and little more than a side serving of pap, a local dish made out of grounded maize. It’s a high intensity experience from start to finish, and though many are quick to point out it lacks authenticity, meat-eating foodies will revel in the simplistic charm.
Ny 115, Guguletu, Cape Town, South Africa, +27 (0)21 638 1355
2. Pick your own vegetables in a picturesque city farm
Market, South African
3. Rustic seafood buffet on the beach
Restaurant, Seafood, African, Fast Food
5. Walk the crowded aisles of a gourmet food market
Market, South African
6. Dine at the country’s most internationally awarded restaurant
Restaurant, South African, Contemporary
Also at the Old Biscuit Mill is the country’s most internationally lauded restaurant – The Test Kitchen. This is perhaps the most sought after foodie experience in the country, and it regularly features in global top 50 lists. Renowned chef Luke Dale Roberts ensures that this is a memorable meal from start to finish – and not just on the food front. Layout, decor, service and cuisine are unlike anything else you’ll find in the country. And the inclusion of a new Dark Room and Light Room, which set different tones for your meal, have only added to the magic of the venue. It’s no surprise why this restaurant books up months in advance, so a bit of prior planning is essential if you want to pay it a visit while in Cape Town.
Learn about the art of Cape Malay cooking
Cape Town’s Bo-Kaap suburb has a rich culinary history, and it’s the perfect place to visit if you’d like to learn more about Cape Malay culture and the cooking techniques still practised to this day. This neighbourhood has its roots in the slave trade of the 17th and 18th centuries, and though techniques and tastes have changed, much of the cooking stays true to the spicy and aromatic style of cooking. There are several companies that offer cooking lessons and tours of the suburb, and it’s an essential addition to any foodie itinerary in the city.
Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.
Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.
Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.
Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.
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