Cape Town is one of the top foodie destinations in the world. Receiving accolades from Condé Nast Traveler and housing award-winning restaurants, you can always count on delicious food in Cape Town, South Africa’s Mother City.
The city's food culture is as diverse as its history, drawing influences from African, Dutch, Malay, and Indian cuisines. Expect bold flavours, from spicy Cape Malay curries and fresh Atlantic seafood to tender, flame-grilled meats at traditional South African braais.
In this Cape Town food guide, we’ll take you through the must-try local food in Cape Town and the best spots to experience the city’s culinary delights.
Hungry?
Let’s tuck in!
A Cape Town institution, the Gatsby is a larger-than-life sandwich that’s big enough to feed an army of hungry explorers—or satisfy someone with a serious case of the munchies.
Known for its generous size, this iconic sub is packed with layers of filling, including meats like steak, chicken, or calamari, combined with crispy fries and drizzled in tangy sauces.
Created in the Cape Flats during apartheid, the Gatsby was born out of the need for an affordable, filling meal to feed many. Today, it’s a symbol of the Cape Town food culture, offering an explosion of flavour in every bite.
Cosy Corner in Wynberg
Super Fisheries in Athlone
Wajid’s Chicken Tikka and Take-Aways, Strandfontein
A classic Cape Malay dish, bobotie is a flavourful blend of spiced minced meat, typically beef or lamb, mixed with onions, garlic, curry powder, and dried fruits like raisins.
On top, you’ll find a silky egg custard that’s baked until golden.
Yum!
Sweet and savoury, this South African dish is often served with yellow rice and sambals, adding a fresh contrast to the hearty dish.
Bokaap Kombuis: Known for its authentic Cape Malay cuisine and stunning views of the colourful Bo-Kaap. Also on our list of 11 of The Best Restaurants in Cape Town
Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden Cafe
Tomato bredie is a traditional Cape Malay stew that’s slow-cooked to perfection, featuring tender lamb or beef simmered in a rich tomato-based sauce with potatoes and onions.
Fragrant spices like cinnamon, cloves, and allspice flavour the dish, creating the perfect winter comfort meal that’s both sweet and savoury.
Biesmiellah: The go-to Cape Town restaurant for rich, aromatic Cape Malay dishes, including a delicious tomato bredie.
Koeksisters hold a sweet spot in almost every South African’s heart. These treats come in two varieties: the Cape Malay version, which is softer, spiced, and coated in coconut, and the traditional Afrikaans version, which is crispy and drenched in syrup.
The syrup-soaked texture and deep-fried exterior create a delightful contrast between crunchy and chewy.
How to eat it? Pair it with a cup of tea or coffee.
Aunty Shamiela’s in the Bo-Kaap: Famous for her Cape Malay-style koeksisters with a perfect balance of spices and sweetness.
Good to Know: If you want to indulge and taste a piece of deep-fried Cape Malay history, you’ll need to visit Aunty Shamila’s house in the Bo-Kaap. It’s the pink house next to the green house on the corner of Wale Street.
Fish and chips are a timeless local favourite, offering freshly caught fish—usually hake—coated in a golden, crispy batter and served with thick-cut chips.
The dish's simplicity is its strength, with the fish’s flaky texture and the satisfying crunch of the batter. Whether you enjoy it with a dash of vinegar or a squeeze of lemon, it’s a must-try meal by the sea.
The best spots often serve it wrapped in paper, offering an authentic, no-frills Cape Town food experience on the go.
Kalky’s in Kalk Bay: Kalky’s is hands down the must-visit spot for fish and chips in Cape Town. Not only are the portions generous, but your meal comes with Kalk Bay harbour views and occasionally curious seals, too.
Boerewors, a South African staple, is a coiled sausage made from a blend of beef, pork, and spices like coriander, cloves, and nutmeg.
The name "boerewors" comes from the Afrikaans words for "farmer's sausage," and it holds a special place in South Africa’s culinary culture, especially during braais (barbecues).
Whether served in a bread roll (known as a “boerie roll”) with a dollop of mustard or alongside pap and chakalaka, this hearty sausage is a must-try South African food.
Makro or Builders Warehouse: Warehouse stores aren’t your usual suspects when it comes to finding delicious food in Cape Town, but you’ll find no better spots to grab a local boerie roll than the stands outside the entrances.
A snoek braai is where fresh snoek, a local fish, is grilled over an open flame after marinating in a mixture of garlic, lemon juice, apricot jam, and spices.
Often served with sides like grilled potatoes or salad, a snoek braai is a social event as much as it is a meal.
Captain Haddock: Want to try cooking it on the barbecue yourself? Order a snoek for delivery in the greater Cape Town area from Captain Haddock (it's spiced and ready to go).
Die Strandloper: If you don’t want to test your braai skills, drive to Langebaan on the West Coast and order a braaied snoek from Die Strandloper, booking is essential with this popular local restaurant.
Shisanyama, meaning “burn the meat” in Zulu, is a South African barbecue experience celebrating community, culture, and delicious flame-grilled meat.
Traditionally, you’ll select your cut of meat—ranging from beef steaks to chicken and boerewors—before it’s grilled to perfection over open coals.
The meats come with sides like pap (maize porridge), chakalaka, and salads.
The Duncan Shisa Nyama in Parklands: A favourite among locals looking for a laid-back yet delicious braai spot in Cape Town.
Melktart, or “milk tart,” is a creamy, sweet South African dessert made with a rich, custard-like filling inside a light, buttery pastry crust sprinkled with cinnamon and vanilla.
This iconic South African dessert is a delicious blend of Cape Town’s Dutch and Cape Malay culinary roots. Today it can be found in any number of reincarnations from mini-tarts and pancakes to ice cream and all sorts of puddings.
Word of caution: When you buy a melktart from the supermarket, you may end up eating the entire tart!!!
Oranjezicht City Farm Market: A great weekend spot to sample artisanal melktart and a bunch of other local treats unique to the Cape Town food scene.
Breyani, also spelt biryani, is a fragrant Cape Malay rice dish. It consists of layers of spiced rice, and marinated meat (chicken, lamb, or beef) slow-cooked with a blend of aromatic spices like cumin, coriander, cardamom, and turmeric.
Sometimes garnished with fried onions, raisins, and boiled eggs, biryani reflects a fusion of Indian and Malaysian culinary influences brought to South Africa by immigrants centuries ago.
Bombay Brasserie: Located inside the Taj Hotel, Bombay’s menu is known for its Indian and Cape Malay fusion menu. Book a table here if you want a local Capetonian twist on a classic South African dish.
Malva pudding is a quintessential South African dessert with roots tracing back to the Cape Dutch settlers.
The treat is made up of a spongy cake with apricot jam and a touch of vinegar. After baking, the cake soaks in a warm sauce made from cream, butter, and sugar, allowing the pudding to absorb a luscious toffee-like syrup.
Once done, the cake is served hot with custard, whipped cream, or vanilla ice cream.
Yum!
Woolworths: If you’re not looking to go out and want to indulge in a malva pudding at home, download Woolies Dash and order a malva pudding straight to your doorstep.
Die Damhuis: For those who want to venture further afield, head to Die Damhuis. The beachside restaurant serves a delicious traditional malva and other proudly South African mains.
Biltong is cured and air-dried meat, typically beef, but also game meats like ostrich, kudu, or springbok. Its flavour comes from seasoning the meat with a blend of spices such as coriander, black pepper, vinegar, and salt.
Then, the meat is marinated and hung to dry, creating one of the most popular South African foods, a delicious local snack.
And no. It’s not beef jerky.
Biltong is often thicker cut and boasts a richer, more natural meat flavour without the sweetness.
There are many spots to find good biltong in the Mother City. Here are a few to add to your must-visit list:
The Boer & Butcher
The Biltong Clan in Montague Gardens
Biltonghuys in Table View
Chakalaka is a spicy relish that is a staple in South African cuisine. Originating from the townships, this dish was made by mine workers who mixed canned produce with chilli peppers to add flavour to their meals.
Today, it's crafted from a medley of vegetables like onions, tomatoes, bell peppers, carrots, and beans, all simmered with curry powder and other spices.
Chakalaka is often served with pap (maize porridge), grilled meats, or bread, infusing meals with a burst of heat.
PSA: If you’re not someone who can handle hot food well, you might want to give Chakalaka a skip.
Gold Restaurant: Incorporates chakalaka into their African-inspired tasting menu. Also listed in 11 of The Best Restaurants in Cape Town.
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