The Food Lovers Guide To South Africa's Culinary Delights
South Africa is a culinary mosaic—a country where every dish tells a story of heritage, resilience, and rich cultural fusion.
From the windswept Cape Coast to the sun-baked plains of the Karoo, South African cuisine is as diverse as its people. Influenced by indigenous traditions and colonial history, the country’s food scene is a vibrant celebration of flavour and identity. Whether you're enjoying a braai under the stars, exploring a township food market, or dining in a Cape Dutch wine estate, South Africa offers unforgettable tastes at every turn.
Cape Town’s Cape Malay cuisine and coastal flavours
Begin your journey in Cape Town, where the scent of spices drifts through the colourful streets of Bo-Kaap. Cape Malay cuisine blends Indonesian, Malaysian, and East African influences into fragrant, comforting dishes. Try bobotie, a spiced minced meat bake topped with golden egg custard, or denningvleis, a slow-cooked lamb stew with tamarind and cinnamon. Tomato bredie, a hearty tomato-based lamb stew, is another local favourite. Along the coast, enjoy snoek braai (smoked fish grilled over coals) or pickled fish, a traditional Easter dish.
Braai culture and meat traditions across the country
No visit to South Africa is complete without experiencing a braai—more than just a barbecue, it’s a cherished social ritual. Across the country, friends and families gather around open flames to grill boerewors (a spiced beef sausage), lamb chops, and sosaties (marinated meat skewers). For the adventurous, try skilpadjies—liver wrapped in caul fat and grilled until crispy. Sides like pap (maize porridge), chakalaka (spicy vegetable relish), potato salad, and roosterkoek (grilled bread rolls) complete the feast.
Durban’s Indian-inspired street food and curries
Head to Durban on the east coast for bold, fiery flavours shaped by the city’s large Indian community. The iconic bunny chow—a hollowed-out loaf of bread filled with spicy curry—is a must-try street food. Choose from lamb, chicken, or bean curry, and eat it with your hands for the full experience. Durban curries are known for their deep colour and heat, often served with sambals, pickles, and rotis. Don’t miss samoosas (crispy triangular pastries filled with spiced meat or vegetables) or breyani, a fragrant rice dish layered with meat, lentils, and potatoes.
Traditional dishes of the Xhosa and Zulu people
In the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal, explore the hearty, nourishing dishes of the Xhosa and Zulu communities. Umngqusho, a comforting mix of samp (crushed maize) and beans is often served with meat or gravy. Try tripe stew, isibindi (ox liver), or isigwamba (maize meal with leafy greens). Amadumbe (African yams) are often boiled or mashed, and jeqe (steamed bread) is a beloved staple, perfect for soaking up rich stews.
Sweet treats and desserts from across South Africa
For dessert, South Africa offers a delightful array of sweets. Indulge in melktert (milk tart), a creamy custard pie with a dusting of cinnamon, or koeksisters—plaited doughnuts soaked in syrup, crispy on the outside and sticky-sweet inside. In the Western Cape, try malva pudding, a warm sponge cake served with custard or cream. Other favourites include hertzoggies (jam-filled coconut tarts), soetkoekies (spiced biscuits), and peppermint crisp tart, a no-bake fridge dessert layered with caramel, cream, and mint chocolate.
