South Africa offers an extraordinary blend of wildlife safaris, stunning landscapes from Table Mountain to the Garden Route, vibrant cities, and a rich cultural heritage. From world-class wine regions to pristine beaches and the iconic Kruger National Park, it's a destination that captivates every type of traveler.
South African cuisine is as diverse as its population — a thrilling fusion of indigenous African, Cape Malay, Dutch Afrikaner, Indian, and Portuguese influences. The braai (barbecue) is the country's defining culinary institution, while bobotie (spiced mince with egg custard) is considered the national dish. Cape Town offers world-class fine dining ranked among Africa's best, the Cape Winelands produce exceptional wine, Durban serves India's most authentic curry outside the subcontinent, and the national love of biltong (dried cured meat) transcends all demographics.
Must-try dishes
Iconic dishes that define South Africa.
Bobotie
South Africa's unofficial national dish — a fragrant Cape Malay baked mince of minced meat spiced with turmeric, curry leaves, and apricot jam, topped with a savory egg custard. Best at a Bo-Kaap restaurant or a traditional Cape Malay home kitchen.
Where to try: Bo-Kaap Kombuis (Cape Town), The Noon Gun Tearoom & Restaurant
Price: $8-15
Boerewors (Braai)
South Africa's beloved farmer's sausage, made from coarsely ground beef and pork with coriander and spices, coiled and grilled over open wood fire on a braai. The definitive South African flavor.
Where to try: Any braai, Woolworths Food butcher counter, roadside braai stalls
Price: $5-12
Bunny Chow
Durban's iconic street food — a hollowed-out loaf of white bread filled with rich, fragrant mutton, chicken, or bean curry. Eat it with your hands, scooping with the bread 'lid'.
Where to try: Britannia Hotel (Durban), Patel's Vegetarian Restaurant (Durban), most Durban restaurants
Price: $4-8
Biltong
Air-dried cured meat (beef, kudu, or ostrich) marinated in coriander, vinegar, and salt — the South African answer to beef jerky but far superior. Thicker, moister, and more complex.
Where to try: Any butcher shop, Woolworths Food, petrol station snack aisles nationwide
Price: $3-8 per 100g
Pap and Chakalaka
The cornerstone of South African township cooking — maize porridge (similar to polenta) served with chakalaka, a spiced vegetable relish with onion, tomato, beans, and chili. Pairs with braai meat and is eaten everywhere from townships to rugby stadiums.
Where to try: Mzoli's (Gugulethu township, Cape Town), township restaurants, Nando's side dishes
Price: $3-8
Koeksister
Syrup-drenched braided pastry that comes in two versions: the Afrikaner plaited doughnut soaked in cold syrup, or the Cape Malay version — coconut-dusted, ginger-spiced, and softer. Both are addictive.
Where to try: Woolworths Food bakeries, Cape Malay community markets in Bo-Kaap on weekends
Price: $1-3
Top restaurants
Handpicked picks for the best dining experiences.
La Colombe
Consistently ranked among Africa's best restaurants, offering innovative tasting menus in a stunning wine estate setting in Constantia valley. Creative dishes with exceptional wine pairings.
Silvermist Wine Estate, Constantia Main Road, Constantia, Cape Town, 7806
Belthazar Restaurant & Wine Bar
Popular V&A Waterfront steakhouse known for excellent meat selection, extensive wine list with 1,000+ labels, and lively atmosphere. Great for groups.
Shop 153, Victoria Wharf, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town, 8001
Mzoli's
Legendary township braai in Gugulethu where you select meat, they grill it, and you enjoy with kwaito music and local atmosphere. Authentic Cape Town experience.
NY 115, Gugulethu, Cape Town, 7750
Gatsby Sandwich Stands
Legendary Cape Flats sandwich stuffed with chips, meat, and sauce in a long bun. Find at stands throughout Cape Town townships.
Various locations in Cape Flats townships
Truth Coffee
Award-winning steampunk-themed café serving exceptional coffee in dramatic industrial setting. Named world's best coffee shop.
36 Buitenkant Street, Cape Town City Centre, 8001
The Test Kitchen
Award-winning restaurant from chef Luke Dale-Roberts in trendy Woodstock. Creative tasting menus in industrial-chic space, repeatedly named Africa's best restaurant.
The Old Biscuit Mill, 375 Albert Road, Woodstock, Cape Town, 7925
Mama Africa
Vibrant Long Street restaurant serving traditional South African dishes with live music and marimba bands. Tourist-friendly introduction to local cuisine.
178 Long Street, Cape Town City Centre, 8001
Nando's
Famous South African chain serving Portuguese-style flame-grilled chicken with peri-peri sauce. Originated in Johannesburg, now worldwide.
Multiple locations nationwide
Restaurants by cuisine
Browse picks grouped by cuisine type.
Contemporary French-Asian Fusion
La Colombe
Steakhouse
Belthazar Restaurant & Wine Bar
The Hussar Grill
Butcher Block
Braai (BBQ)
Mzoli's
Cape Town Street Food
Gatsby Sandwich Stands
Specialty Coffee
Truth Coffee
Deluxe Coffeeworks
Espresso Lab Microroasters
Contemporary Global
The Test Kitchen
Street food
Local flavours at affordable prices.
Boerewors Roll
Grilled boerewors sausage in a fresh bread roll with tomato and onion relish — South Africa's ultimate fast food, sold at petrol stations, market stalls, and rugby/cricket stadiums nationwide.
Find it at: Petrol stations, markets, sports events, roadside stalls nationwide
Vetkoek (Fat Cake)
Deep-fried bread dough balls eaten plain or filled with mince curry, cheese, or jam. A beloved South African street snack with origins in Afrikaner and mixed township cooking traditions.
Find it at: Township takeaways, school tuck shops, roadside food stalls throughout South Africa
Gatsby
Cape Town's local hero — an enormous French loaf stuffed with your choice of protein (calamari, steak, polony) plus chips, lettuce, and various sauces. Often split between 2-4 people.
Find it at: Super Fisheries (Cape Town), Golden Dish (Cape Flats), fish and chip shops in Cape Town
Indian Street Snacks, Durban
Durban's vibrant Indian food culture has produced extraordinary street snacks including samoosas, dholl puri (lentil flatbread), spiced puri, and bhajias (vegetable fritters) sold at Victoria Street Market.
Find it at: Victoria Street Market, Grey Street area, Warwick Junction, Durban
Food markets
Where locals shop and graze.
Neighbourgoods Market
Cape Town's premier artisan food market in the Old Biscuit Mill, Woodstock — packed every Saturday with local cheese, charcuterie, craft beers, artisan breads, and innovative prepared food stalls.
Hours: Saturday 9AM-3PM
Oranjezicht City Farm Market (OZCF)
Cape Town's most beloved community food market at De Waal Park (Saturdays) and Granger Bay (Sundays) offering heritage vegetables, artisan produce, excellent coffee, and ready-to-eat gourmet food.
Hours: Saturday 8AM-2PM (De Waal Park), Sunday 9AM-2PM (Granger Bay)
Victoria Street Market, Durban
South Africa's most famous oriental market — a sensory explosion of Indian spices, fresh produce, traditional medicines, textiles, and street food in the heart of Durban since 1910.
Hours: Monday-Saturday 6AM-6PM, Sunday 9AM-4PM
Rosebank Flea Market
Johannesburg's Sunday institution on the Rosebank Mall rooftop featuring African crafts, antiques, and excellent food stalls serving everything from braai to Ethiopian injera.
Hours: Sunday 9AM-5PM
Dining etiquette & tips
Navigate the local food scene confidently.
Lunch is the main meal at wine estates and upmarket restaurants — many offer set menus at significantly lower prices than dinner
Booking is essential at Cape Town's top restaurants, sometimes weeks in advance — La Colombe, The Test Kitchen, and FYN often fill within hours of releasing tables
South African restaurant portions are generous by European and American standards — starters can substitute for mains
BYO (bring your own wine) is common at smaller restaurants; corkage fees are typically R60-100 ($3-5) and represent great value with Stellenbosch wine estate purchases
Service is included in some bills (check for 'service charge') — 10-15% additional tip is expected if not included
Food budget guide
What to expect at different price points.
| Level | Price | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | $5-15/meal | Street food (vetkoek, boerewors roll), takeaway, township restaurants |
| Mid-range | $20-40/meal | Sit-down restaurant with a glass of wine; most mid-range Cape Town and Johannesburg dining |
| Upscale | $80-150+/meal | Fine dining at La Colombe, FYN, or Test Kitchen — typically a multi-course tasting menu |