Mzoli's Place

Mzoli's Place is a township butchery and braai in Gugulethu, on the Cape Flats of Cape Town, South Africa, at NY115. It operates on a simple model: customers choose raw meat by weight at the butchery counter, have it grilled over fire on site, and eat it at long tables with sides, music and drinks. It is among the best-known places in the Cape Town townships for a South African braai and a lively weekend atmosphere.

The cooking is straightforward and meat-led. Braaied beef, lamb and chicken are the staples, usually served with pap, a stiff maize porridge, and chakalaka, the spicy vegetable relish. Prices are low, at roughly R100 to R250 per person, and depend mostly on how much meat is bought. Drinks are bought on site, and many diners bring their own friends and settle in for the afternoon.

The atmosphere is loud, social and festive, particularly on Sunday afternoons when DJs and sound systems play and the venue can feel like a weekend party. Seating is communal and informal, and there is no dress code. Reservations are not taken, so diners simply arrive, buy meat and find a spot, which means waits for the grill can be long at peak times.

The venue is open daily from midday, and opening hours should be confirmed before going. Gugulethu is roughly 15 kilometres from the city centre, and most visitors arrive with a local guide or on a township tour, or by ride-hail, rather than driving unaccompanied. Visitors are encouraged to go during the day, to keep valuables out of sight, and to arrive with the expectation of a long, relaxed meal.