Best Destinations for South African Food Tourism
When I first arrived in Durban, South Africa, in October 2002, AIDS was the biggest threat to Africa. As coordinator of a community program, I had been invited to an International Conference on Children & HIV/AIDS to present a documentary shot in one of our communities: Pandemic: Facing AIDS.
Upon arrival in Durban, I was surprised at how beautiful that city was, then promoted as “South Africa’s Playground”. But it was the craftsmanship of the Zulu rickshaw that really impressed me. Like most tourists, I took a ride and went for several food tours. Today, I bring you this article about best destinations for South African food tourism and hope you will find it useful.
Sawubona eNingizimu Afrika, where your food experience sounds like delicious bunny chow. Wait! You had bunny chow, but have you heard about kota, shisa nyama, or chakalaka?
Such a food experience is not common in most travel plans, and it’s not because the tour guide is tricking you. It’s just that these foods are found in hidden places when you’re exploring South African food tourism.
With the many foods in South Africa, you would want to know how to get to the real South African street food. Well, it all begins with choosing the right place with local guides who know every hidden spot. This guide is all about that.
Keep reading to find the best places to explore South African food tourism.
Cape Town
Food tours in Cape Town will take you to enjoy Cape Town’s food places, making you feel like a local. The private tour services work closely to give you a fun food trip. The full-day tour usually starts after you have a warm coffee at a city-based coffee shop.
You would be taken to many great places, but places like the colourful Bo-Kaap area give a special time. There, you will find a family-owned spice shop where you can easily talk to the owners, a big part of South African food tourism. The people there are friendly, so you can chat with them to learn more about their way of life. Remember, a food tour is more than just eating; it makes you feel like a local.
You will also find small shops selling Cape Malay snacks on the corner. These snacks are a must-try as they can only be found in Cape Town. Also, at Bree Street, you will have a taste of nice African cheese.
There’s also the fun Bo-Kaap Salome tasting. This event showcases delicacies such as samosas and roti. Other dishes in Cape Town are Koesisters doughnut, Biltong & Droewors tasting, Vetkoek (a local fried bread), and Rooibos Tea.
Johannesburg
The Johannesburg food tour explores the city’s excellent food culture. The food tour companies in Johannesburg aim to give your taste buds an experience of the mixing of foods and the people’s culture.
There are a couple of towns, each with fantastic food experiences. Below, we will look at some cities and their food tours.
Yeoville
Yeoville is an immigrant suburb but full of African heritage. It might not sound like a good place for food tours, but it’s a popular place to taste Johannesburg.
The food tours at Yeoville will allow you to try many tasty dishes from Ethiopia, West Africa, and much more. You will also find popular Southern African street food like Vetkoek and Bunny Chow. Apart from the food, the local food makers are also friendly and welcoming. You will be able to talk with them and learn a thing or two about their traditions, ways of cooking, and the stories behind some of their food creations.
Soweto
All food tours promise to wow your tastebuds with local food, but some of the companies in Soweto get you more involved.
The food tour experience you can have is cooking. You will pick herbs and vegetables and mix them with other things to make a tasty dish. You will surely have a great time working with the locals.
Fordsburg
The food tour in Fordsburg lets you enjoy food beyond South African foods. You will find street food from places like India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Syria. The tours usually go through the open-air markets of Fordsburg and stop at many corner cafes and small restaurants.
Cyrildene
The food tour at Cyrildene gives you a taste of Chinese food in South Africa. Cyrildene is a suburb in South Africa that is good for exploring Chinese heritage. The food tours cover easy recipes from Asian food. You will also learn about the healing power of some of the things used in the recipes.
Durban
Durban is known for its rich mix of cultures and flavours. The food tours set you on a journey to explore local dishes, the people who made them, and the stories behind each recipe.
Many tourists visit Durban, but only a few see their hidden food spots. Hopefully, the food tours are led by local guides who know the city. So, you shouldn’t have any worries about getting the whole experience. Visiting these hidden spots will uncover delicious traditional South African dishes like bobotie (a spiced meat dish with an egg topping), bunny chow (a hollowed-out loaf of bread filled with curry), and boerewors (a type of sausage). These dishes were influenced by Durban’s Zulu and Indian communities, making them unique elements of South African food tourism.
Furthermore, the guides will share insights about Durban’s history and the roots of different dishes. Durban is also known for its tasty, fresh seafood. So be sure to grab that experience while on your tour.
You’ll also get to explore local markets, try street food, and taste the fresh seafood Durban is known for. The spicy curries and rich flavours will leave a lasting impression, and the small group setting makes it easy to ask questions and chat with others on tour.
Knysna
Knysna is a town in the Western Cape that stands out for its food tours because of its close location to beautiful coves and beaches.
The food tour experience usually starts at the Knysna waterfront, where you can enjoy a lovely lagoon view. The wharf has cafes and restaurants that serve fresh and tasty Knysna oysters.
Other unique dishes these seafood restaurants offer include calamari and the day’s catch.
During the day, you can walk to the Old Town to buy unique souvenirs like jewellery and pottery from small shops. You can also visit the Museum to learn more about Knysna’s history and culture.
If you want a hands-on local cooking experience, cooking classes are available in Knysna.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What is South Africa’s most popular food?
Bunny chow
Bunny chow is a loaf of bread hollowed out and filled with curry and meat.
Bobotie
Bobotie is a tasty dish first made in the Cape Muslim community. It is made with spiced minced meat, curry, garlic, turmeric, lemon zest, herbs, salt, onions, and pepper. After it’s fully cooked, it’s topped with a mix of egg and milk and baked again. The result is sweet baked meat with an egg custard layer. It’s usually served with yellow rice.
Potjiekos
Potjiekos is a South African stew recipe made in a cast-iron pot on low heat. It’s made with fresh meat layered with vegetables and sauce. The word Potjiekos also means “food made in a pot.” The result is soft, spiced chunks of beef.
Vetkoeks
Vetkoeks are delicious burger buns sold by street vendors and local restaurants. They are fluffy inside, making them perfect for stuffing with a curry and mayonnaise mix.
Melktert
Melktert is a sweet dessert made with a pastry crust and a filling. The filling is made with sugar, flour, milk, and egg, similar to a light cheesecake.
What do you call a food tour?
A food tour is commonly known as culinary tourism, food tourism, or gastronomy tourism. However, some companies offering it may call it a foodie tour, gourmet tour, or foodie adventure.
What do you get on a food tour?
Food tours usually include guided walks to the city’s market and tasting of local food. They also reveal hidden places not usually included in travel plans.
Final Thought
South African food tourism is more about meeting locals and discovering the South African way of life. Whether it is eating bunny chow in Durban or making a local homemade meal in Soweto, your taste buds will have a great time. Luckily, the locals who own these places are friendly, which makes it possible to have a good experience.
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