Food & drink in South Africa

The South African cuisine is unlike anything else. With influences from all over the world dating as early as the 1600s, the food is infused with a unique blend of flavours, spices and colours. Hence why they call it the Rainbow Cuisine. Influences come from the UK, Malaysia, Germany, Portugal and India as well as the many indigenous tribes.

South African cities are very cosmopolitan, so no matter what cuisine you crave for, chances are you can find it. However, we urge you to try the traditional and local food. It’s colourful, interesting and bursting with flavour.

cooking meat on a south african bbq called braai with forest in background

What food is South Africa famous for?

Braai

Every South African’s first love - the braai. Essentially, it’s their take on a BBQ. Every garden, park, campsite, picnic spot and house has one, and it’s just as much about socialising with family and friends as it is about the food.

You can cook almost anything on a braai, but some common sites are; steak, chicken, lamb, game, potatoes and corn. However, no braai is a braai unless you have boerewors. A large, spiral sausage made from a mixture of meats and spices.

Did you know?

Amarula (a creamy liqueur) comes from fruit from the Marula tree. When monkeys and elephants eat too many, they get drunk!

Chakalaka & Pap

Going hand in hand with a braai, chakalaka & pap, are two sides which are constant staples on a South African dinner table. It’s rare to see one without the other. Chakalaka is a vegetable based dish of a mixture of onions, peppers, carrots, tomatoes, cabbage, beans, curry powder and lots of spices. The dish is usually served in a large bowl, cold.

Pap literally translating to porridge, yet isn’t quite the same as Westerner’s porridge. It’s starchy, savoury and stiff, made with either cornmeal or maize. Perfect for mopping up all of those deliciously spicy sauces at a braai.

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chakalaka and pap a traditional side dish for a braai in south africa

vegan and vegetarian food in south africa fried plantain

Vegetarian and vegan food in South Africa

At a first glance, it looks like quite a tough task to opt a vegetarian diet in South Africa. It is harder than many other countries, but it’s not impossible. For the majority of South Africans, meat is the main part of any meal and a big part of their culture. This is partly due to the way they treat their animals, which are usually sold live at the market.

Although many of the main dishes focus on meat, most of the side dishes are vegetarian - such as the chakalaka or fried plantain. Most restaurants will have a vegetarian option, but you might not get much choice. Over the last few years, the amount of vegetarian restaurants has been increasing, especially in the cities, just be prepared for it to take a little longer to find somewhere to eat.

Desserts

South African desserts are some of the best, so our advice is to have one whenever the opportunity presents itself!

Melkert is a traditional African pastry with a silky, creamy filling and dusted with cinnamon.

Malva Pudding is also another favourite - a gooey, sweet, spongy dessert (a little like a sticky toffee pudding) made with apricot jam and smothered in a hot, creamy sauce.

Other desserts in South Africa to try are; Koeksister, Milktart and Vetkoek.

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Where to eat in Cape Town

*Please note that these are current recommendations. Restaurants can change or close down fairly quickly so this list should only be used as a guide to start you off on your own research. If you are planning any fancy dinners during you holiday to South Africa, make sure you book well in advance as these often get booked up quickly. Mid-range restaurants can often get very busy during peak hours, so make sure you turn up early!*

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Drinks in South Africa

And what drinks are you going to choose to accompany your delicious South African food? Rooibos Tea is entirely exclusive to South Africa and can only be found in the Cederberg region. It’s a red-hued, fragrant and caffeine-free tea.

As for alcoholic drinks, there is much to choose from! Umqombothi is the traditional South African Xhosa beer which is made from sorghum and maize. It’s so well loved that there are numerous songs featuring it!

Witblits is another favourite tipple - a brandy made from grapes. Mampoer is similar to Witblits, but made from other fruits such as peach or apricot. And of course, South Africa produces some of the best wine in the world, which you can read more about here.

redbush and rooibos tea is grown in south africa

What food should I try in South Africa?

Cape Malay Curry

One of Cape Town’s most beloved dishes is an amalgamation of Indian, Indonesian and Malaysian influences. Using local spices from those countries and mixing it with the South African traditional way of cooking, brings a fragrant, spicy, delicious curry served with a variety of meats.

Bunny Chow

Bunny chow is a classic South African dish that is so popular it is now seen in other cosmopolitan cities like London. It consists of half a loaf of bread, hollowed and filled with delicious curry.

Bobotie

Another dinner-time favourite is a curried, spicy, mince dish, covered with an egg topping, sprinkled with raisins and baked. Includes a lot of spices, curry powder and dried fruit.

Bokkoms

Originating from the western coast of South Africa, Bokkoms is essentially dried fish. Typically mullet is used, salted, then dried in the sun and wind to be enjoyed as a snack. It’s also often added to stews and soups.

food to try in costa rica is gallo pinto the national dish of costa rica

Potjiekos

Potjiekos - literally translating to pot food, is just that. A mixture of meats, vegetables, spices and sauces, slow-cooked over a fire in a cast-iron pot. This dish is usually eaten during social gatherings and parties.

Gatsby

This foot-long sandwich is South African street food at its best. Bouncy bread filled with vinegar-soaked chips, masala steak, eggs, sausages and spicy sauces. Not the healthiest, but it is one of the best!

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food to try in south africa is a gatsby sub sandwich

Biltong

Biltong is by far the nation’s favourite snack. The indigenous tribes of South Africa thinly sliced, beef and game, covered it with sugar, salt and spices, and left it to air-dry to preserve. Now, this delicious snack is devoured all over the world.

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Best Time to Visit South Africa

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