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Food culture in South Africa is nothing short of phenomenal. The concept of dining-out is really a cherished one across the country. Drawing from a deep and varied history, you’ll find many restaurants and dishes that are truly inspired. And you don’t have to worry about budget.
Between fine-dine eateries, local takeaways and chains, luxurious wine estates, flavoursome market stalls and a host of artsy pubs and cafes, your appetite isn’t just well taken care of — it is given a real treat. Welcome, to the best places to eat in South Africa.
One of the best places to eat in Egypt, the newly renovated 1902 restaurant dishes up a French Levantine menu and very expensive and exquisite wines.
The 2 Greek Club is where intellectuals meet for heated debates. Come here to watch people engage in intellectual duels as you enjoy cold beers and Greek favourites.
The 63-year-old 4 Abou Tarek is famous for the being the best Egyptian restaurant. Come for its Koshary and Rice pudding infused with rose water.
Founded in 1908, the 5 Café Riche is where artists, activists and turbaned waiters are found serving mezze platters and cold beers and coffee. It is one of the top places to eat in Egypt because the revolution of 1952 was planned here. This is where history and food meet, in a charming atmosphere.
For pocket-friendly food, hit the streets. There are a great many options and it’s a great education on what to eat in Egypt throughout your trip. Vegetarians, please remember that a vegetarian dish in Egypt means “no beef” so get clarity before eating. Otherwise Egyptian food has many options. Rice, macaroni, lentils and chickpeas with a spicy sauce make a “Koshary” which is absolutely delicious. Sandwiches with a version of dried meat, liver, cheese and Tamiyah are available. Fuul, an Egyptian Fava bean stew, and Tamiyah, an Egyptian Falafel, are also good. Winters here are warmed up with chicken soup, sweet potatoes and chicken and meat stews.
The Trianon in Alexandria has a wonderful homely, old-world magic. Its menu is Mediterranean-meets-Levantine meat and even vegetarian dishes are available. And to top it off, a patisserie next door does lovely coffee, tea, cakes and omelettes for breakfast.
Get your hotel or a deli to pack a picnic for you and the captains at Dok will set sail on a felucca, a boat with cushioned seats and a table, along with a bottle of wine. Sunsets are particularly beautiful, so come then.
Still wondering where to eat in Egypt? Well, simply select one of SOTC’s Egypt tour packages and be off on a culinary adventure with a little bit of culture, adventure and romance thrown in.
There’re many answers to what to eat in South Africa, depending on your choice of cuisine. Explore African favourites, like Ethiopian at the Durban-based Habesha Cafe or Addis in Cape in City Bowl or Little Addis Cafe in Johannesburg. Sample some of the top dishes like doro wot or chicken stew with ample injera or sourdough pancakes to match.
Or you can experience some Moroccan delight. La Terrasse in Pretoria nurtures an amazing cultural atmosphere in a rooftop cafe setting. While Andalousse in East City serves up a great couscous.
Then there are amazing places to eat in South Africa in different cities that each offer a taste of ethnic cuisines. Johannesburg has Bismillah with some great Indian and sub-continental food, or Leshala Cuisine where you can have game meats to incredible live beats. It is a local favourite. While Pretoria is home to Bosvelder Restaurant that serves ancestrally popular dishes like skilpadjies or lamb liver. In Durban, you’ll find Sea Belle — a simple outlet with complex seafood flavours. If you’re in Cape Town, do check out Mama Africa for traditional dishes like bobotie or some mouth-watering braai at Mzoli’s.
You’ll be spoilt for choice if you decide on experiencing South African foods the fine-dine way. Test Kitchen is considered the best South African restaurant in Cape Town, though you’d have to beat hundreds of people just to get a table! Hartford House in KwaZulu locally sources all its ingredients and turns them into a five-course dinner menu that will leave you licking your lips even just remembering the meal days after! Meanwhile at La Colombe, on the Silvermist Wine Estate, you can indulge in some organic goodness paired with flavourful wines.
In reality, this is a mere glimpse of the choices you have when deciding where to eat in South Africa. Every region, city and locale have their own flavours to explore. Then there are the food festivals like the globally recognised The Good Food and Wine Show featured in the big cities, or the more boutique Street Food Festival in Johannesburg and Cape Town.
Perhaps you would like your South African adventure to be a culinary one? Or maybe you’d just like to fuel your days with wholesome local meals. Either way, you cannot go wrong in South Africa. Simply pick a South Africa tour from SOTC for a tour crafted to suit your palate.
