Are you ready to take your taste buds on a culinary journey? We’re excited to spotlight the bold and vibrant world of South African cuisine, which has recently made waves in the global food scene by winning prestigious awards! South Africa was just crowned Africa’s Best Culinary Destination 2024 at the World Culinary Awards while Cape Town was also named Africa’s Best Culinary City Destination 2024.
It is not a surprise to many of us who have tasted these delicious meals. South African cuisine is a unique blend of indigenous dishes and influences from Dutch, French, Indian, and Malaysian cultures. This fusion creates a mouthwatering tapestry of flavors, where spices like coriander, cumin, and cinnamon dance with ingredients like maize, beans, and fresh seafood. The cuisine stands out for its commitment to fresh, local ingredients, a deep respect for traditional cooking methods, and a spirit of creativity. The culinary world is taking note of the passion and innovation coming from South Africa’s kitchens, and it’s no wonder the country is being hailed as one of the most exciting food destinations right now.
Here are some of our favorite team dishes from different regions across the continent that you simply must try:
- Muriwo Unedovi – is a local favorite made from kale-like greens mixed with peanut butter and cooked down to a tender consistency. It pairs perfectly with pap, another staple dish in many African countries. The creamy, rich greens and the hearty pap is a perfect and comforting combination.
- Traditional South African Boerewors – Boerewors is a traditional South African sausage that is normally served with pap (a type of maize porridge), sheba (a tomato and onion sauce), chakalaka (a spicy vegetable relish), and mustard. These accompaniments complement the spices in Boerewors and balance its rich flavors.
- Springbok carpaccio – an Italian appetizer of thinly sliced raw springbok drizzled with lemon juice and olive oil.
- Malva pudding – a sweet pudding of South African origin. It contains apricot jam and has a spongy caramelised texture. A cream sauce is always poured over it while it is hot, and it is usually served warm with cold custard and/or ice-cream.
- Braai – A classic South African barbecue.
- Potjiekos – literally translated “small-pot food”, it is a meat and vegetable dish prepared outdoors cooked in a round, cast iron, three-legged cauldron.
- Calamari – the way they prepare and cook it, is amazing, especially when you go to a Portuguese restaurant.
- Ostrich filets – Most delectable, melt in your mouth ‘steak’ you’ll ever eat.
Home to some of the world’s top chefs and restaurants, it is no surprise that the restaurant scene in South Africa is probably the biggest reason it was named a top destination. There are so many incredible restaurants, highlighting a wide variety of cuisines, especially in Cape Town and the Winelands. One of our favorite things about the food in South Africa is how much of it is truly farm-to-table. Ingredients are fresh and local, making every type of cuisine taste a bit elevated. Here are just a few of the restaurants that made a big impression and won big.
South Africa’s Best Restaurant 2024 – Epice, Franschhoek
South Africa’s Best Hotel Restaurant 2024 – Azure Restaurant @ The Twelve Apostles Hotel & Spa, Cape Town
South Africa’s Best Culinary Experience 2024 – Marble Restaurant, Johannesburg
Africa’s Best Farm-to-Table Restaurant 2024 – Babel in the Cape Winelands
When you book your trip with us, we also provide a list of restaurant suggestions in each of the areas you are visiting, as well as top Food Tours that we recommend.
Want to bring the flavor of Africa into your own kitchen? Then you must check out “A Taste of Africa” – written by our own Sandy Salle.
This one-of-a-kind cookbook, created by Hills of Africa Travel, introduces novice chefs and culinary masters, alike, to some of the best flavors that Africa has to offer. Comprised of a collection of recipes brought to you by some of the finest restaurants and kitchens from across the continent, a Taste of Africa brings to life flavors from the bush, from the big city, and from the African home. Check it out here.