| Discover the gourmet styles that have put Cape | | | | peppers. |
| Town on the culinary map! | | | | Cape Town is also home to many Indian restaurants, |
| Cape Town is a cosmopolitan city that prides itself | | | | which makes sense given the origins of many of the |
| on merging local flavours and international trends with | | | | Cape's inhabitants. Indian food is very popular in the |
| effortless success. That's why when you visit any of | | | | city, and it's in Cape Town that you'll find some of |
| Cape Town's top restaurants, you're just as likely to | | | | the most authentic Indian cuisine outside of India! |
| discover the best local dishes as you are to find | | | | Finally, one of the greatest influences on today's |
| internationally-inspired cuisine and exotic dining trends. | | | | most popular local dishes is that of the African |
| Nonetheless, there are a number of gourmet styles | | | | culture. Even when the Dutch, French Huguenots and |
| that have come to define an authentic Cape Town | | | | Indian slaves brought their culinary styles to the |
| dining experience. As one of the world's top tourist | | | | Cape, indigenous people stuck to their diets of |
| destinations, it follows that many of South Africa's | | | | traditional fare, which included game meat, maize, |
| most definitive culinary styles would be showcased in | | | | sorghum, millet, root vegetables and wild greens, as |
| the Mother City. Traditional Cape Town cuisine | | | | well as insects and worms rich in protein. Today, you'll |
| features a blend of African and Indian flavours, and | | | | be able to find many African-inspired dishes on local |
| incorporates indigenous spices and fruits, locally | | | | menus, from mild pap-based meals to far more |
| cultivated produce and a wide selection of quality | | | | exotic dishes recommended for adventurous diners |
| meats. | | | | only! |
| Some of Cape Town's best-loved culinary styles are | | | | A few local delicacies to try when you visit Cape |
| explored below. Find out more about these traditional | | | | Town |
| cooking styles, and discover the types of cuisine | | | | - Biltong: Dried, salted meat, cured in a style that |
| you'll enjoy during your holiday in Cape Town. | | | | originated in South Africa. Beef, game and ostrich |
| Cape Town cuisine: Traditional tastes and popular | | | | meats are the most popular types of biltong available. |
| trends | | | | - Boerewors: This is handmade farm sausage that is |
| Modern-day Cape cuisine is still widely informed by | | | | cooked on a braai (like a barbeque), over an open |
| the culinary styles of early Cape inhabitants: | | | | flame. |
| Colonisers from Europe, slaves from Malaysia, Java | | | | - Samoosa: A spicy Indian pastry, usually stuffed with |
| and Africa, and of course, the original inhabitants of | | | | mince, potato or vegetables, and fried in oil. |
| the Cape - Khoi-san people, and Xhosa, Sotho and | | | | - Melktert: A traditional South African dessert of puff |
| Zulu-speaking people. This makes for a diverse array | | | | pastry with a milky, cinnamon-flavoured tart filling. |
| of local "signature" dishes, including Cape Dutch and | | | | - Koeksisters: Plaited, deep-fried and highly sweet |
| Cape Malay dishes, Indian cuisine and African | | | | pastries of Cape Malay origin. |
| delicacies unique to the country. | | | | - Bobotie: A spicy, slightly sweet Cape Malay dish of |
| Most Cape Town restaurants offering local cuisine will | | | | mince and fruit (usually raisins), and baked with an |
| feature dishes that descend from these culinary | | | | egg custard on top. |
| styles. The Cape Malay influence is one of the most | | | | - Bunny chow: A hollowed-out loaf of bread stuffed |
| enduring, and any local restaurant worth its salt will | | | | with curry. A spicy, filling and quick meal! |
| feature a range of well-known Cape Malay dishes, | | | | - Rusks: Hard, dry biscuits, often sliced into |
| such as boboties, curries, pumpkin fritters, sweet | | | | rectangles, that are eaten after being dipped into |
| yellow rice and koeksisters. | | | | coffee or tea. They were initially made by the Dutch |
| Cape Dutch-inspired dishes are also popular traditional | | | | travelling through South Africa, as they wouldn't spoil |
| fare, although this culinary style was informed as | | | | in the hot weather. |
| much by the slaves from the East as it was by | | | | - Umqombothi: Meaning "African beer" in Xhosa, |
| traditional European cooking styles. Cape Dutch | | | | umqombothi is a local beer made from fermented |
| cuisine is often spicy and slightly sweet, flavoured as | | | | yeast, fermented maize and sorghum. |
| it is by spices such as nutmeg, allspice and hot | | | | |