Top 12 Food Experiences in South Africa

1.Full-Day Winelands Tour with Wine Tastings & Food

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 1,288 reviews · 9 hours · from $121Our pick

Spend nine hours touring four Cape winelands estates with guides such as Basil, Bruce, Donovan, Jose, or Nick. Taste reds, whites, Cap Classique, ports, cheese, and chocolate, then enjoy an à la carte vineyard lunch in a small group of up to 11.

“Our trip was great. Our guide, Donovan, was friendly, funny and knowledgeable. We were with a good group and everyone mixed well. It was my husband’s 70th birthday and when Donovan found out, he arranged little surprises at each venue. Very thoughtful and it made the day more special.”

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2.2-Hour Dam Cruise with South African Food

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 621 reviews · 2 hours · from $40Best value

Spend two relaxed hours on Hartbeespoort Dam aboard the Harties Boat Company vessel. Expect a welcome drink, South African finger foods, music, and wide views of the Magaliesberg Mountains and waterfront homes. Captains such as Rasta and photographer Rene have helped make past cruises memorable.

“The boat was so massive,clean ,comfortable and nice ,the chefs,bartender and waitress were so very polite,they are hard workers and friendly.hoo,the food was delicious,everything is so perfect. I will come again”

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3.The Cape Town Essentials Food Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 385 reviews · from $113Top rated

Walk from Bo-Kaap through Bree Street, Heritage Square, De Waterkant, and the Foreshore while tasting South African food, wine, beer, coffee, and tea. Guides such as Olivia add local stories and practical context. Expect about 2 kilometers of easy walking and a finish away from the starting point.

“It was a great experience full of information, Wine, Beer and amazing food. Arrive hungry leave stuffed!!”

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4.Local Food Tasting Guided Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 192 reviews · 3 hours · from $77

Spend about three hours tasting at least four African dishes in Maboneng or Yeoville, with a local guide such as Nkosi, Joe, Rambo, or Lebo. Expect street art, neighborhood history, Ghanaian, Nigerian, Zimbabwean and South African food, transport, water, and plenty of walking.

“Joe was very knowledgeable and considerate. He knew all about the history and culture of all the places/spots we visited. The food was delicious and one thing I can say is for you to come hungry because the food is comforting and filling. Naboweng is an interesting place with lots of shops and restaurants. It’s diverse and full of life. Jackie’s grill is our favorite spot and also Bertrand cafe is artsy and trendy at the same time. I feel like is where the cool people hang out. I highly recommend this tour.”

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5.The 10 Tastings of Cape Town With Locals: Private Food Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 169 reviews · from $103

You’ll spend about three hours walking central Cape Town with a private foodie guide such as Daryl, Christopher, Zuze, or Parinita. Expect 10 local food and drink tastings, city sights, history, and a flexible route that can include vegetarian alternatives and food suited to your preferences.

“Our guide, Christopher, not only brought us around Cape Town to sample local cuisine, but also added history lessons and information that was fascinating. 3 hours well spent!”

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6.Taste of Africa Food tasting Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 138 reviews · from $54

Walk through Johannesburg’s Yeoville or Maboneng with a local host, stopping for African dishes from places such as Nigeria, Ghana, Ethiopia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe. Expect street art, city stories, small local restaurants, and plenty of walking. Pickup is offered, but confirm transport before arrival.

“The three food stops were fabulous. Good variety of cultures represented. The tour of Maboneng, although interesting, focused more on the art culture and less on the food influence. We didn’t eat our first food until 45 minutes into the tour and really thought we were on the wrong tour. Guide was knowledgeable.”

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7.Hartbeespoort Dam: The Luxury Alba Boat Cruise with Food

★★★★★★★★★★3.9 · 81 reviews · 2 hours · from $52

Spend two hours aboard the Alba, a glass-walled luxury boat on Hartbeespoort Dam. You’ll start with canapés and sparkling wine on the lawn, then enjoy hot and cold finger foods, music, waterfront homes, the Magaliesberg range, and the dam wall’s Arc De Triumph.

“Exceptional, everything was so epic. All was fun and perfection was an understatement.”

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8.African Food and Storytelling Tour Cape Town City Centre

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 61 reviews · from $92

Walk Cape Town’s inner city with guides including Dennis, Tawanda, or Sifiso, stopping for Somali and West African meals, Cape Malay snacks, tea, books, fabrics, markets, and stories about history, entrepreneurship, and gentrification. The small-group tour lasts about 2 to 3 hours.

“Dennis has arrangements with real local restaurants. Places you would be hesitant to try on your own. We do a lot of food tours when we travel…. And this was in the top 2. Go early in your holiday so that you can use the knowledge and recommendations before moving on.”

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9.Essential Food and Drink Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 56 reviews · 4 hours · from $134

Spend four hours walking from Bo-Kaap through De Waterkant and Greenpoint to the V&A Waterfront. Guides such as Justin and Olivia introduce you to Cape Malay food, beer pairings, rooibos, fynbos gin, and Cape Town’s past. Expect about two miles of walking, generous tastings, and no hotel transport.

“I loved the variety of locations and the food was excellent.”

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10.Culinary Walking Tour with Food Tastings

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 32 reviews · 4 hours · from $155

Spend four hours walking from Heritage Square through Bo-Kaap and the City Bowl, tasting Cape Malay, African, and Afrikaans foods. Guides Brad Croukamp and Lindy explain how Cape Town’s past shaped its food, with stops for curry, braai, chocolate, rooibos, milk cake, and more.

“Excellent tour. Guide (Lindy) was knowledgeable, friendly, great communicator, accommodating and flexible. She learned about us and adjusted her presentation accordingly. Bo-Kaap is beautiful and rich with history. The food is excellent and offers a great foundation to dive deeper.”

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11.Lesedi Cultural Village with lunch or dinner cultural food

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 9 reviews · 5 hours · from $143

Travel from Johannesburg or Pretoria to Lesedi Cultural Village for a five-hour cultural visit. Meet guides from five South African groups, see traditional homesteads, join drumming and dance, and finish with a traditional lunch or dinner. Samuel has been praised for adding useful local context.

“L'accueil en chanson fait bonne impression, le personnel chargé de l'animation est très avenant. La visite est essentiellement basée sur le visuel : reconstitution de huttes traditionnelles et scènes jouées par le personnel. Le spectacle de danse est très agréable et impressionnant mais tout le reste paraît artificiel et semble être monté de toute pièce pour plaire aux touristes occidentaux. Au final, je n'ai pas appris grand chose.”

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12.Local street food tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 6 reviews · 3 hours · from $87

Walk through Langa with an English-speaking local guide such as Thando, Mzukisi, or uThando, stopping for South African street food including bunny chow, vetkoek, samosas, pap, and braai-style meats. The tour begins and ends at Guga S’thebe Cultural Center.

“Great to taste a range of African foods with interesting insights into the differing cultures. uThando is a very engaging guide with aspiration and ambition. My wife and I would not hesitate to tour with him again.”

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