10% offFree cancellation
The Cape Town Essentials Food Tour
- 4 hours
- Free cancellation up to 24h before
- Guided in English
- Instant confirmation
Highlights
Our signature experience takes you on a captivating journey through time—from the 1600s to today—revealing how centuries of cultural exchange, global trade, and resilience have shaped Cape Town’s distinctive flavours and traditions. Stroll through the colourful streets of Bo-Kaap, where every building tells a story. Indulge in local favourites like golden koeksisters, savour the rich spices of Cape Malay bobotie, and explore hearty classics such as bunny chow, pap, and chakalaka. Sip on rooibos tea and enjoy a selection of locally crafted beverages—both alcoholic and non-alcoholic. Led by a passionate local foodie expert, you’ll uncover hidden gems, meet local vendors, and hear the stories behind each dish. From the spice routes of the 17th century to the lasting impact of slavery and apartheid, every stop offers a deeper connection to the city—its people, its past, and its vibrant food culture.
Inclusions
What's included
- Local professional guide with history insights of the area
- Alternative beverages provided for those who do not consume alcohol including coffee and tea
- 10+ South African food and drink tastings included — all beverages, wine and alcohol covered
What's not
- Gratuities
- Transportation to/from tour.
Itinerary
Our tour begins in the Bo Kappa where Cape Malay culture is in full display. We will taste and explore this fascinating neighbourhood as we learn about it's culture and history.
Next we wander towards Bree street in the city centre, where Cape Town's most concentrated restaurant scene can be found, including the beautiful Heritage Square where we will indulge in some delicious South African classics under the vines in one of Cape Town's most beautiful courtyards.
Next up, De Waterkant (the waterfront in Afrikaans). A chic enclave centered around the Cape Quarter Lifestyle Village packed with fashion boutiques, commercial art galleries and global eateries. Leafy streets nearby are lined with brightly coloured cottages housing craft coffee bars, stylish gift shops and guesthouses. We will wander the beautiful streets and learn about why this area of one of the most sought after in Cape Town, but also one with the highest concentrations of global restaurants to savour.
Our tour ends at one of Cape Town's oldest sports bars where true South African patriotism is on full display. Here we will eat like a local while soaking in the atmosphere of one of Cape Town's busiest watering holes. Please note that on Mondays, our tours end in the city centre, a few hundred meters from our usual location.
Cancellation
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts, for a full refund.
Reviews
4.9
- 5479
- 414
- 33
- 22
- 11
Ratings come from 499 reviews collected by our booking partner. They are travellers' own words, in the order they were written — never reordered to flatter the experience.
Showing reviews written in English.
5A Delicious Journey Through South African Food, Culture & History
A definite must-do when you’re in Cape Town! I truly believe that one of the best ways to get to know a country is through its food — and this experience was such a wonderful way to discover more of South Africa. The food and drinks were absolutely delicious, but what I loved most was the whole experience: spending time with a wonderful guide, hearing the stories behind the food, and meeting fellow travellers from different parts of the world who were just as curious to learn more about South Africa. There’s something so special about sharing food around a table and discovering how food, history and culture are all connected. I thoroughly enjoyed every moment and came away with an even greater appreciation for the incredible diversity and richness of South African food and history. Definitely add this to your Cape Town must-do list!
5Our guide was really...
Our guide was really knowledgeable and we learnt lots about South Africa, its culture and its cuisine. I would highly recommend this tour
5Amazing
This was honestly one of the highlights of our entire trip to Cape Town. Our guide, Elsje, was wonderful from start to finish. She was incredibly friendly, knowledgeable, and gave us so much insight into the history and culture behind the food and the different places we visited. You could also tell that she has great relationships with people throughout the city, which made the experience feel very authentic and personal. This was my first food tour, so I honestly didn’t know what to expect, but it exceeded my expectations by far. The food was amazing, and there was so much variety. The portions were much more generous than I expected, and this was not just a tour of random restaurants. Every stop felt thoughtfully selected and well curated, with its own story and connection to Cape Town. We had full meals, dessert, drinks, and even a wine tasting, all in a small group of about five people, which made the experience even better. I also loved the little touches, like the tea and spice she gave us to take home. It was such a thoughtful way to remember the experience. What I appreciated most was that this tour went beyond just food. We learned so much about Cape Town, its history, its people, and its culture. By the end of the tour, I actually found myself wanting to learn more about the city and its people, which I think says a lot about how special the experience was. I would highly recommend this food tour without hesitation. If you’re visiting Cape Town and wondering which food tour to book, book this one. You will not regret it!
4Genuine local food tour …
Olivia met us on time at the alotted place and gathered up the 10 other people on the tour. We visited 4 eateries in 4 hours; this was a relaxed tour without much walking. The great thing about this trip was the authenticity of the local restaurants…we tried loads of truely local food and drink. Yes some of it wasn’t to my palette, but it was great to try. And Olivia was a supreme host, as she gave us the lowdown on everything we ate and drank, which kept it interesting. My only feedback was most of the hot food was cold by the time it was served (it just took too long to serve the group in some of the restaurants) which was spoilt the experience somewhat.
5An Absolute Must-Do for First-Time Visitors
Taking this tour on our first day was the absolute perfect introduction to Cape Town. The food was not only amazing and abundant, but all four stops along the way were unique and memorable. Our guide, Olivia, was exceptional—helpful, kind, and deeply knowledgeable—making the entire experience feel effortless and fun. The little extras, like the Cape Malay spice gift, digital recipes, group photos, and a detailed follow-up email recap, made it feel so personal. I would definitely recommend this to any first-time visitor!
5Excellent food tasting...
Excellent food tasting tour. Great variety, our guide Justin was very knowledgeable, able to give information on food, local culture, history, sports…
Know before you go
- Meeting point
- Our tour meets at Bo Kaap Deli. It is situated on the corner of Rose and Church Street. Our group will be ready to go promptly at 12:00pm, so please do let us know if you happen to be running a couple of minutes late.
- Pickup
- Everyone meets at the starting point; there is no pickup.
- Ticket type
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Group size
- Up to 12 travellers
- Operated by
- Cape Town Culinary Tours
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- When booking, please note any dietary restrictions or allergies, as our guides arrange the food in advance to ensure you don't miss out on any dishes. We can accommodate vegetarian and gluten friendly diets, as well as restrictions for seafood, shellfish, and pork. However, please be aware that we cannot guarantee that any tasting will be 100% free of allergens.
- Dress code is comfortable, including comfortable walking shoes. Weather changes fast in Cape Town so please come prepared as we will be outside.
- Tours run rain or shine; however, in cases of extreme weather, your guide will reach out to inform you of any changes or cancellations.
- A moderate amount of walking is involved, approximately 1.7 Km.
- Unfortunately the tour route includes stairs, and is therefore not wheelchair or stroller accessible.
How it compares in Cape Town
- Its from-price is 10% below the median of the 351 city tours we list in Cape Town.
- It is shorter than most of them.
- By number of reviews it ranks 3 of 351.
- The operator lists free cancellation on it.
About Cape Town
Cape Town spreads between Table Mountain and the sea, a striking city of beaches, vineyards, penguins and history near Africa's southwestern tip.
Table Mountain's flat summit looms over everything, reached by cableway or by hiking trails, with Lion's Head and Signal Hill flanking it. Below, the V&A Waterfront bustles around the working harbour, and boats leave from there for Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was held for eighteen years. The colourful houses of Bo-Kaap climb the slopes above the city centre and the Company's Garden.
Top-ranked sights in Cape Town: Boulders Beach, Cape of Good Hope, Chapman’s Peak Drive.
Special offers in Cape Town
Was/now prices come from the operator, never from us.
20% offFree cancellation
