African Food and Storytelling Tour: Discover Hidden Gems in Cape Town City Centre

Embark on an African Food and Storytelling Tour in Cape Town City Centre. Uncover hidden gems while exploring the diverse culinary heritage of African communities across the diaspora.

Duration: 3 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Church Square - Meeting Point & Introduction \n(approx. 10 minutes depending on size of group and amount of questions being asked.) \nChurch Square is a heritage site and the third oldest public square in Cape Town. Here we meet and provide historical context to the experience. \n- Cape Town Central - Introduction to Somali food culture and food tasting. \n(approx. 15 minutes depending on the size of the group and amount of questions being asked.) \nHere we taste Somali cuisine and tea and learn about what makes Somali cuisine unique. \n- City Hall - Learn about the diverse cultural heritage of South African cuisine. \n(approx. 15 minutes depending on the size of the group and amount of questions being asked.) Here we visit the oldest public square in Southern Africa and provide more cultural context to Cape Town.\n- Cape Town Central - Introduction to Xhosa cuisine and food tasting. \n(approx. 20 minutes depending on the size of the group and amount of questions being asked.)\nHere we taste traditional Xhosa cuisine at the best Xhosa restaurant in the city center. \n- Golden Acre Shopping Centre - Here we provide more in depth information on the diverse heritage of South African cuisine as well as Cape Town’s colonial history. (Snack and demonstration) South African cuisine as it is today, has several influences. We speak about the origins of South African food and learn more about spices.\n\n(approx. 20 minutes depending on the size of the group and amount of questions being asked.)\n- Adderley Street - Let’s explore one of the oldest open-air markets in South Africa. We walk through the oldest flower market in Southern Africa and greet their vendors.\n- Greenmarket Square - Meet informal African traders and entrepreneurs at Cape Town’s second-oldest public square. Here you have the opportunity to shop for a souvenir. \n- Cape Town Central - Introduction to West African cuisine and food tasting. \n\n(approx. 25 minutes depending on the size of the group and amount of questions being asked.)\n\nHere we taste West African cuisine from Mali and speak about how African cuisine has the ability to unite people.\n- Cape Town Central - Introduction to Senegalese coffee culture and coffee tasting. \n\n(approx. 20 minutes depending on the size of the group and amount of questions being asked.)\n- Cape Town Central - Learn more about the economic situation of small African businesses in Cape Town’s city center. Here, we visit some of the small African owned businesses in the city and talk about what they sell and what their economic situation is. \n- Cape Town Central - Introduction to Ethiopian cuisine and food tasting. \n(approx. 20 minutes depending on the size of the group and amount of questions being asked.)\nHere we taste Ethiopian cuisine.\n- Greenmarket Square - This is where we finish off. We will wait for your UBER to arrive. We end the experience on Greenmarket Square and do not provide transport to your accommodation.
What's Included
  • Lunch
  • Snacks
  • Tea and coffee
  • Carbonated beverages
  • Bottled water
Additional Information

Welcome to an extraordinary journey, an invitation to explore the heart of Cape Town through the lense of African cuisine. Our African Food & Storytelling Experience takes you off the beaten path to uncover our favorite hidden African gems from different parts of Africa.

Our experience celebrates community kitchens and hole-in-the-wall restaurants, each with its own story to tell. We delve into the vibrant tapestry of African cuisine, connecting with the rich traditions that span the African diaspora in Cape Town.

Our journey comprises approximately 7 stops, each offering a taste of different authentic African cuisines and dishes as well as homemade beverages. But this experience goes beyond just savoring food; it celebrates resilience and entrepreneurship.

We spotlight remarkable African entrepreneurs who have created unique community spaces in the face of economic and social challenges, especially in a city undergoing rapid gentrification.

Location
Church Square
Spin Street
Meet us on Church Square right in front of Labotessa Hotel opposite Groote Kerk. We recommend taking an UBER, as parking is limited in the city center. Please plan in enough time for travelling so we can start on time.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
5.0
(31 Ratings)
5 stars
4 stars
3 stars
2 stars
1 star
Rays308
Jul 12, 2024
Good food and culture. - Went to 3 different restaurants. Also got a brief history of the city, and a tour of some downtown places. Saw the flower market and cathedral.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Rebecca_s
Jul 8, 2024
Not just delicious food! - Our tour was amazing! We were filled with delicious food from hole in the wall places, but it was so much more than that! The stories and information were perfect! Sifiso was a fantastic guide!
Review provided by Viator
Anoukm320
Jun 5, 2024
Such a fun way to explore Cape Town city centre with all your senses! - This is one of the tours where you receive way more then what you asked for! Dennis and Sifuso guide you through the city in a very enthusiast and well organised way, where all your senses plus your curiousity will be satisfied. You learn about Capetonian culture and a spectrum of influences that are part of it all, about cuisine, spices and perfume. You get to taste true soulfood and experience traditional cuisine that has been past on for generations at places you might not visit as a tourist otherwise. That has really changed my perspective for future travels! I must also add that, after travelling to Cape Town for the fourth time already, I have never walked around in the city centre this much, it was such a fun way to explore the heart of the mother city. Conclusion: This tour was a complete experience that provided me with lot’s of stories and memories to take back home to Belgium! I’d even gladly go for a second round. Thank you Dennis and Sifuso!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jennifer_b
May 31, 2024
Great afternoon listening to the stories and food tasting of Africa - I had a wonderful time, our guide was very knowledgeable and shared stories of Africa and introduced us to food and smaller businesses originating from different areas of Africa.
Review provided by Viator
Goplaces27700254819
May 23, 2024
A unique experience - This was such a great day out for me and my teenage son. We got to see and taste the Cape Town you will never see and taste without this tour. Fascinating walk and history and beautiful food. Highly recommended
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Brandonw340
May 22, 2024
Cape Town's African food hidden gems delight! - We started the tour at Church Square and which there was a good gathering of people from the US, Europe and South African (3 of us). From the start we had a history lesson, blended into a economic, social justice, afro-political, architectural and into commerce. Dennis and Sifuso did a sterling and thought provoking job showcasing the city and the hidden gems wiithin the city. Being a capetonian and proudly so i was blown away by the local African cuisine from Mali, Xhosa, West African-fused with South African style dishes. Further more, the talks on the historical signifigance of the slave trade, the malays, the trade which happened here gives a great insight into all that you consume not only with your mouth but with your ears and eyes too. The day was well spent and the interaction with some locals giving their talks on their trade items is a real highlight too. This comes highly recommneded, great value for money and opens up the start with your love affair for Cape Town, the Mother City. Again, thank you Dennis for a masterclass and awesome curation to start anyones memories of Cape Town to be an awesome experience.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Daytrip60235354627
Apr 23, 2024
What a joy and delight! - What a blessing to be invited on this beautiful and authentic experience of downtown Cape Town through the lens of storytelling, history, culture, food, and good old-fashioned human to human relating. The three hours flashed by as we strolled around the streets of Cape Town, visiting off the wall, hidden away food spots of the people, tasting culinary delights of different “African” cultures, and also meeting the characters of the streets, From booksellers to small perfumeries, heavenly church based coffee sellers, to Indian spice shops, flower sellers and random street dwellers who shared their own history, this was an incredible opportunity to get a sense of the real Cape Town, and where it has come from, including the darker realities of its past, casting new light on the ramifications of its present. Certainly, the overall enjoyment of the experience was as a result of the delightful guiding pair who were a great team, as well as the wonderful bunch of very diverse people who were attracted to and a part of our little squad. What a wonderful experience, as good and meaningful as any outdoor adventure that greater Cape Town has to offer, perhaps far more so. If you love people, history, food, adventure and the unknown, just do it. Siyabulela Dankeschön Dennis, siyabonga Sifiso! Camagu!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Ron_s
Apr 6, 2024
Well worth it - Wonderful guide. We stopped so many places for food and drink that we had to cancel our dinner reservation. We would never have found these places on our own and learned a lot about South, East and West African food. Bought a couple of interesting used books. Received some fresh spices. Got a history lesson. All good!!
Review provided by Viator
Judypc9267so
Mar 25, 2024
Great food experience - This tour truly opened my eyes to South African Cuisine and the shops that provide tasty food with fresh ingredients that I would have overlooked with out this experience. Dennis is so knowledgeable about the food, the operators and the history. It was a great experience. Judy Price
Review provided by Tripadvisor
T3801gevictoriam
Mar 23, 2024
A culinary must with love for detail! - I highly recommend this tour. With great attention to detail, you not only learn about the different cuisines found in Cape Town, but also about the people who cook the food and their culture. I particularly liked how much care Dennis took to teach us about the history of Cape Town in connection with the different cultures. It was such a wonderful experience to explore the city far off the beaten track and discover places that you would never have seen before. This tour has filled my heart with impressions, smells and lovely people.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Select Date and Tickets
up to 10 guests
1 Adult
September 2024
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Today