5 Best Restaurants to Eat Authentıc African Food In Cape Town

Finding traditional food in Cape Town is rather tricky, because Cape Town is so cosmopolite and gentrified that you can’t possibly put it into a category in terms of the African traditions. On the bright side, you get to try different local treats from a wide spectrum. Here are the most acclaimed and recommended restaurants you must visit for the sake of your stomach.

MZOLI’S

Mzoli’s is the ultimate option for having high-quality braai (barbeque) meat, upbeat African music at affordable prices. When it was built in 2003 in the Gugulethu township, it was nothing but a simple butchery. Now, it is very popular amongst both Capetownians and tourists. The variety of meat and the fact that everything is cooked right before your eyes is very mouth-watering. On a side note, the place occasionally hosts famous South African and international DJs.

MAMA AFRICA

You don’t have to go as far as Gugulethu to have a real African experience. Mama Africa was founded 1 year after the end of apartheid in the city center. Its foundation represents the democracy and solidarity of people from diverse backgrounds.

The menu has a variety of steak options including springbok, ostrich, kudu and even crocodile meat! Another remarkable feature of the restaurant is the music performances that accompany the guests while they enjoy their meals.

BIESMIELLAH

The type of food you can find here is specific to Cape Town (not even South Africa), namely the Cape Malay culture. Cape Malay people were originally brought from places like Malaysia and Indonesia as slaves during the Dutch settlement in Cape Peninsula. After they were freed, they remained in the area to develop certain skills to make a living. This was the time when the distinct Cape Malay cuisine emerged.

Biesmiellah is one of the oldest restaurants built in Cape Town. Behind the simplistic appearance of the building; the menu is extensive, the portions are big and the main course always comes with many side dishes. If you are in Cape Town, you should not skip the distinct sweet&sour – sauced Cape Malay food.

TIMBUKTU

Ethiopian cuisine gained popularity in Cape Town due to the Ethiopian immigrants. Timbuktu in Observatory is the most reputable of the Ethiopian restaurants in the city. The place has a very authentic and quaint decoration which make you feel like you are in a sophisticated restaurant in Ethiopia. The service is also traditional since they don’t even provide cutlery. The place doesn’t serve alcohol, however they do allow you to bring alcoholic beverages from outside. Another plus of the restaurant is being vegan-friendly, just like many other restaurants in Observatory.

MOYO

Situated in the greenest area of Cape Town – Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden – Moyo provides a unique African dining experience with a view. It is actually a restaurant chain that was first opened in Johannesburg. They have special recipes for the food from all different types of African tribes such as Zulu and Xhosa. The restaurant is a perfect location for catering events, functions and even weddings, especially if you are interested in traditional African dance, music and ceremonies such as face-painting.

Cape Town’s restaurant scene is much wider and more diverse than these five restaurants. More and more blog posts will come up to introduce the highest quality of South African food.