South Africa’s long love affair with meat, its proximity to the ocean and its agricultural history contribute to some seriously interesting (and tasty) regional delicacies:
● Fish and Chips
Cape Town’s nearness to flourishing oceans and its history of British colonial rule resulted in a deep appreciation by the locals for humble fish and chips. This reverence reveals itself in various locations—from casual street food eateries to holes-in-the-wall serving up the deep-fried meal to top-tier restaurants offering the highest quality and most meticulously prepared fish.
● Gatsby
Few foods are truly as Capetonian as a Gatsby. It originated in the Cape Flats and dates back to the mid-70s. Technically, it’s a large submarine sandwich that comes with various fillings, including various meats, chips and sauces. Due to its size, it’s nearly almost impossible to finish. You’ll find Gatsbys on the menus at hole-in-the-wall shops and no-frills eateries.
● Bunny Chow
Perhaps nothing reveals the Indian influence in South Africa so clearly as the popularity of bunny chow. A filling fast food dish, bunny chow is half a loaf of hollowed out bread filled with curry. The meat is usually beef or chicken, and despite the unusual name, the meal has nothing to do with rabbit. Look for this dish in casual eateries.
● Bobotie
Bobotie (buh-boor-tea) is a fragrant Cape Malay dish consisting of minced beef topped with a custard of milk and eggs and flavored with spices and dried fruit. The result is sweet and sour with a hint of spice. Dating as far back as the 17th century (introduced by Indonesian slaves were brought to Cape Town), bobotie is a particularly comforting meal on a cold winter night.
● Biltong and Droëwors
For many South Africans, this snack is a staple at the bar or on a road trip. Biltong and droëwors are made by drying meat and adding a special blend of spices. Biltong is simply cured, dried and then sliced or left in solid sticks. Droëwors is essentially a dried sausage. Biltong and droëwors of varying quality are available in all supermarkets, and they’re served as snacks at some pubs, bars and restaurants.
● Koeksisters
These deep-fried treats are either enjoyed as a crunchy, syrup-soaked braided dessert (Afrikaans heritage) or as a pillowy, spiced snack rolled in coconut (Cape Malay heritage). Both are irresistibly delicious.
Backroads Pro Tip
Cape Town has several popular African-themed restaurants that’ll leave tourists thinking zebra, kudu, springbok and warthog are regular features in each South African’s diet. While it’s true the country’s residents are big meat eaters, this usually manifests in the form of beef, pork and chicken. Wild game meat is not a regular dish served on South African tables, but it can make for an interesting one-off culinary adventure. The touristy spots in the city serve up imaginative iterations of grilled game meat, while high-end restaurants produce more considered wild game dishes.
