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Cape Town Culinary Tours

The Flavours to Freedom Tour

A Culinary Journey through the dark history of Cape Town!

Taste the untold stories of Cape Town’s past on a culinary journey through its dark legacy of slavery, colonization, apartheid, and racial oppression. Explore how food became both a tool of oppression and an act of resistance, with flavours shaped by forced migration and survival. Walk the streets where history unfolded, savour dishes with deep-rooted significance, and engage in conversations that challenge, inform, and inspire. This is more than a food tour—it’s a reckoning with history, one bite at a time!

Quick Facts

What Our Customers Say About Us

261 reviews on tripadvisor
  • star rating  Exceptional food tour! - Justin was a fantastic tour guide. He was easy to talk to and he quickly brought our small group together for a great day. Starting off with a coffee tour was an incredible surprise and very educational. Overall the quality of the food and beverages was top notch and the conversation fascinating.
    This is a must do if you visit Cape Town.

    ArnieJ_12
    January 3, 2023
  • star rating  Delicious food with incredibly hospitable guide - We had a great time on this tour! The food and drinks were great and our guide Justin was incredibly informative about Cape Town's history and culture. There were two native South Africans on the tour with us which was a pleasant surprise. We loved the stop where we tasted Bobotie served with the MCC sparkling wine the most.

    After the tour, Justin personally walked us to the bar where we were looking to have a post food tour cocktail at Cape Town's oldest gay bar. We were very happy with this food tour experience. Would highly recommend!

    Casey S
    September 20, 2022
  • star rating  This was our first time doing a food tour and I must say we loved every minute. The tour started at at Origins coffee roasting shop, I learned so much about coffee and got to taste fresh coffee beans and had a delicious Pasteis de Nata.
    Our second stop was at the cutest African restaurant called Cafe Charles where we had bobotie with rice and some tasty bubbly, it was so delicious. Our tour guide Justin gave us an amazing download on the history of Capetown. Our third stop was at an Irish pub called The Fireman’s Arms we had a flight of beer and a nice meal there. Again everything was delicious and Justin provided more history on the Cape. Our last stop was at this place called Misfits By The Ideas where we tasted a flight of Inverroche gin and had a delicious variety of ice creams to top off the day. Before we parted ways Justin gave everyone a seasoning pack and recipe for bobotie. Not sure when I’ll be brave enough to try cooking it, but it was definitely a nice and thoughtful add to the trip.
    If you are debating about booking, don’t hesitate, just book it, you won’t be disappointed. Justin and his team will make your day!

    avatar thumb kreneebw
    February 4, 2023
  • star rating  This is more than a food tour, but, trust me, the food is highly varied and outstanding. This tour truly finds the heart of Cape Town cuisine and give you an introduction. It was all great, and to me, the highlight was the food at the Vasco de Gama taverna. The wings, the beef, and the chorizo were so flavorful. I have a friend coming in from the States, and that’s where I’m going to bring him for real Capetonian “pub” fare.

    But more than the food, you’ll be immersed in Cape Town and South African history, culture, Justin is a font of knowledge in these areas. Coming from the US, it’s a great introduction to the incredible complex country that is SA today.

    This is a valuable and enriching CPT experience on all levels.

    avatar thumb Neil P
    November 9, 2022
  • star rating  Must do! - Our guide Justin was excellent- he had an amazing knowledge of Cape Town history and culture. Each stop in the food tour was integrated into the history of this amazing city, and the food and drinks- from cape Malay dishes to gourmet coffees and guns were all both delicious and a great way to get to know the mother city that bit better.

    Steveco9
    August 7, 2022
  • star rating  A great food tour with an expert guide - We had such a great experience with Justin as our guide. We booked this for the start of our trip to Cape Town so we could ‘get our bearings’ so to speak and get expert advice on places to visit (and avoid) for great food and drinks. We also wanted to experience great African cuisine and wines and learn more about the history, the people and the culture the area. Justin did not disappoint with his expert knowledge and engaging style. We learnt so much and it got our trip off to the ideal start

    m_lawson90
    November 19, 2022
  • star rating  We had a fantastic experience with our tour guide, Justin. He was super amazing. His knowledge about the cuisine, culture, architecture and infrastructure was amazing.
    It was so much fun, way more than we had anticipated.
    We also enjoyed the fact that they made sure we had a customized experience, and they were so sweet to make it a special couple experience.
    It was also lovely how we walked through to all the spots, something we would not ordinarily have done without Justin’s guidance in a new place.
    They went over and beyond our expectations! Keep up the great work!

    avatar thumb Stephrui
    January 19, 2023
  • star rating  So much fun! - We are in agreement with all the other reviews .Justin is AWESOME!!! It was just us with him and he made us feel like I stand friends! We had so much fun and had an awesome afternoon learning some Capetown and SA history while learning about the food and wine of this amazing country. Take the half day to spend with Justin.you won’t regret it!

    Also the communication with Elsje was very friendly and welcoming.

    sunnyarbormom
    December 18, 2022
  • star rating  Great experience and tour.
    We had a fantastic day, highly recommended. Alongside the food and drink that we fully enjoyed, the tour around the neighbourhood and the history that Justin shared with us made this a memorable occasion and one of the highlights of our holiday. Justin was a great guide and nothing was too much trouble. We booked this tour through Trailfinders and we will also share our recommendation with them. Thanks Justin!

    avatar thumb JanM500UK1
    February 17, 2023
  • star rating  Great into to Cape Town! - We had a wonderful tour with Justin. We ended up touring on a national holiday, so they had to adjust the plan ahead of time, but we thought it was perfect! We loved all the places we went and felt like we got a good feel for Cape Town. Justin also gave us a great history lesson and is very knowledgeable which I'm so glad was a part of the tour. We compared all bobotie to the first taste we had on this tour and we loved the blind wine tasting at the end. Justin walked us back to our car and sent us recommendations for other restaurants while we were in town. This is a must-do in Cape Town!

    annmarieb278
    January 16, 2023

What to Expect

Taste the untold stories of Cape Town’s past on a culinary journey through its dark legacy of slavery, colonization, apartheid, and racial oppression. Explore how food became both a tool of oppression and an act of resistance, with flavours shaped by forced migration and survival. Walk the streets where history unfolded, savour dishes with deep-rooted significance, and engage in conversations that challenge, inform, and inspire. This is more than a food tour—it’s a reckoning with history, one bite at a time.

The experience begins in the Company’s Garden, where guests enjoy two indigenous teas paired with a traditional Hertzoggie and a savoury bite made from locally sourced ingredients. Against the backdrop of Cape Town’s oldest cultivated land, the story unfolds from the indigenous Khoisan people to the impact of the Spice Route, European colonization, and the beginning of the slave trade. Stops at St. George’s Cathedral, the Slave Lodge, and Groot Kerk offer deeper insight into the city’s foundations.

Next we pass through historic city streets, where our story shifts to colonial history and the lives of the enslaved people who shaped the city’s culture. A stoop for a carefully curated platter showcases flavours from South Africa and neighbouring African nations, illustrating the continent’s culinary connections. Here we will sample a local beer or soft drink while discussing the influence of African cultures, the legacy of slavery, and the path toward apartheid.

Later, a South African favourite, the boerie roll with chakalaka, is served alongside wine or beer, with vegetarian and gluten-free options available. The conversation turns to the city’s transformation during and after apartheid, highlighting the significance of Heritage Day and Cape Town’s resilience.

We end our journey with a tasting of locally distilled gin, a handcrafted chocolate bonbon, and a savoury bite of biltong or olives. The final discussion reflects on the repurposing of historic buildings, the empowerment of local communities, and the role of Fynbos in modern Cape cuisine. This journey through Cape Town’s history, told through its food, offers a thought-provoking and immersive experience for those interested in the dark and troubling history that makes modern South Africa what it is today.

FAQ

Our experiences are held rain or shine. In the event of inclement weather, we will be able to go inside many of the establishments on the tour. However, we advise to check the weather conditions for your days event and dress appropriately.  If we believe the weather will significantly jeopardize the quality of your experience, we will offer you plenty of notice in the event of a cancellation.

To maximize your chances of getting the day, time, and number of tickets you prefer, please book well in advance as spots fill up quickly. Tickets can be purchased with a Visa, AMEX, or MasterCard from our website or by calling our team directly. Cash and/or walk-up traffic the day of the tours are not accepted.

Absolutely not! Our tours combine architectural commentary, historical facts, local culture and culinary insight into a unique experience. Imagine walking through Cape Town eating our local artisans most delicious foods while learning the neighborhoods from real locals. Let us show you how easy it is to fall in love with Cape Town!

Yes! While our tours are offered daily in English, we also offer tours in Afrikaans by request. Please contact our team for more details.

We do our best to accommodate your dietary and allergy needs. As long as we are given advance notice at the time you book your experience, we can arrange for alternative tastings. At this time, we are unable to accommodate vegan and gluten-free diets. You are absolutely more than welcome to join us on the tour, just keep in mind that there may be some tastings that you may have to avoid. Should you have any questions, please reach out to our operations team directly.

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