The Essentials Tour

Come experience some of Cape Town's most delicious quarters, from Bo-kaap to De Waterkant.

Embark on a mesmerizing gourmet adventure through two of Cape Town’s distinct and culturally significant areas, each with its own rich history and impact on our daily lives, spanning from the 1760s until the present day. Don’t miss the chance to tap into our local guides’ extensive knowledge and let us introduce you to the most mouthwatering parts of Cape Town.

Quick Facts

Experience a variety of South Africa's most iconic culinary delights, from flavourful dishes to locally crafted drinks. Come hungry!
Tours start at specific, selectable times and run for approximately 4 hours.
Family-friendly, but each guest over the age of 3 requires their own ticket.
Price includes 15% VAT (Sales Tax). Restaurant gratuities and taxes are included too. Gratuities for your guide are always appreciated.
We highly recommend bringing your camera—there’s so much worth capturing!

The tour concludes a 15-minute walk from the V&A Waterfront, though we recommend using local transport options such as Uber for added convenience.
Group sizes are limited to a maximum of 12 guests, with a minimum of 2 guests required for the tour to operate.
Gluten-friendly, vegetarian, and non-alcoholic options are available. Please specify your preferences when booking.
The Cape Town Essentials Tour runs Tuesday to Saturday, rain or shine.

What Our Customers Say About Us

261 reviews on tripadvisor

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
Perhaps the best way to get to know Cape Town! - Wow! This operation rocks. They have something for everybody. From coffee, to bobotie, to koesisters, to wine. Oh, and there's a good dose of culture and history thrown in too. Justin has been our guide twice and he is a wealth of great information. Do yourself a favor and take this amazing tour.

andrewrice
January 29, 2023
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
A great taste of Cape Town - First off Elsje was amazing since we had to rebook this tour 3 times due to the pandemic. Very flexible and accommodating, which was really appreciated. The tour was great. Not just the food and drink but an overall informative experience learning about Cape Town. Our guide Justin was on point with everything. I am not even a coffee drinker but enjoyed the coffee at Origins. My wife and I learned so much about coffee including how it is made decaffeinated. The food at Cafe Charles was very good, especially the Bobotie, which we look forward to making ourselves with the spice kit we were given when we get home. The pairing with the sparkling Sauvignon Blanc was perfect. The next stop was fun, casual, sports bar vibe - The Fireman's Arms. Here we enjoyed 3 different types of beer and the food of choice for us was the Cornish inspired puff pie. Good sports talk with Justin here. The last stop was at the Misfits the by Ideas Cartel for a gin tasting. My wife isn't a gin drinker but did like the varieties that didn't have the "piney" taste. The most unique part of this was that each gin was paired with a homemade ice cream. All the ice creams were good, but the basil ice cream is a must. Justin then took us to a Biltong shop where sampled and purchased some Biltong before ending our day. Excellent way to learn some about Cape Town and experience a variety of their food culture.

Matthew G
August 3, 2022
More than food! - More than just food! This tour included loads of information about the ecology and history of Cape Town, presented in an engaging way that even kept kids interested.

tamaraf379
June 23, 2022
Justin,our guide, was excellent.

If there was an app that covered everything in CT (geographical,political,edible,educational,drinkable,geopolitical,ecological,environmental sports,cultural) it should be called “Just Ask Justin” as he knows just about everything.

We had a great tour of parts of CT that we had not seen previously despite many visits. Excellent F&B and things that we had not tried before.

Thoroughly recommend.

JPHIGH
February 8, 2023
Tasty Foodie Experience - This was an AMAZING experience ... one that I would recommend to anyone and everyone. Not only was the food delicious, but the experience was also great. Well done to Elsje and her team!

KajD
April 13, 2022
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!

Stephrui
January 19, 2023
Cape Town food tour - Justin was an excellent guide!
Nice variety of food and drink -restaurants/pubs/coffee shop.
Offered great exposure and reference for future reservations.

BJCov
September 28, 2022
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

What to Expect

Immerse yourself in Cape Town’s rich history and vibrant culinary scene on the Cape Town Essentials Tour. This experience takes you on a captivating journey through time, from the 1600s to the present day, exploring how centuries of cultural exchange, international trade, and resilience have shaped the city’s unique flavours and traditions.

Stroll through the colourful, postcard-perfect streets of Bo-Kaap, where every building tells a story. Indulge in local delicacies like golden koeksisters, savour the comforting spices of Cape Malay bobotie, or let your taste buds dance over hearty favourites like bunny chow, pap, and chakalaka. Sip on rooibos tea, enjoy locally crafted beverages—both alcoholic and non-alcoholic—and prepare for a flavour explosion that captures the essence of Cape Town.

But this isn’t just about the food. With a passionate local foodie expert who knows every shortcut, side street, and secret recipe, you’ll uncover unforgettable stories, chat with local vendors, marvel at historic architecture, discover hidden gems, and taste dishes passed down through generations. From tales of the 17th-century spice routes to the indelible scars of slavery and apartheid, every stop on this tour offers a deeper connection to Cape Town’s soul—one bite at a time.

This experience is family-friendly and thoughtfully accommodates a variety of dietary preferences, including vegetarian and non-alcoholic options, ensuring every guest gets a taste of Cape Town’s story.

Don’t miss the chance to embark on an unforgettable adventure—book your spot on the Cape Town Essentials Tour today and let us introduce you to the most mouthwatering and meaningful parts of the city.

We can’t wait to share Cape Town’s magic with you!

FAQ

Do I need to purchase tickets in advance?

Yes, all tickets must be purchased in advance. 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 using any major credit card and you will receive instant confirmation upon booking. Cash and/or walk-up traffic the day of the tours are not accepted.

Does the tour operate in in climate weather?

Our experiences are held rain or shine. In the event of blustery 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.

Do we only walk around and sample food?

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!

Does the tour come in other languages?

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

What if I have dietary restrictions and allergies?

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 as best we can. At this time, we are unable to accommodate vegetarian 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.

What happens if I need to cancel?

We understand that plans can change and therefor, we offer a 100% refund up to 14 days prior to your tour date, minus any credit card processing fees already paid. Should you need to cancel within 14 days, but at least 48 hours from your tour, we can offer a date exchange to any date int he future. Cancellations within 48 hours are subject to a 100% cancellation fee as our our vendor partners have already begun preparing your experience.