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Cape Town Culinary Tours

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

What Our Customers Say About Us

261 reviews on tripadvisor
  • star rating  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
  • star rating  Great Experience - Awesome morning out doing a coffee tour, highly recommend any of the tours for some great knowledge and history of all things Cape Town and African. thanks Justin

    T3115EUsteveh
    July 25, 2022
  • star rating  Very Solid Tasting Experience - We enjoyed our tour and it was a great way to eat and learn about the different cultures in South Africa. The way the tour was oriented was for two bigger meals at two local restaurants, followed by a wine tasting and gin/chocolate tasting. We might have preferred to learn a bit more by stopping at more places and trying lots of different things instead of the big meals, but overall it was a tremendous experience and our guide was very helpful!

    William B
    January 18, 2023
  • 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  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  Phenomenal tour - One of our favorite parts of our 3 week trip to Cape Town. Highly recommend this tour early in your trip to acquaint yourself with local history and culture. Ask for Justin, who was a fount of knowledge and an in incredible guide. He caters to your personal preferences and his love of SA shows in his attention to detail.

    cbaumgart34
    April 21, 2022
  • star rating  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
  • star rating  We loved it! I went with my husband and we really enjoyed it, everything was delicious and we learned a lot of history and interesting facts of Cape Town. Justin our guide was so kind and fun, and we thank him for sharing the love he has for his city and its food.

    avatar thumb pattgu008
    January 29, 2023
  • 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  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

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

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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