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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  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  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  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  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
  • 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  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  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  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.

    avatar thumb JPHIGH
    February 8, 2023
  • star rating  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

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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