Food and Drink

South Africa has such a range of climates and terrains that it is able to offer an extensive range of raw ingredients. In addition, the ocean offers some familiar things and some not quite so familiar.

Add in the rich cultural heritage of the various parts of the country, with various waves of immigration over the centuries, you can find an interesting mix of dishes. Alongside the expected International cuisines there is also an interesting of blend of African, Asian and European that help make up South African menus.

Here are a few of the things you might find.

Braai - don't call it a barbecue! The braai is cooking over an open fire, sometimes with charcoal but more commonly with wood. You'll find wood for sale in all good supermarkets and in lots of other places too. We recommend you try staying somewhere other than a hotel - pretty much every self-catering option will have a braai area.

Biltong - a cured meat, it could be beef, ostrich or game and also comes seasoned. There are lots of different types to try.

Bobotie - a simple spiced baked dish of minced meat topped with an egg, it's an exemplar of Cape Malay cuisine.

Malva Pudding - a real comfort dessert it reminds me of sticky toffee pudding except that the dates are replaced with apricot jam.

Potjiekos - a proper stew, cooked in a pot over an open fire.

Chakalaka - a vegetable dish comprising tomato, onion, pepper, carrot, beans and spicing, often served cold.

Bunny chow - the name doesn't tell you a thing! Originally from Durban, this dish is hollowed out bread filled with curry.

Melktert - another dessert, it is a version of custard tart and can be found in bakeries as well as on menus.

South Africa is known for its meat and that is generally available everywhere - chicken, beef and lamb is regularly supplemented by ostrich, springbok and other game. A great way to try something new would be to look out for a mixed grill of different venison.

There is also plenty of seafood, especially good in coastal areas, and some of the names might not be familiar. You will find oysters, lobsters, squid and local subspecies of fish like bream, alongside tuna and other well known options. The following are commonly found.

Hake - this is much more common in South Africa than the North Atlantic and it is the mainstay of fish and chips.

Snoek - an oily fish, it is similar to mackerel but has a richer flavour.

Kingclip - a gentle flavour with firm flesh, it is sometimes compared to halibut.

Yellowtail - a slightly oily fish, it probably sits somewhere between mackerel and tuna for taste.

In terms of drinks, South Africa has long been known for its wines - see our separate post about that. In addition there is a growing craft beer movement. Some of the brewers have their own tasting rooms so you can try beer from the tap but you will find plenty of small batch brewers offering bottles across the country.

If you enjoy trying new tastes, South Africa is a perfect place as it has such variety on offer. You will quickly see the regular local dishes on the menus but it's also easy enough to find food that you are more familiar with if that's your preference. There are some truly excellent restaurants, especially in the bigger cities, as well as some great specialists in one style or another.