Cape Town: Food & Drink Walking Tour with Local Guide

Summary

Walk Cape Town’s streets, taste its history, and meet the people behind every dish

You’ll walk Cape Town’s colorful streets with a local guide, tasting everything from Cape Malay curries in Bo-Kaap to street food on Bree Street and fresh bites at the V&A market. Expect laughter, new flavors (some you might not be able to pronounce), and small moments you’ll remember long after the tour ends.

What’s the experience like?

“You can’t rush a good curry,” our guide Zainab grinned as she handed me a steaming samoosa in Bo-Kaap. I’d never been to Cape Town before, and honestly, I didn’t expect the air to smell like cardamom and frying onions at ten in the morning. The houses here are painted every color you can imagine — pinks, greens, blues — and there’s this quiet hum of people chatting on stoops or kids darting past with schoolbags. Zainab grew up just around the corner; she pointed out her aunt’s house and then showed us how to say “bobotie” properly (I still don’t think I got it right).

We wandered down Bree Street next, which felt like a different world — all sleek cafes and laughter spilling out onto the sidewalk. There was this spot where we tried biltong that was so salty it made my mouth water for ages after. Someone was roasting coffee nearby; you could smell it even above the traffic. At one point I got distracted by a dog wearing a little raincoat (it had started drizzling), but Zainab called us back to try something called Gatsby — basically a sandwich the size of my arm, stuffed with chips and sauce. It’s messy but worth it.

The V&A market was our last stop, busy with locals grabbing lunch or arguing over cheese samples. We tasted tomato bredie that reminded me of home somehow, even though I’ve never had anything quite like it before. There were moments when everyone went quiet just enjoying whatever was in their hands — koeksisters sticky with syrup, or game meat that tasted wild and earthy. Four hours went by fast; I left feeling full but also kind of connected to Cape Town in a way I didn’t expect. Sometimes food tours feel staged, but this one felt real — maybe because Zainab kept introducing us to her friends along the way.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Cape Town Culinary Tour

• Taste Cape Malay dishes in Bo-Kaap
• Explore Bree Street cafe culture
• Sample street food at V&A Market

Top questions

How long is the Cape Town food & drink walking tour?

The tour lasts approximately 4 hours.

Which neighborhoods does the tour visit?

The tour explores Bo-Kaap, Bree Street, and the V&A market area.

Are vegetarian options available on this food tour?

The tour includes a variety of foods including vegetables; let your host know your preferences.

Is pickup included for this Cape Town food tour?

The experience includes an air-conditioned vehicle for transfers as needed.

Can children join this walking food tour?

Children under 18 can participate but will only have non-alcoholic beverages; certain age restrictions apply for tastings.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, all areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible.

What kinds of foods are sampled during the tour?

You’ll try dishes like bobotie, samoosas, tomato bredie, biltong, Gatsby sandwiches, braai meats, koeksisters, and more.

What’s included

Your day includes tastings of local specialties across Bo-Kaap, Bree Street cafés, and V&A market stalls with a knowledgeable local guide leading you between stops; transfers in an air-conditioned vehicle as needed are covered too.