--- title: "Cape Cuisine – Food Guide Cape Town Holiday | Villa Austral" description: "Bobotie, Biltong, Braai, Snoek, Cape Malay Curry – the best dishes for your South Africa trip around Kommetjie and the Cape Peninsula." lang: en json-ld: | [ { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "TouristDestination", "@id": "https://villa-austral.com/en/regionale-spezialitaeten#destination", "name": "Regional Specialities of the Cape Region", "description": "Braai, Bobotie, Snoek and Pinotage — 11 specialities you must try.", "url": "https://villa-austral.com/en/regionale-spezialitaeten", "mainEntityOfPage": { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://villa-austral.com/en/regionale-spezialitaeten" }, "isPartOf": { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://villa-austral.com#website", "name": "Villa Austral", "url": "https://villa-austral.com" }, "inLanguage": "en-US", "availableLanguage": [ "de-DE", "en-US", "fr-FR" ], "touristType": "Leisure traveller", "containedInPlace": { "@type": "Place", "name": "Cape Peninsula, South Africa" } }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "@id": "https://villa-austral.com/en/regionale-spezialitaeten#breadcrumb", "inLanguage": "en-US", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Villa Austral", "item": "https://villa-austral.com/en/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Cape Cuisine – Food Guide Cape Town Holiday | Villa Austral", "item": "https://villa-austral.com/en/regionale-spezialitaeten" } ] }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "FAQPage", "@id": "https://villa-austral.com/en/regionale-spezialitaeten#faq", "inLanguage": "en-US", "mainEntity": [ { "@type": "Question", "name": "What are typical Cape specialities?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Bobotie, biltong, braai'd snoek, malva pudding and the excellent wines from Constantia and Stellenbosch.", "inLanguage": "en-US" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Where can you buy fresh fish?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "At Kalk Bay Harbour there's fresh catch daily straight from the boat. In Hout Bay, Mariner's Wharf offers fresh fish and fish & chips.", "inLanguage": "en-US" } } ] } ] --- 1. [Villa Austral](/en/) 2. Cape Cuisine – Food Guide Cape Town Holiday | Villa Austral [Villa Austral ](/en/) [THE RETREAT](/en/#das-haus)[THE REGION](/en/#die-region)[WELLNESS](/en/#wellness)[ABOUT US](/en/#ueber-uns)[GALLERY](/en/bilder)[JOURNAL](/en/journal) FR[INQUIRE](/en/buchen) [JOURNAL](/en/journal) REGIONAL SPECIALITIES · CAPE CUISINE · SOUTH AFRICA # Regional Specialities of the Cape Region Braai, Bobotie, Snoek and Pinotage — 11 specialities you must try. All🥩 Meat & Braai🐟 Fish & Seafood🌶 Cape Malay🍮 Sweets & Pastries🍷 Drinks🔥 Braai Culture 🥩 ## Meat & Braai — The Soul of South Africa Braai is not barbecue. Braai is a way of life. ★ ### Braai South Africa’s sacred fire ritual Public holiday: 24 September = Heritage Day = Braai Day Braai is South Africa’s way of grilling — and so much more. It’s a social ritual, a state of mind, an afternoon that eases into evening. At Villa Austral you have your own braai spot overlooking the ocean. You cook over wood (not charcoal!), preferably Rooikrans wood. Boerewors (farmer’s sausage), lamb chops, sosaties (skewers) and mielies (corn on the cob) are the classics. 🥩 Pick n Pay Kommetjie — fresh Boerewors and steaks 🔥 Rooikrans wood from roadside sellers or at Pick n Pay 🍷 Pair with: Pinotage or Shiraz from the Constantia region 💡 24 September is National Braai Day (officially Heritage Day) — the whole of South Africa grills. Locals are happy to share tips for perfect coals. 01 ### Biltong & Droëwors South Africa’s national snack Available everywhere · Perfect travel snack Biltong is seasoned, air‑dried meat — like beef jerky, only better. Beef, game or ostrich, thinly sliced or in chunks. Droëwors is the dried version of boerewors. You’ll find it freshly sliced in every supermarket and at many farm stalls. An excellent snack with wine. 🏪 Pick n Pay or Woolworths — freshly sliced at the counter 🌿 Cape Point Farm Stall — artisanal, Noordhoek 02 ### Bobotie South Africa’s national dish Cape Malay classic · National dish Bobotie is South Africa’s national dish — a Cape Malay minced‑meat bake with curry, turmeric, raisins, almonds and a custard topping, served with yellow rice and chutney. A flavor journey that captures the Cape’s history in a single bite: Dutch, Malay and African influences. 🍽 Jonkershuis Restaurant, Groot Constantia — authentic 👨‍🍳 Bo‑Kaap Cooking Experience — learn to cook it yourself 02a ### Potjiekos Stew from the three‑legged pot Boer cuisine · Slow food from the fire Potjiekos (pronounced poi‑kie‑kos) is a slow‑cooked stew made over coals in a cast‑iron three‑legged pot (potjie). Layers of meat, vegetables and starch simmer for hours without stirring — patience is the secret. Lamb, chicken or oxtail with potatoes, carrots and cabbage. A communal experience, perfect for an evening on the villa terrace. 💡 You can rent potjie pots at many outdoor stores. Ask our neighbors in Kommetjie — they’ll gladly help with your first potjie. 02b ### Vetkoek South Africa’s deep‑fried soul food Street food · Comfort food Vetkoek is deep‑fried yeast dough — golden and crisp outside, soft and airy inside. Traditionally filled with mince (spiced ground beef) and cheese, but also syrup, honey or jam for a sweet version. Sold at every market and farm stall. South Africa’s answer to doughnuts — only more savory. 🏪 Cape Point Farm Stall, Noordhoek — homemade 🎪 Hout Bay Market (Fri–Sun) 02c ### Gatsby Sandwich Cape Town’s legendary mega‑sandwich Cape Town original · Serves 2–4 The Gatsby is a colossal sandwich — a half‑meter loaf stuffed with fries, masala steak, polony or fish, plus piri‑piri sauce and vinegar. Born in the Cape Flats in the 1970s, it’s now a Cape Town icon. One full Gatsby feeds 2–4. Order a “Full Gatsby” and share — that’s the tradition. 🥖 Super Fisheries, Athlone — the original for decades 🥖 Golden Dish, Athlone — legendary and budget‑friendly 💡 A Gatsby costs R60–100 (about €3–5) and is a full meal. Bring napkins — it gets delightfully messy. 🐟 ## Fish & Seafood — Fresh from Two Oceans Where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet 03 ### Snoek The Cape’s fish The Cape fish · Best on the braai Snoek (pronounced “snuk”) is THE fish of the Cape — a silvery predator from the cold Atlantic. Best on the braai glazed with apricot jam (snoek braai), smoked as snoek pâté, or as smoorsnoek (braised snoek with tomatoes and potatoes). A must‑try for every Cape visitor. 🐟 Kalky’s, Kalk Bay — fresh off the boat 🐟 Hout Bay Harbour — straight from the fisherman 🔥 On the Villa Austral braai with apricot jam glaze 💡 Ask the fishermen at Kalk Bay Harbour directly — fresh snoek costs R60–80 per fish. Perfect for a braai evening at the villa. 04 ### West Coast Oysters Oysters from the West Coast Saldanha Bay · World‑class quality Oysters from Saldanha Bay on the West Coast rank among the world’s best — chalky, mineral Pacific oysters grown in the cold Benguela Current. In Cape Town, you’ll find them on most good menus, often for R15–25 each (about €1–1.50). World‑class quality at a fraction of European prices. 🍽 Harbour House, Kalk Bay — with Champagne 🏪 Woolworths Food — shuck them yourself at the villa 05 ### Crayfish (West Coast Rock Lobster) The Cape’s spiny lobster Seasonal · Nov–Apr West Coast rock lobster is a delicacy — smaller than European lobster but more intense in flavor. In season (November to April) it’s available fresh, best simply grilled on the braai with garlic butter. Note: strictly regulated; buy only from licensed sellers. 🌶 ## Cape Malay Cuisine — The Culinary Heritage Cape Town's unique contribution to world culinary arts 06 ### Samoosas & Dhaltjies Cape Malay street food Street food · All over the Cape Samoosas (triangular filled pastries) and dhaltjies (chili bites made with chickpea flour) are the Cape’s favorite street food — sold in convenience stores, at petrol stations and on markets. Filled with lamb mince, potato or vegetables. The perfect on‑the‑go snack. 07 ### Bunny Chow Durban classic, now loved at the Cape too Hollowed‑out bread filled with curry Bunny chow is a hollowed‑out half loaf filled with spicy curry — lamb, chicken or beans. Originally from Durban, now loved across South Africa. You eat with your hands, tearing off pieces of bread to scoop up the curry. Messy, delicious, unforgettable. 08 ### Koeksisters & Hertzoggies Cape Malay pastries Traditional pastries · Two styles There are two kinds of koeksisters: the Afrikaans version (braided, deep‑fried dough soaked in sugar syrup — ultra‑sweet and crunchy) and the Cape Malay version (soft dough balls dusted with desiccated coconut). Hertzoggies are tartlets topped with coconut meringue and apricot jam. Best enjoyed fresh at markets. 08a ### Melktert South Africa’s beloved milk tart Afrikaans tradition · In every café Melktert (milk tart) is South Africa’s favorite dessert — a delicate shortcrust base filled with a creamy, cinnamon‑dusted custard of flour, sugar, eggs and milk. Lighter than crème brûlée, homier than flan. You’ll find it in every café, at every braai and on every farm stall. Perfect with afternoon rooibos tea. 🍰 Olympia Café, Kalk Bay — legendary house version 🏪 Woolworths — surprisingly good supermarket version 🍷 ## Drinks — Wine, Rooibos & Amarula From world-class wine to unique liqueurs 09 ### Pinotage South Africa’s signature grape Found nowhere else in the world Pinotage is South Africa’s very own grape — crossed in 1925 at Stellenbosch University from Pinot Noir and Cinsaut. Full‑bodied, dark‑fruited, with notes of plum, chocolate and sometimes a gentle smokiness. A brilliant braai wine. Top picks: Kanonkop (the “king of pinotage”), Beyerskloof and Diemersfontein. 🍷 Cape Point Vineyards — ~8 km · Cellar Door 🍷 Groot Constantia — ~18 km · Wine tasting 🏪 Any supermarket — from R80 (about €4) per bottle 10 ### Rooibos tea Grows only in South Africa Endemic · Only in the Cederberg region Rooibos (red bush) grows exclusively in the Cederberg, 200 km north of Cape Town. Caffeine‑free, rich in antioxidants, with a naturally sweet, nutty taste. In South Africa it’s often served with milk and honey. You’ll also find rooibos espresso, rooibos lattes and even rooibos gin. 11 ### Amarula The liqueur from marula fruit South Africa’s most famous liqueur Amarula is made from the fruit of the marula tree — the same tree whose fermented fruit supposedly “intoxicates” elephants (a popular, if exaggerated, legend). As creamy as Baileys, with a unique tropical‑caramel flavor. Best served on ice as a sundowner. ![](/assets/strandhaus-D2DGBfD1.webp) VILLA AUSTRAL Stay right by the Atlantic in Kommetjie – Villa Austral, your home for these experiences. 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