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South AfricanKhayelitsha
Rands is a Khayelitsha shisa nyama and lifestyle venue outside central Cape Town, known for braaied meat, cheap drinks and weekend afrobeat sets.
OrderThe ribs, which co-owner Mfundo Mbeki tells first-timers to try, with creamy spinach and Buffalo wings.
TipThe first Sunday of the month draws the biggest crowd; arrive early afternoon to get a table before the dancing starts.
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BurgersMitchells Plain
The Hood Kitchen is a Rocklands, Mitchells Plain burger counter near Cape Town, built around a build-your-own gourmet beef and chicken patty menu.
OrderThe Design-a-Burger beef double, stacked with four toppings of your choice.
TipThe Bison Tower challenge runs Thursdays and Saturdays from 13:00: finish it in 25 minutes to win R140 and naming rights, and book a day ahead.
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South AfricanBo Kaap
Biesmiellah cooked Cape Malay food in Bo-Kaap, Cape Town, for four decades under the Osman family; new owners now run it as a polished Muslim-owned eatery.
OrderA Cape Malay curry with roti, the cooking that built this corner's reputation.
TipNo alcohol is served here; it is a family room built around Cape Malay tradition, not a bar scene.
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InternationalCity Bowl
Mama Africa has served pan-African game meat and stews on Long Street in Cape Town since 1995, with nightly marimba bands and drum performances.
OrderCrocodile cooked in a peanut stew with vegetables, one of the game dishes gathered from across the continent.
TipBook ahead on weekends; the marimba band, drummers and dancers start around 19:00 every night.
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IndianCity Bowl
Eastern Food Bazaar is a canteen-style food court in Cape Town's City Bowl, serving affordable Indian, Turkish and Cape Malay stalls every day.
OrderA giant bunny chow from the Punjabi counter, or a dosa from Madras.
TipEat with your hands like the locals and use the basin halfway through the hall; the upstairs seating off the Darling Street entrance is quieter.
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SandwichSea Point
Kleinsky's Delicatessen brings New York-style Jewish deli food, bagels and pastrami included, to Regent Road in Sea Point, Cape Town, daily.
OrderThe pastrami sandwich, which the kitchen will upsize if you are really hungry.
TipBreakfast runs to challah French toast and a potato latke benedict, and as a non-kosher deli it will add bacon on request.