13 editor picks across South Africa.
13 hidden gems worth the trip across South Africa, editor-ranked by TableJourney. All South Africa guides.
Kalky's is a cash only fish counter on the Kalk Bay harbour wall near Cape Town, where the snoek comes straight off the boats tied up outside.
TipCarry small notes since the till only takes cash, and eat standing at the harbour wall rather than hunting for a table.
Snoekies is a fish and chips takeaway at the far end of Hout Bay harbour near Cape Town, where the brand began in a converted bus parked there in 1951.
TipHead upstairs if you have children: the Hout Bay branch has a big indoor play area with a jungle gym and sandpit beside the dining room.
Wembley Roadhouse is a halal drive-in on Belgravia Road in Athlone, Cape Town, grown from a family store opened in 1931 into steak rolls and thick milkshakes.
TipSit in the garden rather than the drive-in bay, and order a falooda milkshake alongside the steak roll to cut the richness.
Bo-Kaap Kombuis serves home-style Cape Malay bobotie and denningvleis from a house on August Street in Bo-Kaap, Cape Town, with a Table Mountain view.
TipAsk for a window table before you sit; the view over the City Bowl is why regulars book ahead for weekend dinners.
Baps Shayona cooks pure vegetarian Indian meals in a back room behind its Rylands grocery counter, in a Cape Town suburb most visitors skip.
TipOrder from the hot counter rather than the printed menu, the fresh curries and sweets change with what was cooked that morning.
Golden Dish is a halal takeaway counter in Gatesville, Athlone, founded in 1969 and back since July 2024 after a fire, famous for Cape Town's big gatsby.
TipOrder the large gatsby to share between two; it trades until 02:00 on Friday and Saturday nights and closes on Sundays.
Teez @ 115 grills meat you choose yourself at its own butchery counter on NY115 in Gugulethu, on the Cape Flats side of metropolitan Cape Town.
TipBuy your own meat at the butchery counter first, then hand the tray to the braai team rather than waiting for table service.
Cafe Roux is a farm village garden cafe in Noordhoek, on the quieter side of Chapmans Peak from central Cape Town, known for live music dinners.
TipBook ahead for a live music, comedy or film night, when dinner is also served outside under the tent.
Oatlands Cafe is a farmstyle garden cafe on Vissershok Road in Durbanville, on the quiet inland edge of metropolitan Cape Town, loved by cyclists.
TipTime a visit around the Tygerberg mountain bike trails, and let kids loose on the lawn while your coffee is poured.
Dias Tavern has served Portuguese trinchado, prego steaks on hot skillets and grilled chicken on Caledon Street in Cape Town's District Six since 1988.
TipBook ahead for a weekend table, order the rump trinchado in its homemade sauce, and note it is closed on Sundays.
Plumstead Fisheries fries fish and chips on Main Road in Plumstead, a southern suburb of Cape Town well away from the coastal harbour counters.
TipAsk what came in fresh that morning before ordering, since the counter also sells whole fish to take home and cook.
Hooked on Africa Fresh Fish Market sells the day's catch and fried fish straight off Hout Bay harbour, on the working side of Cape Town's fishing fleet.
TipAsk which fish came in that morning before choosing, the counter fillets to order and the selection changes with the boats.
Eziko Restaurant serves cooked-to-order township meals in Langa while training unemployed local residents for hospitality careers around Cape Town.
TipCall ahead before visiting, since every plate here is cooked fresh for your group instead of held warming under a lamp.
Day trip · 8 hours
Explore the Cape Winelands on a guided tour from Cape Town. Ride through the vineyards on horseback, explore Stellenbosch and Franschhoek, and enjoy wine tastings and ...
Guided tour · 11 hours
Experience a horseback safari at Aquila Game Reserve followed by a gourmet lunch and wine tasting in the beautiful Cape Winelands.
Private tour · 8 hours
Combine wildlife and wine in one unforgettable day. Enjoy a sunrise safari with breakfast, followed by a food and wine pairing at Blaauwklippen and Chocolate + Wine ta...