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Offered languages
- German
- English
We connect Cape Town’s food culture with its history, spaces, and the lived experiences of local entrepreneurs, paired with shared meals and snacks at hidden community kitchens, hole in the wall restaurants, and African owned food businesses each with a unique story to tell.
IMPORTANT: This is more than just a food tour. While food is central, the experience also explores the connections between public spaces, history, entrepreneurship, and food, and how gentrification shapes city life. The tour features eight stops, with 3 food experiences: 2 warm shared meals and 1 snack tasting with warm and cold beverages. Come hungry!
Along the way, you’ll meet small business owners who reflect our love for food, stories, books, and fabrics. Cape Town’s small business scene is always evolving, and so is this tour. It is immersive, responsible, and offers an authentic glimpse into the heart and soul of the city’s inner core.
Vegan, vegetarian & pescatarian friendly; GF guests get Xhosa cuisine.
What's Included
Meeting and pickup
Meet us on Church Square right in front of Labotessa Hotel opposite Groote Kerk. We recommend taking an UBER, as parking is limited in the city center. Please plan in enough time for travelling so we can start on time.
The tour ends on Greenmarket Square. This is a walking tour, so we end the tour on foot. From Greenmarket Square, you can either walk home or take your own form of transport. We recommend taking an UBER because there's limited parking in the city center.
Itinerary
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1
***Meet & Greet at Church Square*** (Be careful not to head to Church Square in Woodstock instead!!!) Our meeting point is at the statue of Jan Hendrik Hofmeyr on Church Square, right in the heart of Cape Town’s city centre. You’ll find us directly across from McDonald’s, where Parliament and Spin Street meet. This is where we gather to welcome you and introduce you to the experience. Please note, this is more than just a food tour. While food is central, we also explore public spaces, untold histories and the lived experiences of small business owners in the city. Church Square, South Africa’s second oldest public square, is the perfect starting point for this journey. It allows us to begin by reflecting on the importance of public spaces in the country’s history and how they continue to shape community life today.
15 minutes • Admission ticket free -
2
***Somali Food Culture*** (First shared warm meal) Enjoy a shared warm East African meal while learning about Somali food traditions and flavours. We’ll taste signature Somali dishes and spiced tea, and explore what makes this cuisine so distinctive. Approx. 20 minutes, depending on group size and curiosity.
20 minutes • Admission ticket free -
3
***Old Post Office & Cape Malay Bites*** (incl. Snack Tasting) Visit the historic Old Post Office to uncover layers of colonial history and the evolving role of public space in Cape Town. Meet small food vendors, enjoy Cape Malay/Creole snacks, and browse through second-hand books.
20 minutes • Admission ticket free -
4
***Grand Parade & Mandela Balcony*** Welcome to South Africa’s oldest public square. Here, we explore the Grand Parade and pause in front of the iconic Mandela balcony at City Hall, where Nelson Mandela delivered his first public address after his release from prison. This space offers not only rich historical context but also a glimpse into contemporary South African politics. As we walk through the square, we’ll share stories about the informal food vendors who trade here daily, offering their perspective on life and business in Cape Town’s city centre.
15 minutes • Admission ticket free -
5
***Discover the Flower Market*** Let's explore one of the oldest open-air markets in South Africa. We walk through the oldest flower market in Southern Africa and greet their vendors.
15 minutes • Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
***Greenmarket Square and West African Community*** Visit Greenmarket Square, Cape Town’s third oldest public square and a lively hub for informal African traders and entrepreneurs. Here you will meet vendors from across the continent, with an opportunity to browse for souvenirs if you wish. This is also where we begin to explore Cape Town’s West African community more closely. If you are interested in fabrics, we pass by our favourite Senegalese tailor known for his beautiful African textiles.
Admission ticket free -
6
***Introduction to West African cuisine and food tasting.*** (second shared warm meal) Here we share our second warm meal and taste West African cuisine from Mali and speak about how African cuisine has the ability to unite people.
30 minutes • Admission ticket free -
7
***Central Methodist Mission*** Join us at the Methodist Mission, a welcoming space where people from all walks of life gather daily. Steeped in community activism and social justice history, it remains a beating heart of Cape Town’s inner city. Here we pause for tea or coffee and a treat while reflecting on the stories this space holds.
20 minutes • Admission ticket free
Additional info
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Tags
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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Cancellation Policy
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
- This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
Rating
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
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