Cape Town is a melting pot of cultures, a characteristic that’s reflected in its cuisine. Here are a few dishes to try when you visit the city on our Cape Town multi-day tours.
* **Bunny chow.** This popular fast food and street food dish consists of half a loaf of white bread that’s been hollowed out and filled with curry. (Despite the dish’s name, no rabbit meat is involved; variations typically include beef or chicken.) Although bunny chow originated among Indian South Africans in Durban—a city along South Africa’s eastern coast that’s home to a significant Indian population—it’s plenty easy to find in Cape Town, too.
* **Gatsby.** Travelers on tours in Cape Town, South Africa, will want to seek out this Capetonian specialty. The massive, foot-long, sub-style sandwiches are packed with a combination of meat (think: polony, a bologna-style cold cut; masala steak; chicken; or even calamari), French fries, sauce (often piri-piri), and other options, such as cheese, fried eggs, and “salad” (fresh lettuce, tomato, and onion). Our advice: Share one of the hulking creations with a few of your hungry fellow travelers.
* **Bobotie.** Somewhat similar to moussaka, this Cape Malay dish (pronounced ba-boor-tea) consists of a flavorful base of curried meat and fruit and a savory, custard-like topping.
* **Biltong.** Think of this popular snack food as South Africa’s answer to beef jerky. The savory, chewy snack is made by drying and curing meat (often beef, ostrich, or an antelope species called kudu), and adding a special blend of spices.
* **Wine.** Local wine is a must-try when you visit Cape Town. The granite mountains that surround the Cape Winelands are more than 600 million years old, giving many of the world-class wines that are produced here subtle mineral notes. Syrah, Chenin Blanc, Viognier, Sauvignon Blanc, and blends made form Bordeaux and Merlot are just a few to try.
* **Rooibos tea.** This herbal tea, whose name means “red bush,” is made from a plant that only grows in South Africa.