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Whether you fancy yourself a foodie expert, always keen to try the next best thing or just deem yourself culinary curious, the Mother City’s streets are where you’ll find a sensational variety of food on the go.
From street food in the centre to Mowbray and Khayelitsha, gastronomical adventures spread far and wide in Cape Town. Not forgetting Woodstock, where the Cape Town Street Food Festival takes place this weekend.
At both the popular Eastern Food Bazaar in Longmarket street, as well as Bree street’s quaint new Street Food, you can enjoy freshly prepared lunch on the spot, or have it all boxed up for later at the office. Or head south and discover Mowbray’s authentic little Sunrise Chip ’n Ranch: it’s been going for 15 years, has no seating and serves its fare through the window front.
A little further out, Khayelitsha is where the monthly Khwezi Crescent Market takes place, offering a great variety of street food. But, what about all Cape Town’s colourful food trucks? Those that are usually hanging out somewhere around the city and surrounding areas where events and festivals happen? Good news is that you don’t have to track down your favourite one on Sunday, as some of the city’s food trucks will gather alongside pop-up food stalls at the annual Street Food Festival in Woodstock.
The annual Street Food Festival. (Basement Pixels)
Here’s where to find some of Cape Town’s best street food traders.
Cape Town Street Food Festival
Side Street Studios in Woodstock is the place to be on Sunday July 26 for a taste of some of the city’s best street food fare. Snack on all kinds of weird and wonderful eats, freshly prepared at the various food trucks and pitched stalls. Think cow cheeks, gatsbys, samoosas, rotis, vetkoek, mielies and much more. Look out for popular food trucks such as Didi’s Bitchin Burritos, Meisies Kitchen, Lotus, Pizza, Piaggio, Stack That, Black Market Foods, Wahine, Joes to Go, The Hog House Brewing Company and Southern Smoke, or delight your inner carnivore with fare from Argies.
Also, catch the congress where the likes of Eat Out and Taste editor Abigail Donnelly, entrepreneur Uno de Waal, chef and author Karen Dudley, and Zodwa Kumalo-Valentine, former Mail & Guardian Friday editor, will share their expertise on food and business related topics.
A photo form last year’s Cape Town Street Food Festival. (Basement Pixels)
Says Street Food Festival director, Hannerie Visser, “By showcasing our South African street food culture, we hope to inspire and empower people to pursue their love for food as a career.”
For information, visit capetownstreetfoodfestival.co.za.
Street Food, Bree Street
Pop into this quaint little food stop for a coffee or lunch on the go, or be served through the hatch (or hole in the wall) while sitting at the counter and watching the city crowds go by. Delicious everyday Asian and Mediterranean fare is on the menu here, like stir-fried rice and noodles, prepared upstairs at Chef’s Warehouse (its larger sister restaurant) and displayed in their Street Food outlet downstairs, ready for a quick take away.
Check out the site for more.
The Eastern Food Bazaar
Just a walk through this renowned Cape Town bazaar is a unique sensory experience, never mind the delicious food. Several kitchens each cook up a storm on the spot while patrons queue in front of each. Colourful pictures of the daily dishes on offer are displayed on the walls behind. Buzzing and fast, this canteen-style eatery presents a variety of the city’s best street foods: Turkish kebabs, biryanis, Bombay bites, shawarmas, North Indian curries, and a variety of tandoor dishes are only some on offer.
Visit easternfoodbazaar.co.za for more.
Khwezi Crescent Market
Why not spread your city wings and visit this monthly, experimental market held in the Khayelitsha business district? It’s happening on Saturday August 1 and a variety of delicious street food will be cooked up. Featuring a mix of food vendors that either braai or make pizzas, delicious wraps, juices, sausage rolls, chicken wings and walkie talkies (chicken feet), visitors can look forward to even more.
(The Khwezi Crescent Market, Facebook)
Locally made clothing and accessories as well as traditional beadwork will also be for sale. Organised by the Zenzele Development Trust, the idea behind the market is to provide local vendors with a legitimate trading venue and so develop a sustainable monthly market.
Visit the market’s Facebook page for more.
Sunrise Chip ’n Ranch
Another real street food deal is this unassuming little Mowbray shop that’s been trading for 15 years through their front shop window. The sister shop of the popular Johnnie’s Roti (or Sunrise Chip ’n Ranch) in Durban, it’s run by the original Durban owner’s one son, Vikash Birjanund. Selling all kinds of delights like rotis, gatsbys, bunny chows and more.
Call 021 689 3250 for more on Sunrise.
Visit Hello Weekend (Hello Cape Town) to read more about their specials.
This content has been produced in partnership with Cape Town Tourism. Contents and photographs were sourced independently by the M&G’s editorial team.