Top 5 Restaurants in South Africa

A highlight of any South Africa vacation is sampling some delicious, traditional African food. South Africa was arguably home to the first fusion cuisine, blending colonial French, Dutch, English, and Malaysian influences. Here, you'll find vibrant cuisine that's sure to excite the palate. South Africa’s restaurants are gaining accolades and making waves on the world’s culinary stage. Here are our top dining experiences in South Africa. Gold Restaurant This unique African restaurant is set in the heart of Cape Town. The set, 14-course Cape Malay and African menu is a taste safari that will transport you from Table Mountain to Timbuktu. This culinary experience is accompanied by unique interactive traditional entertainment. Be captivated during dinner by tall, graceful Mali Puppets as they dance around your table - accompanied by drummers, dancers, and singers. Gold Restaurant’s live entertainment is totally unique. and the performances will embrace and transport you into the heart of Africa. Guests can also participate every evening in an interactive drum circle where each participant is taught the different sounds and rhythms of the djembe.

Richards Supper Club – Kaapse Stories Richard’s Supper Stage and Bistro is an exciting dinner and show venue located in Cape Town. Upstairs, international and local guests of all ages will be transported into the world of entertainment, featuring talented artists performing in a variety of shows - from cabaret to jazz to comedy. With a view of Robben Island through the large windows, and seated at sociable dinner tables, guests can enjoy Cape wines with an exclusive and scrumptious Cape buffet. Schedule your visit to see the captivating show, Kaapse Stories from the Mother City.

Cape Malay Cooking Safari Masala, bobotie, Malay curry, and roti are all part of South Africa’s distinctive "fusion cuisine." The Cape Malay Cooking Safari introduces you to this, and more. Take in the scents of cardamom, coriander, cumin, cinnamon, turmeric, ginger, and garlic as you walk through Cape Town’s technicolour Bo-Kaap area. First, you'll be taken to the Bo-Kaap Museum, where you’ll gain some insight into this area, which used to be called the Malay Quarter. You’ll then amble around the little shops, cobbled streets, and sherbet-bright houses to hunt down pungent spices and fresh ingredients. Enter one of the traditional houses and enjoy an informal workshop, where you’ll learn the art of blending the spices into a masala for a Malay curry (spicier, but not as hot as the Indian version), as well as the correct way to fold a triangular samosa. Eat a sumptuously spicy meal while learning about the life, food, culture, and religion in the intriguingly multicultural Bo-Kaap.

Baylonstoren Dating back to 1692, Babylonstoren is a historic Cape Dutch farm that boasts one of the best preserved werfs (farm yards) in the Cape. Its magnificent gardens are laid out over eight acres, and feature fruit, berries, bees for pollinating, indigenous plants, fragrant lawns, a prickly pear maze, a Clivia tunnel, and a plethora of trees with historical and botanical import. Amidst the gardens, you will also find the Farm Hotel & Spa, the Farm Shop, and Bakery. Babel Restaurant, housed in an old cow shed, is the perfect place to stop for a meal. The restaurant's structure is a wonderful mix of Cape Dutch architecture. The restaurant has a "from the garden to the table" philosophy, and serves incredible food that is fresh and seasonal.

Le Quartier Francais Franschhoek is the culinary capital of the Western Cape, and Le Quartier Français offers several delicious dining experiences. Le Quartier Français is a boutique hotel in the heart of Franschhoek village, home to an award-winning restaurant. The Tasting Room is the hotel’s renowned dinner restaurant that offers an eight-course African-inspired surprise tasting menu, with the option of delicious wine pairing. The hotel offers a renowned breakfast buffet and scrumptious tapas style menu. Try unique African-inspired dishes like Prawn Popcorn, Grazing Boards, and Mama's Meatballs, while soaking in the tranquil winelands scenery.

Is your mouth watering yet to start planning your South Africa vacation? Suggested Itinerary: 12-Day Magic of Africa - Holiday of a Lifetime Related Article: Whetting Our Appetities on the Magic of Africa

By Kirsty Perring