Whenever you talk about South Africa, words like safaris and coastlines might be the first things that come to your mind, but that’s not everything South Africa has to offer. The food here has a rich history shaped by Malay cooks, Zulu farmers, Indian traders and Dutch settlers who brought their traditions with them. Knowing what South African food to have on your vacation will make it even more memorable; that’s why in this guide you’ll find 10 must-try South African dishes along with their average costs and where you can find them.
What Makes South Africa's Food Unique?
South African food has many influences and is a real blend of cultures. You’ll find Cape Malay spices with Zulu maize dishes, Indian-style curries in Durban, and German sausages from early settlers.
This mix means each region tastes different: Cape Town features more Malay and seafood flavours, Durban is famous for spicy Indian food, and Johannesburg is known for township and braai meals.
Tribe Travel Tip: Even if you try just one dish in each city, you’ll experience three very different food cultures.
Bobotie: The Comfort Food Everyone Talks About
Bobotie is often called South Africa’s national dish. It’s made with spiced minced meat baked under an egg custard and served with yellow rice, chutney, and sambals.
This sweet, savoury, and mildly spiced meal comes from Cape Malay cooking traditions dating back to the 1600s.
- Where you can find it: Cape Town restaurants specialising in Cape Malay cuisine, and most South African home-style eateries nationwide
- Average cost: Roughly R120–R220 per plate at a sit-down restaurant
Bunny Chow: Durban's Curry-in-a-Loaf
Bunny chow started as a simple meal for workers who needed something easy to eat without cutlery.
Now, it’s one of South Africa’s most famous foods. A hollowed-out quarter or half loaf of bread is filled with mutton, chicken, or bean curry.
- Where you can find it: Durban's CBD (Dr Yusuf Dadoo Street area) and Grey Street eateries, plus Glenwood and Umhlanga curry houses
- Average cost: A quarter bunny typically runs R65–R120 ; a half loaf closer to R100–R150
Boerewors: The Sausage Behind Every Braai
Boerewors is a sausage made with beef and mixed with lamb or pork, and no braai or South African barbecue is complete without it. By law, this sausage must have at least 90% meat. It’s coiled and grilled over coals in spices like coriander, black pepper and cloves.
- Where you can find it: Braai spots and butcheries across the country, plus boerewors rolls from food stalls in Cape Town and Johannesburg.
- Average cost: A boerewors roll from a stall costs around R40–R80
Biltong: The Snack South Africans Never Travel Without
Biltong is a snack made of dried, cured meat, usually made from beef, though ostrich and game versions are also popular. Unlike jerky, biltong is cured in vinegar before being air-dried, which gives it a unique tangy flavour.
- Where you can find it: Dedicated biltong shops in almost all malls, plus supermarkets and farm stalls nationwide
- Average cost: Roughly roughly R250–R450 per kilogram per kilogram, depending on the cut and meat type
Chakalaka and Pap: A Side Dish You Need To Try
Chakalaka is a spicy vegetable relish made with beans, onions, peppers, and carrots. Pap is a maize porridge, similar to polenta. These two are a classic combination in townships and are usually served with grilled meat.
- Where you can find it: Shisa nyama (grilled meat) spots in Soweto and other townships, and most traditional restaurants
- Average cost: Usually included as a side for R30–R60, or free with a meat platter
Potjiekos: Slow-Cooked Stew With a Story
Potjiekos means "small pot food." It is made by slowly cooking meat, vegetables, and stock in a three-legged cast-iron pot over an open fire. Farming communities have cooked this way for generations.
- Where you can find it: Farm restaurants in the Karoo, guesthouses, and braai gatherings countrywide
- Average cost: Around R150–R280 per serving at a sit-down venue
Samoosas: A Cape Malay Snack With an Indian History
Yes, you heard that right: a snack you can find on every street in India is also very popular in South Africa. This triangular fried pastry, filled with spiced mince or vegetables, arrived with Indian and Malay communities and has become a staple of South African street food.
- Where you can find it: Bo-Kaap bakeries in Cape Town and Indian markets in Durban
- Average cost: RoughlyR8–R20 per piece
Malva Pudding: The Dessert You'll Crave
This warm, spongy pudding is made with apricot jam and topped with hot cream or caramel sauce. It is always served with custard or ice cream. Though it has Dutch origins, it is now a classic South African dessert.
- Where you can find it: Nearly all traditional restaurants in Cape Town, Johannesburg, and also along the Garden Route
- Average cost: roughly R45–R90
Koeksisters: Bo-Kaap Sticky, Syrupy Icon
Koeksisters are plaited, deep-fried dough soaked in syrup and lightly dusted with coconut. Cape Malay versions (koesisters) differ slightly from Afrikaner ones, but both are a must if you have a sweet tooth.
- Where you can find it: Bo-Kaap bakeries in Cape Town, and speciality koeksister shops across the Western Cape
- Average cost: Roughly R12–R20 each each, often sold three for R25–R30
Rooibos Tea: The Drink Grown Nowhere Else on Earth
Rooibos only grows in the Cederberg region near Clanwilliam. It's naturally caffeine-free, with a nutty, slightly sweet flavour, and it's become South Africa's signature beverage worldwide.
- Where you can find it: Cafes across Cape Town, supermarkets nationwide, and speciality tea houses in Sea Point
- Average cost: A cup at a cafe costs roughly R25–R45; a box of tea bags from a supermarket is around R30–R50
Conclusion
From the gentle spice of bobotie to the bold flavours of Durban bunny chow, South African food lets you experience the country’s history in every meal. Whatever city you visit, the food will be one of your best memories.
At Holiday Tribe, we can help you plan your trip around these food experiences, whether you want a Cape Town food tour or a Durban curry adventure. We also offer visa help to make planning easy. Contact us to start planning your South Africa vacation.
