Loading tour details
Loading tour details
Things to do in Cape Town
African Food and Storytelling Tour in Cape Town City Centre is a tour or activity in Cape Town, about 2 hours to 3 hours long. It costs about CAD $156 per person. TripRadr is a neutral Canadian vacation comparison site; you book this activity on Viator, and TripRadr may earn a commission.
Awarded Silver at WTM Africa by the International Centre for Responsible Tourism for Cultural Diversity, this experience connects Cape Town’s food culture with its history, spaces, and the lived experiences of local entrepreneurs. This is more than a food tour. While food is central, the experience explores how public space, history, and entrepreneurship intersect, and how forces such as gentrification shape life in the city. Guests are welcomed into hidden community kitchens, hole-in-the-wall restaurants, and African-owned food businesses, each with a unique story to tell. Along the way, you’ll meet small business owners and gain insight into the people and cultures that define Cape Town’s inner city. The experience is immersive, responsible, and continuously evolving, reflecting the dynamic nature of the city’s small business landscape. It offers an authentic glimpse into the heart and soul of Cape Town beyond the surface. Vegan, vegetarian, and pescatarian options are available.
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.
Check the meeting time and place on Viator when you book. They can differ by option and date.
***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 min
***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 min
***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 min
***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 min
***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 min
***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.
***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 min
***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 min
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Rules can differ by option and date. The policy shown on Viator when you book is the one that applies.
African Food and Storytelling Tour in Cape Town City Centre costs about CAD $156 per person. The price depends on the date, the option you choose and the number of travellers. Prices on TripRadr are in CAD and approximate, converted from Viator's price. The final price is shown on Viator before you book.
It takes about 2 hours to 3 hours. The exact start and finish times depend on the option and the date you choose. Viator shows the times when you pick a date.
This activity includes Carbonated beverages; Bottled water; Lunch; Snacks; Tea and coffee. Anything that is not listed is not included. The full list is on the Viator page.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time. Rules can differ by option and date. Read the policy on Viator before you book.
Viator lists the meeting point as: 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. It ends at: 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. The meeting time and place can differ by option and date. Check them on Viator before you book.
African Food and Storytelling Tour in Cape Town City Centre has child pricing for ages 5 to 13. Adult pricing applies from age 18. The operator sets the age bands and any age limits. Check them on Viator before you book.
TripRadr does not take bookings. Select Book on Viator to open this activity on Viator, where you choose your date and option and pay. TripRadr may earn a commission when you book, at no extra cost to you.
Read our travel guide for the best time to go, the airports Canadians fly into and the Government of Canada travel advice.
fromCAD $156per person (approx.)
Book on Viator