Western Cape food terroir

Azure restaurant 12 Apostles at sunset

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The food terroir of the Western Cape is culinary and scenic splendour on a plate. Majestic mountains covered with indigenous edible flora give way to rugged coastlines with whitewashed fishing villages, vineyards, and a fusion of history, culture, and flavour.

The essence of Western Cape foods is found in the complex, multi-cultural history of the province - a melange of Asian, African, and European food genres, where every dish reflects waves of historical settlement and layers of culinary interaction.

In Western Cape food terroir, you will find everything from naturally grown fruit and vegetables to sustainable seafood platters, artisan cheeses and organic wine. Try the best barbequed beef in the province’s townships, eat finger-licking fish and chips in Hout Bay, and sample spice-laden Cape Malay food in the Bo-Kaap.

Cape Town is currently experiencing a gourmet boom that sees from molecular gastronomy inspired art-food art, to tapas and dim sum cooked with a local twist simmering in the city's restaurant kitchens.

Discover more food terroir of the Western Cape where the olive groves of Riebeek Kasteel give way to the port wines and ostriches of the Klein Karoo. Further east, along the Garden Route, sample the organic produce and artisan charcuterie of the Overberg, and Knysna's stone-ground breads and oysters.

The West Coast offers up the traditional cuisine of the Sandveld (sand bush) at eateries such the Bosduifklip and Geelbek restaurants. Eat just-caught seafood and spit-roasted lamb at the Musiboskerm and Strandloper restaurants near Lambert’s Bay. Coastal Paternoster’s quirky clutch of delicious delis and restaurants are not to be missed.

Indigenous culinary culture can be tasted at Fyndraai restaurant, where the menu showcases Khoi, Xhosa and Cape Dutch fusion food. Near Yzerfontein on the West Coast, !Khwa ttu's San-guided tours feature forgotten hunting skills and foraging for edible plants. In Namakwaland take an eco-friendly tour to sample edible wild flowers and roots.