Cultural

A Darling of a town

The annual Darling Wildflower Show is a highlight on the West Coast town’s calendar. Its most famous resident is satirist Pieter-Dirk Uys. more
Water furrows of the Karoo

Water is the most precious asset of the Karoo, South Africa’s semi-desert heartland. And when you find a Karoo town with water furrows, stop awhile and listen... more
The Nizamiye Turkish Masjid, Midrand

A smaller replica of Turkey’s famous Selimiye Camii mosque, the Nizamiye Turkish Masjid in Midrand makes for a fascinating visit. more
The Zulu Reed Dance

The Zulu Reed Dance is a highly anticipated annual event. The entire community gathers to support the young Zulu girls in this celebration of their culture. more

More about Cultural

Museum Africa

Museum Africa, in Johannesburg's Newtown Cultural District, features cultural, historic and artistic exhibits sourced from across Southern Africa. more

!Khwa ttu San culture and education centre

Discover the culture and heritage of the San people, renowned for their tracking, rock art, spirituality and egalitarian, eco-sensitive society. more

The best of South Africa

Explore the best of South Africa and enjoy its spectacular scenery, unique history and culture, abundant wildlife and a wide range of adventure activities on offer. more

1Abysinia

Ethiopian cuisine offers gently aromatic berebere-spiced stews, ayeb cheese, tej honey-wine and injera flat breads. Go for the authentic atmosphere, and do not get up from the table without experiencing a traditional cardamom-infused coffee ceremony. Corner Queens and Langerman streets, Kensington, Johannesburg, Gauteng. Mobile: +27 (0)72 918 8824.

2Zemara

Congolese cuisine at its finest. Expect palm-nut chicken, plantains and tilapia fish grilled to perfection. Zemara is favoured by African diplomats so dress to impress. The Sunday buffet is an excellent way to sample a range of west, central and east African specialities. 223 Schoeman Street, Arcadia, Pretoria, Gauteng. Mobile: +27 (0) 72 756 2057.

3A Palhota

Afro-Lusitanian fusion food originating in Maputo and Luanda. Reputed to be where the Mozambican ambassador eats on his days off. Mainstream Portuguese menu, but ask for the Mozambican specialties like coconut-milk fish curry, and the feijoada Moçambicana. Palhota, 59 Troye St, Johannesburg CBD. Tel: +27 (0)11 336 1156.

4Gramadoelas

Gramadoelas has been the home of cross-cultural South African culinary chic for over 30 years. The extensive buffet means you can try a bit of everything. Their Xhosa umngqusho (samp and bean stew) is legend. Market Theatre Complex, Bree Street, Newtown, Johannesburg, Gauteng. Tel: +27 (0)11 838 6960.

5Ile Maurice

Mauritian-Creole cuisine. Try the rougaille de boeuf with tomato, ginger, chillies and coriander, or savour the octopus curry with its palate-spiking mazavaroo chilli paste. 9 McCausland Crescent, Umhlanga, KwaZulu-Natal. Tel: +27 (0)31 561 7609.

6Mzoli’s Place

This famous chisa-nyama barbeque joint sees diners choose their meat in the butchery section and send it to be sizzled and seared to perfection on the wood-fired grills outside. A classic township culinary experience. Shop 3 NY115 & NY108, Gugulethu, Western Cape. Tel: +27 (0) 21 638 1355.

7Restaurant Ivorian

West African wonderful in a shabby chic space. Feast on bowls of fried plantain aloko, carp with roasted nya nya aubergines and mop it all up with yam bread. 8 Francis Street, Yeoville, Johannesburg, Gauteng Tel: +27 (0)11 487 0885, Mobile: +27 (0) 82 743 6537.

8Addis in Cape

Accessible interpretations of Ethiopian culinary classics complemented by Tej honey wine. Meat eaters adore the doro wat chicken stew and vegetarians will be pleased to note that at least half the offerings are meat free. 41 Church Street, Cape Town CBD, Western Cape. Tel +27 (0) 21 424 5722.

9Kin Malebo

Despite the relatively insalubrious suburb, Kin Malebo offers Congolese culinary classics like egussi mbika beef, palm oil and courgette seed stews, or red fish on a spinach and peanut mélange, with fufu cassava pap or chikwanga breads to mop up the sauce. Choose to stay for, or escape, the loud kwasa kwasa music on weekends. 31 Raleigh Street, Yeoville, Johannesburg. Mobile: +27 (0)82 707 2888

10Homebaze

Homebaze offers a small selection of Ghanaian and Nigerian staples like fufu, gari foto, isi-ewu, and jollof rice. The slow service doesn't deter West African immigrants hungry for home-cooked meals in Jo'burg. Village Walk shopping centre, Rivonia Road, Sandton. Tel: +27 (0)11 783 0366