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The fabulous fusion of Cape Malay cuisine
Cape Malay culinary chic
The Cape Malay, Cellars Hohenort
Did you know?
At Cape Malay wedding receptions, brides eat special bruidskos (bridal food) prepared by the groom's family.
Cape Malay cuisine is a fusion food born in Africa. Its alimentary origins can be found in the cooking pots of 17th and 18th century exiled dissidents and slaves brought to the Cape from the Dutch East Indies. While there are recognizable Asian elements, Cape Malay cooking has undergone a considerable degree of adaptation to suit local conditions and ingredient availability.
Geel rys (yellow rice) made with saffron, cinnamon and raisins provides the perfect accompaniment to the gentle aromatic flavours of bredie lamb casseroles. Tamarind soured crayfish curries are mopped up with flaky textured roti breads. And no Cape Malay meal is complete without condiments which range from palate-cooling sambals to fiery blatjang chutneys and atjars. Sweet-toothed travellers should look out for oval, coconut rolled koesister fritters (which are the antecedent of Afrikaaner platted koeksisters) and the rose water rice pudding, kolwadjik.
Sadly, Cape Malay food is poorly represented in restaurants outside of Cape Town so it is imperative that you do not leave the city without a visit to a Cape Malay restaurant. For cheap and cheerful family-style food try the Noon Gun in the Bo-Kaap district where Chef Zainie Misbach serves samoosas and chili bites from heaven. As with almost all Cape Malay restaurants the Noon Gun is strictly Halaal and no alcoholic beverages will be allowed on the premises. Those who need alcohol with their Cape Malay cuisine should head for the Cape Malay at Cellars Hohenhort Hotel where there is a wine list to match the marvels of the menu. There are also charming traditional hospitality habits such as jammerlappies (literally 'sorry cloths' in Afrikaans) handed out to wipe away the aromatic traces of the curries!
Travel tips & Planning info
Who to contact
Noon Gun
273 Longmarket Street,
Bo-Kaap, Cape Town
Tel: +27 (0)21 424 0529
Cellars Hohenort Hotel
93 Brommersvlei Road,
Constantia, Cape Town
Tel: +27 (0)21 794 2137
Andulela Experience
Tel: +27 (0)21 790 2592
Fax: +27 (0)21 790 2599
Email: info@andulela.com
How to get here
Cape Malay food is predominantly found in Cape Town. Most major airlines fly into Cape Town International Airport which is approximately 30km from the city centre.
Tours to do
Andulela Experience offers a range gastronomic tours of the Bo-Kaap district of Cape Town which include hands-on cooking classes.
What will it cost
Most Cape Malay restaurants are family style and very cheap. The fact that most such restaurants are halaal further reduces the bill because there is no alcohol involved. An average meal in a Cape Malay restaurant will be approximately R150 (12.5 Euro).
Length of stay
n/a
Where to stay
Cellars Hohenort Hotel, Constantia is the only Cape hotel with an in-house Cape Malay restaurant. Tel 021 794 2137
What to eat
Samoosas, denningvleis lamb, tomato bredie stew, koesister fritters.
Best buys
Cass Abrahams: Cass Abrahams cooks Cape Malay - Food from Africa. Metz Press