African restaurants in Cape Town

1. GOLD RESTAURANT

This restaurant is where you get cuisine from across the African continent. You can even attend a djembe drumming session before you start your meal! The staff are incredible and the shows are spectacular! You even get blessed by the Gold Goddess which promotes wealth for you. 
On the menu Gold serves a 14-course tasting menu. Some are the Xhosa corn bread, Kenyan iriospinach patties (made with pap and spinach), Cape Malay samoosas, Tunisian harissa-spiced chicken wings and the Cameroon butternut with tomato and coconut milk. The traditionally dressed friendly staff will explain each dish as it comes and where it’s from. 
 

2. MZOLI’S PLACE

Jamie Oliver even rated this place as one of the most popular braai spots in Cape Town and one of his must-visit places in Cape Town. Located in Gugulethu township, this is as local as what you are going to get! On offer is meat, drinks and local music (deep house and kwaito). 
On the menu You select your choice of meat from a selection of chicken, lamb, boerewors, beef and pork. This stocked in the on-site butchery. Sides such as pap, steamed bread or traditional chakalaka come with your meal. The meat (marinated in a delicious secret sauce) is braaied for you and brought to you once ready. You need to stock up your booze before you arrive.
 

3. MARCO’S AFRICAN PLACE

Located in Bo-Kaap, Marco’s has been serving authentic Xhosa, Cape Malay and African cuisine since 1993. A marimba band, energetic dancers as well as a live band playing African music entertain you.(Established Afro-jazz musicians such as Jimmy Dludlu, Hugh Masekela, Sibongile Khumalo and Sylvia Mdunyelwa have performed at Marco’s in the past!)
On the menu Popular Xhosa dishes include ulwimi (steamed ox tongue in a mustard sauce) and umleqwa (chicken and onion stew). On the drinks menu is umqomboti, traditional beer, brewed according to the high standards of the Transkei. Also, you can order a traditional Zimbabwean beer served to you in a gourd-shaped cup.
 

4. MAMA AFRIKA

Lively marimba music, bold flavours and friendly staff are what have made Mama Africa a favourite among locals and tourists. The restaurant strives to serve comfort food and provide the warmth and hospitality of an African mother. Mama’s Art Gallery showcases curios and authentic African art that is for sale 
On the menu African game is the main event, including Mama’s Wild Game Mixed Grill of crocodile, ostrich, springbok, kudu and venison sausage. The popular Zimbabwean dovi chicken is also worth a try.

5. ADDIS IN CAPE 

As the name suggests, this restaurant is filled with the rich aromas of Ethiopian food. Located along trade routes for hundreds of years, Ethiopia adopted the herbs and spices brought by travellers to create unique dishes. The authentic dishes are served on a beautifully woven basket-like table called a mesob, while the restaurant’s decor features Ethiopian wall art and traditional furnishings. Celebrities such as musician J Cole, Ethiopian athlete Haile Gebrselassie and actor Hakeem Kae-Kazim have all had a taste of the delicious food Addis in Cape has on offer. 

On the menu Main dishes come with traditionally made injera (a pancake-like sourdough bread). Vegetarians will love Defin Misir Kai Wot: whole brown lentils simmered in a berbere (dried chilies with several herbs and spices) sauce and Shimbera Asa Wot (homemade chickpea cakes simmered in a berbere sauce. Our picks include Fish Addis in Dar (fish stir-fried with onion, sweet pepper, cardamom and a dash of lemon) and Doro Wot (chicken marinated with fresh lime juice and simmered in a mixture of freshly chopped onions, garlic and ginger). Remember to request the Ethiopian coffee ceremony to round off your experience.
 

6. BO-KAAP KOMBUIS

Most people, if asked, will say authentic Cape Malay cuisine is the South African cuisine. In the Bo-Kaap, this restaurant has incredible views of Table Mountain, Lion’s Head and the Bo-Kaap. Located in what is known as the "colorful houses". This as the area that is home to a large portion of the Cape’s Muslim community in Cape Town (and has been since the 18th century). 
On the menu If you love spicy food, then this is the perfect stop. Start your meal with samosas served with a super hot chilli dip, dhaltjies (chilli bites with spinach) and creamy patata warras (deep-fried mashed potato balls with mustard seeds). Then indulge in an aromatic Cape Malay curry (a choice of prawn, lamb, fish, sugar bean and chicken). The dessert menu also features Cape favourites such as malva pudding, as well as the intriguing traditional artepil porring (potato pudding served with stewed dried fruit)

7. WOZA!

With colourful African decor, traditional food, friendly staff and cheery ambience, Woza! is a fun night out.

On the menu The very affordable menu ranges from R5 to R50 for muriwo (leafy vegetables), green tripe and beef and chicken stews, to be enjoyed with sides such as samp, steamed bread, amagwinya(vetkoek) and pap. Then wash down your meal with Zimbabwean Chibuku African beer (one of the very few places that serves it in Cape Town).
 

8. TIMBUKTU CAFÉ

Located on the first floor of the Pan African Market, this Ethiopian restaurant in an old Victorian building is crammed with African artefacts and vintage collections (which are also on sale) to give it a charming “other-worldly” feel. The authenticity of the experience extends past the colourful African decor and includes eating your meal the traditional Ethiopian way – using your hands and scooping your food with your injera (traditional bread).
On the menu Dishes are served with injera and prepared with authentic Ethiopian spices such as berbere and mitmita (special Ethiopian chilli). Expect to see favourites such as Key Wot (beef stew), Doro Wot (succulent chicken served with a hard-boiled egg) and vegetarian Gomen (spinach and other greens). Portions are generous, so arrive hungry. And of course, no trip to an Ethiopian restaurant is complete without enjoying a cup of delicious traditionally prepared.

9. THE AFRICA CAFÉ 

Established in 1992, this is a slice of Africa in Cape Town. With communal eating at the forefront of this restaurant, it’s the perfect place for a family get-together or special occasion with friends. Food is served in colourful ceramic bowls and there are seven themed rooms (from Moroccan to Ndebele) in the three-storey historic building.

On the menu Take a trip through Africa with the Communal Feast: 14 dishes for sharing. It includes Malawian Mbatata Cheese and Sim Sim Balls (sweet potato and cheese balls rolled in sesame seeds), Botswanan Seswaa Masala (spicy beef stew), East African Mchicha Wa Nazi Pies (crispy pastry filled with spinach, peanut and coconut cream), Congolese Salad and Jungle Dressing (fresh mixed salad with orange and palm oil dressing) and the ever-popular Tzaneen orange and nut cake.
 

10. MOYO

Enjoy African hospitality, entertainment (live music and face painting) and, of course, good food at either the Blouberg or Kirstenbosch branch.
On the menu The extensive buffet table stretches from the north to the south of the continent. It includes the uShaka lamb bunny chow (Durban-style lamb curry in home-baked bunny chow bread), Cape Malay bobotie, legendary Mozambique peri-peri prawns, Cameroonian beef suya (slivers of beef on a skewer, marinated with paprika, cinnamon, ginger and ground peanuts), Casablanca chicken salad (made with Harissa grilled chicken) and much more.