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The ultimate Top 10 bucket list for the South African foodie traveller

 

Cape Town - We've told you about the weird and wonderful South African dishes worth travelling the country for - but those are only for the brave. 

If you really want to experience this amazing, diverse country with all your senses - you must treat your palate to the ultimate South African food destination bucketlist. Having lamb, for example, is one thing... but having Karoo lamb while your actually in the Karoo is another. The same goes for curries - whether it's Indian or Cape Malay inspired - as well as ostrich and real hunter's biltong...

ALSO READ: 21 Unique eats worth travelling South Africa for

In no particular order, here is Traveller24's ultimate foodie destination bucketlist for traveller following his/her nose... 


Wine in the Winelands

Ah, the winelands! There are a million things to do and experience – great food to eat, adventures to be had, pairings to be done and amazing places to overnight.

However, if you’re into wine, and we mean REALLY into wine, so much so that you want to learn everything there is to know about it, then sometimes the huge array of activities might seem somewhat distracting from the fact that SA's wine route is the longest in the world! Foodies should experience it as such...

You haven't had the full SA foodie experience if you haven't had wine in the winelands. 

ALSO READ: 5 cosy spots to visit in Stellenbosch

Where: Stellenbosch

Love this pic by @timara_w! #stellenboschwine #stellenbosch #visitStellenbosch #lovecapetown #meetsouthafrica

A photo posted by Stellenbosch Wine Routes (@stellenboschwine) on



Crayfish on the West Coast

There are two types of lobster found in SA - on the East Coast and on the West Coast. Although both are equally delectable, there's something  sincerely South African about eating freshly caught West Coast Rock Lobster on the West Coast. 

In fact, there's even a festival - Die Kreeffees -  in Lambert's Bay in March every year dedicated to this yummy treat. 

If you can't make it to the festival, however, you can always catch it yourself! Always consult the Government's website to ensure you harvest the lobster according to the legal west coast rock lobster TAC and recreational fishing season dates. 

Where: Along the West Coast from Langebaan to as far as Lambert's Bay



Venison in the 'Bosveld'

South Africa is all about meat, and nowhere in the world would you find better quality venison than in the Limpopo 'Bosveld'.

If you're looking for the true South African experience - and you can stomach it - it's best to hunt your own buck, process the meat and then enjoy a piece of good quality meat, braaied to perfection. 

Venison is any meat lover's dream come true; the meat is naturally fat free and holds practically no cholesterol dangers. 

Where: Limpopo



Lamb in the Karoo

Certified Karoo Meat of Origin was registered as trademark in South Africa in 2013, which gave some concrete evidence of how good this product actually is.

Nothing quite compares to the experience of having a real Karoo lamb chop, braaied to perfection beneath a star-filled Great Karoo night sky.

Where: Anywhere in the Northern Cape, but especially in Williston, Loxton and Sutherland. 

#braai #sabraai #kwaggabraai #karoolam #boerewors #boerrie #lekker #braaiwithfriends #nougaanonsbraai #goeietye #veldbraai

A photo posted by Dewald Stander (@dewald_kwagga_stander) on

 



Ostrich in Oudtshoorn

The Klein Karoo is particularly famous for their ostriches... a farming tradition that started primarily from a need for glamorous ostrich feathers in the olden days. When the craze for feathers died down, however, the abundance of these big birds had to be put to good use, so  naturally, they became a meal... tragic? Not tragic! 

Ostrich, like venison, is naturally fat and cholesterol free, which makes for guilt-free munching. If you're not up for a big ostrich steak just yet, settle for an ostrich meat burger - a true taste of the Klein Karoo. 

Where: Anywhere in the Klein Karoo, but especially in Oudtshoorn 

 



Indian Curry in Durban

Some people might think it's stereotypical to ask for curry in Durban... but taking into account Durban has the largest Indian population in the world - outside of India itself - it's no stereotype at all. 

You can't say you've tasted South Africa is you haven't burned your face off eating a real curry bunny. 

Where: Durban 

READ: Durban for free - no wallet required

 



Cape Malay cuisine in Cape Town

On the curried note, it's necessary for you to try both East and West when it comes to SA's curry options. In Cape Town, however, Cape Malay cuisine and curry dominates. Here, it's not only the delightful, sweeter curries that will blow your brains, but also the deep fried treats like sweet Koesisters and savoury dhaltjies. 

Where: The 'Bo-Kaap'

 



Oysters in Knysna

Like with the lobster in the West Coast, people flock to Knysna along the Garden Route annually for a festival dedicated to the luxurious treat that it OYSTERS! 

This is certainly one of the most epic foodie and destination combo's on offer in SA, as the Garden Route is also one of the most scenic places to visit in the country. 

READ: 5 Tips for those heading to the Knysna Oyster Festival

Where: Knysna and Thesen Island

#Knysnaoysterfestival #oysters #coldandbold #tasty #family

A photo posted by Tiger Volkwyn (@tiger7jack) on



Biltong in the Lowveld 

What would South Africa be without biltong and droëwors - two treats that have single-handedly shaped the South Africans' identity for the good. While biltong should ideally be consumed where it is hunted (preferably in the Lowveld), we'll make an exception here and say it may also be bought - locally, of course - and consumed at a South African rugby, cricket of soccer match at the respective sport stadium. 

Where: All major sporting stadiums in South Africa (or in the Lowveld in Mpumalanga, of course) 

READ: 6 Must-experience sport interests in South Africa

#biltong #cheers @clayfiish

A photo posted by Thomas (@tdtm82) on




Fish in Fish Hoek

The only way to eat fish in South Africa is to eat it fresh. In a country that's almost completely surrounded by TWO oceans, you have no excuse but to eat only the freshest on offer. You'll find this in almost all small fishing towns, like Fish Hoek, Hout Bay and Muizenberg in Cape Town.

In Fish Hoek, for example, you get the fish, calamari, or mussels - whatever is caught on the day - as it comes in from the fishing boats in the harbour. Yum!

Where: Fish Hoek, Kalk Bay and Hout Bay are the best spots 




What are your favourite foodie destinations in South Africa? Please share your photos and travel experiences with us at info@traveller24.com or post them on our FacebookTwitter or Instagram accounts - you could be featured on News24. 

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