Exploring South Africa Famous Food: Try These Top Dishes

South Africa has a vibrant and diverse food culture strongly influenced by its rich history. From the bustling streets of cities to the tranquil countryside, food plays a significant part in bringing people closer.

South African cuisine is a fantastic blend of traditional African cuisine, European influences, and flavors from across Africa. The country offers some tasty delicacies that reflect the creativity and enthusiasm of some bold flavors.

If you’re searching to discover South Africa famous food options, this guide has a detailed overview of the top dishes, price range, and how you can enjoy it well.

Table of Content

Non Vegetarian South Africa Famous Food
Vegetarian South Africa Famous Food
South Africa Famous Street Food
Desserts in South Africa
FAQs

Non Vegetarian South Africa Famous Food

South African non-vegetarian meals are rich in taste and have strong traditional roots. Here are a few great choices:

1. Boerewors

This is a traditional sausage that has become famous throughout the country. The preparation includes a mixture of pork, beef, and spices rolled into a spiral and grilled.

You can enjoy Boerewors as part of a barbecue, which makes it among South Africa famous food. The Boerewors include premium pork and beef spiced with herbs like coriander, cloves, black pepper, and nutmeg.

Must Try: Beautifully browned and smoky classic boerewors
Price Range: R40 to R80 (₹180 to ₹365)
Best Served With: A soft roll with mustard, tomato sauce, and onions.

2. Shakshouka

Shakshouka

This is an incredibly delicious and filling dish with its roots from North Africa and the Middle East. But Shakshouka has now made its position in South Africa that people usually love for breakfast or brunch.

The preparation includes poached eggs cooked in spicy, delicious tomato sauce with onions and bell peppers. The sauce may also contain feta cheese and olives for extra flavor to Shakshouka.

Must Try: Traditional Shakshouka
Price Range: R40 to R80 (₹180 to ₹365)
Best Served With: Warm pita bread or crusty sourdough bread.

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3. Bunny Chow

This food originates from Durban and is especially loved by Durban’s Indian community. You can find this as a hollow piece of bread filled with curry, an incredibly filling and delicious meal.

This is a quite different dish that combines South African and Indian influences, making it the best food to try in South Africa. Chicken Bunny Chow is the most classic and loved version, with succulent chicken curry served with a hollow loaf of bread.

Must Try: Chicken Bunny Chow
Price Range: R60 to R120 (₹275 to ₹550)
Best Served With: A side of salad or pickled vegetables.

4. Potjiekos

This authentic South African flavor-rich stew is cooked on a slow-burning flame. The preparation includes meat, vegetables, and spices. Potjiekos are served at gatherings and are known for their comforting and hearty taste. There are many non-veg variations of Potjiekos; some popular ones include beef and chicken.

Must Try: Traditional Beef Potjiekos
Price Range: R50 to R100 (₹230 to ₹460)
Best Served With: A crusty bread or a side of chakalaka

Vegetarian South Africa Famous Food

South African vegetarian meals are varied and tasty, highlighting the creativity of its cooking customs.

5. Maakouda

This is a popular authentic food in South Africa and a wholesome vegetarian snack that people love for its deliciousness. This kind of fritter you can find in Cape Town consists of spiced potatoes deep-fried in a golden, crisp patty.

Cumin, chili, and coriander mix add a different kick to this dish. This vegetarian-friendly dish is crisp outside and soft inside and gets amazing with some chili sauce.

Must Try: Spicy Maakouda
Price Range: R10 to R30 (₹45 to ₹140)
Best Served With: A side of tomato chutney, hot sauce, or a simple salad.

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6. Mahjouba

This is savory South Africa famous food with much North African or Mediterranean influence. This flatbread is stuffed with onions, tomatoes, and spices like cumin, coriander, and garlic. The vegetarian variant is usually served without meat and seasoned with herbs or olives to add flavor.

Must Try: Classic Mahjouba with olives and herbs
Price Range: R20 to R40 (₹90 to ₹180)
Best Served With: Enjoy with a side of fresh salad or harissa.

7. Misir Wat

This classic Ethiopian dish is reaching heights at some popular restaurants in South Africa. This is a delicious red lentil stew loaded with spices and berbere. You can enjoy Misir Wat if you are a vegetarian food lover and looking for some rich flavors. Some variations may include adding butter for richness and aromatic flavors.

Must Try: Spicy misir wat with berbere spice mix
Price Range: R40 to R80 (₹180 to ₹365)
Best Served With: Injera, a sour flatbread, rice, or even steamed vegetables and a refreshing salad.

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8. Ful Medames

This originates from North Africa and has now become the South Africa famous food for its nutritional qualities. Enjoy this dish loaded with fava beans, garlic, olive oil, and lemon during breakfast or as a filling vegetarian dinner. The dish also has a hard-boiled egg, fresh herbs, and a soothing, savory taste.

Must Try: Classic Ful Medames with fava beans
Price Range: R30 to R60 (₹140 to ₹275)
Best Served With: Pita bread or flatbread for dipping and some pickled vegetables.

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South Africa Famous Street Food

South African street food is well-known for being affordable and tasty. Here are some recommendations for street food in South Africa:

9. Gatsby

This is a popular sandwich and a South Africa famous food option that people typically eat as a whole meal due to its size. Gatsby requires no introduction when you visit Cape Town, as you can find this long, slender feast on the streets. This snack is like a traditional sub and a popular choice for dinner or lunch, especially after a night out.

Must Try: Chicken Gatsby with crunchy fries
Price Range: R50 to R100 (₹230 to ₹460)
Best Served With: Served with chips, crispy fries, a cold beverage, or a local drink like Granadilla.

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10. Johnny’s Roti

This is an excellent option when people in South Africa are looking for fast, delicious, and filling food. This South Africa famous food includes flatbread or roti with many tasty ingredients.

The traditional Johnny’s Roti includes stuffed spiced beef or chicken, sauces, and vegetables. The fillings include a variety of South African flavors and a peri-peri sauce to add flavor.

Must Try: Chicken or Beef Johnny’s Roti
Price Range: R40 to R80 (₹180 to ₹365)
Best Served With: A small salad portion, pickled vegetables, or additional chutney. An occasional soft drink can balance the spiciness.

11. Boerie Roll

This is an ultimate must try food in South Africa that people love as a casual snack or meal. This dish includes boerewors, a traditional South African sausage served in a soft roll. You can enjoy a conventional Boerie Roll topped with tomato sauce, sauteed onions, and some mustard sauce.

Must Try: Classic boerie roll with cheese and lettuce
Price Range: R30 to R60 (₹140 to ₹275)
Best Served With: Served with crispy chips or a side of coleslaw.

12. Walkie Talkies

This is among South Africa famous food in towns and informal food markets. The dish includes chicken feet and heads, deep-fried, and served with various accompaniments. The traditional fried walkie-talkies blend marination, spices, and baked perfection. This is crisp on the outside and soft inside with intense flavors.

Must Try: Fried Walkie Talkies
Price Range: R20 to R40 (₹90 to ₹180)
Best Served With: Served with pap, maize porridge, chakalaka, a spicy vegetable relish, or bread.

13. Kota

This is a tasty and distinctive traditional food of South Africa that people also call a local burger or sandwich. This is a filling and hearty food popular among the South African youth. Kota includes a quarter loaf of bread stuffed with different ingredients, such as polony, salad, and cheese, making it a perfect comfort food.

Must Try: Classic Kota packed with traditional flavors
Price Range: R30 to R60 (₹140 to ₹275)
Best Served With: A side of crispy chips, cold drink, chili sauce, or tomato sauce for extra flavor.

Desserts in South Africa

South African sweets are rich and a great way to finish any meal. Here are a few top choices:

14. Malva Pudding

Malva Pudding

This is a warm and spongy dessert with ingredients like sugar, apricot jam, and eggs, all soaked in a creamy sauce and butter. This resembles sticky toffee pudding and an incredibly moist dessert with Dutch roots. You can take Malva pudding as a perfect choice for Sunday lunch.

Must Try: Malva Pudding with a rich custard sauce
Price Range: R40 to R60 (₹200 to ₹300)
Best Served With: Warm with vanilla ice cream, custard, or whipped cream.

15. Amarula Don Pedro

This South African cocktail dessert is made by mixing Amarula liqueur with vanilla ice cream. You can find a little cream added, resulting in a delicious and scrumptious sweet treat. This smooth mix offers an authentic, perfect blend of warmth and sweetness, making it another South Africa famous food.

Must Try: Classic Amarula Don Pedro with vanilla ice cream
Price Range: R50 to R80 (₹250 to ₹400)
Best Served With: Served chilled with grated chocolate or sprinkled cocoa powder.

16. Melktert

This South African dessert consists of a smooth and creamy custard filling, served in a buttery, flaky pastry crust. This sweet pastry is stuffed with a mix of eggs, milk, and sugar and garnished with cinnamon. This is an absolute warm treat to enjoy as a dessert or a tasty tea-time snack, adored for its yummy taste.