Olive magazine Cape Town 

Summer in South Africa means platters of crayfish and local oysters, and glasses of local Chenin Blanc enjoyed by the water’s edge. *Olive Magazine asked me for my top ten defining Cape Town bites….not an easy ask. Out in Dec 2015 issue*

  1. Prime Position Luke Dale-Robert’s The Pot Luck Club, headed up by rising star Wesley Randles, sits on the 6th floor of Woodstock’s Old Biscuit Mill lifestyle centre. Wraparound views of Cape Town and a chic, laid-back ambiance set the tone for tasting plates of impeccably prepared local ingredients with an Asian influence; think grilled duck breast with naartjie and yuzu dressing. thepotluckclub.co.za
  2. Home cooking Book a historical walk in colourful Bo-Kaap, an iconic area renowned for its commanding views over the city and its tight-knit, traditional Cape Malay community. Shireen Narkedien, a Bo-Kaap resident and guide can also arrange a meal in the home of a local after the tour, featuring Cape Malay classics like chicken curry and koessusters – spiced, coconut-flecked doughnuts. shireen.narkedien@gmail.com
  3. Fine wines A contemporary butcher with a wine bar at the front, Publik is well worth a visit for its excellently curated list of local, and some international, wines. Prime quality biltong (dried, cured meat) from the butchery and platters of local cheese and crunchy gherkins keep punters lingering. A wine flight is highly recommended. publik.co.za/publik-wine-bar
  4. To market The Saturday Neighbourgoods Market at the Old Biscuit Mill in Woodstock is a great place to pick up artisanal staples and vegetables if you’re self-catering (or food souvenir-hunting). Many shoppers stay on for a streetfood brunch from one of its stalls, from steak sandwiches at Kitchen Cowboys to cultivated Saldanha Bay oysters from Mother Shuckers. neighbourgoodsmarket.co.za
  5.  Sublime seafood At the V&A Waterfront, a shopping and dining complex, settle in for a      magnificent view of the harbour and the mountain at waterside Harbour House and take your pick from a fine selection of seasonal seafood caught by the restaurant’s own trawler; in late December it’s all about crayfish. harbourhouse.co.za
  6. Super subs Few foods say “Cape Town” like a robust gatsby, a foot-long (or even longer) submarine filled with ingredients such as spicy masala steak, slap chips (proper chippy-style chips) and a variety of sauces. Cheap and cheerful, the ones at Mariam’s Kitchen are the city’s best. 33 Heerengracht Street, 00 27 213 007 277
  7. Coffee culture You don’t have to search far to find a well-made, fair-trade coffee in Cape Town but Truth Coffee are pioneers of the craft. Their cafe in the emerging Fringe District is an ode to steampunk, with vintage machinery, miles of metal pipework and leather-aproned baristas. Cold brews are the order of the day here, though they also do great standard espressos and flat whites. truthcoffee.com
  8. Fish by the bay Fish-and-chips is a must in Cape Town. Take yours up a gear by ordering snoek, a large-boned member of the barracuda family, and eating it outdoors with the locals at no-fuss Fish on the Rocks in Hout Bay. Fish comes served with slap chips doused in vinegar and you’ll find the 25-minute drive from the city centre worth every bite. fishontherocks.com
  9. Posh picnic The city’s numerous parks and Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens are perfect for picnicking. For platters of the best Western Cape produce – think goat’s milk labneh, cumin-studded Boerenkaas, chorizo, homemade pâtés, pickled South African peppadew peppers and spreads – head to Saucisse. Even the (eco-friendly) packaging is a step up from the norm at this deli. saucissedeli.co.za
  10. Brew time With a view of Devil’s Peak Mountain The Taproom at the aptly named Devil’s Peak Brewery is one of the best craft beer venues in the country. Start with a beer tasting at the bar, then move to a table for a casual lunch or snacks paired with beer, like pulled pork crubeens with Amber Ale or flash-fried broccoli with English Ale. devilspeakbrewing.co.za

HOW TO DO IT:

Return flights from Heathrow to Cape Town cost from £794 (britishairways.com). Double rooms at low-key Derwent House in leafy Tamboerskloof cost around £115, b&b (derwenthouse.co.za). More info: capetown.travel

Trust: Ishay Govender-Ypma is an award winning Cape Town-based food and travel journalist.

capetown- Olive mag