Over the past twenty years South Africa has become home to people from all across the continent and even further afield. This has given the country a cosmopolitan flavour with many cultural groups living side by side. With the wealth of cultural diversity there comes an unprecedented range of flavours – this is a foody’s dream come true. Here are our top five picks for places you have to check out and which we guarantee won’t be on your restaurant-locating app.

1. Cape Malay at Gamidah’s or Faldela’s house

The Bo-Kaap is a suburb situated at the foot of Signal Hill in Cape Town and is a neighbourhood bursting with both history and flavor. Our favourite spots to eat are Gamidah’s and Faldela’s. Both women specialise in Cape Malay food and offer the option of an interactive cooking lesson where you can learn how to prepare some traditional Cape Malay dishes. Dishes to try off the menu include spicy Samoosas, Bobotie, Rotis and Koeksisters for dessert. Both places are within walking distance to Atlas Trading Co., a must-see place. At this spice shop you can find out about the aromatic spices and seasonings that characterise Cape Malay Cuisine

2. Langa and Khayelitsha

There are several places you need to check out in both townships when you next find yourself in Cape Town. Visit “Blacky” and Shirla Ntempi’s home in Langa for a bit of jazz and lots of eats. The menu is made up exclusively of traditional Xhosa favourites. The dining experience starts off with chicken livers and steamed bread called Dodorhoyi. The main course is a Xhosa dish, Umngqusho (a mix of samp and beans) with umleqwa (a popular chicken dish), umaqa (a spinach and cabbage recipe) and some sweet pumpkin. For a good cuppa coffee we recommend you head over to The Department of Coffee at Khayelitsha’s Ilitha Park. Established in 2012 with the purpose of exposing coffee culture to the township’s ever-growing middle class this coffee shop has been brewing up an alternative to the pull of the city centre – not to mention a mean cuppa java.

3. Yeoville and Kensington

This is an endurance eating experience that exposes guests to the cooking traditions of four African countries. Zara Afrika Food serves up Ghanaian food at its best. En route to the next restaurant be sure to take the more scenic route through the African market where West Africa meets Southern Africa. You can find virtually all kinds of traditional African ingredients like yams, fresh and dried fish, plantains, cassava, coconuts and so on. Mamma Esther’s, a Nigerian restaurant just off Times Square, has the most delicious yams; breadfruit, beans and goat stew this side of the equator. Outside the restaurant you can also find the most incredible fish that melts in your mouth, prepared by a Cameroonian cook over a barbecue. In Abyssinia in Kensington is the place for Ethiopian food, and don’t forget to have some traditional Ethiopian coffee after your meal – you’d only be cheating yourself.

4. Fordsburg

Can’t decide what you feel like eating then Fordsburg is the answer. With a multicultural community consisting people from India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Jordan, and Turkey amongst others, Fordsburg’s gastronomy is amongst the richest in Johannesburg – and we don’t say that lightly. Street food or sit down restaurants, this neighbourhood has it all. Some notable places to check out are Divine Bakery, Shalimar Delights for those with a sweet tooth, and Solly’s Corner Fish and Chips. But the best plan of action is probably to walk around and try the different flavours on offer.

5. Alexandra

Here you can indulge in a wide assortment of food starting with Sly Wat-wat, a street/ fast food sandwich with a twist. Chisa Nyama is a local barbecue you have to try. For something a little more familial there’s Sunday lunch that has been given a modern spin. The pièce de rèsistance is a gourmet dining experience and Sundowners.

Hungry yet?