Food and Drink
Much like so many aspects of South African life, the food and drink of the region is diverse and varied, drawing influences in from many cultures over the years. Traditionally a large meat eating nation (although vegetarians are also welcome with most restaurants offering one or two palatable dishes within the menu), South Africans have a special place in their heart for the “Braai” an Afrikaans word translated as “meat grill” which is usually located outdoors.
It is here that steak, lamb cutlets and boerewors sizzle gently having been marinated gently in a range of secret recipe sauces which remain a closely guarded secret amongst family and friends! Similar in style to English cooking is boerekos (farmers food), which is cooked indoors and enjoyed mainly by the white Afrikaans population who favour a cholesterol rich diet with vegetables and side orders being prepared in butter and sugar. Whilst there are no distinct regional cuisines, some regions offer specific tastes and cuisine styles and also the most notable of which is Cape Cuisine.
firefox-grayThe food in the area is heavily influenced by the Asian and Malasian communities and is characterized mild semi sweet curries, bredie (stew) and bobotie (a spicy mince dish). There is generally a wide range of international foods on offer in most restaurants and regionally these will vary in availability and quality (with the best Indian food to be found in and around the Durban area, for example). For takeaway food, the South Africans favour a dish called the “bunny chow” which consists of half a loaf of bread hollowed out and filled.
South Africa has however not escaped the western influences of fast food and many fast food outlets familiar to us in the UK are based in towns and cities across the country. Restaurants offer very good value for visitors with bills being approximately 50% of what you would expect to pay for eating out in the UK and as a rule most establishments are licensed to sell alcohol. Continental style cafes are becoming increasingly popular in large towns and cities and offer even better value and service that is slick.
Perhaps surprisingly, as a major wine and beer producing country, owing to a ban on drinking in public, many South Africans confine their drinking to the home environment and bars and pubs don’t feature heavily in South African society (although a few British/Irish pubs are setting up in major cities to cater for tourists). Local and international beers, wines and spirits are stocked at supermarkets and off licences (bottle stores) but opening times (closed at 6.30 pm) mean you may not be able to find alcohol at night or on a Sunday.
South African’s favour unsweetened fruit juices for their soft drinks although a good range of brand name waters, squashes and fizzy drinks are also readily available. You may also wish to sample the traditional rooibos tea, made locally from the leaves of an indigenous plant.
