5 Cape Town foodie experiences to enjoy while social distancing

If you’re a foodie and the ‘essential item’ you missed most during lockdown was a meal or drink you didn’t make yourself, thankfully some of your favourite eateries are once again open for takeaways and deliveries. Under the advanced Level 3 lockdown regulations, restaurants who meet strict health and safety protocols hope to open for sit-down meals soon.

Here are five Cape Town foodie experiences to enjoy while social distancing:

Buy a coffee from your neighbourhood cafe

Sometimes it seems that the Mother City runs on caffeine. Cape Town is renowned for its trendy coffee culture, filled with quirky, cute, quaint and hipster coffee shops from the city centre to far out in the suburbs.

If you’ve been missing the smile of your friendly barista or the froth of your favourite cappuccino, there’s never been a better time to support your neighbourhood business.

It was only recently that coffee shops and restaurants were able to open for takeaways and deliveries. The coffee shops that are open are desperately trying to make up for lost income and pay staff while adhering to a host of new regulations to ensure staff and customer safety.

Support your small neighbourhood coffee shop by grabbing a coffee to go. After a month of making your own, no doubt that perfect flat white (made by someone else!) will taste better than ever.

Feast on Cape Malay cooking

Cape Town’s culinary weapon is no doubt Cape Malay cuisine. Found nowhere else on the planet, even CNN Travel named Cape Malay food South Africa’s cuisine secret.

Tasting the spices and flavour of Cape Malay dishes is immersing yourself in the heart and soul of the Mother City. Infused with spices such as cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, cloves and chilli, Cape Malay dishes truly warm the heart in the chilly winter months.

Snack on steaming dhaltjies, samoosas and sticky koesisters and feast on hearty bredie, bobotie, curries and rotis, with homemade achar on the side.

Whether you know an aunty in the neighbourhood famous for at least one of these dishes or want to order a takeaway or delivery from the iconic Cape Malay eateries, warm up this winter with the best of local cooking.

Some of Cape Town’s most popular Cape Malay restaurants include Mariam’s Kitchen, Biesmeillah, The Little Bo-Kaap Kitchen, 126 Cape Kitchen and Cafe and Bo Kaap Kombuis.

Support a local meal delivery service

Consider supporting a meal delivery service. Many food entrepreneurs and small restaurants have started to offer daily meal delivery services.

Ordering a delicious homecooked meal for delivery will save precious time (especially useful if you’re struggling to manage the work-from-home and life balance) and support a small business. The best way to find one in your area or city is by browsing on social media – many of these small businesses only have a social media presence – or by asking family, friends and neighbours.

Also, consider buying your groceries or specialist food supplies from locally run online food stores.

Fresh from the ocean fish and chips

Missing the roar of the ocean and the salt spray wafting on the breeze? Take your family on a responsible, socially distanced road trip in Cape Town. Pack the padkos and make the drive to the coast to enjoy one of the Mother City’s most iconic foodie experiences – fish and chips with the seagulls squawking in the background.

Cape Town beaches remain closed until further notice but depending where you are, you may just find a quiet patch of grass, bench or rock overlooking the ocean (not on the beach) to sit down and enjoy a picnic. Of course, don’t forget social distancing. If there are other people around, rather enjoy your takeaway at home.

Local (often hotly contested) favourites include Kalky’s, Fish on the Rocks, Snoekies, Lusitania Fisheries, Fish Hoek Fisheries and the Salty Sea Dog.

Picnic at home

Make the most of the sunny days that peek out between the rain and enjoy a picnic at home. Make an afternoon of it and turn it into a fun activity the whole family can look forward to.

In the morning pop into your neighbourhood grocer or bakery and pick up supplies. Choose favourite snacks or treats you’d like to make or try whipping up a new recipe. Then set up your picnic and enjoy. Best of all, you don’t have to fight traffic to get there!