African experience – eat, drink, dance and drum

Catch the rhythms of Africa in Cape Town. Photo courtesy Gemma Longman

Eat, drink, dance and drum African style in Cape Town.

South Africa’s rich cultural traditions relating to the preparation of food and drink, eating and drinking, dancing and drumming, are still prevalent in many areas of South Africa – and Cape Town is no different.

Enjoy a meal served in true African ambience at Mzoli’s Place, the trendy local butchery-turned-club-and-eatery in Gugulethu, or at Eziko Restaurant in Langa, another of Cape Town’s sprawling townships.

Eziko Restaurant, +27 (0)21 694 0434, is linked to the Eziko Cooking and Catering School, where members of the local community learn to cook and acquire marketable skills. Eziko is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and is a popular stop among tour operators.

Mama Africa, +27 (0)21 426 1017, on Long Street, specialises in African food accompanied by live local music. Mama Africa is open Tuesday to Friday from 12h30 to 15h30 for lunch and Monday to Saturday from 18h30 to 00h30 for dinner.

The Africa Café, +27 (0)21 422 0221, on the corner of Buitengracht Street and Shortmarket Street, offers visitors a full African experience, complete with communal feasts.

For those looking to dance Africa style, Club Africa, corner of Lower Main and Station Road in Observatory, is a lively spot which features African dance music punctuated by occasional live music. Club Africa, +27 (0)21 464 7126, is open on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 19h00.