Cape Town has once again cemented its reputation as one of the world's great culinary destinations, while Johannesburg has earned global recognition for something every budget-conscious traveller loves: outstanding street food.
In its latest global food rankings, Time Out named Cape Town the world's 11th best city for food and Johannesburg the world's 8th best city for street food. Together, the two South African cities showcase just how diverse the country's food scene has become—from award-winning fine dining overlooking the Atlantic Ocean to flavour-packed meals served from roadside grills and neighbourhood markets.
For anyone planning a trip to South Africa, that's another excellent reason to arrive hungry.
Cape Town remains one of the world's top food destinations
Although Cape Town slipped just outside the global top 10 after ranking higher in previous years, it remains Africa's highest-ranked city on Time Out's overall food list. The ranking was compiled using responses from more than 24,000 locals worldwide, combined with assessments from Time Out's editors and food experts.
The Mother City's appeal goes far beyond expensive tasting menus.
According to Time Out, Cape Town's food scene stands out for its creativity, sustainability and its close connection to the ocean. Restaurants are increasingly embracing locally foraged ingredients, seasonal produce and responsibly sourced seafood, while the city's cafés, wine bars and casual eateries continue to evolve.
Time Out highlighted several venues that reflect these trends, including:
- Amura at Mount Nelson, where celebrated Spanish chef Ángel León brings his seafood-focused cuisine to Africa.
- The Test Kitchen Fledgelings, combining playful street-food inspiration with refined techniques.
- FYN, internationally recognised for its sustainable approach and Japanese-South African fusion.
- Zuney Wagyu, showing that even gourmet burgers can be locally sourced and environmentally conscious.
Interestingly, 93% of Cape Town residents rated their city's food scene highly, one of the strongest approval ratings in the survey. The only area where locals were less enthusiastic was affordability, with fewer than half considering dining out inexpensive.
Johannesburg proves great food doesn't need white tablecloths
While Cape Town impressed for its restaurant scene, Johannesburg claimed 8th place in Time Out's list of the world's best street food cities for 2026.
For many travellers, this ranking may be even more exciting.
Johannesburg's street food reflects the city's incredible cultural diversity. Here you'll find influences from across South Africa and the African continent alongside Indian, Portuguese, Middle Eastern and Asian flavours.
A visit isn't complete without sampling local favourites such as:
- Kota sandwiches
- "plates" of pap with braaied meat
- Vetkoek
- Shisa nyama (South Africa's famous township barbecue culture)
- ogodu (tripe), diana (chicken offal), morogo (African spinach) and chakalaka
Neighbourhoods such as Maboneng, Braamfontein, Yeoville, Fordsburg and Soweto offer excellent opportunities to experience Johannesburg's informal food culture.
Unlike fine dining, street food also provides one of the most affordable ways to experience authentic local flavours while interacting with residents and discovering neighbourhoods beyond the usual tourist attractions.
Tips for food-loving travellers
If food is one of the highlights of your trip, consider these suggestions:
- It might be a good idea to reserve popular Cape Town restaurants up to several weeks in advance, especially during the summer season.
- Mix fine dining with neighbourhood cafés and food markets for a broader experience.
- Join a guided township or street food tour in Johannesburg if it's your first visit.
- Don't overlook local specialities such as bobotie, Cape Malay curry, braai, biltong, koeksisters and milk tart.
- Ask locals where they eat—the best meals are often found away from the obvious tourist hotspots.
Bottom line
South Africa now features in two of Time Out's most prestigious global food rankings—and for good reason.
Cape Town continues to impress travellers with its innovative restaurants, spectacular settings, world-class chefs and a vibrant street food culture, while Johannesburg not only reminds us that unforgettable meals don't need reservations or Michelin-style presentation, but also boasts some of the country's best restaurants.
Whether you're planning a luxury culinary escape, a self-drive holiday or simply looking for the best local flavours along the way, both cities deserve a place on every food lover's itinerary.
Sometimes the best souvenir from South Africa isn't something you pack in your suitcase—it's the meal you'll still be talking about long after you've returned home.
