Cape Town: The Flavours to Freedom Tour
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Taste the untold stories of Cape Town’s past on a culinary journey through its dark legacy of slavery, colonization, apartheid, and racial oppression.
Our Top Experiences and Tours in Cape Town:
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Highlights
- Deliciousness Guaranteed. 4 tastings locations and all tastings included in tour price.
- Max 12 guests per tour. Min 2 guests to operate.
- Gluten free, vegetarian and alcohol free options available. Please specify when
- Tour ends in the city centre, a 15min walk away from the V&A Waterfront and 20mi
- Hotel transfers are not included.
Description
Taste the untold stories of Cape Town’s past on a culinary journey through its dark legacy of slavery, colonization, apartheid, and racial oppression. Explore how food became both a tool of oppression and an act of resistance, with flavours shaped by forced migration and survival. Walk the streets where history unfolded, savour dishes with deep-rooted significance, and engage in conversations that challenge, inform, and inspire. This is more than a food tour—it’s a reckoning with history, one bite at a time.
The experience begins in the Company’s Garden, where guests enjoy two indigenous teas paired with a traditional Hertzoggie and a savoury bite made from locally sourced ingredients. Against the backdrop of Cape Town’s oldest cultivated land, the story unfolds from the indigenous Khoisan people to the impact of the Spice Route, European colonization, and the beginning of the slave trade. Stops at St. George’s Cathedral, the Slave Lodge, and Groot Kerk offer deeper insight into the city’s foundations.
Next we pass through historic city streets, where our story shifts to colonial history and the lives of the enslaved people who shaped the city's culture. A stoop for a carefully curated platter showcases flavours from South Africa and neighbouring African nations, illustrating the continent’s culinary connections. Here we will sample a local beer or soft drink while discussing the influence of African cultures, the legacy of slavery, and the path toward apartheid.
Later, a South African favourite, the boerie roll with chakalaka, is served alongside wine or beer, with vegetarian and gluten-free options available. The conversation turns to the city’s transformation during and after apartheid, highlighting the significance of Heritage Day and Cape Town’s resilience.
We end our journey with a tasting of locally distilled gin, a handcrafted chocolate bonbon, and a savoury bite of biltong or olives. The final discussion reflects on the repurposing of historic buildings, the empowerment of local communities, and the role of Fynbos in modern Cape cuisine.
This journey through Cape Town’s history, told through its food, offers a thought-provoking and immersive experience for those interested in the dark and troubling history that makes modern South Africa what it is today.
Includes
With Cape Town Culinary Tours, explore the rich tapestry of South Africa’s gastronomy, influenced by neighboring nations and agriculture. Kick off at the Meeting Point restaurant with a local beer or wine, then indulge in aromatic beef stew and vegetable curry on bustling Long Street. Be charmed by Madam Taitou’s ambiance, wonderful African Food and liquor and the historic tales of Green Market Square. Conclude with a secret dessert treat, gin tasting and a curated wine experience at Openwine.
Important Information
- Please Make sure you note on your booking if you have any dietary restrictions.
Easy cancellation
Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund