Gourmet Explorers

Africa isn’t renowned for being one of the world’s great culinary destinations and one certainly doesn’t see its cuisine exported to many of the world’s great cities as say, Asian or European food is. However, take a step back from the stereotypes and you will discover that there are some truly outstanding spots for those looking to try new and innovative cuisines that are a delight for the senses.

As a “gourmet getaway” it is doubtless that South Africa leads the way in Africa, with Cape Town and nearby Franschhoek, in the heart of the Cape Winelands, offering some of the finest culinary experience in the world, accompanied by outstanding local wines. Indeed, it is often hard to escape great culinary experiences in Africa, with a number of superb “foody” retreats found all across the country, notably in the Drakensberg Mountains and around Johannesburg.

Further afield Ethiopia is a wonderful spot to explore, with its varied cuisine starting to gain notoriety internationally and there are some genuinely outstanding local restaurants to enjoy, both in the capital of Addis Ababa and in some of the smaller towns on the northern historical circuit. Africa’s Indian Ocean coastline is renowned as a spot for excellent seafood, notably on the smaller islands off Mozambique where you will often enjoy fish caught fresh that morning. The Indian influence on the cuisine of Kenya, Tanzania and parts of South Africa is pronounced, with superb curries to be enjoyed here and a visit to the spice markets of Zanzibar is always worth enjoying.

Although you won’t be likely to head to Africa and dedicate all of your time to exploring its cuisine, it is somewhere with a superb arrange of food experiences to enjoy that will be a delight to the senses. Safari-goers will also note how much lodge food has improved from even a decade ago, with meat and potatoes, that favourite old staple, replaced with wonderfully innovative menus that take their inspiration from all around the world.