THE BEST FOOD AND DRINK EXPERIENCES IN SOUTH AFRICA

South Africa is well known for its fantastic food and wine, but with so much goodness to take in, where do you even begin? Read on for our comprehensive guide to food experience gifts, updated for 2023. 

The first vineyard was planted in South Africa back in 1655, setting in motion the country’s reputation for fine wine. It’s also become very well-known for its amazing seafood, at an advantage because of its straight-from-the-sea freshness.

Although meat is a major player in South African cuisine, veganism has also recently become popular. Many South Africans argue that this is simply a return to their roots, as for generations their ancestors have lived off the land, their diet consisting of mainly plant-based foods. With so many cultures all in one place, it’s no wonder that South Africa is a melting pot of cuisines from all over the world.

There’s so many different things to try, it’s almost overwhelming! This is where Experience Days comes in. We’ve rounded up all our favourite culinary experiences into one tidy list, so you can easily find the perfect gift for the foodie in your life who wants to try something new.

Tuk Tuk Tours

This full day Tuk Tuk experience is the perfect day to share with family and friends. Touring up to different wine farms, you'll have the chance to try a variety of local wines, food, and soak up the sun in front of some stunning scenery, making for an unforgettable day. 

You and your group will climb on board your Tuk Tuk and prepare yourselves for a full day of sightseeing and wine tasting, what more could you ask for? You will be driven by your very own friendly private guide who will take you between estates. 

It's completely up to you and your loved ones how you would like to spend your time at the wine farms. The fabulous scenery and classic Cape Dutch architecture is best seen from the comfort of your tuk-tuk, which will journey through the valley and wind between sprawling vineyards that stretch as far as the eye can see. Whether you want to indulge in a tasting session of the local wine, enjoy lunch overlooking the mountains, or watch the children play on the jungle gym, there are plenty of ways to immerse yourself in the Winelands during this relaxing full day tour.

The full day Tuk Tuk tour is a unique way to enjoy visiting different wine farms, offering beautiful views and memories to last a lifetime.

Featured Experience: Full Day Tuk Tuk Tour In Franschhoek From R840

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Private Couples Cruises

This Private Couples Lunch or Dinner Cruise in Cape Town is the perfect gift for a loved one. Whether it may be an anniversary, birthday or even proposal, this boat cruise provides the perfect setting of tranquillity and romance for you and your partner to head off to and relax on together.

Head onto the boat and unwind with your partner, where your captain will take you around to experience all of Cape Town's stunning views. Sit back and enjoy the horizon whilst the staff on board prepare you both an exquisite meal.

You and your guest will make your way over to V&A Waterfront in Cape Town and be greeted by your own captain, who will welcome you both on and give you a tour of your boat. The three hour cruise will begin with your captain steering you both out to the peaceful open water as you both enjoy a crisp glass of Method Cape Classic. Soak up the sparkling wine and breath-taking views of Table Mountain, Lion's Head and Signal Hill whilst the captain and staff take care of the rest. Once you and your guest have had your taste of the Cape Town horizon, you will then head down to the bottom lounge for a dreamy three course meal, with candles and soft, mood-setting music.

This Private Couples Lunch/Dinner Cruise in Cape Town is the perfect way to express your love for a special someone. A three course meal on your own private boat - what more could you want?

Featured Experience: Private Couples Lunch Or Dinner Cruise From R23600

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Food Tour For Two In Johannesburg

Great for out-of-towners and locals alike, this Taste of Yeoville Food Tour for 2 in Johannesburg is the perfect gift for those looking to expand their culinary horizons, and discover the very best in pan-African cuisine.

During this 4-hour walking tour, your giftee will visit Yeoville, a suburb of Johannesburg, to discover fascinating innovations in food and drink. A mixture of relaxed village life and Bohemian attitude, Yeoville is the perfect place to spend an evening discovering new cuisine. Guests will begin their night with sundowners at Ponte Tower before setting off on their tour. Featuring Congolese dishes, Cameroonian-style fish fresh from the Braai, and complimentary drinks at each location, this tour will leave its guests feeling relaxed, refreshed, rejuvenated, and ready to dance the night away. This tour is a great way to meet new people and explore the nightlife and culinary offerings of Yeoville!

Featured Experience: Taste of Yeoville Food Tour For Two In Johannesburg From R1200

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Elgin Valley Wine Tour 

Perfect for foodies with a sophisticated palette, this Elgin Valley Wine Tour is a great solution to the ‘What do I get Mum / Dad for their birthday?’ quandary. For parents who have been working hard, a full-day expedition full of great food and drink is just the ticket. (And obviously, it’s just the ticket for anyone - hardworking or otherwise!) This voucher is valid for 1 participant.

During this full day, 8 hour Elgin Valley tour, your lucky giftee will explore the treasures of Cape Town, indulging in a delicious lunch and all the best delicacies this region has to offer, from craft ciders, to Elgin Valley Wines, to fresh local goods from Peregrine Farm Stalls.

They’ll start their tour by getting picked up from a pre-arranged spot, before starting out towards Elgin Valley. Here, they’ll sample a huge variety of red and white wines, grown in Elgin’s cooler climate. This is where the wine snobs (sorry, we of course mean connoisseurs) will be in their element. For those interested in flavour profiles, the next stop will prove an interesting comparison: from grapes to olives, they'll head over to one of the oldest farms in Somerset West for the most incredible olives and olive oils produced in the region. 

After this, they'll go to Peregine Farm Stall, where they will discover the spectacular coffee and rusks on offer, plus take a look at the seasonal fresh goods in the area – including honey, cheese and fresh fruits. After this, they’ll visit another wine farm in the Elgin Valley before they enjoy a lunch at The Pool Room consisting of all locally sourced foods. The cherry on the cake (not to add another food into the mix) is a visit to a local family-run craft cider farm, where they’ll have the chance to sample their magnificent ciders. Cheers!

Featured Experience: Elgin Valley Wine Tour From R6000

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Cape Town Fynbos Tasting

Featured Experience: Private Fynbos Tasting Experience From R12500

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Private 3 Course Dining Experience For 4 

Dine with up to 3 other friends in the comfort of your own home whilst your very own private chef caters for you during this private 3-course dining experience. This Private 3 Course Dining Experience For Four People is the perfect opportunity to get together with your loved ones and enjoy a delicious meal.

From the moment your private chef arrives, rest assured every normal food stress that accompanies hosting will be taken care of; all you need to worry about is having a good time with your friends! The chef will turn up with an exceptional menu for you and your guests, so rest assured you won't have to plan or prepare anything. To get your taste buds going, you will begin with a grilled fillet of Norwegian salmon served on a bed of parsley risotto, accompanied with griddled asparagus and finished with a saffron champagne style cream, a dash of smoked-paprika oil and micro herbs.

For your main, a seared fillet of Kalahari beef dashed with black truffle oil, served with parmesan ‘gratinated’ fondant potatoes, roasted butternut squash, crispy mange tout and finished with a port wine and porcini cream. Lastly, to satisfy your sweet tooth, you and your guests will dig into a chocolate fondant served with Madagascan vanilla ice cream and fresh strawberries. Doesn't that all sound incredible?
This private three course dining experience for up to four people is the perfect reason to get together for a simple catch up night with friends or to celebrate a special occasion!

Featured Experience: Private 3 Course Dining Experience For Four People From R5450

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Catamaran Cruise And 3 Course Lunch In Cape Town 

Head to the V&A Waterfront by yourself or with some friends to experience this Catamaran Cruise And 3 Course Lunch In Cape Town! 

Head aboard the 39-foot luxury catamaran ‘Escape Cat’ to witness some of Cape Town's most astonishing views. Once welcomed on board, your skipper will greet you and make sure everyone's comfortable. The skipper will be there to take care of you and answer any questions you might have about the boat! Sit back and relax whilst you're shown the magnificent Mother City and Table Mountain and unwind on the boat's foredeck and trampoline seating area.

Once back at the waterfront, you will relish in a fantastic three course meal at either Quay Four (classic local seafood) or Maresol (authentic Portuguese with a Mozambican twist.) What a treat to end an already magnificent day out at sea.

360 views of South Africa's most gorgeous city and incredible food to finish is simply an unmissable experience. This would be the perfect gift for any loved one, friends or family who love the sea, scenery and amazing food!

Featured Experience: Catamaran Cruise And 3 Course Lunch In Cape Town From R545

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4x4 Mountain Tour In Elgin

Do you know an adventurous foodie who loves to combine the great outdoors with food? Then this is the experience for them! This Full Day 4x4 Mountain Tour in Elgin will take its guests on a journey through history, nature, and food. The tour starts at the Adventure Centre in Elgin where the knowledgeable and friendly guide will greet the guests. They’ll then travel uphill in a comfortable, air conditioned 4x4 to the mountains.

Your adventurous giftee will enjoy a short hike to the historic wagon wheel tracks that overlook Sir Lowry’s Pass all the way to Somerset West. Table Mountain is even occasionally visible from the lookout, so participants will experience a real slice of scenic adventure!

Next, the tour goes through Giants Washbasin Falls via a picturesque mountain road for a cooling dip in the clear water. Nothing beats doing some laps in nature’s own swimming pool. After all that walking and swimming, what’s the next logical step? FOOD, of course! That’s what we’re all here for, after all. Next comes a three-course picnic lunch, cheese platter, dessert and wine tasting. Experiencing fantastic views and adventures provided by the great outdoors can only be made better by following it up with delicious food – this 4x4 Mountain Tour ticks all the boxes.

Featured Experience: Full Day 4x4 Mountain Tour In Elgin From R1580

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Franschhoek Hop On Hop Off Tram Tour 

This wine tour is the perfect way to show the wine lover in your life that you care! This experience gift is for 2 people.

During this fantastic Franschhoek Hop On Hop Off Winelands tour, your lucky giftee will curate their own hop-on hop-off tram experience in Franschhoek. The only thing better than a wine tour is a wine tour you choose yourself, so give someone the gift of their own self-curated trip!

The Valley is rich with fascinating history, sprawling wine estates and unparalleled views, making for an unforgettable day trip. Your giftee can decide which line to book onto, choosing from the pink, grey, orange, purple, blue, green, red and yellow routes. Each line takes guests to a variety of estates with their own unique advantages and features. For example, a ride on the blue line will take them to Mont Rochelle, where they can enjoy wine tasting and picnicking. If they have kids, they may want to choose the green line heading to La Bourgogne, where there is a jungle gym to entertain the little ones. Whatever their tastes and specific needs, there’s bound to be a line that caters for them.

This tram tour puts the power right in the giftee’s hands, giving them the option to choose their own special route. Not to mention the beautiful views!

Featured Experience: Franschhoek Hop On Hop Off Tram Tour For Two From R600

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Eco Wine Safari And Tasting In Paarl

Treat them to a day full of wine, exploring vineyards and touring cellars with this eco wine safari at Avondale Wine, Paarl. Avondale Wine work hard to focus on producing wine with organic and sustainable practices, using modern technology and a deep understanding of the natural environment to produce wine that is both ethical and incredibly high quality.

The tour will begin in the tasting gallery, where guests will receive an introduction to the Estate over a glass of Methode Cap Classique. Next, it’s into the tractor train for a tour of the vineyard! The guide will talk through the various methods Avondale farmers use to revolutionise the wine-making process. In the vineyard, guests will enjoy another wine tasting before moving underground to the gravity flow cellar.

There, they’ll embark on an insightful tour of slow wine production. Back at the tasting gallery, they can take in the Klein Drakenstein mountains, or simply wander through the artwork on display.
Sustainable and organic practices make this wine tour stand out from the standard fare.

Featured Experience: Eco Wine Safari and Tasting in Paarl From R400

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Happy gifting!

… And that concludes our list of top food and drink experiences in South Africa, updated for 2023! We hope you’ve found something perfect here to surprise a foodie loved one. If you’re still looking, feel free to browse our full range of culinary gifts here.

Whether you're looking for a gift for someone else, or want to treat yourself by exploring your favourite neighbourhoods with your tastebuds, food and drink tours are a great way to curate the day. Food can tell us so much about our own culture and that of others, how better to experience a place?