Johannesburg is a multicultural melting pot. Celebrate the astounding diversity of the city by going on a local food tour. You’ll be amazed by the city’s eclectic food culture and the intermingling of cuisines. There are numerous food tours offered by Joburg’s most popular tour companies. Here’s where you can take your tastebuds on an adventure through the city.
Jozi Coffee & History Walking Tour
Micro- Adventure Tours are one of the most popular tour companies in the city. The Jozi Coffee and History Walking (or cycling) tour is a firm favourite of both locals and international explorers. Join Micro-Adventure Tours for an epic 4km walk or cycle around the inner city. You’ll visit Joburg’s best niche coffee shops, including Cramers Coffee, Ornate, and Goat Coffee. Your first coffee comes free with your tour booking, which you’ll certainly need to make it through the four-hour tour! Book yourself a great coffee tasting adventure here.
Details: info@microadventuretours.co.za | 083 772 4678 | microadventuretours.co.za |
Taste of Yeoville
The inner city is so often overlooked due to stigma and fear. Dlala Nje is on a mission to change hearts and minds by bringing hungry foodies into the heart of Yeoville. This vibrant immigrant suburb is rich with food culture and African heritage. Come along with Dlala Nje to get a true taste of the continent. From East to West Africa, Yeoville has it all. The main highlight of the tour is a visit to the Yeoville Market and a final stop at a popular Cameroonian eatery. This is unlike any other food tour, so come prepared to expand your palate. All you’ll need to bring with is an open mind, some cash to spend, and a good pair of walking shoes! Click here to make a booking.
Details: info@DlalaNje.org | 072 397 2269 | DlalaNje.org |
Soweto Food and Cooking Experience
A food tour with a difference – this is what Lebo’s Soweto Backpackers offers you. Rather than simply just tasting the food, you’ll be helping gather, prepare, and cook your meal. Lebo’s chefs will guide you through a traditional Sowetan style potjie kos cook. Firstly, you will gather up herbs and vegetables from the on-site garden. Then the chefs will instruct you on how to blend the spices, herbs and other ingredients to make a delicious meal. You will also be treated to a traditional beer tasting and a trip to the local market. Sounds like an all-round fantastic experience to us. Book yourself a spot around the fire here.
Details: lebo@sowetobackpackers.com | 011 936 3444 | http://www.sowetobackpackers.com/ |
Fordsburg Street Food Tour
If you thought that you had to travel abroad to get a taste of authentic street food, think again. Eenblond Tours offers a Street Food Tour through the alleys and open-air markets of historic Fordsburg. You’ll enjoy street food delights from across the globe, including Pakistan, Africa, India, Bangladesh, and Syria. Come hungry, because there is a feast of foodie treats to sample here. The tour includes stops at sit-down restaurants, as well as several market stalls and corner cafes. The tour is suitable for vegetarians and spice intolerant foodies, too. Bring your friends or family along for a fabulous day out exploring Fordsburg’s food culture. You can book your spot here.
Details: eenblondtours@gmail.com | 082 472 6414| http://eenblond.co.za/
JoburgPlaces Foodie Tours
What brings people together? Storytelling and food, of course. JoburgPlaces offers one of the most comprehensive food tour packages. Not only will you get to taste an array of dishes but you’ll be learning about the city’s history along the way as well. JoburgPlaces hosts a Special Interest Tours and one of these tours includes their food tour, Horn of Africa to Middle East and Beyond by Bus. Some of the food that can be enjoyed along the way includes: Ethiopian Njera with toppings, Syrian Shawarma & Falafel, Indian Mango Lassi, Cape Malay Samoosas and Turkish Grills and Baklava. Book your tickets here.
Details: eenblondtours@gmail.com | 082 472 6414 | https://www.localplaces.co.za/
Explore Asian Food Markets with Chef
Explore, Cyrildene, a suburb with a rich Chinese heritage. The tour is led by Chef Ishvara, who previously taught world cuisine at Prue Leith Academy. If you’re looking to up your Asian cuisine game, then the tour will cover topics such as simple recipes and the medicinal properties in Asian food. Guests will also get to visit a Chinese tea shop. But that’s not all, you’ll go home having learned how to make Tofu, after visiting a Thai supermarket and an Indonesian store. Keep an eye on their Facebook page for similar tours.
Details: ishvara@africansecrets.co.za | African Secret Tours
Street Art and Kota
Each year, on the 1st of April everything Kota is celebrated in Newtown, in fact, there is a whole festival dedicated to the South African street food dish. Time Traveller Jozi is thus coupling the Kota festival with their Braamfontein street art tour. The tour starts with a cup of coffee, before heading to Braamfontein to marvel at the amazing street art. You’ll then Cross the Nelson Mandela Bridge to Newtown and explore some exceptional Graffiti by local artists. At mid-day the Kota festivities will be on the go and ready for tourists to tuck into the food! This particular tour is a once off tour, please keep an eye on Time Traveller Jozi’s Facebook page for similar upcoming events.
Details: janet@timetravellerjozi.co.za | timetravellerjozi.co.za
Do you know of any other food tours in the city? Let us know about them in the comments below!
