[imagesource: Instagram/sevencolours_eatery]

There are not many cities where you can walk down a street and get a smorgasbord of flavour and food magic, from Peruvian/Japanese to Mexican to Italian, with the freshest seafood and juiciest steaks out there.

That’s Cape Town, obviously.

And that’s not excluding the vibrant local food. Drawing from African, Dutch, Malay, and Indian cuisines, the city is a vibrant melting pot where bold and distinctive flavours come together perfectly, dazzling food lovers with a rich tapestry of culinary delights and unforgettable gastronomic experiences.

When you leave, you realise just how spoiled for choice Capetownians are.

Well, lo and behold, Cape Town is officially a world-class foodie destination as readers in the 2024 Condé Nast Traveller Readers’ Choice Awards voted for the Mother City as one of the best cities in the world for food.

IOL reported that the city secured its place as a culinary capital with a score of 95.65 in the reader’s survey placing it at number ONE on the list of foodie destinations, according to Cape Town Tourism.

Commenting on the win, Alderman James Vos, the City of Cape Town’s Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth, said the ranking as the number one city in the world for food is a sumptuous and sizzling affirmation of what locals have long known: that Cape Town is a cuisine capital.

“Our love and appreciation of our vast array of cultures is made evident on the plate and the palate. Whether you’re looking for fine dining options or need some street grub, the Mother City has it all and more!

“Congratulations to every person who makes our foodie scene stand out above the rest of the world,” said Vos.

Condé Nast boasted that Cape Town is culturally rich and surrounded by stunning seaside views, soaring mountains, and world-class wines, asking readers “What more could you ask for?”

The renowned lifestyle and travel publication acknowledged the recent wave of chefs championing local ingredients and traditional cooking methods alongside our fine international dining spots.

That includes Seven Colours Eatery, which proudly exemplifies SA’s local flavours and culture, while the Happy Uncles is noted as the city’s first halal fine-dining restaurant, paying homage to Cape Malay spices passed down over the generations.

 

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Enver Duminy, the CEO of Cape Town Tourism, also expressed joy at being recognised as the best city in the world for food.

“This accolade reflects the passion and innovation of our chefs and food artisans, who always raise the bar when it comes to exceptional dining. Cape Town isn’t just a destination – it’s a food lover’s dream, ready to be savoured!”

Here are the rankings for the world’s top culinary capitals:

1. Cape Town, South Africa – Score 95.65

2. Milan, Italy – Score 95.20

3. Valencia, Spain – Score 95.00

4. Tokyo, Japan – Score 94.78

5. Porto, Portugal – Score 94.48

6. Hong Kong, China – Score 93.94

7. Bangkok, Thailand – Score 93.71

8. Rome, Italy – Score 93.33

9. Singapore – Score 92.90

10. Sydney, Australia – Score 92.50

[source:cntraveler]