The Africa Cafe, Cape Town

3 more images

From the time you enter through the front door, the staff makes you feel so welcome. This restaurant is situated in an old house and every room has different decor. We were in the Egyptian room. Once seated, they came to wash our hands before starting to serve dinner. Set menu is served. They bring you small portions of each dish and once you have tried everything you can order more of your favorite dish. We were not able to finish all the food. It was extremely tasty and very very good. During the evening the staff with their lovely painted faces also came to entertain us with drumming, singing and dancing.

Favorite Dish: Bread with dip and sticky chicken wings.

The Africa cafe is a bit of a tourist trap. Don't get me wrong it is worth going, the food is excellent but a little expensive. There is a set menu and the waiters bring various dishes to your table and will bring more of any dish that you really enjoy. You will definitely not leave hungry that is for sure! The dishes are from all over Africa with many interesting flavours.
The waiters and waitresses are beautifully dressed in traditional African clothes with painted faces and the building is brightly painted so you can't miss it!

Yes, it is touristy and pricy, but worth the time and money! Before the trip ended I wanted to taste authentic food from Africa, because everyone from home asked, “What does the ‘African’ food taste like?”

At the Africa Café you are served from a set menu, which is an African Feast and encouraged to eat as much as you want, meaning you can have as many seconds as you wish! You waitress is dressed in traditional Xhosa attire and leads you through a hand washing ceremony. Next you are brought dishes from 15 or so African countries, which your waitress will explain what they are and where they come from. Our food was very good, interesting and unlike anything we have ever ate before. The food ranged from Springbok Curry to Malawi Mbatata Cheese and Simm Simm Balls (sweet potatoes and cheese rolled in sesame seeds).

Desert, coffee and tea is also served, which was divine. For desert we had some type of pineapple bite (if anyone knows what I am talking about, please email and tell me more about them…I want to find the recipe) which were so sweet!

The restaurant has many rooms that all have a different theme from an African Country. We had dinner in the Egyptian room, which was fun, because that is my next desired country!

Along with dinner, there is entertainment. Our favorite part of the evening is when the waitresses sang, danced and played the drums for us in our ‘eating room’. The music they made and the way they danced was beautiful. If nothing else, this made the entire evening worth whiled.

The menu changes every three months or so and can be viewed on their website. A meal for one person was R150 or $25, not including drinks.

Favorite Dish: Mala Mala – a fresh pineapple and passion fruit drink served with or without alcohol, very fresh and yummy tasting

Mango Chicken - strips of filleted chicken breasts prepared in mango and ginger

Ethiopian Chic Pea Bites - potato and green chili fritters

Rice, Corn and Lentil Salad, served with a fresh dressing

Morocccan Chermoula, with crispy fried fish

From the traditional handwashing to the foods from all over Africa served with accurate explanations to the tribal songs, this is a must do if you are in town.

Favorite Dish: They were all good. You are served appetizer sized portions of about 12 different meals, and then you can ask for more of your favorites.

In this wonderful restaurant, right in the center as of the city, every room has a different decoration: one inspired in Xhosa tribe, another in Ndebele Tribe, another in Zulu, and so on. They serve a menu where you can taste 16 delicious dishes from different countries in Africa. Dishes from Kenya, Malawi, Madagascar, Senegal, South Africa and many more. And you can repeat as much as you want!! Waiters give you all kind of explanations. The menu is about 20-25$.

Excellent food and service.

Favorite Dish: there is no favourite as this place offers a variety of different african dishes. You try everything and then you choose your two favourite ones of which you can have as much as you like.
Prices are all inclusive for food. Drinks are additional.
It is not a 'cheap' place, but definitely worth going.

Local atmosphere. Menus handcrafted by local artisans. We had a drumming lesson (hired locally and extra) to warm up for the meal.

Favorite Dish: Sampler menu with all kinds of native african foods. They are served on small dishes to a group, and then you can order more of what you like.

Excellent staff, friendly place to go.

Favorite Dish: My favorite dish was the mixed African grill which included Crocodile Mmmmm