The tastes of South Africa

Hello from Cape Town! Our culinary journey through South Africa has begun without even having to leave the hotel. We've been indulged in a delicious lunch today with Table Mountain views only outdone by the food – especially the sushi at Nobu (the only one in Africa apparently!). We've got dinner tonight at the Pier Restaurant, which I can't wait for – I've heard nothing but amazing things about the seafood and VIP service.

We've had an amazing evening digging into a 10-course tasting menu at Salsify! The meal (feast, more like) was overflowing with explosions of colour. A highlight for me was the grapefruit-cured sashimi with hibiscus pickled radish to poached prawns atop chive gnocchi. You think we would be all foodied out but we're just getting started...

Today we were welcomed into Nicky Gibbs’ home and honestly, it felt more like stepping into a friend’s kitchen than a restaurant. She cooked as she spoke – chopping herbs, stirring sauces – and shared the story of how she built Crofters Kitchen from scratch. The setting couldn’t have been more idyllic, with a long table of just 13 guests tucking into biltong-spiced ostrich rump and bowls of creamy mushroom risotto made with local Noordhoek fungi. Everything was homemade, humble and completely heartwarming – South African hospitality at its most personal.

Tonight’s dinner came with a soundtrack of waves and a front-row seat to the ocean. We had tapas on the terrace at Chefs Warehouse at Tintswalo Atlantic, perched right above the crashing Atlantic. Each small plate that arrived was a punch of flavour – I’m still thinking about the charred aubergine and the citrusy linefish ceviche. It was relaxed but refined, and easily one of the most memorable dining settings so far. You can’t beat good wine, great food, and the ocean just a few feet below your table.

We arrived in the Cape Winelands today and, wow, this place really is as beautiful as everyone says. Rolling vineyards, historic estates, and some of the best wine I’ve ever tasted. At Leeu Estates, we were guided through a tasting in The Wine Studio – a gorgeous space made even better by the passion of the sommeliers and the stories behind each bottle. We tried the Signature and Single Terroir flights, each glass revealing something new. It felt less like a tasting and more like a deep dive into the heart of South African winemaking.

Dinner tonight was at La Petite Colombe and it absolutely lived up to the hype. A multi-course masterpiece, every dish beautifully paired with wines from the estate – which felt extra special after yesterday’s tasting. It was one of those meals where you forget to talk because you’re too busy savouring every bite. My favourite? A melt-in-your-mouth Karoo lamb with the perfect Syrah alongside. It felt like the perfect finale to our time in the Winelands – elegant, expressive, and full of flavour.

Today was all about the coast – and the creatures that call it home. We set off in the morning hoping to catch sight of whales, and we weren’t disappointed. Between June and December, southern right and humpback whales migrate through these waters, and we were lucky enough to spot a few, including a mother and calf gliding just offshore. Afterwards, we swapped sea views for a wine tasting inland, where the cool ocean breeze gives the local pinot noir its signature character. Tonight ended with a magical Boma dinner beneath the stars, deep in a Milkwood forest that felt like something out of a dream.