Cape Town is best known for creating new and unthought of ways to experience the culinary world fully. The street food scene provides quick-service spots in and around the city for visitors to enjoy a world of delights whether on the go or a quick sit-down. Cape Town’s vendors, food trucks and markets deliver the most amazing flavours and generous portions, perfect for all foodies. Whether you’re in the mood for sizzling curries, juicy burgers or authentic South African cuisine, the following street food spots will surely scratch that itch!
Table of Contents
The list below is in no particular order. Each entry is equally celebrated for their achievements, and the sequence of names is arbitrary, not indicating any ranking or preference.
Super Fisheries 🥖
A trip to Cape Town is incomplete without a taste of its well-known Gatsby, a large sub-style sandwich typically filled with a selection of meats, sauces and hot chips! Rashaad Pandy the owner of Super Fisheries in Athlone mistakenly created this cultural classic as a way to provide a budget-friendly, shareable meal. Super Fisheries has been serving authentic South African street food meals for decades. It is a dependable and delicious street food spot, perfect for those wanting a genuine Capetonian experience.
Super Fisheries is known for its masala steak gatsby, offering unique Cape Malay flavours and a satisfying texture. This establishment also delivers delectable and authentic fish, chips and calamari—a favourite among locals. Super Fisheries has become a cornerstone of Cape Town’s street food culture offering an immersive culinary experience making it a must-visit for foodies!
Super Fisheries, Opening Hours: 8.30 pm to 6 pm
Address: 63 Old Klipfontein Rd, Athlone, Cape Town, 7764
Contact Number: 021 696 9833
Urban Playground 👨🏽🍳
Urban Playground is a cosy, quaint gem with a unique take on global gourmet street foods. This small restaurant is known for its diverse and eclectic menu with everything from artisanal burgers to poke bowls. You can travel around the world whilst sitting at their streetside bartop. The venue maintains its casual atmosphere with rotating vendors offering something new and unique at every visit.
Their standout offerings include light meals such as loaded fries, homemade ice creams and hot dogs. Their renowned Eisbein dish and delectable Peking duck served with pancakes offer heartier meal options. This establishment prides itself in its sustainability and ethics with its no-waste practices and charity initiatives. With options for every palate and dietary preference, Urban Playground ensures a journey of flavour and experimentation.
Urban Playground, Opening Hours: Tuesday to Saturday, 12 pm to 10 pm
Address: Coronation Rd &, Van Wyk Street St, Maitland, Cape Town, 7405
Website: https://urbanplayground.capetown/
Contact Number: 066 493 4453
Yen’s Vietnamese Street Food 🥘
Whilst Cape Town is known for its uniquely South African cuisine, it is also a hub of global cuisine and cultural diversity. Located in Sea Point, Yen’s Vietnamese Street Food brings a piece of Vietnam’s vibrant flavours to Cape Town’s food scene. Yen Nguyen started this establishment as a stall at the Oranjezicht Market but it has become a local favourite sit-down spot! You can still get a taste of it at the market every Saturday and Sunday night.
Yen’s offers flavour-packed, wholesome dishes. Menu highlights include their iconic pho (Vietnam’s national dish) and their banh mi sandwiches the ‘gatsby’ of Vietnam. Banh Mi sandwiches are a delicious, with a crisp baguette filled with chicken, cilantro, and lemongrass tied together with a tangy sauce. Vegan and gluten-free dishes are available. Yen’s Vietnamese Street Food offers a quick, satisfying and fresh culinary experience!
Yen’s Vietnamese Streetfood, Opening Hours: 10 am to 8.30 pm (5.30 pm on Mondays)
Address: 19 Dixon St, De Waterkant, Cape Town, 8001
Website: https://yensvietnamesestreetfood.com/
Contact Number: 071 156 6782
Eastern Food Bazaar 🍛
The Eastern Food Bazaar is a canteen-style eatery on Longmarket Street offering numerous Indian, Chinese, and Turkish street food vendors. The bazaar captures the unique and distinct culture of South African Indian cuisine. You won’t find Indian food like this anywhere else in the world! Their bunny chow is a uniquely South African Indian dish consisting of a hollowed-out loaf of soft and delicious bread filled with any curry of your choice.
The Eastern Food Bazaar is the perfect place to discover Cape Town’s culture, from bunny chows and butter chicken to egg-fried rice and shwarmas. Customers are promised generous portions of delectable dishes, travelling the whole world in the same seat! The Eastern Food Bazaar offers more than food, it is an experience in Cape Town’s community and deserves a spot in your foodie itinerary.
Eastern Food Bazaar, Opening Hours: 10 am to 9 pm
Address: 96 Longmarket St, Cape Town City Centre, Cape Town, 8001
Website: https://www.easternfoodbazaar.co.za/
Contact Number: 021 461 2458
Earthfire Pizza 🍕
Earthfire Pizza is a standout Cape Town food truck offering quick and delicious slices. It is known for its artisanal wood-fired pizza with thin, crispy crusts. It can be found at various Cape Town spots such as food markets, festivals, and special events. Their portable wood-fired oven brings fresh, hot pizzas made with locally sourced ingredients.
The pizzas are cooked to order so you can watch the entire process, from soft dough to delectable cheesy slices. Earthfire Pizza offers a rotating menu of the classics (Margherita, Salami, Regina) and inventive topping combinations like parma ham, chorizo and carpaccio. Whether you’re a dedicated foodie with a discerning palate or a regular pizza lover, these slices will surely impress!
Website: https://earthfirepizza.co.za/
Contact Number: 021 785 3560
Burgers and Brews 🍔
On a day out sometimes all you need is a quick-stop burger and fries, which you can find at Burgers and Brews. This (literal) hole-in-the-wall spot has quickly made a name for itself with a collection of gourmet burgers, milkshakes, and craft beer! The decor is a nod towards retro American takeout with its red-tiled wall, single ‘pick-up’ window and street-side white tables. Burgers and Brews presents a laidback street-style setting focusing on quick service and high quality.
The menu is simple but expansive made with local ingredients. Their hand-cut fries covered in cheese, crispy lamb bacon bits are a highlight! Their gelato milkshakes offer flavours from malva pudding (a delicious South African caramel pudding), salted caramel, Turkish Delight and more! Burgers and Brews is a trendy spot with good vibes and quality burgers.
Burgers and Brews, Opening Hours: Tuesdays to Sundays, 11 am to 11 pm
Address: 110 Bree St, Cape Town City Centre, Cape Town, 8001
Amina’s Homemade Koeksisters 👩🏽🍳
Looking for a sweet treat on the go? Koeksisters are a South African delicacy and a Cape Town street food staple originating from the Cape Malay culture although there are multiple cultural variations. These delectable little bites are made of deep-fried dough strips soaked in syrup, giving them a unique crispy texture and sugary taste. Amina’s Homemade Koeksisters is a local highlight, known for its traditional hand-made Cape Malay koeksisters.
These koeksisters are beloved for their soft chewy texture, delicate spice blends and a generous coating of coconut (or without), delivering authentic and homemade quality. Amina’s can be found at various markets, and local stores and are available for home delivery. Locals recommend trying their traditional spicy and potato koeksisters so you can experience a variety of flavours. Amina’s ‘bollas’, a bite-sized dough ball version of the iconic koeksister, are also a must-try.
Amina’s Home Made Koeksisters, Opening Hours: 8 am to 3 pm
Address: 5 Eden Rd, Walmer Estate, Cape Town, 7925
Can be found at Oranjezicht City Farm & Market
Contact Number: 082 863 0288
Vegan Streetfood 🥙
Vegan Streetfood is a food truck bringing delicious plant-based eats to local markets, festivals and events across Cape Town. This Vegan Cape Town establishment prioritises accessibility and sustainability with the freshest ingredients and biodegradable packaging. Check out the interactive map below to find out their location and menu on any given day. You can find them at Cape Town’s food markets such as Oranjezicht City Farm Market and the V&A Waterfront.
This food truck is known for its innovative and delectable menu, featuring falafel bowls, gourmet plant-based burgers, loaded fries and wraps. A highlight and recommendation on their menu is their Pulled Jackfruit Burger with its smoky, spicy flavours and hearty savoury texture. Vegan Streetfood has designed its menu to provide comforting street food classics with a plant-based twist, allowing vegan and non-vegan diners to enjoy flavourful meals and a community-centric dining experience.
Vegan Streetfood Schedule: https://veganstreetfood.co.za/food-truck-cal/
Website: https://veganstreetfood.co.za/
Contact: 060 633 9837
Access Park Food Trucks 🚚
Food trucks have livened up Cape Town’s street food scene delivering delicious meals on wheels at multiple sites around the city. Access Park in Kenilworth is a well-known spot for outlet shopping but it is also a hotspot for food trucks allowing the mall-goers to unwind. The food trucks serve a range of flavours with diverse street food menus ranging from authentic Cape Town bites to global dishes. Shoppers and foodies can enjoy the convenient rest and refuel spot on your shopping-day trip!
Halaal Munchies, known for its masala steak roti gatsbys, and ObsessionCPT, offering viral chocolate cheesecakes, are both standout vendors at this food truck area. These food trucks in Cape Town also offer boerewors rolls, tacos, Korean BBQ, artisanal pizzas and boba drinks. Access Park’s food trucks bring Cape Town’s unique and diverse flair into the street food scene offering an easy and convenient culinary experience.
Access Food Trucks Opening Hours: Monday to Thursday from 11 am to 8 pm, Friday to Saturday from 11 am to 10 pm and from 11 am to 7 pm on Sundays
Address: 81 Chichester Rd, Kenilworth, Cape Town
Contact Number: 079 088 1209
Other Mentions – Cape Town Food Markets 🍽
The most well-known “street food spots” in this article operate heavily within Cape Town’s food markets. These food markets are the heart of the city and offer everything from artisanal cuisine to fresh produce and handmade trinkets. They are also some of the best places to find and truly experience Cape Town’s street food scene. Here are some (of the many) Cape Town food markets:
- Mojo Market: An exciting 7-day-a-week lifestyle market with free entry and over 30 amazing food vendors.
- Oranjezicht City Farm Market: One of the most popular farmer’s markets in Cape Town offering delicious and sustainable foods every weekend
- V&A Waterfront: A must-visit for its fresh ingredients and innovative meals with over 40 vendors
- Old Biscuit Mill: Home to over 30 vendors, it showcases an eclectic mix of gourmet street food and artisanal products.
Cape Town’s street food has so many different types of flavours and spots so beautiful it will match your meal perfectly. From hearty authentic gatsbys to fresh international dishes, there’s something for every foodie to enjoy. Whether you’re looking for a quick bite or a filling meal, these spots highlight Cape Town’s adaptability and culinary talents.
