If there’s one thing Cape Town does well, it’s food. From gourmet wine pairings to sizzling street food, the city knows a thing or two about celebrating flavour. Every year, the city hosts incredible festivals for people to come together and enjoy creative, unique bites and meals. Some festivals highlight local favourites like braai and fresh seafood, while others focus on gourmet bites, craft drinks and sweet treats. This guide will take you through some of the best Cape Town food festivals you won’t miss.
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.
Cape Town Fresh 🌻
The Cape Town Fresh Wine & Food Festival is a paradise for food lovers. This festival brings together some of South Africa’s most talented chefs, offering gourmet bites from fresh seafood to artisanal cheeses. The focus on ‘freshness’ ensures fresh seasonal ingredients deliver a taste of a proper Cape Town summer. Professional chefs expertly craft each dish to highlight the city’s diverse culinary landscape alongside the city’s best wines.
With over 45 exhibitors, the festival offers a fantastic variety of wines, craft beer, and gin. Live music sets the mood, making this festival a perfect outing for foodies and wine lovers. Cape Point Vineyards‘ setting, with beautiful vineyard views and fresh air, provides an ideal backdrop for the celebration! The dates and ticket prices are to be confirmed, so check out the website and social media for updates. The festival is usually held early in the year, between February and March.
Address: Silvermine Rd, Noordhoek, Cape Town
Website: https://www.capetownfresh.com/ or https://cpv.co.za/happenings-events/
Contact: 021 789 0900
Franschhoek Bastille Festival 🎺
Franschhoek is South Africa’s Culinary Capital, located in the Cape Wineland, which makes it the perfect spot for foodies. Their annual Bastille Festival is a highlight for the entire country, celebrating French-Huguenot heritage. Everyone in this small town participates in the event, so guest houses, hotels and restaurants offer great deals and Bastille packages. This festival exhibits the best of Franschhoek, from its award-winning wines to its esteemed chefs.
The festival offers a weekend filled with culinary delights, great wines and lively entertainment. Attendees can get a taste of French dishes with a South African twist. Festivities include unique and fun events such as barrel rolling contests, best-dressed competitions and more! Franschhoek’s Bastille Festival pushes people to explore and experience the area’s history in some of the best ways.
Cost: TBC
When: 12 & 13 July 2025
Address: Franschhoek Wine Valley
Website: https://www.franschhoekbastille.co.za/
Contact: 066 224 6360
Italian Festival at Idiom 🍴
The Italian Festival at Idiom brings together the best of Italy in Cape Town. Idiom Wines is owned by the Bottega family, an active participant in the South African Italian community and delivers some of the country’s best Italian and French wines. The festival aims to bring Italian culture to your doorstep with wines, entertainment and the most delicious foods.
This annual event focuses on different aspects of Italy’s vibrant culture. The wine masterclass is one of the festival’s best attractions, taking guests on a journey through Italian wines and their flavour, history, and cultural significance. There will be live music and grand entertainment, such as flag-waving and children’s activities. For foodies, there are live cooking demos and tastings from some of the best Italian chefs in Cape Town.
Cost: TBC
When: TBC – Usually held in March
Address: Da Capo Vineyards, Sir Lowry’s Pass, Somerset West
Website: https://idiom.co.za/italian-festival
Contact: 021 858 1088
Chinese Lantern Festival 🏮
The Lantern Festival is a holiday celebrated in China and other Asian countries to honour ancestors. But don’t worry; Cape Town delivers the experience right to your doorstep. The Chinese Lantern Festival & Market is an annual event showcasing Chinese culture. This popular cultural cuisine experience offers authentic Chinese dishes alongside music, entertainment, and more.
There is an authentic five-course Chinese feast in store and an outdoor bar offering the finest Cape Town wines, craft beer, sake/soju, and Chinese beer. The feast is entertaining for kids, who can paint their own lanterns, make fortune cookies, and learn about the Year of the Wood-Snake. Traditional Chinese dance and music are also part of the entertainment.
Cost: R388 pp
When: 8 February 2025, 6 pm to 9 pm
Address: Main & Princess St, Hout Bay, Cape Town
Website: Check socials for details
Contact: 084 451 8888
Pick n Pay Wine and Food Festival 🍻
The Pick n Pay Wine and Food Festival is an excellent experience for lovers and foodies. The festival hit with a boom last year and promises to deliver again in 2025. With a large selection of wines to taste and eats from the Pick n Pay Fresh Food market, you will be spoiled for choice. The food market delivers a selection of Cape Town’s best streetfood including delightful chees and charcuterie platters, fish and chips, pizzas, burgers and more!
Tickets include 20 wine-tasting vouchers, with the option for private wine tastings. The event’s vibe is lively, with great music from local musicians and the option to add a picnic share basket for those who prefer. Pick n Pay ensures it will deliver a grand experience perfect for an outing with friends.
(Details subject to change)
Cost: R275 – R2850
When: 26 & 27 April 2025 (TBC)
Address: Constantia Sports Complex, Constantia Main Rd, Constantia
Website: https://www.pnpwineandfoodfestival.co.za/
Knysna Oyster Festival 🦪
The Knysna Oyster Festival is the year’s foodie event, delivering delectable culinary experiences and wine tastings since 1983. The theme of the year is a ‘shucking good time!’ celebrating the flavours and charm of Knysna. This 10-day event premises oyster eating, shucking, farm tours, and themed dinners, attracting over seventy thousand attendees nationwide.
Besides oysters, the Knsysna Wine Festival boasts a full lineup of the best wine producers in South Africa. Many exhibitors also offer authentic Southern African foods and craft alcoholic drinks. For sports lovers, there are often events such as marathons, soccer, mountain biking and theatre shows. The icing on the cake for food lovers, however, is the cooking demonstrations and tastings.
Cost: TBC
When: 4 to 13 July, 2025
Address: Knysna Central, Knysna, 6570, Garden Route
Website: https://www.knysnaoysterfestival.co.za/
Contact: 044 382 5510
Good Life Show 🌿
If you’re a health-conscious foodie, The Good Life Show Experience is a Cape Town food festival for you. You can discover hundreds of natural, organic and plant-based products to buy and taste. The event aims to show people the fun and innovation behind vegan and vegetarian meals. With more and more people leaning towards health-conscious food choices, the Good Life Show focuses on meaningful ways to experience and delight in choosing green!
One of the headline attractions of this Cape Town event is Chef Magic, a pioneer of ethical gourmet raw foods that will showcase workshops and taste tests. There will also be mixology demos, mindfulness experiences, and two South African cooking personalities (names to be revealed). Delight in all the Good Life Show has to offer and leave feeling renewed!
Cost: R175 – R 265
When: 30 May to 1 June, 2025
Address: 1 Lower Long St, Convention Square, Cape Town
Website: https://goodlifeshowafrica.com/
Contact: 087 700 6521
Sh*t Hot Fest 🌶️
For the spice fiends who love to bring heat to their cooking, the Sh*t Hot Fest is a food festival in Cape Town specialising in spice! This festival brings bites with a kick, showcasing some of the best hot sauces internationally. It is a tribute to hot sauce artisans who offer a range of heat levels from mild to tear-inducing!
The Sh*t Hot Fest emphasises heat, eats and beats, creating a fun party vibe. Don’t worry, though; the Hot House promises cool-down stations with refreshing beverages. Their HOT HOUSE experience provides an immersive hut of madness with ‘guess the sauce’ events and more.
Cost: R50
When: 1 March 2025, 12 pm to 6 pm
Address: 61b Harrington St, District Six, Cape Town
Website: https://www.shthotfest.com/
Contact: 083 650 0510
Cape Town’s love for food is celebrated throughout the year, showcasing the best the city can offer. From international cuisine to local flavours, these culinary experiences are unmatched. With food, drinks and great vibes, Cape Town’s food festivals offer something for everyone. Whether you’re looking for streetfood bites in Cape Town, an incredible outing with friends or luxurious delicacies, these festivals are happy to serve!
