Bo-Kaap District Walk and Cape Malay Cooking Class, Cape Town

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Take a guided walk through Cape Town's colorful Bo-Kaap district, learn how to make Cape Malay dishes, and enjoy your cooked meal.

Overview

Start this Cape Town experience in the vibrant Bo-Kaap district, known for its brightly colored houses and evocative aroma of spices, with a guided walk exploring local highlights and history. Afterward, a local may invite you into their home for an immersive cooking experience where you can prepare and enjoy traditional Cape Malay dishes. You'll likely end the session with a lively meal and discussion, leaving with a recipe booklet and mixed Masala to continue your culinary adventures at home.

Highlights

  • Explore the Bo-Kaap district, known for its houses and Cape Malay culture
  • Discover local spices and flavors while roaming the streets
  • Participate in a traditional Cape Malay cooking experience 
  • Delight in eating the meal you prepared with your host
  • Receive a recipe booklet and mixed Masala to recreate the dishes at home

Know before you go

Recommended for
All ages
Group
Small group
Food & Drink
Lunch Included

What you'll do

Your journey likely begins in Bo-Kaap, a colorful district in Cape Town known for its vivid houses, rich history, and the tantalizing aroma of spices filling the air. Start your exploration of Cape Malay culture, where your knowledgeable guide may introduce you to the heritage stemming from Southeast Asia and its influence on the city's architecture, history, and, most importantly, cuisine.

Your guide may lead you on an insightful walk through the vibrant streets of Bo-Kaap. As Table Mountain towers majestically in the background, you can immerse yourself in the district's captivating history, passing significant landmarks such as the Bo-Kaap Museum, local mosques, and the richly hued houses that give this area its charm. Along the way, you might shop for local spices, the key ingredients that bring Cape Malay dishes to life.

As your walk concludes, perhaps you'll be warmly welcomed into the home of a local Cape Malay resident. In this intimate setting, you'll have the opportunity to learn about their life and culture and the art of Cape Malay cuisine. Next, your generous host may guide you step-by-step through preparing traditional dishes as they share family secrets and culinary tips. Once the food is ready, you can sit down with your host to relish your cooked dishes, exchanging stories and experiences over a shared meal. 

Before leaving, it's common for your host to present you with a booklet of the recipes you have learned and a packet of mixed Masala spice. This way, you have the essentials to recreate these delectable dishes back home for your family and friends. When the experience ends, you can continue exploring Bo-Kaap alone. 

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Chat with our local specialists and let us help you customize your trip with experiences like this.

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