If South Africa isn’t already on your list of places to visit, consider this your sign to add it—immediately.

From breathtaking landscapes that include mountains, deserts, cities, and beaches to its deeply layered cultural history, the Rainbow Nation truly offers something for everyone. As always, I did my research before traveling, and while I expected racial and ethnic diversity, I was pleasantly surprised to discover something else: a thriving, vegan-friendly food scene.

✈️ First Stop: Cape Town

Our South African adventure began in Cape Town, where we headed straight from the airport to the beautifully appointed Southern Sun Waterfront Hotel. After freshening up, we jumped in an Uber to the V&A Waterfront Marina—a lively complex of shops and restaurants you’d expect in any major coastal city.

Armed with my HappyCow app, I searched for nearby vegan-friendly options and eventually landed on Mozambik Restaurant—a decision I did not regret.

The bright décor, buzzing energy, live music, and a handsome guitarist serenading diners set the tone for a memorable evening. The fact that we had to wait for a table only added to the anticipation.

To start, we shared olives stuffed with cashews and marinated in chili-lime olive oil—pleasant, though not something I’d order again.

My friends enjoyed a mild vegetable curry, which was undeniably beautiful and well seasoned. The Moz Table Salad—crisp lettuce, beetroot, carrots, red cabbage, onion, cucumber, olives, and Danish feta on the side—was the perfect refreshing complement. Though mine wasn’t quite as visually appealing, as the curry, I’m convinced I ordered the standout dish: Melanzane de Manica, a panko-crumbed eggplant served with a Mozambique-style ushatini salad. Even the meat-eaters were asking for more!

We ended with a taste of Malva pudding, a beloved South African dessert made from caramelized sponge cake served warm with ice cream and mint. Since it wasn’t vegan, I sampled just a corner for the cultural experience—a sweet ending to a wonderful night.

🍳 Hotel Breakfasts Worth Traveling For

One of the unexpected highlights of our stay was the breakfast buffet at our hotel. And strangely enough, the star of the show was… baked beans.

These weren’t the canned version we know in North America—they were perfectly seasoned with just enough flair to keep us coming back for more. Alongside them were crispy breakfast potatoes, sautéed mushrooms, roasted tomatoes, even chop suey, plus abundant fresh fruit, juices, cereals, breads, and pastries.

Add in the warm greetings from the hotel staff each morning, and breakfast became something we genuinely looked forward to every day.

🎨 History Comes Alive in Bo-Kaap

Fueled by hearty meals, we spent our days touring with our phenomenal guide. One of our first stops was Bo-Kaap, a vibrant historic neighborhood known for its brightly painted houses, cobblestone streets, and rich Cape Malay culture.

Developed in the 1760s for enslaved people, Bo-Kaap opened my eyes to a part of history I hadn’t fully considered—the Dutch East India slave trade that brought Indonesians, Malaysians, and Indians to South Africa for forced labor.

Once racially segregated and perched on the slopes of Signal Hill, the area is now filled with galleries, art, and gift shops—an inspiring blend of resilience and beauty.

🚢 A Powerful Visit to Robben Island

No visit to Cape Town is complete without seeing Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela spent 18 of his 27 years imprisoned.

I’ll be honest—the ferry ride was rough. If you’re prone to seasickness, skip lunch and take precautions or aim for a calm, sunny day. But for me, it was absolutely worth it.

Our guide was himself a former political prisoner, and hearing his story left us deeply moved by the courage and conviction of those who fought for freedom.

🍝 Italian Food… in Africa?

That Saturday night, I found myself dining at an Italian restaurant—something I never expected on my first weekend in Cape Town.

While vegetarian dishes were easy to find, vegan ones required a bit more creativity. With help from our waiter and an accommodating chef, I enjoyed the Villa 47 house salad—lettuce, edamame, artichokes, roasted sunflower seeds, olive oil, minus the Grana Padano.

My main course was a special pasta with fried eggplant in marinara sauce—no cheese, of course. I did wish I’d brought vegan parmesan in my purse, but a few extra capers would have added the salty contrast I craved.

Not mind-blowing, but satisfying.

🐧 Penguins and Plant-Based Along the Cape Coast

On day two, we headed to the Cape Coast, stopping for lunch at Bertha’s Seafood Restaurant in Simon’s Town. Though seafood dominates the menu, they offered a vegetable curry and vegan pesto pasta—something I always appreciate when traveling.

From there, we visited the African penguins.

Yes—penguins in Africa.
I was just as surprised as you are.

🍲 A Taste of Traditional South Africa at Karibu

That evening, we returned to the V&A Waterfront for dinner at Karibu, where I was eager to try authentic South African cuisine.

I began with Putu and Chakalaka, a classic pairing. Putu is a fluffy maize porridge, while Chakalaka is a spicy vegetable relish made with tomatoes, onions, carrots, beans, and peppers—often served at braais (barbecues). The flavors reminded me of Indian and Mediterranean spices with a subtle sweetness.

For my main course, I ordered Vegan Bobotie—a plant-based take on the traditional dish, made with lentils, Cape Malay spices, fruit chutney, and topped with coconut-turmeric cream. While it leaned sweeter than my preference, I appreciated the creativity and cultural authenticity.

South Africa—especially Cape Town—completely exceeded my expectations. The landscapes, the history, the warmth of the people, and the abundance of vegan-friendly dining made this a trip I’ll never forget.

I can’t wait to share more about our adventures in next week’s post.

👉🏽 Of everything I tried—what would you want to taste first?
Tell me in the comments below.