It was a meal at a wine estate near Cape Town, South Africa that sparked an unexpected journey to explore one of the region's most fascinating cuisines. I spent a whole day checking out the wine scene near Cape Town. A day that took me to four wine estates all within a couple of hours from what has quickly become one of my favourite cities in the world.
Le Pommier (Apple tree in French) wine estate was once a flourishing apple orchard (hence the name) that dates back to the 1690s. It's located between the main route between Stellenbosch and Franschhoek, both wine hotspots. It was here that I first sampled Bobotie, a South African casserole.
It took me straight to the area where this dish probably originated and to discover Cape Malay cuisine in one of Cape Town's most 'Instagrammed' spots. Also Read : Discover Maldivian Cuisine: 3 Delicious Maldivian Recipes Ask any local for the most photogenic neighbourhood in Cape Town, and there's a good chance you'll get directed to Bo-Kaap (translates to 'above the Cape' in Afrikaans). Almost every corner in this grid formerly known as the city's Malay Quarter is a great spot for pictures.
Brightly coloured homes are complemented by cobble-stoned streets in an area that contains the largest concentration of pre-1850 architecture in South Africa. Bo-Kaap Kombuis is a local legend and a restaurant that serves authentic Cape Malay cuisine. So what is this unique cuisine and its origin? A trip to the Bo-Kaap museum in the area is your best .