Travel & Tourism

What’s Hot On Cape Town’s Fast Food Scene

Maravi Post Reporter

On the hunt for the best fast food in Cape Town while you’re visiting? You’re in for a treat. Our city is packed with incredible food options, but there are a few legendary spots you must try when you’re here. Think bold flavours, generous portions, and the kind of local favourites people keep coming back for.

We’ve rounded up our top picks for the best takeaways in Cape Town, perfect for beach days, road trips, late-night cravings, or when you just want something seriously satisfying without the fuss. If you’re looking to taste the real flavour of the Mother City, start right here.

Fish and Chips

Blessed with two coastlines and a variety of fresh fish, straight off the boats and into fryers, Cape Town has plenty of fish and chip shops dotted along its beautiful shores. Each establishment carefully prepares its offering with secret recipes and traditional cooking methods, resulting in a deep-fried combo enjoyed by both locals and visitors.

We recommend:

Kalky’s: Located at Kalk Bay Harbour, Kalk Bay. Call +27 21 788 1726

Fish on the Rocks: Located at Far End Harbour Road, Hout Bay. Call +27 21 790 1153

Lusitania Fisheries: Located at 49a Waterkant Street, Cape Town City Centre. Call +27 87 351 8383

Boerewors Rolls

Boerewors, directly translated from Afrikaans means “Farmer’s sausage”, has been munched away by locals and visitors for generations. This sausage is braaied (BBQed) to juicy perfection before it slips into a fresh hotdog bun. Caramelised onions and your choice of sauce add the finishing trimmings to another proudly South African meal.

We recommend:

Nomzamo Butchery: Located at Shop 9, Washington Street, Langa. Call +27 73 762 9365

LA Farms: Located at 105 Main Rd, Green Point. Call +27 21 434 1111

Obs Cafe: 115 Lower Main Rd, Observatory. Call +27 21 007 1397

Vienna and Chips Parcel

Served in all sizes, the last legendary local favourite is the vienna and chips parcel. Think deep-fried polony, vienna or Russian sausages, served on a bed of crispy-fried potato chips, spiced with BBQ, peri-peri or masala, and covered in a sauce of your choosing.

We recommend:

Aneesa’s: Located at 86 Ottery Rd, Wynberg. Call +27 21 797 5682 / 8042

Nabeela’s Fast Food: Located at 9 Ottery Rd, Wynberg. Call +27 217973780

Mariam’s Kitchen: Located at 31 Heerengracht St, Foreshore. Call +27 21 421 3636

Gatsby

This iconic monster of a meal has its roots in the Athlone area. Described as a long sandwich/sub filled with different meats, hot chips, spices, and sauces. A single gatsby feeds four people, while other eaters precariously take on this mammoth meal by themselves. 

We recommend:

Cosy Corner: 119 Ottery Rd, Wynberg. Call +27 21 797 2498

Golden Dish: Located at Shop 1 Block 1, Corner of 1 Klipfontein and, Gatesville Shopping Centre, Hazel Rd, Gatesville. Call 27 21 633 7864

Super Fisheries: Located at 63 Old Klipfontein Rd, Athlone. Call +27 21 696 9833

Koeksister & Koesister

No trip to Cape Town is complete without the famous sweet and syrupy duo, the koeksister and koesister. Yes, there is a difference! Koesisters are a Cape Malay delicacy, oval dough balls with a doughnut-like texture, flavoured with spices and naartjie peel and darker in colour. The koeksister, however, is a golden, twisted plait, crisp on the outside and covered with a sweet syrup.

We recommend:

Farieda’s Koeksisters: Located at 580 Lansdowne Rd, Lansdowne. Call +27 76 760 8550 or email delicacies@fariedas.co.za

Bo-Kaap Deli: Located at 97, 114 Church St, Bokaap. Call +27 763466207.

Arpin Koeksisters: Located at Nathan Mallach St, N1 City. Call +27 83 737 0538

Smash Burgers

If there’s one global food trend Cape Town has embraced with serious enthusiasm, it’s the smash burger. Think juicy beef patties pressed onto a hot grill until the edges crisp up perfectly, topped with melted cheese, pickles and house-made sauces, all tucked into a soft toasted bun. It’s indulgent and worth the extra calories.

We recommend:

BRASH: Located at 90 Regent Rd, Sea Point. Call +27 21 002 8376

Le Pickle: Located at Quarter Lifestyle Village, 8 Jarvis St, De Waterkant. Call +27 61 581 9662.

Smasht: 54 Belvedere Rd, Rondebosch. Call +27 76 151 5010

Bunny Chow

Originally from Durban but firmly loved in the Mother City, the bunny chow is a hollowed-out loaf of bread filled with a curry of your choice: chicken, lamb or beans. You can share it or devour it on your own.

We recommend:

The Burner: Located at 3 Esplanade Rd, Century City. Call +27 21 422 3301

Sundoo Sea Point: Located at 77 Regent Rd, Sea Point. Call +27 21 300 5779

Taj Cape Town: Located at 1 Wale Street corner Saint Georges Mall, Wale St. Call +27 21 819 2000

Salomie

Another Cape Malay favourite, the salomie is wrapped in a thick, buttery, flaky roti and filled with a curry of your choice. It’s Cape Town’s answer to a wrap, but with bigger flavour and real Cape Town roots.

We recommend:

Wembley Roadhouse: Located at Belgravia Road, Athlone. Call +27 21 637 1333

Cosy Corner: Located at 119 Ottery Rd, Wynberg. Call +27 21 797 2498

Mariams Kitchen: Located at 31 Heerengracht St, Foreshore. Call +27 21 421 3636

Kota

Another township-born favourite that has become a staple on Cape Town’s fast food scene is the kota. Made from a hollowed-out quarter loaf of bread, this street food classic is loaded with slap chips (fries), polony, viennas, cheese, atchar and a generous squeeze of sauces. Some versions level things up with a burger patty or fried egg.

We recommend:

Bozza Kota Bar: Located at the Cnr of Parklands Main Road & Gie Rd, Parklands. Call +27 78 944 3214

Kota Vibes: Located at Brothers Supermarket Side, 110 Main Rd, Mowbray. Call +27 63 6449 227

 

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