Authentic African Cuisine Cooking Experience

Recommended by 99% of travelers

Cape Town, South Africa

Great choice

5+ bookings last month.

2 hours 30 minutes (approx.)
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

Why travelers loved this

5.0

· Tami_V ·

Oct 2025

I had an absolutely amazing time in this cooking class, and if you're considering it, I highly recommend that you go! The experience was fantastic, the husband-and-wife led class was super informative, and the food was delicious! I'm so glad I did it!

· Mika_O ·

Jul 2025

We had a wonderful experience learning about the history of African cuisine and helping with the cooking. We had a full selection of appetizer snacks followed by the main meal that we helped prepare . Everything was delicious!

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Overview

Sample Menu

Starter

African starter snacks

Starter

African juice, African beer and African tea / coffee

Main

Sadza (mealie pap)

Main

Meaty beef bones mixed with green vegetables

Main

Chicken stew

Main

Green vegetables with peanut butter

Main

Sugar beans

Main

Chakalaka

Main

Vegan & vegetarian options available

What's Included

Coffee and/or Tea
Alcoholic Beverages
Lunch
Dinner
Snacks

Private transportation

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

Pahari African Restaurant
121 Cecil Rd, Salt River, Cape Town, 7925, South Africa
The experience is hosted in a separate private room adjacent to the main restaurant. Ask for Florence on arrival.

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Not wheelchair accessible

Near public transportation
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 15 travelers

Supplied by

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Gallery picture 1 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 2 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 3 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 4 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 5 (from a traveler's review)

Featured review

Bryton_H

Our cooking class was so much fun! Caleb, Florence, and Rose made the class the perfect balance of entertaining, informative, and interactive! We learned not only the history and background of traditional ingredients and dishes, but also how to prepare and eat them as well. The evening flew by but was filled with smiles and laughter the whole time. In addition to some fun appetizers/snacks and beverages, we got to make a variety of meat, bean, and vegetable dishes as well as the starch, pap. After the class, Florence sent us pictures, videos, and recipes. This was great since it allowed us to put our phones away and just enjoy the evening without missing anything. Most importantly, the food was absolutely delicious! We can’t wait to recreate these dishes at home and think back fondly on our trip to Cape Town.

Reviews

5.0

based on 303 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

We perform checks on reviews

This was a fantastic...

Tom_S, Apr 2026

This was a fantastic experience with Caleb, Florence and the team. They were both very knowledgeable and imparted that well with the group, and the food we shared afterwards was fantastic. I would thoroughly recommend it to anyone how has even a mild interest in food!

So Much Fun!

Bryton_H, Feb 2026

It was very informative....

Jessie_H, Jan 2026

It was very informative. You will learn a lot about the origination of the foods that you will eat however don’t expect to do any real cooking.

A MUST in Cape Town!

Holly_G, Dec 2025

Wow, where to begin! We booked this cooking class pretty much last minute and it took place on our last day in Cape Town and it made the trip. Florence and Caleb were absolutely delightful and taught us so much about their beautiful country and the food they enjoy. We tried items we had never had before including some of the BEST peanut butter ever and even bought some to take home with us alongside a cute zebra cooking apron. We know these items will take us back to this very day! Don’t hesitate to book :)

South African Highlight

Dontisa_V, Nov 2025

That it's not just a cooking class. It's a true authentic african experience. With a stimulating history lesson. Great conversations and a sense of being right at home. Caleb and Florence provided what became an amazing highlight of my trip to Capetown. Felt like being in the kitchen with my uncle and auntie. Along with Rose as our sister. I traveled to Capetown with a group curated with activities. However this cooking class is one I found on my own and invited some of the ladies from the group to join. We collectively agreed to share our experience with the travel agency and suggest that they add the Pahari African Restaurant cooking class to future itineraries. It is not to be missed.

A wonderful evening of food and friendship

Josh_R, Nov 2025

This was a wonderful experience. Florence and Caleb were terrific hosts - we literally started as strangers and left as friends! Caleb shared the history and origins of African food while Florence ushered us thru the cooking process. We had a few starters that were very unique and interesting before moving onto the main dishes which included two different meat servings, two vegetables and two starches. You will not leave hungry! If you truly want to immerse yourself for an evening in African Culture, I can think of no better place to start!

Just do it!

Tami_V, Oct 2025

The restaurant was a bit...

Bianca_S, Sep 2025

Great experience to get a real "taste of Africa". The restaurant was a bit out of the way in Woodstock and looked a bit like a take away, so I was not sure what to expect. But I had a great time. There was a well turned out cooking area where our little group of strangers quickly became friendly. We were fed with knowledge by Florence and her team first, and then with some starters, including some BUGS! They were actually nice to eat, so that was an experience. We were each allowed to "prepare" a couple of more common dishes, (chicken, beef, various vegetables and saucss, and the staple sidedish "pap", a sturdy corn mash) and then eat it all with our hands, as is customary. Every single thing was delicious. I had a blast, fun discussions and great pics. Can highly recommend!

We had a wonderful...

Mika_O, Jul 2025

Fantastic experience

Brittany, Jul 2025

This was one of our favorite experiences in Cape Town! The staff exudes warmth and care. The food and cooking experience were top tier! If you’re in Cape Town, this is a MUST DO.

Hospitality at its finest

Tiffany_F, Jun 2025

It was an absolute pleasure cooking and learning with the owners of this restaurant. We were treated as dear friends, not customers. I am grateful that I did this experience.

Must-do Activity!!

EmmyNatasha_E, Jun 2025

I stayed in Cape Town for a week, this was by far my favourite activity! Such a personal, educational and warm experience. Not only did we cook, we ate together and learned history about the foods we were cooking. Caleb and Florence were great hosts, there was not a single awkward moment. Would highly recommend for solo travellers and anyone else that would like to experience southern African food!!

Totally enjoyable. They...

Alan_H, Jun 2025

Totally enjoyable. They taught us about the history of African cooking and the particular meals we were going to make. It was well organized. My Uber driver knew the restaurant and recommended it.

This class was so fun!...

Stephanie_S, May 2025

This class was so fun! Caleb and Florence were very welcoming and had so much to teach about African cuisine. The food tasted great as well!

Very good!

Ane_J, Apr 2025

It was a great experience. The food was good and we learned a lot about the African cuisine. They were so nice and welcoming.

5 of 5. Learn, cook, laugh and enjoy a delicious meal

Carlton_B, Jan 2025

It was fun and educational. It was only my spouse and I so the lesson felt very intimate. Caleb provided a lesson on the history of the food before he turned us over to Florence to cook. He was chocked full of information. His presentation was fun and as previously stated very informational. Learning about the individual ingredients used in the meal was interesting. The starters were a delight. We learned, cooked, laughed, and enjoyed a delicious meal eaten traditionally. I would highly recommend. 5 of 5.

Tasty and educational :)

Lia_T, Jan 2025

Delicious food and friendly people - we had an amazing time and definitely learned a lot about African cuisine and traditions !

Take Your Tourism Experience to Another Level

Ronnie_M, Jan 2025

Excellent authentic African experience outside the touristy part of Cape Town. Wonderful experience in learning about people, culture and food.

Give it a try, you won’t regret it!

Martina_B, Jan 2025

Wonderful genuine people, fun, educational, food turned out very delicious! My boys 11,14 loved this experience, enjoyed eating challenging foods, and eating with their hands. Thank you for this experience! You will forever be in our hearts and we wish you a wonderful , successful, healthy life!

Very well done - super nice people!

Michael_L, Dec 2024

Great experience!! So friendly and amazing food - highly recommend for authentic South African culinary class.

Fun

LISA_R, Nov 2024

We had so much fun!!! Very gracious hosts! My sister and I enjoyed getting to know about our hosts and their food. I would recommend.

Informative and fun

chantrell_s, Nov 2024

This was such an informative and fun cooking class. I enjoyed all the historical information and demonstrations. Aunty Florence is really amazing and kind. I’d take this or come have dinner either way you’ll leave satisfied.

Amazing food and cultural learning experience

Somalia_J, Oct 2024

What an amazing experience! I HIGHLY recommend this activity, the food was excellent, the cultural knowledge shared was awesome, and the hosts were amazing! I’m grateful to have had such a great experience filled with so much joy, laughter and great food.

Home Away From Home

Samirah_M, Oct 2024

A very unique experience. My group and I really enjoyed cooking the African dishes. The hosts were so warm & welcoming. It felt like home!

An outstanding cooking class

LaVerne_C, Sep 2024

This had to be one of the best cooking classes that I have taken in other countries. From the moment we arrives Florence and Caleb made us feel at home. Caleb started with an excellent discussion of various starters and their nutritional value. There were four in our group and each of us prepared 1-2 dishes. They accommodated my son who is vegetarian too. They also showed us how the peanut butter was made traditionally. After all of the food was prepared we ate together which was so enjoyable and intimate. We definitely felt like family. Afterwards they forwarded so many pictures and videos of the evening and all of the recipes. You will not be disappointed if you sign-up for this experience.

An outstanding cooking experience

Carol_M, Sep 2024

Have taken many different cooking classes all over the world and found that this was one of the best ever.,Florence and Caleb and staff provided the history of the food we cooked and interacted with the class. It was a great mix and the African Cooking Experience has to be recommended hiighly.

Must do cooking class!

Shane_W, Sep 2024

Great food, great information/demostration, and great conversation! Our first time in Cape Town. The whole experience was very rich in depth and breadth. Note: be sure if you are taking an Uber to let them know you are going to the restaurant.

Must do!

Marie_H, Aug 2024

My last night in Cape Town couldn’t have been better! I learned a lot about the African way of cooking while the couple was so warm and inviting and willing to share their culture! The food was good but the company was better!

Exceptional experience indeed

Wano_K, Jul 2024

Personal, authentic and memorable were every part of this cooking class. Even walked away with new recipes.

Best way to start your trip

Capricia_B, Jun 2024

This was an awesome experience and introduction to Southern Africa cuisine. Our host were welcoming, kind, knowledgeable, and considerate. They provided us with the history and meaning behind each dish. Definitely should make this apart of your itinerary!