Grab your passport and a doggie bag for a mouth-watering odyssey to some of the world’s most delicious destinations.
South Africa
What is South African food? The answer is likely to be as diverse as the people of our multicultural land. Is it the hearty warmth of a steaming pot of mogodu (tripe) on a cold winter’s night, or the tangy bite of pickled fish for Easter? Is it the mouth-watering smell of lamb chops on the braai, or the equally enticing aroma of a freshly filled bunny chow? It’s all of these, and so much more… Picking a top food destination in South Africa is near impossible, because there’s just so much quality food to eat!
For a taste of flavours from within the country and beyond our borders, venture to the intimate Yeoville Dinner Club in Joburg. Eccentric self-taught chef Sanza Sandile will serve up a smorgasbord of African fare all the way to Egypt, with a bit of everything in between. Upon arrival, you’re welcomed by Sandile’s “naughty and lovely” cocktails, enticed to stay by his fragrant herbs and spices, and bid farewell with a full stomach and well-satiated taste buds.
R635 per head.
WhatsApp 083 447 4235
India
Synonymous with spices, hearty meals and celebratory living, it’s difficult to find a bad Indian meal. Whether a crispy kota kachori (deep-fried pastry stuffed with a variety of fillings) in the sandstone alleyways of Rajasthan, a coconut fish curry enjoyed on the white sands of Goa, or a delicate sandesh mishti (paneer-based nutty-fruity dessert) on the seething streets of Kolkata, India delivers. Street vendors serving hot food made with minimal effort and maximum love and care are the ones to look out for.
If the locals trust them, you probably can too. That said, you might contract the infamous ‘Delhi belly’ – in fact, it’s practically a rite of passage for visitors to the subcontinent. Don’t let this deter you.
If you prefer to go high-end, go straight to the top with a multi-course tasting menu at Indian Accent in Mumbai or New Delhi, recently voted the country’s best restaurant by Condé Nast Traveller India (for the third time) and featured on TIME’s list of 100 Greatest Places in the World. Prepare for a taste sensation!
Tasting menu R1 100; four-course lunch R895
indianaccent.com
Italy
Pizza, pasta, polenta, risotto, focaccia, gnocchi, pesto, gelato, prosciutto – there’s a reason these are household names across the world. Italy is a foodie’s delight! Even the air tastes good. Top restaurants include Lo Scoglio in a tiny seaside village on the Amalfi Coast, Concettina ai Tre Santi in Naples, Regina Bistecca in artsy Florence, and Trattoria Pennestri in Rome’s industrial Ostiense district.
These treasures boast the best of what Italy’s cuisine has to offer; no matter what you’re in the mood for, you can expect to enjoy a meal filled with soul and flair. If you’re dreaming of authentic Italian cuisine: stop reading and book your flight right now!
From R164 for an authentic Italian pizza.
Everything, everywhere, all at once!
Vietnam
The food of Southeast Asia is divine, but Vietnam stands out among the rest – voted Asia’s best destination at the 2023 World Culinary Awards. Those who’ve already been will understand that there’s nothing quite like the tangy aroma that wafts from a steaming bowl of pho (noodle soup), the satisfying crunch of a bánh mì (baguette sandwich), the refreshment of goi cuon (fresh spring rolls) on a hot day, or the eclectic flavours of mì quang (soupy noodle salad).
Moreover, and slightly ironically because of the country’s colonial history, you can also eat insanely good French cuisine at insanely good prices. But you haven’t lived (or properly woken up, certainly) until you’ve tried Vietnamese coffee – it’s sweet and delicious. However, a coconut milk frappé from the iconic coffee-store chain Cong Cà Phê is off-the-reservation good. The specialist café also serves expertly crafted juices, teas and Southeast Asian desserts and snacks.
R40 for a coconut coffee.
congcaphe.com
Peru
You can thank Peru for everyone’s favourite versatile food: the potato. First cultivated around 10 000 years ago, this exemplary vegetable can be used in myriad ways thanks to Peruvians. But potato dishes aside, Peru boasts culturally rich dishes laden with an array of flavours. You’ve probably heard of ceviche (raw fish marinated in citrus), but what about lomo saltado (stir-fried beef ) or rocoto relleno (stuffed spicy peppers)?
The capital, Lima, is emerging as one of the world’s culinary hotspots, and home to Central, the best eatery in the world according to compilers of The World’s 50 Best Restaurants list. Chefs Virgilio Martínez and Pía León take diners on an adventure through Peru, with each dish on their renowned menu reflecting where the ingredients originated. Note: you’ll need to book your table months in advance (and then consider selling something to pay for the air ticket and dinner).
Close to R5 000 for the 12-course tasting menu.
centralrestaurante.com.pe
Georgia
Not to be confused with the birthplace of some of the finest American rappers, Georgia lies on the east coast of the Black Sea at the intersection of Europe and Asia. While the French may have bagged a reputation as the world’s finest wine producers, this little Eastern European state is considered the cradle of wine, where it was invented – archaeological evidence suggests Georgians were making the stuff 8 000 years ago.
Kakheti region is the prime destination for wine connoisseurs, offering tours of century-old monasteries, such as Alaverdi, where the monks also make wine. Of course, you shouldn’t drink on an empty stomach, and thanks to the super-generous Georgian hospitality, you’ll never worry about your next meal. Expect to be absolutely stuffed with khinkali (dumplings), khachapuri (cheese-filled bread), ajapsandali (aubergine stew) and much more after your tour through the rich history of the monastery.
Entry is free.
georgia.travel
Text: Anthony Sharpe.
Photos: Gallo/Getty Images, Supplied
