It can be argued that there’s no better way to experience the Mother City than by tasting your way from one spot to another. Cape Town is a bottomless pot of delicious delights whether they’re paired or prepared, which means there’s always something new to try.
So make sure you have a good friend or two to tag along, capture your favourite moments and treat your taste buds too.
Also read: Cape Town’s Cafe Chiffon: picture-perfect and oh so delicious
Here are 8 tasting experiences to dig into in and around Cape Town:
1. Tea and vegetarian/vegan dishes
A unique pairing everyone should know about can be found in the heart of Cape Town’s Southern suburbs. Tea is usually what follows after a dish, accompanied by that ‘something sweet’ we can’t quite figure out but know we need.
So who would have thought that with just the right infusion, tea can be enjoyed with the meal, instead of after? Nigiro tea café, of course. Each vegetarian or vegan dish on their tea-inspired food menu has a thoughtfully selected tea pairing recommendation.
And for those looking for a little something extra, Nigiro offers tea-tasting sessions where you can learn how to steam the perfect cup of tea, discover the health benefits and origin stories of tea, as well as become acquainted with all the different tea categories and more.
- Location: Nigiro tea cafe, 71 Gabriel Road, Plumstead
- Times: Monday to Friday 8am to 5pm | Saturday 9am to 3pm | Sunday 9am to 2pm
2. WiskyShop cocktail experience
Launched in 2021 by Brett Jacob and Hector McBeth, Whiskyshop is a proudly South African whisky store that boasts an extensive, curated and quirky range of whiskies alongside some incredible brandies, gins, rums, tequilas and a limited selection of wine offerings.
Some say the only way to taste whisky is to pour yourself a glass and drink it, but why stop there when you could sip on some delicious whisky-based cocktails while learning all about the world of cocktails?
So embark on a flavour journey with a cocktail experience for two people at WhiskyShop where their alcohol aficionados will teach you all about the ins and outs of how cocktails are made and how the flavours of each cocktail component complement each other.
- Deal: three delicious whisky-based cocktails each for two people
- Cost: Price exclusive to Cape {town} Etc readers is R330 | Normal price is R530
- Location: The Gin Emporium, Bascule Bridge, West Quay Road, V&A Waterfront
- Times: Monday to Saturday 10am to 6pm
3. Kloovenburg olive tasting
Deemed one of the most breathtaking historic farms in South Africa, the olive groves and vineyards of Kloovenburg Wine and Olive Estate herald the entrance to the picturesque Riebeek Valley.
The first olive trees were planted in 1989 to create job opportunities for seasonal workers during the months between the grape harvest and the pruning of the vineyards. Today, Kloovenburg is home to an impressive 23 hectares of olive groves.
Alongside selling olive products, serving award-winning wine and olive pairings and offering build-your-own-platter, Kloovenburg provides an experience in which you can sample fresh olive oil, and taste their wide variety of olives, dips and salts.
- Location: R46, Riebeeck Kasteel, 7307
- Times: Monday to Saturday 9am to 4:30pm | Sunday 10am to 4pm
4. Artisanal tonic water and macarons tasting
Located along the Durbanville wine route, Canto Wines is a bustling boutique winery offering a range of experiences including wine and macaron pairings, gin tastings and a spectacular view of the rolling vineyards of Durbanville. You may even catch a glimpse of the endless stretch of canola fields blooming during spring.
Popular for its Merlot, Chardonnay and MCC, Canto also offers a unique tasting experience for those looking for something less alcoholic – Artisanal tonic water and carefully selected melt-in-your-mouth macarons.
Pair the zesty twist of lemon tonic water with a hazelnut macaron, the buchu tonic water with a creamy red velvet macaron, the rose tonic water with a delectable Turkish delight macaron, and lastly, the blueberry tonic water with the salty-sweet taste of a salted caramel macaron – yum!
- Location: Vissershok Road, Durbanville
- Times: Sunday, Tuesday to Thursday 11am to 5pm | Friday and Saturday 10am to 6pm
5. Belgian chocolate pairing
Located in the dreamy setting of Roberson Valley, between the gently-flowing Breeder River and the foothills of the Langeberg lies Ashton Winery. Home to some of the finest wines in the Cape and an idyllic family-friendly stop along the iconic Route 62.
So gather the kids and indulge in a delicious endorphin-inducing Belgian chocolate and wine pairing experience for a family of four against the backdrop of this spectacular setting.
While the kids sip on Ashton’s world-famous grape juice and munch on a sweet treat, you and your partner can revel in glasses of Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay Limited Release, Bonica Vin Doux (Sparkling), Pinotage and Roodewal (Reserve), each perfectly paired with artisanal Belgian chocolate.
- Deal: A family pairing experience consisting of a Belgian chocolate pairing for two and two kiddies’ pairings
- Cost: Price exclusive to Cape {town} Etc readers is R178 | Normal price is R200
- Location: Main Road, Ashton, Scenic Cape Route 62
- Times: Monday to Friday 10am to 6pm | Saturday 10am to 2pm
6. Chocolate, ice cream and sorbet tasting
Tucked away in the picturesque setting of the Spice Route Destination and one of the first of its kind in Africa, the De Villiers brand of chocolate prides itself on being Rainforest Alliance certified as well as vegan friendly.
Sit down for a sweet experience of a chocolate tasting at the Spice Route Destination in Paarl. De Villiers Chocolate offers four chocolate tasting ranges including a Milk Chocolate tasting, Dark Chocolate tasting, Nut Butter Chocolate Tasting and a No-Added-Sugar Tasting.
Try the Bean to Bar Single Origin Collection which contains only chocolate and cane sugar or the African Collection which is made from pure African cocoa beans.
Afterwards, make a stop by the ice cream shop for two more tasting experiences: A standard selection of 5 ice creams and a standard selection of sorbets.
- Location: Paarl Spice Route Farm, Suid Agter Paarl Road, Paarl
- Operating Times: Monday to Sunday 9am to 5pm
7. A cheese-only tasting at Fairview Farm
Fairview Farm is adored by locals and visitors alike. The Paarl-based business is renowned not only for its impeccable wine and cheese but the iconic goats that roam the property. In fact, with their very own tower, some of the furry horned mascots are the centrepiece of the main entrance.
For those that appreciate the classics, Fairview’s passion for wine and cheese can be found in their usual wine and cheese pairings and for those wanting to focus on just one passion, they also have a cheese-only tasting that consists of a selection of six Fairview cow and goat’s milk cheeses.
- Location: Suid-Agter-Paarl Road, Suider, Paarl
- Times: Monday to Sunday 9am to 5pm
8. Tequila Tasting experience
With the owners boasting 50 years of combined experience in the field of alcohol, the essence of Whiskyshop is that of a ‘sensory experience’. This means each tasting encompasses sight, touch and taste to curate a fun and memorable opportunity to savour the finer things in life (and by that, we mean tequila, of course).
The beautiful thing about tequila is that there’s no right or wrong way to taste it, making it an idyllic experience for both newbies and aficionados alike. Guided by the expert knowledge of your tasting host, you’ll soon discover the world of colour, body, aroma and flavours that synergistically coexists in one tiny glass.
- Deal: five samples of world-class tequilas each for two people
- Cost: Price exclusive to Cape {town} Etc readers is R325 | Normal price is R550
- Location: The Gin Emporium, Bascule Bridge, West Quay Road, V&A Waterfront
- Times: Monday to Saturday 10am to 6pm
Explore Cape Town and its surroundings with these incredible deals on cars for under 100K. Find car listings here.
Also read:
South Africa’s Pongrácz sparkling wine awarded a Grand Gold in Belguim
Picture: Fairview Wine and Cheese / Facebook
