Cooking Classes in South Africa: 8 That Survive a Close Look

1.Malay Cooking Class and Lunch in Bo-Kaap

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 515 reviews · 2h 30m · from $49Our pick

Meet Faldela at 109 Wale Street for a 2.5-hour Cape Malay cooking class in her Bo-Kaap home. Prepare dishes such as curry, rotis, samosas, salad, juice, and dessert, learn about spices and local traditions, then sit down for lunch. No cooking experience is needed, and recipes are shared afterward.

“It was a truly fantastic experience!! Just chatting, learning and eating with such a great person was the best time I think I could have spent in Cape Town!”

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2.Authentic African Cuisine Cooking Experience

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 236 reviews · from $57Top rated

At Pahari African Restaurant in Salt River, Caleb and Florence guide you through traditional dishes including sadza, chicken stew, chakalaka, sugar beans, and peanut-butter greens. You’ll hear how the recipes developed, help prepare the meal, enjoy African drinks and snacks, and sit down together for tea or coffee.

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

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3.Cape Malay Cooking Class in Bo-Kaap

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 120 reviews · 2 hours · from $52

Join a local host in Bo-Kaap for a two-hour Cape Malay cooking class. Prepare dishes such as samoosas, chilli bites, roti, and curry, then sit down for lunch and a conversation about family, food, and the neighborhood. English and Afrikaans are spoken.

“Gracious hosts and great meal. We felt like family for a few hours. It was a lovely experience.”

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4.Bo-Kapp Walking Tour and Malay Cooking Class

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 105 reviews · 4 hours · from $68

Spend four hours exploring Bo-Kaap with local guides such as Faldela, Gadija, or Ilyas, then cook in a resident’s home. Fold samosas, fry chili bites, make flaky roti, prepare chicken curry and sambal, and finish with koesisters and cardamom tea. Museum entry, water, and recipes are included.

“It was amazing - Gadija took us on our historical walking tour of Bo Kaap and explained the history before entertaining us with the cookery session with Bilquis - I finally learnt how to make flaky roti Yeahh”

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5.Half-Day Small Group Cooking Experience in Franschhoek

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 74 reviews · from $116

Join chef Nicola Spilsbury at Spilsbury’s Kitchen in Franschhoek for a four-hour, hands-on South African cooking class. Starting at 5 pm, you’ll prepare traditional dishes in a group of no more than 12, learn local food customs, and sit down to enjoy the meal with South African wine. Recipes and chef’s tips help you repeat the experience at home.

“I visited Spilsbury’s with a group of girl friends and we had such a fantastic evening. The space that Nicola has created is inviting and beautiful, and Nicola herself is lovely! She is so knowledgeable and quick to offer information in an easy and relaxed way. Everything was well prepared and we had lots of laughs as we decorated cakes and drank champagne. This really is a must-do in Franschhoek - a little gem off the beaten track. I will, hopefully, be back! Thanks Nicola!!”

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6.Authentic African Cuisine Cooking Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 31 reviews · 2h 30m · from $71

At Pahari African Restaurant, Florence and Caleb guide you through a 150-minute Cape Town cooking class covering Sadza, chicken stew, beef bones with greens, chakalaka, and sugar beans. You will hear how recipes passed through their family, sample African drinks and snacks, then eat together. Vegetarian and vegan options are available.

“ha sido espectacular, no solo la clase de cocina, sino toda la explicacion sobre la alimentación y las costumbres de Africa. realmente excepcional, los anfitriones encantadores.”

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7.GQ: City Walking Tour & African Cuisine Cooking Class

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 11 reviews · 2 hours - 210 minutes · from $56

Explore Gqeberha with a local English-speaking guide, visiting the Campanile, Donkin Reserve, markets, street art, and historic streets. Choose the walking tour alone or add a hands-on cooking class with sadza, stews, greens, chakalaka, and sugar beans. Pickup and drop-off are included around Port Elizabeth.

“Knowledgeable tour guide who didn't only show the shiny places.”

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8.Johannesburg: Pan-African Cooking & Dinning Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 6 reviews · 210 minutes - 4 hours · from $102

Join a chef-led food experience from Sandton that combines a market visit, hands-on cooking, and a home meal. Choose vegan organic or meat dishes, learn about African ingredients and food traditions, then eat with local wine or juice while hearing the host’s story. English and French instruction, pickup, and small groups are available.

“We had an amazing experience with Chef Tee! Even better than we expected! He made us fell right at home and definitely created a vibe for us and taught us so much about the South African food we were making. Not only did we make wonderful dishes but it was all very delicious!”

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