This African city has been named one of the best in the world for food in 2026

So, you might have already seen that in Time Out’s latest edition of the best cities in the world for food, the glorious Peruvian capital of Lima was crowned champion – but one African hub also claimed a seat at the table. 

How is the list decided?

This isn’t any old list – Time Out’s Best Cities for Food with Intrepid Travel is actually based on a massive survey of more than 24,000 locals from over 150 cities worldwide. 

We asked them to rate the diversity, affordability and overall quality of the dining scene where they live, and have combined their votes with insight from food critics and Time Out city editors to curate this 20-strong menu. 

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Cape Town is the best city for food in Africa

Ranking 11th on the worldwide ranking with a whopping 93 percent of locals praising its quality (particularly highly for cafes and coffeeshops, which garnered 65 percent approval), Cape Town topped the list for cities in Africa. 

While it’s not considered the most affordable – only 44 percent of locals we spoke to would describe it as such – The Mother City is an undoubtedly exciting spot for dining right now. 

So, where should you be heading? Well, city editor of Time Out Cape Town Selene Brophy is here to tell us: ‘Michelin-starred chef Angel León's Amura at Mount Nelson put the city on Time’s list of the 100 Greatest Places. At the Test Kitchen Fledgelings, Luke Dale-Roberts and head chef Nathan Clarke are adding ‘fun-dining’ to the playbook with a street food-inflected menu that’s as stackable as it is serious. 

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‘Award-winning Fyn’s inclusion in UNESCO’s food sustainability pilot, one of only 4 Relais & Châteaux restaurants chosen worldwide, is proof of the city’s aptitude for driving food trends, not just following them. Add Zuney Wagyu’s farm-to-table smash burgers, which further seeds the idea that responsibly sourced food is flavourful as much as it is fun.

In fact, the patties from Zuney Wagyu are so good we just named it the second best burger in the world. Drooling? Same. 

🍝 Check out the full list of Time Out’s Best Cities for Food with Intrepid Travel.

Ready to see the world’s best cities for yourself? Book your next trip with Intrepid Travel and start planning the ultimate adventure today. 

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