Street-food in Cape Town that will fit your budget

From Turkish kebabs to Cape-style biryanis, Indian curries and tandoor dishes

This canteen-style eatery with its string of bustling stalls is a vibe. The portions are huge, affordable, Halaal and vegetarian-friendly. Get Turkish, Indian, local and other dishes here.

At night the Eastern Food Bazaar is lit up with neon lights. Image: Francois Rousseau (@anotherafricansoul) 

TAKE A LOOK INSIDE 

The Eastern Food Bazaar is in the heart of Cape Town’s CBD; the site used to be the Wellington Fruit Growers Market in the 1930's. The bazaar draws an incredible mix of people, and tourists looking for a local experience are drawn to it. The energy is dynamic, the colours vibrant, you can smell rich, fragrant spices, and there is gorgeous Indian decor, like the carved wooden doors imported from India. 

The floors are paved with stone and looks like a cobbled road, and halfway through there’s a basin with taps to wash your hands before and after eating (yes, they will get dirty if you eat with your hands like the locals). No alcohol is allowed on the premises.

You’ll be charmed by the Indian decor and vibrant colours. Image: Francois Rousseau (@anotherafricansoul) 

EAT BUNNY CHOW, CURRY, SHAWARMAS AND MORE 

Have a true local experience: Order a giant vegetable, chicken or lamb bunny chow at Punjabi from only R50. Or try the creamy Indian butter chicken and lamb curry, served with rice, salad, and dhal (a spiced Indian soup often made from lentils or split peas). Also on offer are lamb or chicken shawarmas, served with chips and salad from R60 at Istanbul – it’s more than enough for two people sharing. 

From bunny chow and shawarmas to kebas and dosas, there’s loads to choose from.  Image: Eastern Food Bazaar 

TRY THE DELICIOUS KEBABS AND DOSAS

Nizami sells lamb seekh kebabs, that’s lamb mince mixed with spices and placed on a skewer, then baked in a Tandoor oven (it’s made of clay and is used in Middle Eastern countries). Or try a dosa, a thin pancake-like type of food made of fermented batter predominantly consisting of lentils and rice. It looks like a pancake and usually has a savoury filling of cheese, masala, chicken, or lamb. You can get a dosa at Madras from R40. 

Get dosas filled with cheese, masala, chicken, or lamb. Image: Eastern Food Bazaar 

YOU CAN FEAST EVEN ON A BUDGET  

Even those with the tightest budgets can enjoy a filling meal at the Eastern Food Bazaar. At Tandoori an Indian Omelette, served with roti, chips and salad, costs R30. Try a big portion of stuffed paratha (baked Indian bread with a filling) with potato, cheese or mince, from R25. Or get a roti for R6 and a giant Naan bread for R9. There’s also pizzas from R50 and delicious ice cream for dessert. 

Choose from flavours like mango, passion fruit, bubblegum, raspberry, coffee, and more.  Image: Eastern Food Bazaar

WHERE AND WHEN TO GO 

You’ll find the Eastern Food Bazaar at 96 Longmarket Street, or you can enter from Darling Street. Take your food home, dine downstairs and be part of the bustling vibe or head upstairs (taking the stairs on the right of the Darling Street entrance) if you’re looking for a quieter spot to eat. It is open from Monday to Thursday, 10am - 8pm, and Friday to Saturday, 10am - 10pm. 

Dine downstairs and take in the bustling vibe or head upstairs for a quieter spot. 

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