Curious tastings in Cape Town

Fynbos lollies, chai toffee, African ice cream & more

Last updated: Monday, 12 February 2024

While there’s tons of wine tastings in Cape Town, if you’re looking for something different, you can also taste fynbos lollies, handmade old-fashioned toffee (for free) and the world’s oldest alcoholic beverage. Here are some of the most unique tasting experiences in Cape Town and surrounds.

AFRICAN ICE CREAM, LOLLIES & COCKTAILS 

Tapi Tapi founder Tapiwa Guzha is on a mission to spotlight African flavours and cultures, through ice cream. With one-of-a-kind flavours such as puffed rice pilau, buchu and amasiqoqolo (amasi and kei-apple). There’s also vegan options. Plus, try their signature cocktails and five-course fynbos lollies.  

Hours: Tuesday - Friday and Sunday, 1pm to 7pm; Saturday, 12pm to 7pm

Cost: Scoops from R43

76 Lower Main Road | Observatory | @_tapi_tapi | Image: Tapi Tapi

OLD-FASHIONED TOFFEES (FOR FREE) 

If you take a drive to Darling Sweet, you can do a free toffee tasting. At zero cost you can watch toffees be prepped, cut and packaged. While the toffees are made old-fashion style, the flavours aren’t, with options like Bird’s Eye Chili, Rooibos Chai, Honey and Salt and more. Read more on Darling Sweet. 

Hours: Monday - Friday, 8am to 5pm; Saturday, 10am to 2pm

Cost: Free

7A Lang Street | Darling | R315 | @_darling_sweet_  | Image: Darling Sweet

OLIVES, OLIVES AND MORE OLIVES 

At this farm in Tulbagh, you can buy marmalades, lip balms, tapenades, oils and more. Visit Oakhurst Olives Tasting Centre and Test Kitchen for an olive tasting which includes black kalamata olives, three olive oils, tapenade, two marmalades and a mini loaf of bread with 4 spice sauces. 

Hours: Monday - Friday, 9am to 4pm; Saturday, 9.30am to 2pm

Cost: R50 per person

Lemoendrif Farm | Tulbagh | @oakhurstolives | Image: @miekevanniekerk

FOR THE TEA LOVERS 

Nigiro Teacafe has guided tasting experiences, which include an introduction to the tea equipment, an overview on the teas and their origins, a quick discussion on South African tea culture and tasting of the various teas. A few of the tasting flavours include Cederberg Highveld Rooibos, Lemon Ginger Rooibos and Lady Grey. Learn more about Nigiro's tea culture.  

Hours: Monday - Friday, 8am to 5pm; Saturday, 9am to 3pm; Sunday, 9am to 2pm

Cost: R150 per person 

71 Gabriel Road | Plumstead | @nigiroteacafe | Image: Nigiro Teacafe

THE WORLD’S OLDEST ALCOHOLIC DRINK 

Made from honey, water and yeast, mead originated in Southern Africa and is the only alcoholic beverage to occur in nature. Cape Town Meadery is putting a modern twist on an ancient beverage and their tasting includes 10 different types of mead (from sweet and sparkling to lager and gin). Visit Cape Town Meadery to learn more about the history of mead. 

Hours: Monday - Friday, 9am to 3pm

Cost: R120 per person

27 7th Avenue | Maitland | @cape_town_meadery | Image: Cape Town Meadery

OLIVE OIL AND BUBBLES?nbsp;

Would you try sparkling wine with olive oil? Graham Beck Bubbly has a tasting of four Cap Classiques paired with olive oil infusions. While you might not have imagined that pairing, each bubbly has been meticulously matched with an accompanying olive oil to enrich the flavours. 

Hours: Monday - Friday, 9am to 5pm; Saturday and Sunday, 10am to 4pm

Cost: R170 per person

Scenic Cape Route R60 | Robertson | @grahambeckbubbly | Image: Graham Beck

CHEEKY BEERS FOR ROCK ‘N ROLL LOVERS 

This brewery is a local favourite (with options for non-beer drinkers too). Taste up to nine homegrown beers with cheeky names inspired by sex, drugs and rock ‘n roll (like Born Slippy, a crisp lager, or Slice of Life, with a lemon flavour). You can also learn more with a tour of Woodstock Brewery. 

Hours: Daily, 12pm - 10pm

Cost: R10 each for a 100ml glass

252 Albert Road | Woodstock | @woodstockbrewery | Image: Lara van Zyl

By Sarah Williams 

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