Food and Drink Festivals Happening in Cape Town

We’ve lined up the most mouth-watering food and beverage extravaganzas that will be sizzling in the Mother City

Among the greatest things in life, well-prepared food or perfect thirst-quenching drinks have definitely got to be near the top of the list. It becomes infinitely more pleasurable when it’s brilliant value for money too. Brace yourself for a tasty summer and sink your teeth into these lip-smacking food festivals over the next few months. If you prefer something less solid then gulp up the atmosphere at the following drink festivals.

Food and wine festivals have become synonymous with the Western Cape because of the vast number that take place here each year, but very few of them are dedicated to one type of food or style of cooking. The following fiestas all revolve around one type of dish or beverage, so feast your eyes on three of the Mother City’s most appetising upcoming fêtes.

2016 CAPE TOWN BURGER FESTIVAL AT JAN VAN RIEBEECK HIGH SCHOOL (16 JAN)

The next food item below bacon in the hierarchy of tastiness is certainly hamburgers. Fitting, then, that the juicy patty should have its own festival. The Cape Town Burger Festival is still in the planning phase and so some details still need to be confirmed, but what we do know is that it is set to take place at Jan van Riebeeck High School on Saturday, 16 January 2016. Patrons will be able to tuck into a variety of burger creations, including classics such as the trusty cheeseburger and some more exotic constructions from some of the Mother City’s most loved burger joints.

2016 GIN AND TONIC FESTIVAL IN WOODSTOCK (30 JAN)

Nothing screams ‘sunny weekend bliss’ like a good old G&T. So the lads at Mason’s Press in Woodstock will be hosting the inaugural Gin and Tonic Festival on Saturday, 30 January 2016. The zesty celebration of the refreshing beverage will give you the opportunity to sample some top-notch versions of the spirit, specially prepared by some of the city’s finest ginsmiths. You can expect the classic G&T combo, as well as some creative twists on the traditional drink, with some quirkily-named craft concoctions.

2016 PINOTAGE & BILTONG FESTIVAL (16 - 17 APR)

Take two of the greatest local delicacies, pair them together, and what do you get? A taste explosion of epic proportions, that can be discovered at the Pinotage & Biltong Festival at L’Avenir wine estate in Stellenbosch. The weekend celebration of South Africa's speciality snack and award-winning wines takes place on Saturday, 16 and Sunday, 17 April 2016. Sink your teeth into spicy biltong, and sample vino from around 18 regional wine estates, while you gaze over the peaceful dam. Live music and kid-friendly activities will ensure you fully relax and enjoy this festival.

2016 LAMBERT'S BAY CRAYFISH FESTIVAL (29 APR - 1 MAY)

Take and epic trip down to one of the West Coast’s most charming fishing villages for the popular Lambertsbaai Kreeffees (Lambert’s Bay Crayfish and Cultural Festival). This annual seafood affair scuttles across the seasonal events calendar from Friday, 29 April to Sunday, 1 May 2016 at the Lambert’s Bay Caravan Park. Famed for its good ‘old-fashioned’ West Coast hospitality, the yearly crayfish fiesta pairs its small-town culture with performances by some of the country’s best Afrikaans musical artists, a range of stalls selling everything from clothing and jewellery to food and gifts and, of course, an abundance of decadent crayfish.

2016 SOUTH AFRICAN CHEESE FESTIVAL (30 APR - 2 MAY)

Come delight in the stringy goodness of mozarella, the pungent aroma of a mature blue, or the creaminess of a delectable camembert when the South African Cheese Festival returns to Sandringham in Stellenbosch from Saturday, 30 April to Monday, 2 May 2016. This annual food and wine celebration will focus on showcasing world-class local and international cheeses, with special attention paid to artisan and boutique cheese makers.  It’s all about craft, creativity and tucking into all manner of scrumptious cheesy delights. Expect cheeses galore, cheese carving competitions, cooking demonstrations, and loads of other family-friendly entertainment.

2016 RIEBEEK VALLEY OLIVE FESTIVAL (7 - 8 MAY)

A mere hour's drive from the Mother City and you can find yourself in the sleepy hollow of Riebeek Kasteel, where this year's Riebeek Valley Olive Festival will take place, from Saturday, 7 to Sunday, 8 May 2016. Tickle your taste buds and prepare your palate for a gourmet affair when friends and family come together to enjoy the region’s fruits and culture. The popular festival sees the celebration of the humble olive and plenty of yummy nosh to tickle foodie taste buds, with olive oil and wine tastings, as well as homemade jams, preserves and produce all being put on offer for you.

2016 SHIRAZ AND CHARCUTERIE FESTIVAL (28 MAY)

Warm up your winter with a fiesta dedicated to red wine and cured meats! The Shiraz and Charcuterie festival takes place at Anthonij Rupert on Saturday, 28 May 2016, and lovers of red wine will have the opportunity to taste award winning Shiraz from not just Anthonij Rupert, but from leading wine estates including Simonsig, Rust en Vrede, Waterford Estate and many more. In order to fully appreciate the flavours in the wine, food will be offered up in tandem. Not only will there be charcuterie (a selection of cold cooked meats), but also hearty winter favourites to really get your taste buds sizzling.

2016 COFFEE AND CHOCOLATE FESTIVAL (9 - 11 SEP)

Coffee and chocolate go together like wine and cheese, but better. From Friday, 9 to Sunday, 11 September 2016 join the coffee addicts and chocolate dependents at Green Point Cricket Club for the very exciting Coffee and Chocolate Festival. Expect steampunk coffee bars, test your barista skills, or see if you have what it takes to become a master chocolatier at this heavenly fiesta.

2016 CAPE TOWN SUSHI FESTIVAL (1 - 2 OCT)

Capetonians love sushi almost as much as the wine we produce in this area, so naturally there will be a festival for the Japanese delicacy. The Cape Town Sushi Festival will roll out on Saturday, 1 and Sunday, 2 October 2016 at a venue still to be confirmed. One thing we can guarantee is that your tastebuds will be catered for as a variety of sushi styles will be on offer, from sashimi and salmon rolls to prawn tempura and fashion sandwiches. We will update you with more information on this event as soon as we know more. 

TICKETS TO THE CAPE TOWN FOOD AND DRINKS FESTIVALS

Details about the tickets to each food or drink festival can be seen on their individual pages, so click through to the events to find out more.

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