The choices of what to eat in South Africa are wonderfully varied. Fresh produce is in great evidence and unless you choose to dine at the most expensive restaurants/hotels, eating out is usually inexpensive. The average price for a 3 course meal for one, excluding wine will be around R100 (approx. £10) but prices will vary a little according to venue and menu. The many cultures of the country have given such a variety of cuisine from the Cape Malay in Cape Town to Indian curries in the Durban area in addition to the traditional African and imported 'international' tastes of Chinese, Italian, Continental etc. Traditional breakfasts are usually served in Hotels and B&B´s - egg, bacon, sausage is the base but each establishment will have its own identity adding fruit, muffins, home-made preserves, croissants, and many in-house specialities. Light lunches are always available in bars, restaurants, fast food outlets, street cafes and supermarkets - huge varieties of cheese, cold meats, pastries, salads, breads, cakes, fruit etc. Try some biltong as a tasty snack - it is usually sun dried beef but game biltong is also available - ostrich, kudu and impala. Packet biltong can be bought in supermarkets but the very best is from a butcher who will usually have pieces of meat hanging and he will slice it fresh for you. Dinner is the main meal of the day and is usually served between 6.30pm and 10pm. Local information is always available on the best local restaurants. Sea food is excellent and will include such things as oysters, mussels, tuna, yellowtail, kingclip, and prawns. Excellent meat - from Karoo lamb to ostrich, kudu, nyala and crocodile as well as beef and the famous boerewors (spicy sausage) are always in plentiful supply .The braai or barbecue is very popular and both meat and fish are often prepared in this way. Salads and vegetables are usually imaginatively served with freshness and excellent preparation being much in evidence. Specialities to try should include bobotie - a curried lamb dish part way between a shepherds pie and a moussaka, the boerewors and the local seafood and wild game. Every town will have a selection of places to eat from the steak house chains such as Spur, Nandos, KFC and Wimpey to favourites like Ocean Basket (a seafood chain) and local independent restaurants and bars. Some of the best meals in the Cape area are to be found at the wineries, many of which have their own excellent restaurants. These include Laborie in Paarl, Spier and Terroir in Stellenbosch, Constantia Uitsig, Avontur in Somerset West, Boschendal in Franschoek and if you enjoy a splendid lunch time picnic, Hartenberg Vineyard just outside Stellenbosch. There are many more in addition to those mentioned and finding your own favourite can be great fun! Franschoek is regarded as the gastronomic capital of South Africa and its streets are lined with fine restaurants - Le Quartier Francais, La Couronne and the Chamonix being among the best known. The town prides itself in winning the top restaurant awards almost every year!

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