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Best food destinations in Africa

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Marrakech
A vibrant maze of colors and spices
8.0
By dusk the Jemaa el-Fnaa square works like one giant open air restaurant. Stalls grill lamb sausage and fry fish. Others ladle out snail soup under bright lamps. Try tangia, a lamb stew cooked slowly in a clay pot. Sit on a bench and eat shoulder to shoulder with locals.
Highlights:
  • 🧖‍♀️ Relax in a traditional hammam and experience Moroccan spa culture
  • 🏛️ Wander through the serene courtyards of Bahia Palace
  • 🕌 Lose yourself in the vibrant souks of Jemaa el-Fnaa
Zanzibar
Turquoise Waters and Spice Perfume
7.4
Cloves made the island rich in the 1800s. Join a spice farm tour to see cinnamon and nutmeg growing. At sunset head to Forodhani Gardens, a waterfront park in Stone Town. Stalls there grill fresh seafood on skewers. They also sell Zanzibar pizza, a fried pancake with a filling.
Highlights:
  • 🐒 Visit Jozani Forest to see rare red colobus monkeys
  • 🤿 Snorkel in the clear waters of Mnemba Atoll and spot vibrant marine life
  • 🏰 Explore Stone Town's narrow streets and historic sites
Fez
Labyrinthine Medina, Living Moroccan Heritage
7.5
The old walled medina has narrow lanes with no cars, so food moves by hand or donkey. Stop for pastilla, a flaky pie of chicken dusted with sugar and cinnamon. Join a cooking class in a riad, a house with a courtyard. Learn to make slow tagines with local cooks.
Highlights:
  • 🕌 Admire intricate tilework at Bou Inania Madrasa
  • 👜 Visit the world-famous Chouara Tannery for unique views
  • 🏘️ Explore the ancient Fes Medina with its winding alleys
Stellenbosch
Wine, Heritage and Mountain Views
7.5
Tokara and Jordan are wine estates with restaurants that serve local food beside the vines. The town was founded in 1679 and has oak lined streets. Walk between white Cape Dutch buildings, then settle in at a cafe. Many estates offer pairing menus that match wines with each dish.
Highlights:
  • 🥾 Hike Jonkershoek Nature Reserve trails for stunning views
  • 🏛️ Explore historic Dorp Street's Cape Dutch architecture
  • 🍷 Tour the famous Spier Wine Farm and taste award-winning wines
Durban
Sunny beaches and rich culture
7.1
The smell of curry hits you on Victoria Street. Sellers stack chilli and masala in bright piles. Durban has a big Indian community and it shows on the plate. Try a bunny chow, which is a hollowed bread loaf filled with hot curry. Eat it with your hands.
Highlights:
  • 🚶‍♀️ Stroll the Durban promenade and enjoy the ocean views
  • 🐠 Explore uShaka Marine World and its giant aquarium
  • 🏖️ Swim and surf along Durban’s famous Golden Mile beaches
Lagos
Buzzing Metropolis with Coastal Charm
5.7
Locals take jollof rice seriously and every cook defends their own pot. At night people gather at roadside stalls for suya. It is spicy grilled beef rubbed with ground peanut pepper. Try a buka, a casual local eatery, for amala with ewedu soup. Amala is a dough made from yam flour.
Highlights:
  • 🏖️ Relax and swim at beautiful Tarkwa Bay Beach
  • 🌿 Walk the longest canopy walkway at Lekki Conservation Centre
  • 🛍️ Explore vibrant Balogun Market for local crafts and textiles
Franschhoek
Wine, Mountains and Gourmet Living
7.4
Visit in February or March when the grape harvest fills the valley. French Huguenots settled here in 1688 and brought their winemaking skills. Ride the Wine Tram between estates and stop for tastings along the way. Book a long lunch at one of the town's restaurants with mountain views.
Highlights:
  • 🏛️ Visit the Huguenot Memorial Museum and monument
  • 🌿 Explore beautiful gardens at Babylonstoren Farm
  • 🍷 Taste exquisite wines on the Franschhoek Wine Tram
Cape Town
Mountains, Beaches and a Vibrant Culture
7.6
Cape Malay cooking began in the 1600s with enslaved people brought from Southeast Asia. Their spices still flavour local plates. Try bobotie, a spiced minced meat bake, in Bo-Kaap. On Saturdays the Old Biscuit Mill market has fresh seafood and pastries. Wine estates nearby add long lunches.
Highlights:
  • 🍽️ Explore the V&A Waterfront and dine by the sea
  • 🚡 Ride the cable car for breathtaking city views
  • 🥾 Hike to the top of Table Mountain
Addis Ababa
Vibrant capital where history meets modernity
8.1
Injera is the sour flatbread under every meal here. You tear it by hand and scoop up doro wat, a spicy chicken stew. Try tibs too, which is fried beef. Then join a coffee ceremony and watch the beans roast. Ethiopia is where coffee is thought to have started.
Highlights:
  • 🌄 Climb Mount Entoto for sunrise city panorama
  • 🛍️ Stroll through Merkato, Ethiopia's largest market
  • 🏛️ Explore National Museum, view Lucy fossil
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