Lelapa Restaurant

Lelapa Restaurant, meaning 'the home' in isiXhosa, has served township cuisine in Langa, Cape Town's oldest township, since it was established in October 1999 inside a converted family home. The idea grew out of watching tourist buses drive past the township on their way to the winelands, with the aim of inviting visitors in to experience township life over a meal.

The restaurant specialises in traditional township dishes made with fresh local ingredients, served buffet-style, with examples including carrots gently braised in lemon and herbs, sweet potatoes baked in a caramelised mustard-seed sauce, and an ostrich stroganoff marinated with coriander, chilli and salt and cooked with sweet peppers in a tangy sauce. Visitors have described the combination of food, music and culture as a memorable, authentic experience.

The restaurant is open by reservation only, and it suits visitors who want a genuine taste of township cuisine alongside the story of the area.