People living in South Africa know what 'braai' means. But for outsiders, the good guess one can conjure is that it is a South African barbecue. No one can question the correctness of it, but 'braai' for South Africans is more than just roasting meat on fire.
Braai has transcended into several cultural aspects that define the identity of South Africans. Case in point: in South African culture, the cooking of the meat is reserved for men - despite the Western conventions of women as the custodian of culinary duties. Here are the five great restaurants in Cape Town as specifically suggested by Travel & Leisure:
Mzoli's Place
This place is one of the most unique and popular restaurants in Cape Town. For one thing, Mzoli's is not 'technically' a restaurant. More like a meat shop, diners would bring their own eating utensils and choose their own tables. This open-air food court has a wide selection of braai stations to choose from. This place is open from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
Backyard Grill & Lounge
This restaurant is well-known among tourists for its cozy atmosphere. Apart from a custom selection of choice meats, this place is also graced with the light-hearted presence of the resident Boston Terrier named Mosley - the owner's adorable pet. Backyard Grill & Lounge is open from 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM.
aMadoda Braai
People flock to this funky Woodstock eatery for more than just a tasty piece of meat. In fact, the aMadoda Braai is an important hub for live entertainment in Cape Town. Most of their food selections are so handy they don't burden diners with spoon and fork. This bistro is open from 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM.
Karibu
This South African barbecue establishment owes its prestige to its touristy location. After all, the Victoria & Alfred Waterpark is one of the top tourist attractions in Cape Town. Apart from local braai, the Karibu also serves exotic foreign dishes. It is open from 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM.
The Hussar Grill
Among the braai restaurants in Cape Town, the Hussar Grill is very difficult to miss. There are over 6 locations in the city, each with their own signature dimly-lit interior design. Depending on the particular branch, The Hussar Grill starts opening between 6:00 AM to 12:00 AM.
