South Africa Crowned Africa’s Food King at World Culinary Awards

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Africa’s vibrant food landscape has been invigorated once more by South Africa, which commanded the spotlight at the prestigious 6th World Culinary Awards, further solidifying the nation’s status as a dominant force in outstanding dining, creative chefs, and location-inspired adventures.

Travel News Africa reports that central to this year’s outcomes is the confirmation of South Africa as Africa’s Best Culinary Destination 2025. Cape Town, renowned for its stunning vistas, has enhanced its prestige by securing the title of Africa’s Best Culinary City Destination 2025.

The awards this year showcased a remarkable dominance by South African venues in various gastronomic categories. At the forefront is FYN in Cape Town, honoured as Africa’s Best Restaurant 2025. The city’s upscale dining prowess was further elevated by Nobu Cape Town, which claimed Africa’s Best Japanese Cuisine Restaurant, and Thali, which was acclaimed for its Indian fare. 

In addition, The Red Room at Mount Nelson, a Belmond Hotel, emerged as the continent’s premier Chinese eatery. At the same time, Le Coin Français by Darren Badenhorst in Franschhoek was recognised as the finest French restaurant.

Johannesburg contributed significantly, with The 11th Floor being named Africa’s Best Rooftop Restaurant and Qunu Saxon Hotel, Villas & Spa earning the accolade for Africa’s Best Hotel Restaurant.

Additional notable victors encompass MERTIA in Stellenbosch for supreme fine dining, Life Grand Cafe Waterfront for iconic landmark restaurants, and Amare in Cape Town, which captured the prize for Africa’s best new restaurant. Collectively, these establishments are reshaping South Africa’s culinary landscape by offering a fusion of classic and modern flavours that captivate both domestic and international patrons.

The World Culinary Awards extended beyond South Africa to honour exceptional venues throughout Southern Africa. These accomplishments are crucial in establishing the region’s profile as an emerging powerhouse in worldwide cuisine.

In Angola, Café Del Mar in Luanda was designated the country’s best, while Kimera EPIC SANA Luanda was praised as the foremost hotel restaurant. Botswana featured Table50Two in Gaborone and Xigera Restaurant at Xigera Safari Lodge in the Okavango Delta as leading contenders. 

Eswatini’s Ramblas Restaurant and Together & Co.’s Hilton Garden Inn Mbabane ascended to the echelons of regional excellence, illustrating a wider pattern of funding for culinary facilities that’s revolutionising guest experiences.

Mozambique’s MOOD Restaurant & Bar and Clube Naval Avani Pemba Beach drew international eyes to Maputo and Pemba. In contrast, Namibia’s Jetty 1905 and Stratos Restaurant & Bar at the Avani Windhoek Hotel Casino showcased the nation’s growing appeal as a culinary travel destination. 

Zambia’s The Theatre of Food at the Avani Victoria Falls Resort and Zimbabwe’s Victoria Twenty Two and Livingstone Room at The Victoria Falls Hotel were likewise celebrated, underscoring that Southern Africa’s food scene is richly varied and of international calibre.

The importance of these honours transcends singular eateries—they mirror the region’s elite hospitality benchmarks and serve as a beacon for the wider tourism arena. As worldwide culinary tourism expands, Africa’s ability to deliver distinctive, superior dining experiences will be pivotal in attracting new traveller demographics.

The 2025 World Culinary Awards have set a new standard for Africa’s hospitality sector, urging participants to innovate in the evolution of gastronomic tourism. Prioritising ingenuity, intercultural alliances, and talent cultivation, the region is primed to sustain its ascending path. As fresh eateries debut and veteran ones hone their menus, the horizon promises greater variety and excellence, luring guests eager for singular palate explorations.

While South Africa dominates the 2025 World Culinary Awards, Nigeria’s culinary scene remains vibrant yet under-represented on global stages, reflecting untapped potential amid growing domestic innovation. 

Nigeria boasts a rich tapestry of regional cuisines, from the spicy jollof rice and suya of the North to the seafood-rich dishes like pounded yam and egusi soup in the South, fuelled by a burgeoning street food culture and fusion restaurants in cities like Lagos and Abuja. 

However, the country has seen limited international recognition in awards like these, with only sporadic mentions in past years for spots like Nok by Alara in Lagos or hotel eateries in high-end chains. This disparity stems from challenges such as inconsistent infrastructure, limited global marketing, and a focus on local rather than export-orientated culinary branding. 

Recent trends show promise: the rise of Nigerian chefs like Michael Elegbede and events like the Lagos Food Festival are elevating traditional flavours with modern twists, attracting diaspora and international interest. Yet, Nigeria lags behind South Africa due to factors such as political instability, supply chain issues with premium ingredients, and fewer investments in hospitality training.

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The dominance of South Africa and Southern Africa in the 2025 World Culinary Awards could profoundly influence Africa’s tourism by positioning the continent as a premier food destination, driving economic growth through increased visitor spending on dining experiences. 

For Africa broadly, this spotlight encourages cross-continental collaboration, potentially boosting intra-African travel via culinary routes that link award-winning spots, fostering job creation in hospitality (estimated to add millions of roles by 2030 per World Travel & Tourism Council projections) and sustainable agriculture for local sourcing. It may also attract investment in eco-friendly tourism infrastructure, enhancing biodiversity-linked food tours in regions like the Okavango Delta. However, it risks widening inequalities if Northern and Western Africa, including Nigeria, don’t capitalise on it, leading to a South-centric tourism narrative. 

For Nigeria specifically, the phenomenon could serve as a wake-up call, inspiring emulation through government-backed initiatives like culinary academies or festivals to integrate food into tourism strategies. Positive impacts include diversified revenue streams—e.g., agritourism linking farms to urban eateries—potentially increasing Nigeria’s tourism GDP contribution (currently around 5%) by drawing foodie millennials and boosting forex from international visitors. 

Challenges arise if Nigeria fails to address safety perceptions or visa barriers. Still, successful adaptation could elevate Lagos as a West African culinary hub, promoting cultural exchange and reducing overreliance on oil by enhancing experiential travel offerings.

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FAQs

1. What made South Africa stand out in the 2025 World Culinary Awards?

South Africa excelled due to its innovative blend of traditional and modern cuisines, with Cape Town earning the title of Africa’s Best Culinary City and multiple restaurants, such as FYN, taking top honours across categories, including best restaurant and specialised cuisine.

2. How does Cape Town’s win as Africa’s Best Culinary City affect tourism? 

It enhances Cape Town’s global appeal, attracting food enthusiasts seeking unique dining experiences, which could spur investment in food tours, festivals, and infrastructure, ultimately boosting visitor numbers and economic growth in the tourism sector.

3. What is the current state of Nigeria’s culinary scene compared to South Africa?  

Nigeria’s scene is vibrant with diverse regional dishes and emerging fusion spots. Still, it lacks the global recognition and infrastructure of South Africa, presenting opportunities for growth through festivals and chef-led innovations.

4. How could these awards impact Africa’s overall tourism industry?

The awards highlight Africa’s culinary diversity, encouraging food-focused travel packages, cross-border itineraries, and investments that attract discerning tourists, potentially increasing jobs and revenue across the continent.

5. What opportunities do the awards create for Nigeria’s tourism sector?

They inspire Nigeria to integrate gastronomy into tourism strategies, such as promoting Lagos as a food hub, developing agritourism, and collaborating regionally to diversify income and elevate cultural experiences for international visitors.