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These Tshisanyamas Have More Than Meat on the Menu
Eat, drink, jol and even get your car washed at these spots
Last updated: 11 March 2024
Tshisanyamas are a meat lover’s mecca. They are also the place to be when you want to have a party, see your favourite artist, chill with friends over a beer at a car wash or share a nourishing meal with family.
JOL ON FIRST THURSDAYS & HAPPY HOUR
PriMEATive is a city-centre spot, calling themselves a “tshishanyama that went to private school.” You can work remotely in the day and at night it turns into a casual hangout. There's happy hour specials (from 6pm to 7pm), savoury spitbraais and a selection of craft beers on offer, with live music and DJs. There's also First Thursdays at PriMEATive.
Go there because: They have free wifi and a working space
Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 8am to 12am Tuesday to Sunday, 8am to 12am
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57 Temple House | Buitenkant Street | Cape Town
SIT IN A SECRET BREE STREET COURTYARD
Connect over a braai at Gypsy Rabbit. Blending South African and South American flavours together, you can try menu items like a 24-Hour short sib with braised baked potato made with Bourbon, minty crème fraîche and onion rings. There's also hubbly available for your next night out.
Go there because: There's specials on boerewors rolls and draught beer
Hours: Tuesday to Saturday, 4pm to 12am
110 Bree Street | City Centre | @gypsyrabbitct | Image: Gypsy Rabbit
ENJOY SOUL FOOD ON SATURDAYS
Mkhululi Nomganga and Veliswa Dywili are the couple whose names – and hearts – are behind MV Meat Lounge, the tshisanyama spot on the bustling, shop-lined Sithathu Avenue in Nyanga East. They are the perfect meeting point for friends and families to gather over a braai and delicious soul food.
Go there because: It’s easily accessible and can be visited via taxi and bus routes.
Hours: Friday, 11am to 9pm; Saturday, 10am to 10pm; Sunday, 10am to 9pm
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2nd Avenue | Cala Dairy Shops | Sithathu Avenue | Nyanga East | 076 467 6565
BRAAI ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD
Embicini Braai Place in Mfuleni is a roadside tshisanyama for when you’re driving through. Their best seller is sheep meat, which you’re welcome to pick up on the way or call ahead and grab a takeaway. You’re also able to braai the meat yourself and benches are available for sit-down if you’d prefer to enjoy your meal there.
Go there because: They’re a roadside eatery where you can braai yourself or grab takeout on the go.
Hours: Monday to Sunday, 8am to 8pm
O Nqubelani Street | Mfuleni | Cape Town | Facebook | Image: @sibuleleyou
GET YOUR CAR WASHED
This nightclub around the corner on NY 110, Gugulethu, is affectionately referred to as GQ by the locals. When they’re not hosting events, Gqudu butchery is ideal for a quick lunch while getting your car washed by the gents on the corner. They serve tender lamb, pork chops, and basted wings. One highlight of the township is their unwavering dedication to The Gugulethu Seven.
Go there because: There's deep house during the day, and in the evenings over the weekend you can expect original gqom beats.
Hours: Monday; 9am to 9pm, Tuesday to Friday; 9am to 7pm, Saturdays & Sundays; 9am to 9:30pm
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Dr Moerat Street | Gugulethu | @gqlifestyle_ny110
GRAB LUNCH AT A FAMILY EATERY
A family-friendly butchery that does not serve alcohol and offers a formal sit-down menu. They’re popular for their basted wings, and their braai of tender red meat and livers. Off the set menu you can order a hearty beef or chicken stew instead of having a braai. Nomzamo, like most tshisanyamas, started as a butchery, so you can also opt to pick your meat (watch as they cut it) and braai at home.
Go there because: Nomzamo is found in Cape Town’s oldest township.
Hours: Monday to Friday; 7.30am to 6.30pm, Saturday & Sundays; 8.30am to 9pm
Shop No. 9 & 2 | Washington Street | Langa | @nomzamo_butchery | Image: @nandeskitchen
TRY PIZZA SAUSAGE
50onGugs is a butchery by day, hot spot by night (over the weekends). On a sunny Sunday afternoon over some good RnB, it’s the perfect hang out. From Friday to Sunday, as the day turns into evening, the music transitions to hip-hop and gqom, and the dance floor gets packed. The drinks will keep flowing as the resident DJ takes to the decks.
Go there because: Locals love their pizza sausage, topped with chakalaka and cheddar cheese, perfect for sharing.
Hours: Monday to Friday, 9am to 8pm; Friday, 9am to 8pm; Saturday, 9am to 12am
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No. 90, NY 50 | Gugulethu | @50on.gugs
VIEW CAPE TOWN FROM A ROOFTOP
Found on the rooftop of Urban Oasis Hotel, Urban Tshisanyama is proud to present itself as the only rooftop Tshisanyama in the heart of the city. They offer a South African food experience in a sophisticated setting. You’re also able to hire them as a bespoke function venue when they’re not hosting groove events.
Go there because: This is the only rooftop tshishanyama in Cape Town and you can hire it for a function.
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8am to 9pm
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91 Plein Street | Cape Town | @urban_tshisanyama
GROOVE AT THIS POPULAR HANGOUT
Opened in 2015, this tshisanyama has grown bigger and better while the food has stayed just as delicious. They have hosted some of the biggest parties in the Mother City and welcomed artists such as AKA, Cassper Nyovest, Lulo Cafe and gqom royalty Distruction Boyz. This lifestyle space presents the perfect venue for people to relax and unwind.
Go there because: On Thursdays they have an African Delight special where traditional meals, like idombolo, samp and stews are sold at a set price.
Hours: Thursday to Saturday, 10am to 11pm; Sunday, 10am to 10pm
6 Makhabeni Road | Khaya Bazzar | Khayelitsha | @randscapetown | Image: Rands Cape Town
TASTE MALAWIAN CUISINE
Pakwathu means “Our Village” and it’s where you can find African cuisine, good music and tshisanyama in the heart of Woodstock. Bringing you the kasi vibe, they are the only restaurant in Cape Town offering Malawian cuisine. Their meals include Nsima and Ndiwo and there are daily specials that include beef tripe or trotters and fried fish.
Go there because: They’re known for exclusively offering Malawian cuisine.
Hours: Monday to Friday, 10am to 9pm; Saturday and Sunday, 10am to 10pm
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1 Strand Street | Woodstock | @pakwathubraai
JOL IN THE STREETS
Teez Lounge (previously Mzoli's) can be found in the heart of Gugulethu and is a Cape Town institution. Since they’re always packed over the weekend, you should come early if you want to order and grab a table. If not, many people park their cars along the road and have a good time in the streets of Gugulethu, as you can hear the DJ at Mzoli as you enter this lively township. They’re known as Cape Town’s most popular tshisanyama.
Go there because: Teez is an institution, and for good reason. Go see what all the fuss is about, and life is not complete without trying their famous secret sauce.
Hours: Monday to Sunday, 9am to 6pm
Shop 2 & 3 | NY 115 Gugulethu | @teez_lounge_gugs | Image: Teez Lounge
EAT TSHISHANYAMA IN THE SUBURBS
Famous for their vegetarian options such as Kwanga (made from cassava, cooked and stored in banana leaves) and not skimping on their portion sizes, Jabulane’s Chisa Nyama in Goodwood offers sit-down and takeout services. A buzzing hangout spot that runs daily specials of beef and boerewors with hot African chilli for R85. Patrons are welcome to stay and socialise over a few drinks or call and collect. They also have hookah pipes.
Go there because: Their portion sizes are huge and they offer vegetarian options too.
Hours: Monday to Thursday, 11.30am to 9.30pm; Friday an Saturday, 11.30am to 11pm; Sunday, 11.30am to 10.30pm
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143B Goodwood | Voortrekker Road | Cape Town | Facebook
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MAKE MORE DISCOVERIES LOVED BY LOCALS
Prefer to do the braaing yourself? Check out these braai spots around Mother City.
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