Cape Town cafe churns out weird and wonderful treats

Try something unusual at Tapi Tapi. Photo: canva

Did you know that you could try dried fish and scotch bonnet ice cream in Cape Town? One Mother City eatery is making it all possible…

Tapi Tapi treats in Cape Town

It’s a wonderful celebration of Africa at Tapi Tapi in Cape Town, a cafe/bar/deli that is described as an ‘educational initiative that is focused on sharing food and food culture from the African continent”.

According to CNN travel, Tapi Tapi has become one of Cape Town’s most talked about food establishments since opening in October 2020, with Zimbabwean molecular biologist Tapiwa Guzha behind all its’ creations.

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Using only flavors indigenous to the African continent, Guzha told CNN that his ice cream and food has become the tool through which he is reframing the narrative around African food.

“I think the (global) food story doesn’t have much space for Africa… unless we’re looking at the generic idea of African food,” Guzha said.

“I’m not trying to appeal to the global universe – I’m trying to help Black identities enjoy their culture on a more regular basis.” he added.

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African-inspired flavours

The eatery began as an ice cream-centric spot, but customers can now also enjoy different African continental flavours in cocktails, baked desserts and breads, fermented milk and soda and many other treats.

On the Deli & Bar menu, visitors will find African-inspired dishes like Egusi from West Africa, Mopane caterpillar chocolate brownies, an Umqombothi milkshake and many more, traditional, delicious offerings.

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The cafe offering are small batch ice creams, which means the menu is constantly evolving and frequently being updated. Some of the previous flavours dished out at Tapi Tapi were ‘Mbwire mbwire’ (roasted sorghum biscuits) from Zimbabwe, ‘Mowa’ (amaranth greens and yellow plum), Salty kapenta dried fish (blitzed), toffee and scotch bonnet chile and many more.

Check out the new Deli & Bar menu here. The eatery is open from Tuesdays to Sundays, from 12:00 to 18:00.

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Sundeeka Mungroo

Sundeeka Mungroo is a content writer, foodie and all-round adventure-seeker. She's a graduate of the University of South Africa with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature, and has worked as a copywriter and editor in the digital marketing industry. Sundeeka currently writes for I Love South Africa and The South African. She lives in the beautiful Mother City and loves exploring all that South Africa has to offer.