South Africa takes home another global award
South Africa has been ranked among the world’s top 10 countries for food in Condé Nast Traveller’s 2026 Readers’ Choice Awards.
South Africa has been ranked 10th, with an overall satisfaction score of 94.26%.
The Condé Nast Traveller’s 2026 Readers’ Choice Awards are based on the results of a survey, which asks respondents to rank lists of candidates in different categories, such as hotels, resorts, airlines, cities, and countries.
Candidates are evaluated based on category-specific criteria using a five-point scale, and their final score is derived from these averages.
South Africa was celebrated for its diverse culinary offerings and the rich flavours derived from its various cultural groups, including indigenous, Indian, Malay, and European communities.
The traditional “braai” and the country’s various meats were highly acclaimed by respondents and described as the “cornerstone of all meals.”
Condé Nast Traveller described a braai as the “South African take on barbequing,” which was admired for the way it forces attendees to slow down and enjoy conversation, while eating various types of meat.
South Africa’s fine-dining restaurant scene was also highly acclaimed by Condé Nast Traveller, which specifically highlighted restaurants in Cape Town for their cheery atmosphere and delicious food.
The Condé Nast Traveller highlighted Jan Franschhoek as its top pick, earning a place on its 2025 Hot List.
Jan Franschhoek was recognised for its off-grid style, evoking a “family feast set up in its cosy cottage” amid vineyards and lavender fields.
Jan Franschhoek is a seasonal food-and-wine experience presented from a historic cottage called the Veepos, located on the La Motte wine farm in Franschhoek, Western Cape.
South Africa’s ranking was amongst other countries such as Croatia, Thailand, Spain, Indonesia, Turkey, and Japan.
The Condé Nast Traveller’s 2026 Readers’ Choice Awards ranked Italy as the best country in the world for food, with a score of 96.92%.
Greece was ranked second, with a score of 96.72%, and Portugal third, with a score of 96.57%.
One of the best cities in the world is in South Africa
Cape Town was recently ranked the 15th best city in the world on the 2026 Condé Nast Traveller Readers’ Choice Awards, for the fourth year in a row.
Cape Town has won several other major international awards over the years, including the Telegraph Travel Awards’ Best City in the World award for seven consecutive years.
In 2025, Time Out also crowned Cape Town with the Best City in the World award, for its food, nightlife, culture, affordability, and happiness.
The recent award by Condé Nast Traveller acknowledged Cape Town’s iconic Table Mountain, beautiful beaches, and “colonial-era grand dames” such as the Belmond Mount Nelson Hotel.
The city was also praised for its “cutting-edge new designs”, which include the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art in Africa.
The local wineries in and around the city were also highly praised, as well as Nelson Mandela’s history on Robben Island.
The awards ranked the top 10 best small cities and the top 10 best big cities, which comes to a total of 20 best cities in the world.
The best cities get voted for based on several parameters involving readers’ personal travel experiences, including friendliness and hospitality, such as how welcoming local residents are towards visitors.
Other factors, such as food and the city’s culinary scene, are also taken into account, including signature dishes, culinary history, and local dining culture.
Culture, art, and architecture also play a significant role in the vote, including factors such as historical sites, local art, museums, and architectural heritage.
The City of Cape Town said the award was warmly welcomed and expressed how much tourism contributes to the city’s economic growth.
“Yes, the beaches and mountains are beautiful beyond compare, but it’s Capetonians who are so welcoming to visitors. That’s what makes this place unmatched,” said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth, James Vos.
Vos commended the city’s food scene, noting that diversity plays an important role in the city.
“Cuisine is one of the most remarkable aspects of Cape Town and South Africa. Our food reveals our history and the spread of cultures that make us unique and memorable,” he said.
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