Mojo
In Cape Town, Sunday lunch is more than just a meal—it’s a weekly ritual, a cornerstone of family life, and a celebration of heritage. Across the city, from the colourful Bo-Kaap to the Cape Flats and leafy suburbs, families gather around long dining tables. They share a feast that often centres around one timeless classic: roasted chicken and potatoes, accompanied by an array of flavourful, lovingly prepared sides. It’s the kind of meal that stirs nostalgia, strengthens bonds, and tells the story of a city rich in culture, history, and warmth.
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The Heart of the Table: Roasted Chicken and Potatoes
Few things say “Sunday lunch” in Cape Town more clearly than a golden, crispy roasted chicken, its skin crackling. The meat is infused with a blend of spices that have been passed down for generations. The preparation often begins early in the morning—or even the night before. The chicken is marinated in a fragrant mix of garlic, ginger, turmeric, paprika, cumin, coriander, and sometimes a dash of lemon juice or plain yoghurt to tenderise the meat.
What makes Cape Town’s roasted chicken special is the influence of the Cape Malay spice palette. It infuses every bite with a savoury-sweet complexity that sets it apart from a standard roast. It’s not unusual for cooks to stuff the cavity of the bird with aromatics—onions, fresh thyme, a stick of cinnamon, or a bay leaf to enhance the flavour from the inside out.
Then come the roast potatoes, an absolute non-negotiable. These are usually parboiled, lightly fluffed in a colander to create those crispy edges, and roasted in the same pan as the chicken. They absorb all the drippings and seasoning. Some cooks finish them off with a dusting of peri-peri spice or fresh parsley and garlic butter, elevating them to another level.
The Sides: A Feast of Flavors and Textures
In true Cape Town fashion, no Sunday roast is complete without a variety of sides. Some are light and fresh, others hearty and indulgent. The aim is to strike a perfect balance, turning the meal into a colourful, generous spread where every plate is brimming with love.
Yellow Rice with Raisins
This sweet and aromatic rice dish is a must on many Sunday tables. It is cooked with turmeric for a beautiful golden colour, cinnamon sticks for warmth, and studded with plump sultanas or raisins. Yellow rice is the perfect partner to the savoury roast. It reflects the Cape Malay culinary legacy, where sweet and savoury often coexist in beautiful harmony.
Creamy Baked Pumpkin or Butternut
Another beloved side dish is oven-roasted pumpkin or butternut, often sweetened with brown sugar, cinnamon, and butter. In some homes, it’s mashed and topped with a layer of golden crumbs. In others, it is served in soft wedges that melt in your mouth. A sprinkle of nutmeg or a drizzle of honey transforms this humble vegetable into a comforting, almost dessert-like accompaniment.
Coleslaw and Beetroot Salad
To cut through the richness of the roast, families often prepare crisp, tangy salads. Coleslaw made with shredded cabbage, carrots, and a sweet-and-sour dressing provides crunch and freshness. Beetroot salad, often pickled or dressed with vinegar and a hint of sugar, adds vibrant color and earthy flavor.
Green Beans with Potato
A uniquely Cape Town combination, this dish sees green beans and cubed potatoes slow-cooked with onions, garlic, and tomatoes. Sometimes lightly curried, it’s a homestyle comfort food that pairs beautifully with everything else on the table.
Sambals and Pickles
Cape Malay sambals—chopped tomato, onion, and chilli mixed with a splash of vinegar or lemon juice—are essential for adding zing to the meal. Homemade pickles, like curried green mango or carrot atchar, offer bursts of tang and spice that liven up every plate.
The Communal Spirit of the Meal
Sunday lunch in Cape Town is as much about people as it is about food. The cooking usually starts early, with the aroma of roasting chicken filling the home and signalling that something special is on the way. In many households, multiple generations contribute to the meal. A granny mixes the rice, an aunt peels potatoes and children set the table.
By midday, the kitchen becomes a whirlwind of activity, and the table is laid with care. A plastic tablecloth might be covered with mismatched bowls and platters, each holding a dish made from memory. It’s common to see friends and extended family pop in. Plates are often made for neighbours, and there’s always enough food for surprise guests.
The lunch itself is an unhurried affair. People sit together, pass dishes around, and talk—about work, life, memories, or just the food. There’s laughter, maybe a bit of debate, and always second helpings. It’s not unusual for someone to sneak a piece of roast potato straight from the tray. Generously spooned gravy might cover everything.
Dessert and Tea
Though the main meal is the star, dessert is never forgotten. Cape Town’s sweet tooth is evident in dishes like malva pudding, a rich, spongy baked dessert soaked in a hot cream sauce and served with custard or vanilla ice cream. Koeksisters, syrupy plaited doughnuts spiced with ginger and cinnamon, or milk tart (melktert)—with its creamy custard filling and dusting of cinnamon—are also popular.
Afterwards, tea or strong, sweet coffee is served, often with more conversation and maybe even a nap. In many ways, Sunday lunch stretches well into the afternoon, a slow, comforting fade-out from the busy week.
The Emotional Resonance
What makes this meal unforgettable isn’t just the taste but the emotional weight it carries. For many Cape Town families, Sunday lunch is a moment of pause, a reclaiming of time and space in a world that often feels rushed and chaotic. It’s a time to reconnect, to remember loved ones who’ve passed, and to pass down traditions to the younger generation. The recipes used have been handwritten in notebooks, shared across kitchens, and stored in memory through countless repetitions.
Even in changing times—when people have less time or move away—Sunday lunch holds its place. Whether it’s a simplified version or a full-blown feast, the spirit remains. It’s a link to culture, to community, to home.
Final Thoughts
A Cape Town Sunday lunch of roasted chicken and potatoes with all the sides is more than just a delicious meal—it’s a ritual wrapped in love, memory, and shared history. Each bite tells a story of migration, adaptation, and joy. It’s a celebration of flavours—spicy, sweet, savoury, and sour—that mirrors the city’s diversity and resilience. Most importantly, it’s an expression of togetherness in a world that too often forgets to slow down.
So next time Sunday rolls around, consider putting a chicken in the oven, roasting some potatoes, and inviting someone over. In doing so, you’ll be partaking in one of Cape Town’s most cherished traditions. You will share one plate, one story, and one meal at a time.
