When we think of the foodie capitals of the world, Italy, France, and the Far East are among the strongest contenders.

Food isn’t just something which fuels our travel, for some of us, it’s why we travel. Now Time Out’s new list of the world’s best cities for food is out with the winner declared as New Orleans, thanks to "a smorgasbord of influences like Spanish, French, Vietnamese and African flavours", according to the publication.

But this time, African countries had a strong presence on the roundup, with four claiming a spot in the top 20, and the first of these was sunny Cape Town in South Africa, which came in at number four.

Lagos, Nigeria’s largest city, came in 7th place. North African cities claimed the other two spots, with Marrakech coming in 11th place and Egypt's capital city Cairo in 16th.

But it was Cape Town that came in top of the African continent largely thanks to the sheer variety of cuisine on offer.

According to Andrew Hallett, Time Out South Africa’s Content Director, Cape Town’s cuisine is "as varied as they come – there really is something to cater to all tastes (and budgets) in the Mother City. With influences from Asia, Europe and across Africa, our city is known for packing a punch when it comes to flavour."

He says the must-try dish is a Gatsby, a gargantuan bread roll stuffed with hot chips, salad and fillings of your choosing into a gloriously authentic, messy bundle of lip-smacking flavour. 

Africa Travel says: "South Africa's Cape Region is well known for its stunning scenery, breathtaking beaches picturesque wine estates and sights such as Table Mountain & Cape Point, but did you know it is also a foodie’s heaven and home to some outstanding eateries?"

"Many of the region’s wine estates are rightfully lauded for their extraordinary wines, but some of them also play host to a selection of wonderful restaurants. There is Chorus on the Waterkloof Wine Estate and Geuwels at the Vergenoegd Low Estate, both under the careful control of the imaginative Bertus Basson, Liam Tomlin’s Chef Warehouse at Beau Constantia, (he also has an offering on the Maison Estate), as well as newcomer Arkeste which is hidden away on the Chamonix Wine Farm."

It doesn’t all have to be fine dining though. Cape Town is full of terrific, independently-owned venues such as Hemelhuijs, Ouzeri & Black Sheep.

Famous local dishes include Bobotie, the city's best-known dish consisting of curried mince meat, often beef or lamb, baked with a creamy egg-based topping. It's often considered the national dish of South Africa and is known for its balanced mix of sweet, savoury, and spicy flavours. 

Cape Malay Curry and the Gatsby Sandwich are other favourites. The latter is essentially a massive sandwich, typically served on a long French-style roll or sub roll, and loaded with various ingredients, including polony (a type of bologna), slap chips (South African-style fries with vinegar), achaar (a South African mango pickle), and a variety of sauces. 

Biltong and Droëwors (cured meats) and Fish & Chips are also well-loved. Additionally, Koeksisters (sweet pastries) and braai (South African barbecue) are also popular choices.  

Cape Town is now widely recognised as a world-class culinary destination, and its restaurant scene is diverse and vibrant.

A typical three-course meal out in a mid-priced restaurant in Cape Town costs around 700 rands per person or £27, a lot more affordable than here in the UK.