Vinegary fish and chips, gatsbys stuffed to capacity, and braaivleis straight off the fire – these are just some of the moreish foods you can expect at the Visa Street Food Festival this year. The fourth annual event of its kind will begin in Cape Town on 2 September with the launch of a night market, continue on 3 September and then move to Johannesburg on 10 September.

The Visa Street Food Festival is a place to come together over local food. Photo supplied.

Visa is proud to be partnering with the festival for the first time as headline sponsor, making sampling the authentic street food easier than ever. “We’re cashless, thanks to the help of Visa technology when you tap and pay with your Visa card,” says Thembeka Ngugi, Visa’s senior director of marketing for Sub-Saharan Africa.

An example of the gatsbys that will be on offer. Photo supplied.

In Cape Town that authentic street food will include delights like deep-fried mac-and-cheese balls, pap and tripe, steamed bread and trotters, bunny chows and samoosas. Jozi festivalgoers will be tantalised by foods like butter chicken and chips, spicy jerk chicken, foot-long boerewors rolls, grilled cheese sandwiches and thick milkshakes. With their appetites satisfied, attendees will be able to enjoy tunes from the country’s hottest talent. The line-up includes Dope Saint Jude, Felix Laband, Roastin’ Records, K-$ and DJ Okapi.

The Street Food Festival in Maboneng, Johannesburg. Photo supplied.

The Cape Town event also features speakers like food blogger Ming Cheau Lin; pâtisserie chef Nikki Albertyn of LionHeart pâtisserie studio; and Nobhongo Gxolo from pop-up supper club Third Culture Experiment. Talks in Jozi will be held by Jako van Deventer from The Rogue Cheddar; freelance food writer, recipe developer, and food stylist Dorah Lydia Sitole; and small-scale urban farming business Kotze Rooftop Garden Co-operative.

Look forward to delicious traditional fare. Photo supplied.

The Mother City festival is expanding to span both Saturday and Sunday, explains director Hannerie Visser: “The Visa Street Food Festival is more popular than ever. Street food is something everyone can relate with, and South Africans have always been fans of informal dining, whether it’s pancakes at a church bazaar or bunny chow in a corner shop. With more food trucks than ever popping up, the festival will not only give visitors the chance to taste all their favourite foods, but also create a platform where food makers can educate visitors.”

A huge pan of paella being prepared for festival-goers. Photo supplied.

In the run-up to the Cape Town festival, guests are also invited to buy tickets for the brand-new Food Studio, featuring top chefs and speakers taking you through interactive tastings, workshops and demonstrations.

Feast on a sheep’s head with your friends. Photo supplied.

The festivals will be taking over Side Street Studios in Woodstock, Cape Town, and Common Ground in Maboneng, Johannesburg. The night market in Cape Town will begin at 5pm on Saturday 2 September, and both Sunday markets (3 September in Woodstock and 10 September in Maboneng) will go from 9am to 4pm. Get tickets via Webtickets or win them with Eat Out.