The Best High Tea Experiences in Cape Town
Cape Town has some excellent high-tea experiences, ranging from the classic grand-hotel tradition to contemporary afternoon teas with spectacular ocean, mountain views and scenic garden settings. Based on current 2026 offerings, these would be my top-rated high tea and afternoon tea experiences:
Mount Nelson, A Belmond Hotel
High tea at Mount Nelson, A Belmond Hotel, is one of Cape Town’s most celebrated luxury dining traditions. Set beneath Table Mountain in the elegant Gardens suburb, the historic “Nellie” has been serving afternoon tea since 1989, making it a longstanding part of Cape Town’s social and culinary heritage.
The experience takes place in the hotel’s refined Lounge, with its graceful heritage atmosphere, while live piano music provides a gentle soundtrack. Depending on the setting and weather, guests can also enjoy tea on the terrace or around the garden fountain, surrounded by Mount Nelson’s extensive, beautifully maintained gardens.
The centrepiece is an elegant, tiered presentation of sweet and savoury delicacies. Guests can expect delicate sandwiches, freshly baked scones, pastries, cakes and other beautifully crafted confections. The menu also incorporates South African flavours, including treats such as milk tart (melktert).
Tea is an important part of the experience. Craig Cupido, South Africa’s first professionally trained tea sommelier, guides guests through an extensive selection of premium loose-leaf and flowering teas. The current offering includes more than 60 teas, alongside local infusions such as rooibos, honeybush and buchu. Mount Nelson’s signature tea combines Darjeeling, Kenya, Assam, Keemun, Yunnan and Ceylon teas with delicate pink rose petals—a fitting match for the hotel’s famous pink walled exterior.
The atmosphere is elegant rather than stuffy, making it suitable for a special occasion, romantic outing, family celebration or simply an indulgent Cape Town experience. Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options are available, and there is also a children’s afternoon-tea menu.
Mount Nelson lists afternoon tea daily, with its current price of R650 per adult and R350 for children under 12; the listed dress code is smart casual. Because menus, prices and seating times can change, it is advisable to confirm when booking.
Afternoon tea at Mount Nelson is much more than a meal. It is a quintessential Cape Town ritual, combining old-world hotel elegance, exceptional pastries, South African tea culture, live music and the tranquil beauty of one of the city’s most historic gardens.
Cape Grace Hotel
Afternoon tea at Cape Grace, A Fairmont Managed Hotel, is an elegant waterfront experience, combining classic afternoon-tea traditions with the relaxed sophistication of Cape Town. Set at the V&A Waterfront, the hotel enjoys a particularly beautiful position overlooking the yacht marina, with Table Mountain providing a dramatic backdrop.
Served in the refined Heirloom Restaurant, the experience centres on a beautifully presented selection of delicate savouries, finger sandwiches, freshly baked scones and handcrafted pastries. The pastry team gives the traditional format a distinctly contemporary Cape Town character, with beautifully detailed petit fours and seasonal creations.
Guests can choose from a curated selection of premium loose-leaf teas, creating a leisurely progression from savoury bites to warm scones served with cream and preserves, followed by an assortment of elegant cakes, tartlets and petits fours. The overall presentation is polished and luxurious without feeling overly formal.
The setting is a major part of the appeal. The sounds of the marina, yacht masts and sea breeze create a distinctly nautical atmosphere, while the views towards Table Mountain add an unmistakable Cape Town dimension to the traditional British ritual. Live piano music further enhances the relaxed, sophisticated mood.
For celebrations, Cape Grace also offers the option of adding Cap Classique, turning afternoon tea into an especially festive experience. A dedicated Kiddies’ Afternoon Tea is available for families, with child-friendly treats and caffeine-free teas.
Cape Grace currently lists Afternoon Tea from Thursday to Sunday, with sittings at 13:30, 14:00, 14:30 and 15:00, at R650 per person including a welcome drink. Advance booking is recommended.
Cape Grace offers a more contemporary waterfront interpretation of afternoon tea: elegant pastries and traditional scones combined with luxury-hotel service, live piano, the V&A marina and spectacular views of Table Mountain. It makes an excellent choice for a special occasion, romantic afternoon, family celebration or a leisurely Cape Town sightseeing day.
The Leopard Bar at 12 Apostles Hotel & Spa
Afternoon tea at The Leopard Bar at The Twelve Apostles Hotel & Spa is an elegant Cape Town tradition known as “Tea by the Sea.” Perched above the Atlantic Ocean on the slopes of the Twelve Apostles, the setting combines classic hotel indulgence with spectacular mountain and ocean scenery.
The experience is centred around a generous selection of freshly baked scones, cupcakes, macarons and delicate finger sandwiches, accompanied by fragrant teas and coffee. The presentation has a traditional high-tea character, with sweet and savoury treats designed to be enjoyed leisurely rather than rushed.
One of the great attractions is the setting. From The Leopard Bar and its terrace, guests can look across the Atlantic while the dramatic Twelve Apostles mountain range rises behind the hotel. The peaceful surroundings make the experience particularly appealing for a special celebration, romantic afternoon or relaxed Cape Town sightseeing stop.
The atmosphere is stylish but relaxed, with The Leopard Bar also being renowned for its sunset views and live music. Guests can therefore combine afternoon tea with the hotel’s broader sense of old-fashioned hospitality and its spectacular coastal location.
There is also a vegan high-tea option, featuring plant-based sandwiches, vegan scones with coconut crème and berry compote, brownies, pavlova, panna cotta and other seasonal sweets.
The hotel lists Tea by the Sea at R575 per person Monday–Thursday and R625 Friday–Sunday.
Tea by the Sea at The Leopard Bar is one of Cape Town’s most scenic afternoon tea experiences. Rather than being purely about the food, its appeal lies in the combination of traditional high tea, attentive hospitality and the extraordinary spectacle of the Atlantic Ocean and Twelve Apostles mountains.
The Granary Café at The Silo Hotel
Afternoon tea at The Granary Café, at The Silo Hotel in Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront, is presented as Royal Tea: an elegant and contemporary interpretation of the traditional afternoon tea experience. Served on the hotel’s sixth floor, it combines beautifully crafted sweet and savoury treats with spectacular views across the harbour, Table Bay and Cape Town.
The setting is one of the experience’s greatest attractions. The Granary Café is surrounded by The Silo’s distinctive 5.5-metre-high pillowed-glass windows, creating an extraordinary sense of space and providing uninterrupted views of the waterfront and Table Mountain. The contemporary interiors, copper-topped tables and dramatic architecture give the tea a distinctly modern character rather than the traditional old-world atmosphere of some of Cape Town’s grand hotels.
The Royal Tea focuses on the work of the hotel’s pastry team, with a curated selection of petit gâteaux and exquisite sweet and savoury teatime delicacies. Classic elements include delicate savouries and beautifully made buttermilk scones served with clotted cream, presented elegantly on a contemporary étagère.
Tea itself is an important part of the occasion, with guests enjoying a tea-tasting experience, accompanied by the hotel’s selection of teas or coffee. A welcome drink is also included, adding a celebratory touch to the experience.
The atmosphere is sophisticated, contemporary and distinctly Cape Town. Rather than simply recreating a traditional British high tea, The Silo combines the ritual of afternoon tea with striking modern architecture, exceptional views and refined pastry work. It is particularly appealing for visitors wanting to combine afternoon tea with a day exploring the V&A Waterfront or nearby Zeitz MOCAA.
Royal Tea is currently offered Thursday to Sunday from 14:30 to 17:00, at R575 per person. Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and lactose-free versions are available at R650 per person. The price includes a welcome drink, tea-tasting experience and selection of sweet and savoury treats; a service charge is additional. Advance reservation is required.
Royal Tea at The Granary Café is one of Cape Town’s most visually spectacular afternoon tea experiences. Its combination of elegant pastries, traditional tea elements, contemporary design and extraordinary views of Table Mountain and the V&A Waterfront makes it particularly memorable for a special occasion or a luxurious afternoon in Cape Town.
Vista Bar & Lounge at One&Only Cape Town
Afternoon tea at Vista Bar & Lounge, at One&Only Cape Town, in the V&A Waterfront, is a glamorous and contemporary take on the traditional afternoon tea ritual. The lounge occupies the heart of the resort and has floor-to-ceiling windows with spectacular views of Table Mountain, making the setting almost as memorable as the food.
Guests settle into the sophisticated lounge for an elegant presentation of sweet and savoury treats served on bespoke tiered stands. The savoury selection can include delicate sandwiches and more contemporary Cape Town-inspired bites, followed by traditional buttermilk scones with cream and jam and an assortment of pastries, cakes, macarons and other patisserie creations.
A particularly enjoyable feature is the selection of loose-leaf teas. Rather than being restricted to a single pot, guests can explore different blends during the sitting, including the hotel’s signature African Sun tea. Coffee is also available.
The experience has a distinctly modern luxury feel rather than the formality of a traditional British tea room. Plush seating, high ceilings, elegant décor and the dramatic Table Mountain panorama create an atmosphere suited to celebrations, romantic occasions or simply an indulgent afternoon while visiting the V&A Waterfront. The lounge also features live piano performances, adding to the sophisticated ambience.
For an extra-special occasion, One&Only has also offered a Champagne or Cap Classique tea, pairing the tiered selection of sweet and savoury delicacies with bubbles.
One&Only currently lists afternoon tea from 14:00 to 17:00, with the experience available daily.
Vista Bar & Lounge offers one of Cape Town’s more glamorous afternoon teas. Its combination of beautifully presented pâtisserie, an extensive tea selection, polished five-star surroundings and the extraordinary view of Table Mountain makes it an especially appealing choice for visitors looking for a luxurious Cape Town experience.
The Vineyard Hotel
Afternoon tea at The Vineyard in Newlands offers a more relaxed and contemporary interpretation of this much-loved Cape Town tradition. Set at the foot of Table Mountain, the hotel is surrounded by extensive gardens, mature trees and peaceful pathways, giving the experience a distinctly tranquil atmosphere.
The current afternoon tea experience is served at Morii, The Vineyard’s Italian-inspired restaurant, and focuses on an elegant selection of delicate savoury sandwiches, light pastries, fragrant jasmine bonbons and luscious tarts. These are accompanied by a selection of fine teas and infusions, including the hotel’s own Vineyard Blend, which is exclusive to the property.
Rather than being an especially formal or elaborate high tea, the experience has a feeling of unhurried indulgence. The emphasis is on quality ingredients, delicate presentation and taking time to enjoy the surroundings. The Vineyard’s gardens and the eastern slopes of Table Mountain provide a beautiful natural backdrop, while the hotel’s heritage character adds a sense of timelessness.
One of the distinctive pleasures of visiting The Vineyard is its resident tortoises, which roam the extensive grounds and have become something of a signature feature of the hotel. They add an unusual and charming touch to an afternoon that is otherwise centred on tea, conversation and beautifully crafted treats.
The experience is currently offered Friday to Sunday at 15:30, and pre-booking is essential. The hotel describes it as a contemporary Afternoon Tea rather than a traditional high tea, reflecting its lighter, more modern approach.
The Vineyard is an excellent choice for guests who prefer their afternoon tea to feel peaceful, intimate and connected to nature. The combination of elegant pastries and savouries, distinctive teas, historic surroundings, lush gardens and Table Mountain makes it particularly appealing for a leisurely afternoon away from the busier parts of central Cape Town.
The Cellars-Hohenort
Afternoon tea at The Cellars-Hohenort, an SLH Hotel, is a wonderfully garden-centred Cape Town tea experience, set within the tranquil Constantia Valley. The historic hotel is surrounded by lush gardens, mature trees and mountain scenery, giving the occasion a distinctly peaceful and elegant character.
The hotel currently presents its offering as a Classic High Tea, created by its pastry chefs as a decadent combination of savoury and sweet delicacies. Savoury highlights include pulled chicken and cucumber sandwiches, lamb croquettes and smoked-salmon macarons, followed by indulgent pastries such as hazelnut cromboloni and the hotel’s traditional freshly baked scones.
The scones are an essential part of the experience, served with the traditional accompaniments, while the selection of fine teas and artisanal coffee provides a leisurely accompaniment. Guests can also add a celebratory glass of bubbly, making the tea particularly suitable for birthdays, baby showers and other special occasions.
One of the great pleasures is the choice of setting. High tea can be enjoyed in The Greenhouse, on the Hohenort Terrace or in the Greenhouse Bar, depending on the occasion and conditions. The Greenhouse Bar itself overlooks the hotel’s lush gardens and provides a particularly tranquil place to enjoy tea and conversation.
The atmosphere is refined but relaxed, with the gardens providing a beautiful natural backdrop rather than the more formal, grand-hotel ambience found at some of Cape Town’s other afternoon-tea venues. The Constantia setting also makes it an appealing addition to a day exploring the Constantia wine valley.
Classic High Tea is offered Saturdays and Sundays, with sittings from 11:00 to 13:00 and 14:00 to 16:00. The current price is R525 per adult and R265 for children aged 12 and under, including a welcome glass of bubbly for adults. The hotel requests 24 hours’ booking notice.
Overall, The Cellars-Hohenort is ideal for those looking for a more intimate, garden-oriented afternoon tea. Its combination of beautifully crafted savouries and pastries, traditional scones, fine teas, elegant surroundings and the peaceful Constantia setting makes it a particularly charming alternative to the larger luxury hotels in central Cape Town.
Palm House Boutique Hotel and Spa
Afternoon tea at Palm House Boutique Hotel & Spa is a charming and relatively intimate alternative to Cape Town’s grander five-star hotel tea experiences. Located in leafy Upper Wynberg, on the eastern slopes of Table Mountain, the historic boutique hotel provides a peaceful garden setting beneath mature palm trees.
The experience is served at Palm Terrace, where guests can sit outdoors beneath the shade of the hotel’s magnificent palms, overlooking the landscaped gardens. In cooler or inclement weather, the conservatory-style restaurant provides a cosy alternative. The combination of the historic house, tropical gardens and relaxed terrace gives the tea a distinctly residential, garden-party atmosphere.
The tea itself follows the classic English tradition, presented on an elegant three-tiered étagère. It includes delicate finger sandwiches, freshly baked scones with clotted cream and preserves, pastries and a selection of house-made sweet and savoury treats. Executive Chef Gregory Henderson brings a contemporary Cape influence to the menu, using locally sourced ingredients and incorporating flavours inspired by South African cuisine.
The selection can include imaginative touches such as bobotie and pumpkin-inspired savouries, quiches and sandwiches, alongside macarons, lemon cheesecake, chocolate creations and other petits fours. This gives Palm House’s afternoon tea a more distinctive local character than a purely traditional British tea.
Guests can accompany the food with a choice of speciality tea or coffee, fresh juice or a glass of Cap Classique, adding a celebratory touch. Afternoon tea is served daily from 14:00 to 17:00, with pre-booking essential and a 50% deposit required.
A visit can also be combined with time at the hotel’s Açaí Spa & Wellness Oasis, making Palm House particularly attractive for a leisurely spa-and-tea afternoon.
Palm House offers a relaxed, garden-focused interpretation of afternoon tea. It is less formal than the grand hotel teas at Mount Nelson or the One&Only, but its historic setting, shaded palm terrace, creative Cape-inspired treats and intimate atmosphere make it a lovely choice for friends, families, celebrations or a quiet indulgent afternoon in the Southern Suburbs.
The Winchester Boutique Hotel
Afternoon tea at The Winchester Boutique Hotel in Sea Point is a charming Cape Town tradition, combining the character of a historic seaside hotel with a relaxed and intimate tea experience. The hotel occupies an elegant building dating from the 1920s, with its distinctive Cape Revivalist architecture and a setting overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.
One of the most appealing aspects is the hotel’s beautiful central courtyard, framed by graceful arches and abundant bougainvillea. It provides a particularly atmospheric setting for afternoon tea, giving the experience the feeling of an elegant garden retreat in the middle of Sea Point.
The tea traditionally features a selection of delicate savoury sandwiches, freshly baked scones with cream and preserves, pastries, cakes and other sweet treats, accompanied by tea or coffee. The presentation and relaxed surroundings make it well suited to leisurely conversation rather than a rushed meal. The hotel has long been known locally for its afternoon tea and scones.
The Winchester’s seaside location adds another dimension. After tea, guests can stroll along Sea Point Promenade or enjoy the Atlantic views from the hotel’s surroundings. The combination of historic architecture, the bougainvillea-filled courtyard and proximity to the ocean gives the experience a distinctly Cape Town character.
For a more celebratory occasion, the hotel’s elegant surroundings lend themselves particularly well to birthdays, anniversaries, bridal or baby showers and relaxed gatherings with friends. The hotel also has Harvey’s Bar and its sea-facing terrace, while its contemporary Shoreditch House restaurant provides a different dining option on the property.
The Winchester is a lovely choice for a more intimate and characterful afternoon tea. Its historic Sea Point setting, romantic bougainvillea courtyard, Atlantic atmosphere and traditional tea fare give it a very different personality from the grander, more formal experiences at Mount Nelson or The Silo.
Erinvale Estate Hotel & Spa
Afternoon tea at Erinvale Estate Hotel & Spa is a relaxed yet refined Winelands experience, set among the oak trees and gardens of this historic estate in Somerset West. With the Hottentots Holland Mountains providing a dramatic backdrop, it offers a more tranquil, country-estate atmosphere than the grand hotels of central Cape Town.
The current Afternoon Tea Experience takes a distinctly South African approach to the traditional ritual. The menu combines elegant tea-time classics with nostalgic local flavours. Savoury offerings include smoked trout roulades, BLT “oopsies” and chicken liver parfait, while freshly baked mini scones are served with cream, cheese and preserves.
The sweet selection continues the local theme with rooibos and berry cheesecake and Peppermint Crisp macarons: a particularly South African reinterpretation of the familiar confectionery favourite. The result is a menu that feels contemporary while retaining the comforting character of traditional afternoon tea.
Guests can enjoy the experience in either the Magnolia Social Dining Lounge or Oak Terrace/Bistro. Oak Terrace is especially appealing in good weather, with outdoor tables beneath the estate’s mature oaks and views towards the surrounding Helderberg landscape. Magnolia provides a more intimate indoor setting with a relaxed, sociable atmosphere.
For a special occasion, the experience can be elevated with a selection of bubbly, adding a celebratory touch to the leisurely afternoon. It would suit birthdays, bridal or baby showers, family gatherings, or simply a relaxed outing while exploring the Somerset West and Helderberg Winelands.
Erinvale currently lists the Afternoon Tea Experience at R385 per person, available from 12:30 pm. Advance booking of at least 48 hours is essential.
Erinvale’s afternoon tea is particularly appealing for visitors wanting a relaxed Winelands interpretation of the tradition. Its combination of local flavours, freshly baked scones, elegant surroundings, mature oak trees and mountain scenery creates an experience that feels less formal than a grand-city hotel tea, but no less special.
Radisson Collection Hotel
Afternoon tea at the Radisson Collection Hotel, Waterfront Cape Town, is presented as Tea Tides, a stylish Sunday afternoon experience that makes the most of the hotel’s dramatic position on the Atlantic shoreline at Granger Bay. Rather than a traditional, formal hotel tea, Tea Tides combines classic afternoon-tea delicacies with the sound of the ocean, coastal views and live acoustic music.
The food is an elegant selection of sweet and savoury teatime treats. Guests can expect delicate finger sandwiches, savoury tarts, blinis and sliders, followed by freshly baked scones served with cream and jam, miniature cakes, pastries and other handcrafted confections. The menu is designed by pastry chef Craig Hibbert, giving the experience a contemporary rather than strictly traditional character.
Tea is given particular attention. Guests select their preferred tea, which is brought to the table while it is still brewing, accompanied by a sandglass timer to help achieve the desired strength. The selection includes speciality teas ranging from fragrant masala chai to delicate oolong varieties. Coffee is also available for those who prefer it.
The setting is perhaps the biggest attraction. The hotel stands directly beside the Atlantic, and Tea Tides allows guests to enjoy afternoon tea while listening to the waves and taking in the coastal surroundings. Acoustic guitar music adds to the relaxed atmosphere, creating a much more informal and contemporary mood than the grand, traditional teas at places such as Mount Nelson.
For celebrations, there is also a bubbly option, making Tea Tides suitable for birthdays, anniversaries, bridal showers or simply an indulgent Sunday afternoon. The experience has proved popular enough to feature in Cape Town’s leading high-tea guides.
Tea Tides, at Tobago Restaurant, is available on Sundays from 14:30 to 17:00, with packages of R550 for the tea experience and R950 with bubbles.
Tea Tides is best suited to someone looking for a modern, coastal interpretation of afternoon tea. Its combination of ocean views, waves, acoustic music, carefully prepared pastries and savouries, and an interesting speciality-tea ritual gives it a distinctly Cape Town character.
Taj Cape Town
Afternoon tea at Taj Cape Town offers a distinctive Indian-Cape interpretation of the traditional afternoon tea ritual. Located in the heart of Cape Town, on Wale Street, the hotel occupies the historic former South African Reserve Bank building, giving the experience an impressive heritage setting.
The tea is currently served at The Mint, with the experience described as a leisurely Sunday afternoon designed around delicate savouries, sweet creations and freshly brewed tea. The current menu combines familiar afternoon tea favourites with flavours drawn from India’s culinary traditions and Cape heritage.
The savoury selection includes chicken quiche, corn-and-cheese samosas and miniature Swiss-roll sandwiches, while Indian-inspired bites such as Indian sweet dumplings add a more unusual dimension. Tea choices include flavours such as Masala Chai and rooibos, creating a nice bridge between Indian tea culture and South African ingredients.
The sweet course is particularly tempting, with confections such as Gulab Jamun and triple-chocolate tart, complemented by the hotel’s selection of cakes, pastries and other petite treats. Earlier menus have also featured macarons, scones with cream and jam, chocolate-pistachio tart and assorted iced cakes.
The setting adds considerable character. Taj’s Lobby Lounge occupies the former Reserve Bank banking hall, with its original architectural features, grand proportions, chandeliers and elegant marble finishes. The result is an atmosphere that feels simultaneously historic, luxurious and distinctly cosmopolitan.
For those wanting to make the occasion more celebratory, the MCC Afternoon Tea option pairs the experience with a glass of Méthode Cap Classique. Current published pricing is R345 per person for Afternoon Tea and R395 with MCC, with the current Sunday sitting listed from 14:00 to 17:00.
Taj Cape Town is an excellent choice for visitors looking for an afternoon tea with a genuine sense of place. Rather than simply reproducing a British high tea, its Indian-Cape menu reflects Cape Town’s multicultural character, while the historic Reserve Bank setting provides an elegant backdrop for an unhurried afternoon of tea, pastries and conversation.
Labotessa Boutique Hotel
Afternoon tea at Labotessa Boutique Hotel is one of Cape Town’s most distinctive tea experiences because it combines the traditional pleasures of afternoon tea with the world of French fragrance. Called the Diptyque Tea Experience, it takes place at Labotessa in historic Church Square and is designed as a sensory journey through scent, flavour and tea rather than simply a conventional high tea.
The experience begins in Labotessa’s Diptyque fragrance boutique, where guests are welcomed with a glass of Cap Classique and introduced to the Parisian fragrance house and its collection. Guests explore different fragrances before moving through to the hotel’s Café & Terrace for the tea and food pairings.
The food follows the classic afternoon tea format but has been carefully designed around Diptyque’s fragrances. Guests enjoy delicate finger sandwiches, freshly baked buttermilk scones with rose and strawberry jam, homemade dark-chocolate brownies and artisanal macarons. Each element is paired with a particular fragrance profile, making the experience as much about discovering aromas as enjoying the food.
The tea selection comes from TWG, with the fragrances helping to guide the choice of tea. Floral, citrus, woody and spicy notes are explored alongside the food, creating an unusual combination of tasting and fragrance appreciation. For example, the rose and strawberry scones are associated with Eau Rose, while chocolate brownies are paired with Oud and the macarons with Oyedo.
The setting is equally appealing. Labotessa is housed in a historic building dating back to the 18th century, overlooking Church Square in the heart of Cape Town. The Café & Terrace has a European piazza-like character, while the hotel’s interiors combine classical European elegance with contemporary design.
One particularly special feature is the small and intimate nature of the experience. Labotessa currently limits the tea experience to a minimum of two and a maximum of six guests, making it feel considerably more private than the larger hotel teas around Cape Town. Reservations are essential.
Labotessa currently lists the Diptyque Fragrance & Tea Experience at R850 per person, with sittings at 11:00 or 14:00 daily. The experience includes the welcoming glass of bubbles, fragrance exploration, TWG teas and the curated sweet and savoury selection.
Labotessa is an excellent choice for someone looking for an afternoon tea that is intimate, sophisticated and genuinely different. Rather than competing with traditional grand-hotel teas on scale, it creates a memorable tea-and-perfume experience, combining French fragrance, fine tea, delicate pâtisserie and the historic atmosphere of central Cape Town.
InterContinental Table Bay Cape Town
Afternoon tea at InterContinental Table Bay Cape Town is a sophisticated new interpretation of a Cape Town classic, served at Flint & Fennel in the V&A Waterfront. The experience takes the traditional ritual of afternoon tea and gives it a distinctly South African identity, using food, tea, design and storytelling to explore the country’s diverse cultural heritage. The hotel describes it as a signature ritual inspired by South Africa’s cultural richness.
The experience begins with a welcome glass of South African Cap Classique or a grapefruit-and-tea mocktail, followed by freshly baked scones. There are both traditional and flavoured versions, accompanied by homemade preserves, clotted cream and other carefully selected accompaniments. The jam selection itself has a local character, including combinations such as strawberry and rooibos, Cape gooseberry and naartjie marmalade.
The savoury course is where the experience becomes particularly distinctive. Delicate sandwiches and pastries incorporate flavours and ingredients associated with different chapters of South African history and culture. Examples include Franschhoek smoked trout roulade, Cape Dutch-inspired mosbolletjies with ham and caramelised onion, Coronation chicken pie, cucumber with pistachio bread and rooibos salt, and truffled asparagus quiche.
The sweet course continues the storytelling theme. Highlights include a colourful Unity Cake, peppermint-crisp entremet, milk-tart choux buns, passionfruit-and-frangipane tart and beautifully decorated chai macarons inspired by African art and Zulu beadwork. The result is considerably more than a conventional selection of cakes and pastries—the dishes are intended to tell stories about South Africa.
Tea is given an equally important role. Guests can choose from a selection of TWG loose-leaf teas, with specially designed tea caddies created by students from UCT’s Michaelis School of Fine Art. Different teas are paired with the various courses, and a final Pu-Erh tea provides a gentle conclusion to the experience.
The setting is another major attraction. Flint & Fennel occupies the lobby level of the hotel at the V&A Waterfront, with views towards the harbour and Table Mountain. The atmosphere is polished and contemporary while retaining the sense of occasion associated with a grand hotel afternoon tea.
The High Tea is currently listed from Wednesday to Sunday, 14:00 to 16:00, at R595 per person, including a glass of Cap Classique. A 50% deposit is required to secure a booking.
Overall, InterContinental Table Bay’s afternoon tea stands out for its sense of place. Rather than simply reproducing the traditional British format, it uses South African ingredients, flavours, cultural references and visual storytelling to create an experience that feels distinctly Cape Town. For visitors wanting a luxurious tea with Table Mountain views and a genuine South African identity, it is one of the city’s most interesting choices.
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