April 4

Top High Teas in Cape Town

6  comments

April 4, 2013

Grab a tea cup & Raise your pinky…

High Teas add a much needed sweetness to life. They inject a little lavishness into the routine of things. How can the tiered servers displaying coloured delectables and those iconic cucumber sandwiches not put a smile on your face? Never mind the pewters of champagne on ice. High Teas are the perfect way to celebrate a birthday, Mother’s Day, a baby shower, or just a regular day! There are several places to go for your treats in Cape Town. Be sure to book in advance. We don’t advise you try them all in one day…

A tea table set with pink flowers, cakes, sweets and tea
Come indulge yourself with High Tea in Cape Town

Did you know:

The ritual of afternoon tea owes its origins to Anna, the 7th Duchess of Bedford. In the early 1800s, it was common to eat only two main meals a day, with breakfast  early in the morning and dinner late in the evening. But Anna got so hungry that she decided to schedule tea and a snack in the afternoon. At first in private and then it caught on. Afternoon tea, traditionally, was typically a more elite social gathering, generally for ladies. It was served in the mid-afternoon and included dainty foods like the ones in the pictures below. High Tea, historically, was served after working hours and included a heavy meal to fill the tummies of working class folk.

The colonial history of Cape Town imported and cultivated the British culture of Afternoon Tea. Outside of the United Kingdom, where the tradition began, many refer to afternoon tea as ‘high tea’, as we tend to do here in South Africa. But, just to let you know, we are aware of the original difference between the two terms. When we say high tea here, we are referring to afternoon tea, in the traditional sense…

We’ve done some sniffing around to bring you our…

Top 10 High Teas in Cape Town


1. The Mount Nelson

The Mount Nelson is possibly Cape Town’s most iconic spot to go for High Tea – to spend time nibbling bite size canapés and finger sandwiches. Their menu has a selection of exotic teas that will impress even the most avid tea connoisseurs, it is an experience in itself. Dress is smart casual.
Morning Tea: 9:30 – 12:00 (R225 per person)
Afternoon Tea: 13:30 – 15:30 & 15:30 – 17:30 (R295 per person)
Evening Tea: 18:00 – 20:30 (R295 per person)
Book: +27 21 483 1948, reservations@mountnelson.co.za

A table set out with an assortment of cakes and treats at Mount Nelson
The extravagant buffet at the Mount Nelson’s High Tea

2. The Cape Grace

From the moment you enter the opulent Cape Grace hotel’s library, the smell of teas, petit fours and macaroons fill your senses. Three-tiered trays of cakes and all things tasty sit alongside your personal tea pot, which comes with its own egg timer to ensure your tea is brewed to perfection.
Open: Daily, 12:00-18:00
Cost: Cream Tea – R90 per person and Full Afternoon Tea – R210 per person
Book: +27 21 410 7080, signal@capegrace.com

A table set out with cakes and treats at Cape Grace
Cape Grace serves an indulgent High Tea

3. The One&Only

Gold leaf éclairs, tea loaf and macaroons are the order of the day at the High Tea at the One&Only’s Vista Bar. A unique style combines with the art of French patisserie in this buffet of savoury pies, sausage rolls, sandwiches, quiches, petit fours, baked vanilla bean cheesecake, éclairs, tea loaf, macaroons, cakes and tarts. And, of course, the Lindt chocolate fondue to dip strawberries in. Try the 35 or so teas on offer: such as Oolong, green, black, white, infused and fruit teas. Pre-booking is required.
Open: Daily, 14:30-17:30
Cost: Morning TeaR225 per person and Afternoon Tea: R295 per person
Book: +27 21 431 5888, restaurant.reservations@oneandonlycapetown.com

A table set out with treats and flowers at One&Only Hotel
The One&Only Hotel invites you for High Tea

4. The Table Bay

Right at the heart of Cape Town’s bustling V&A Waterfront, guests can relax in the lounge of The Table Bay Hotel with views of the mountain. Creations such as peanut butter cake and red velvet cupcakes sit beside savory items such as smoked salmon and asparagus quiche.
Open: Daily, 14:30-17:30
Cost: R320 per person
Book: +27 21 406 5988, ilse.barnard@za.suninternational.com

Three-tiered tray with colourful cakes at Table Bay Hotel
Looks too good to eat!

5. The Vineyard Hotel

After ambling through the gorgeous gardens of the Vineyard Hotel sit back and enjoy the sweet and savory delights at The Lady Anne’s Afternoon Tea. Turkish delight, scones, finger sandwiches, quiche, mini chocolate tart, lemon cupcake, mini fruit tartlet, poppy seed cake, coconut ice, baked passion fruit cheesecake… Yes please! Take a look at their menu here.
Open: Daily, 15:30 – 17:30
Cost: R165 per person
Book: +27 21 657 4500

The Vineyard Hotel is picture pretty
Have High Tea in this picturesque venue

6. Cellars-Hohenort

Scones, cakes, dainty sandwiches, tea and bubbly beautifully displayed on a stand with the backdrop of the gorgeous Cellars-Hohenort gardens… Afternoon Tea in the Conservatory here is a real treat. Amble around the gardens afterward or simply sit back and let the food settle.
Open: Daily, 15:30 – 17:00
Cost: R225 per person
Book: +27 21 794 2137, reservations@collectionmcgrath.com

A lush garden and verandah
Enjoy High Tea at Cellars-Hohenort
Image credit: The Cellars-Hohenort Hotel

7. The Twelve Apostles

Enjoy High Tea by the sea in The Leopard Bar, Conservatory or Café Grill with breathtaking views. The 12 Apostles is ideal for special occasions and the snacks to expect include scones, lemon meringue tartlets, cupcakes, mini koeksisters, finger sandwiches, almond strawberry cupcakes, biscuits, chocolate brownies, éclairs, glazed fruit tartlets and macaroons.
Open: Daily, 10:00-16:00
Cost: R325 per person
Book: +27 21 437 9029, restaurants@12apostles.co.za

A table set with tea and cakes by a fireplace
Enjoy High Tea with views of the sea at Twelve Apostles

8. Kirstenbosch Tea Room

After a walk through the grounds at the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden treat yourself with Pamela’s English Tea for Two. Fill your plate with cucumber and cream cheese or egg sandwiches, mini spinach-and-feta quiches, scones with jam and cream and sip on special Dilmah teas, whether Ceylon, Earl Grey, peppermint, camomile, Green tea or ginger.
Open: Daily, 8:30 – 17:00
Cost: R145 per person
Book: +27 21 797 4883, t424u@ktr.co.za


9. Taj Hotel

In Wale Street, in the centre of the Mother City is the Taj Hotel which offers a chocolate afternoon tea that will make all you chocoholics drool. How do chocolate éclairs and choc-chip scones sound? Enjoy chocolate cake and other delectable chocolate delights, along with a selection of 20 different loose leaf teas from Nigiro Tea Merchants and chili-hot chocolate drinks.
Open: Daily from 14:00 – 17:00
Cost: R210 per person
Book:+27 21 819 2000

A plate with four different sweet treats
Delicate treats await at Taj Hotel
Image credit: Taj Hotel

Or Try High Tea in the Winelands or on Safari…

An assortment of pastries and champagne on ice
MannaBay serves a luxurious High Tea

Of course, you can also enjoy terrific high teas elsewhere in the country, such as the Cape Winelands at countryside hotels like Grand Roche and Le Franschhoek Hotel & Spa, or in the bush on a luxury safari!

High teas are a popular way to spend an afternoon at lodges such as Singita Sasakwa and Chitwa Chitwa, among many others. Contact one of our experienced travel consultants for more information about booking your own luxury African safari and to start preparing for the hours you can spend lazing in the wilderness while munching on treats like these…


Tags


You may also enjoy 

Your Guide to Tipping in Africa

Your Guide to Tipping in Africa

Why Cape Town is the Best City in the World

Why Cape Town is the Best City in the World

About the author 

Matthew Sterne

Matt discovered a passion for writing in the six years he spent travelling abroad. He worked for a turtle sanctuary in Nicaragua, in an ice cream factory in Norway and on a camel safari in India. He was a door-to-door lightbulb-exchanger in Australia, a pub crawl guide in Amsterdam and a journalist in Colombia. Now, he writes and travels with us.

  • […] High tea to me, is so….sex and the city! It’s one of the few occasions you get to dress up glamorously in the middle of the day, to have tea, with friends. What better way to catch up on some long overdue gossip and eat cake till it comes out your ears. If on the other hand, high tea is not for you, then surely drinks at Camps Bay or wine tasting in Stellies are. […]

  • {"email":"Email address invalid","url":"Website address invalid","required":"Required field missing"}
    >