Belmond Mount Nelson Hotel

High Tea

We’ve all seen those fancy high tea gatherings in series like Gossip Girl, movies like The Great Gatsby and even animation films like Alice in Wonderland. So I decided to see for myself and went to my first Afternoon Tea in the Mount Nelson Hotel. This pink hotel situated across the Cape Town High School is on many travelers’ bucket list. Not only because of its historic background, but mainly because of its’ famous high tea.

The Experience

The Mount Nelson High Teas are served in the hotel lounge and on warm days (e. g. almost every day to my Belgian standards) you can enjoy your tea on the terrace or have a seat around the pretty garden fountain. Either way, bring out the dresses or dress casual smart and you’ll fit right into the scenery.

The hotel offers a wide selection of leaf and flowering teas. They even blended their own signature tea from the mixture of six different tea varieties (e. g. Darjeeling, Kenya, Assam, Keemun, Yunnan, Ceylon and rose petals from their garden). Together with this, you’ll get a three tiered tray filled with small cut sandwiches and other savory treats. If you would prefer a different drink to pair with these salty flavors, you can always add a glass of sparkling wine or French champagne. The staff will give you a heads up as soon as the buffet has opened. This is where the real party starts for people with a sweet tooth like me. The lounge room main table is covered in freshly baked good and other sweet treats. You can fill up your plate as much as you like, while enjoying some live piano music. They don’t do doggy bags, but if you ask nicely they might sneak you a small box to take away your left overs. It would be a shame to throw away those little bites of heaven right?

Anyway, the afternoon tea is a perfect way to spend a sunny day on the terrace or a rainy day in the lounge. If your mom is visiting during your exchange, this is the perfect place to catch up on all your adventures but even for a fun day with the girls, a first date with deep conversations or a business meeting, the afternoon tea is the place to go.

Oh! Apparently, John Lennon once stayed at the Mount Nelson Hotel under the name of ‘Greenwood’, thought it be a nice tidbit to share.

Prices, Booking and Seating Times

Afternoon Tea seating times are available between 01:30 – 03:30pm and 03:30 – 05:30pm at the price of R265 per person. On special occasions they even serve themed treats. Don’t like to go all Sweetie Edie between lunch and dinner? Try their Morning Tea, which is should be a lighter version of their famous Afternoon Tea.

Reservations can be made only or by phone, but we just showed up at the front door and still got a chance experience a delicious and cozy afternoon.

Public Transport

Take the MyCiti bus number 101 and get off at Government Avenue. It’s impossible to miss this pastel pink building and their Greek styled entrance. Cheers!