There are certain invitations you simply do not decline, and a Savoy-inspired high tea overlooking the V&A Waterfront marina is most definitely one of them.
My daughter and I recently spent an indulgent afternoon at Cape Grace, Cape Town’s own slice of five-star waterfront living, to sample “From London, With Love” — the hotel’s collaborative afternoon tea with London’s legendary Savoy Hotel. It did not disappoint.
Setting the Scene
Cape Grace sits on its own private quay at the Waterfront, and the moment you step inside, the outside world falls away. The hotel has always traded in understated luxury rather than showy opulence, and that character carries through into every corner of the property — from the warm, personal welcome at the door to the polished antiques and maritime touches dotted throughout.
We were seated at Heirloom, the hotel’s elegant tea lounge, with the marina glittering on one side and Table Mountain rising on the other. Honestly, it’s one of the loveliest views in the city to enjoy over a pot of tea, and it set the tone for an afternoon that felt properly special rather than merely “nice.”
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This is the second year running that Cape Grace and The Savoy — both under the Fairmont banner — have joined forces on this experience, and you can tell the collaboration has matured. Members of The Savoy’s own team travelled out from London to help bring the concept to life, lending it an authenticity that’s hard to fake. The result is a tea service that borrows The Savoy’s storied sense of ceremony while feeling entirely at home on African soil.
The Menu: A Conversation Between Two Cities
Where a traditional London afternoon tea arrives on a formal tiered stand, Cape Grace has chosen to plate the entire experience individually — a more contemporary, considered approach that suits the hotel’s modern sensibility and makes each course feel like its own small event.
The standout for us was a reworked Peach Melba, a gentle nod to the great chef Auguste Escoffier, given a distinctly Cape twist. It’s a clever touch — using a dish with real culinary heritage as the anchor point between the two cities.
Scone devotees will be pleased to hear that The Savoy’s playful “Scoff” bakery concept has made a comeback, offering inventive, non-traditional bakes rather than the classic plain-and-fruit pairing — a miniature Tiramisu Scoff was a particular highlight and disappeared far too quickly at our table.
On the savoury side, local ingredients were given the five-star treatment: think smoked snoek pâté, free-range chicken roulade, and delicate braised leek tartlets. It’s a savvy piece of menu design — proudly Capetonian flavours, dressed in London’s finest tea-time tailoring.
Sipping a welcome glass of bubbly (or iced tea, for those preferring something softer) while the marina traffic drifted past our window, my daughter turned to me and said it felt like being on holiday in your own city. I couldn’t have put it better myself.
Why It’s Worth Booking
For Cape Town women looking for a proper treat-yourself afternoon — whether that’s a birthday, a catch-up with a friend, or simply a mother-daughter date — this is a lovely one to have on the list. It manages to feel indulgent and celebratory without being stuffy, and the setting alone (that marina-and-mountain backdrop) makes it worth the visit.
The details:
- What: From London, With Love — Cape Grace x The Savoy afternoon tea
- Where: Heirloom at Cape Grace, V&A Waterfront
- When: Running until Sunday, 13 September 2026
- Price: R750 per person, including a welcome glass of bubbles or iced tea
- Bookings: Recommended well in advance — call 021 410 7100 or book online.
If you’re after a taste of London glamour without the flight, this is about as good as it gets on home soil. Bring a friend, bring your mother, bring your daughter — just bring your appetite.
