High Tea Beside the Sea
When your family has a sweet tooth that could single-handedly keep a patisserie afloat, and you have a well-known weakness for beautifully balanced bubbly, there’s only one sensible way to celebrate a birthday: high tea beside the sea! That’s how we found ourselves at The Twelve Apostles on a Sunday afternoon, wondering why on earth we don’t do this more often.
The truth is, life in the Southern Suburbs has an insidious way of narrowing one’s horizons. Between relentless school runs, weekend sports fixtures and the perennial grocery shop, it’s remarkably easy to forget that the Atlantic is just over the mountain, its feet lapped by an ocean of extraordinary blue we’re lucky enough to have right on our doorstep.
And yet, for somewhere so close to the city, it feels remarkably removed from the everyday chaos. With Camps Bay five minutes one way and Llandudno five minutes the other, it’s a pocket of paradise that seems to exist entirely on its own terms.
Our waiter, Asanda, had us charmed from the moment he greeted us – with a rare and unforced graciousness – striking the balance of attentiveness every exceptional waiter aims for.
Over the course of the afternoon, we learned that he’d been at the hotel for five years, and he spoke warmly of colleagues who had been there for decades. In my line of work, I’ve come to realise that how a business treats its staff says a great deal about the experience it offers its guests. Here, that connection was easy to see.
His real gift, though, was his warmth and timing. Fresh scones and tea arrived first, followed by the tiered stands, with bubbles appearing at exactly the right moment. Everything was choreographed so smoothly you’d only notice if you were looking for it.
The stands are designed to be shared by two, and there’s more than enough to go around. I’m happy to admit I’m far more partial to savoury than sweet, so I made a beeline for the salted beef and gherkin on a pretzel roll, the smoked salmon bagel, the basil pesto and slow-roasted tomato on tomato bread, and the caramelised onion and feta quiche. Even the cucumber sandwiches – so often the wallflowers of any high tea – were utterly delightful.
High tea can so easily become a carb marathon, but this was delicate, delicious, light and beautifully considered. The desserts were every bit as delectable, and worth every calorie!
We were seated in The Leopard Bar, which had a lovely buzz about it – the kind that tells you you’re somewhere people genuinely want to be, without feeling crowded. If you prefer a quieter setting, The Conservatory next door offers a more intimate alternative, although we loved the energy of the bar.
Before we left, I slipped out onto the balcony with the last of my bubbles and found myself wondering what it must feel like to see this view for the very first time. What a way to experience Cape Town.
The details
What: Tea by the Sea
Where: The Leopard Bar, The Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa, Victoria Road, Camps Bay, Cape Town
When: Daily at 10am, 12pm and 3pm
Price: R625 per person
Bookings: Book your table here
