Mount Nelson, A Belmond Hotel, Cape Town's Afternoon Tea Experience Evolves with a Sensory New Menu, Guided by Tea Sommelier Craig Cupido 

APRIL 2025 – Afternoon Tea at Mount Nelson, A Belmond Hotel, Cape Town continues to surprise and delight with a refreshed menu of 14 new teas, curated by South Africa's first certified Tea Sommelier Craig Cupido. Honouring tradition while embracing innovation, this is complemented by a sumptuous array of sweet and savoury treats, crafted in partnership with Pastry Chef Matthew Paulsen.

A revered ritual since 1989, the Nellie (as affectionately nicknamed by locals) has been offering guests an unparalleled selection of teas for nearly four decades, making it one of the most longstanding experiences in South Africa.

SOUTH AFRICA’S FIRST CERTIFIED TEA SOMMELIER, CRAIG CUPIDO, INFUSES TAIWANESE INFLUENCE INTO A BELOVED RITUAL

Cupido’s mastery of tea is as deep as his passion for the craft. Over the past two decades, he has nurtured and evolved Mount Nelson’s tea offering, drawing from the generational knowledge gained through a decade of mentorship under a tea master. Today, the hotel’s extensive menu boasts 75 meticulously selected teas, offering both indulgence and education.

“I love listening to our guests and understanding their flavour preferences,” says Cupido. “Tea is deeply personal—it evokes comfort, connection, and often a sense of nostalgia. I’ve seen people moved by a tea they never knew existed, yet it instantly transports them back to a long-forgotten flavour. Through this menu, we’re committed to creating more of those moments while also broadening their horizons through an expanded Afternoon Tea experience.”

A sensory celebration, the new selection brings together rare and distinctive teas from across the globe, each chosen with care to reflect Mount Nelson’s commitment to slow, thoughtful luxury. It’s an experience that invites guests to pause, savour, and discover their personal tea ritual. Cupido’s recent journey to Taiwan’s revered tea-growing regions deepened his knowledge and appreciation for this time-honoured craft, immersing him in the artistry of terroir, technique, and tradition. He travelled extensively, spending time with tea masters and delving into craftsmanship alongside the sensory perception and aesthetics of tea. “You can taste the sincerity, complexity, and depth of the people in their tea,” he reflects. “The farmers we met became friends.” Inspired by this experience, Cupido worked alongside artisans to design bespoke handcrafted teapots and packaging for Mount Nelson’s signature blends, infusing the hotel’s signature rose-tinted charm into each brew.

MOUNT NELSON’S ICONIC AFTERNOON TEA ENTERS A NEW ERA

Among the newly introduced teas, guests will discover an array of black, red, and herbal infusions. Connoisseurs can savour a selection of purple Kenyan teas, a South American Mesquite tea with creamy roasted notes, and a vibrant Butterfly Pea Flower infusion with a striking purple hue. The menu also includes Mount Nelson’s 125-year tea blend, which is a playful yet refined tribute to South African botanicals, combining rooibos, honeybush, mesquite, and apple, finished with fragrant pink rose petals that echo the hotel’s heritage.

Beyond the tea itself, Afternoon Tea at Mount Nelson is an immersive sensory experience. Working closely with Sous Chef Matthew PaulsenCupido has crafted thoughtful pairings that enhance the hotel’s decadent selection of pastries and savouries. “When a table of guests enjoys different teas,” Cupido explains, “they are not just tasting a single cup, but exploring a symphony of flavour combinations through the food pairing—turning Afternoon Tea into a journey of discovery.” The tea menu works in perfect harmony with an array of cakes, delicate tarts, and freshly baked loaves that grace the famed hotel’s lounge.

More than just a tradition, Afternoon Tea at Mount Nelson is a celebration of craftsmanship, connection, and indulgence. Whether you’re a devoted tea connoisseur or simply seeking a luxurious escape, the experience invites guests to explore the artistry of tea through a contemporary yet timeless lens. With a thoughtfully curated selection, impeccable service, and a setting steeped in heritage, it remains one of the hotel’s most treasured offerings.

Afternoon Tea is served Monday to Sunday from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM, priced at R595 per adult and R350 per child under 12. The experience includes over 75 premium teas, a glass of iced tea or L’Ormarins Cap Classique, and a decadent selection of sweet and savoury treats.

For reservations and more information, please contact +27 21 483-100
or email restaurantreservations.mnh@belmond.com.