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high-tea-johannesburg

The Best High Tea in Johannesburg for an Elegant Afternoon Rendezvous

High tea is more than just an old tradition for the British working class. It’s also a significant social activity with close friends and family. I, for one, always schedule a high tea to meet with my loved ones and catch up.

Since this is a precious activity for us, I want only the best cafes to enjoy my time with them. Here are my favorite high tea spots.

Level Four Restaurant

Media from 54onbath_hotel

Website: https://www.southernsun.com/54-on-bath/dining/level-four

Address: 54 on Bath, 54 Bath Ave, Rosebank

Contact info: +27 113 448 442

High tea hours:

Monday to Friday: 2:30 PM – 4:30 PM

Saturday: 1:30 PM – 4:30 PM

Level Four Restaurant in 54 on Bath definitely levels up the high tea experience with a glass of bubbly welcome and elegant tiered stands of sweets, savory treats, and premium loose tea! It almost feels like a royal treatment with its elegant English interior and live music performance.

I went here with my friends, and I enjoyed the spread they prepared. The best one was the prawn and guacamole cup. The cup was light and crispy, and the main highlight was the savory and creamy prawn and guacamole combination. It surprisingly complemented the tea well!

Pro tip: Make sure you book a reservation through their website or by calling their phone, as this service is quite popular.

Olives and Plates Wits Club

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Website: https://olivesandplates.co.za/

Address: 7 Yale Rd, Parktown

Contact info: +27 117 179 365

[email protected]

Operating hours:

Monday to Friday: 7:30 AM – 4:00 PM

Saturday to Sunday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM

If there’s one thing that Olives and Plates is known for, it’s its luxurious once-a-month high tea parties hosted in a charming white Dutch cottage with a beautiful backdrop of trees. It only hosts this event every first weekend of the month, which makes this high tea even more coveted.

We started with a glass of bubbly and the signature vanilla macaroon. There was a variety of sweet desserts and savory bites, but the one thing I loved was the smoked salmon and cream cheese bagel. It’s a classic combination of smokey and nutty tastes in one big bite. Plus, it goes well with their loose-leaf black tea!

Pro tip: They require bookings, so reserve a table through their number or email.

Gabriella’s Tea Room

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Website: https://www.lacucinadiciro.co.za/gabriellas-tea-room

Address: 43 7th Ave, Parktown North, Randburg

Contact info: +27 763 865 578

Operating hours: Wednesday to Sunday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Gabriella’s Tea Room feels like a portal to a fantasy world with its charming patina walls, antique fixtures, and lush plants. To spice up your appetite for desserts and savory treats, they serve non-alcoholic spritzers and your choice of coffee or tea.

I went here with my family, and they gave us five options for both dessert and savory bites. Out of all of the choices, I enjoyed the baked cheesecake the most. It’s decadent and creamy, with a hint of sweetness and nuttiness to balance the flavor. 

Pro tip: For groups of 10 or more, the restaurant is open to accommodate you on Tuesdays.

Saxon Hotel

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Website: https://www.saxon.co.za/restaurant/morning-afternoon-tea/

Address: 36 Saxon Rd, Sandhurst

Contact info: +27 (0)11 292 6000

[email protected]

Afternoon tea hours: Wednesday to Sunday: 1:30 PM – 4:00 PM

What makes Saxon Hotel’s high tea service unique is its selection of menus that range from vegan to gluten-free. They also make sure to ask about your allergies and dietary restrictions to guarantee your safety. 

Plus, they make the entire high tea experience more regal by serving it in the Piano Lounge so the pianist can play beautiful melodies while you dine.

I went there alone once, and I had the Afternoon Tea menu. I enjoyed the light smokiness of the jasmine pearls, which complimented all of the snacks served. However, I think it paired best with the classic buttery scones with cream and tart jam!

Pro tip: They accept special requests if you book a table via email or phone. This is handy if you want a surprise birthday party or a romantic afternoon date.

Goddess Cafe

Media from Goddess Cafe Linden

Website: https://goddesscafe.co.za/

Address: 44 1st Ave, Linden

Contact info: +27 101 098 277

Operating hours:

Monday to Saturday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Sunday: 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM

If you’re looking for the most Barbie-esque high tea experience, the Goddess Cafe in Linden is your stop! 

Decked with pink decor and white English furniture, this cafe makes you feel like a pretty princess during high tea. They serve their decadent snacks on a classic tiered tray and put out stylish Jenna Clifford and Maxwell Williams crockery for the best experience.

They have a good selection of savory bites, tasty sweets, and drinks, but my favorite was the curried chickpea and tahini sandwich with a cup of Earl Grey tea. The smokiness of the curry and the nuttiness of the tahini is a wonderful combination to mellow out the Earl Grey tea.

Pro tip: High tea with your pup? Ask a server for the pooch menu so your pup can dine in style too!

Shazmin’s Pâtisserie

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Website: http://www.shazmins.co.za/

Address: Nelson Mandela Square, 5th St, Sandown

Contact info: +27 645 112 658

Operating hours: Monday to Sunday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Do you want a full Bridgerton experience? Shazmin’s Pâtisserie is filled with blooms and frills; it feels like you’ve been invited by Queen Charlotte for a cup of tea and some tea. It’s definitely the perfect place for selfies and food snaps!

They serve their savory dishes and desserts on a tiered birdcage tray and couple it with your choice of masala tea, Pinkachino, or hot cocoa. I personally liked the burfee macarons since their sweet buttery taste blends well with the smokiness of the masala tea.

Pro tip: Book your high tea experience 3 days before the actual date! You can reserve a table by calling their number.

Just Teddy

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Website: https://justteddy.co.za/

Address: Shop LM4 – Hyde Park Corner Shopping Centre Corner, William Nicole Drive, Jan Smuts Ave, Hyde Park, Sandton

Contact info: +27 102 039 038

Operating hours:

Monday to Saturday: 7:30 AM – 6:00 PM

Sunday: 7:30 AM – 5:00 PM

Just Teddy is a luxurious little corner decorated with blooms, tassels, and golden accents to make your high tea more elegant. With its warm lighting, it offers a relaxed atmosphere to enjoy tea, snacks, and chit chat with friends. 

They offer a variety of TWG tea flavors as well as sweet treats and savory snacks. My favorite from their selection was the classic English breakfast tea with buttermilk scones topped with cream and cheesy goodness. The milky taste of cream and the tartness of the preserved fruits is the best pair for the bitter tea.

Pro tip:There are gluten-free and vegan options available. Don’t be shy and ask the waiter about them!
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