Johannesburg Luxury Travel Shines as Four Seasons Hotel The Westcliff Unveils Champagne Afternoon Tea with French Bubbles, Artisan Patisserie and Panoramic Views

A refined new chapter in Johannesburg Luxury Travel has been introduced by Four Seasons Hotel The Westcliff, where the Champagne Afternoon Tea Experience is now being served in the recently opened Lobby Lounge & Bar. The hotel’s longstanding afternoon tea tradition has been relocated from Flames Restaurant and Terrace, while its familiar character has been preserved through a refreshed menu, premium beverages and panoramic views across Johannesburg.

The experience has been developed under the direction of Executive Pastry Chef Nathan Jacobs. Classic afternoon tea customs have been combined with contemporary culinary influences, while regional ingredients have been incorporated alongside internationally inspired flavours. A glass of French Champagne is included with the signature experience, creating an elevated hospitality offering for celebrations, leisurely gatherings and relaxed afternoons.

A Landmark Tradition Is Given a New Johannesburg Setting

The Lobby Lounge & Bar has been selected as the new home of the afternoon tea experience as part of the hotel’s continuing culinary evolution. Considerable natural light is brought into the venue through floor-to-ceiling windows, while uninterrupted views are provided across the leafy neighbourhoods of Forest Town, Saxonwold and Rosebank.

A calm and elegant atmosphere has been created for guests throughout the day and into the evening. An all-day dining menu is served, a curated beverage programme is offered and live music is presented at weekends. Through these additions, the lounge has been positioned as a versatile social space within Four Seasons Hotel The Westcliff.

The relocation has allowed one of the hotel’s most established traditions to be refreshed without removing the elements that have long been appreciated by returning guests. Familiar service rituals have been maintained, while new culinary details have been added to reflect the changing expectations of the Luxury Travel market.

The result is an afternoon tea that remains rooted in tradition but is presented through a more contemporary Johannesburg hospitality experience.

Artisan Savouries and Patisserie Shape the Experience

The menu is opened with freshly baked scones, which are served with butter, cream, cheese and homemade strawberry jam. This traditional first course is followed by a generous savoury selection designed to offer contrasting flavours and textures.

Finger sandwiches are included alongside smoked salmon and dill cream cheese croissants. Chicken and leek pie, Moroccan lamb pastilla and mushroom empanadas are also served, allowing British afternoon tea traditions to be complemented by broader international influences.

The patisserie course has been created as a showcase of detailed preparation and modern pastry craftsmanship. A chocolate and passion fruit petit gâteau is offered with a pecan and vanilla tart. Caramel and naartjie choux is presented alongside a pistachio and raspberry financier.

Seasonal changes will be introduced during the year. Ingredient availability and new culinary inspiration will be reflected through these variations, ensuring that repeat visits can be supported by an evolving selection.

The menu has been designed around balance. Quality ingredients, careful preparation and attentive service have been prioritised, while the overall atmosphere has been kept relaxed. Guests marking special occasions can therefore be accommodated, although the experience has also been shaped for informal meetings and unhurried social gatherings.

Local Tea Flavours Meet French Champagne

Each course is paired with tea from a collection created in collaboration with Nigiro. Local character is highlighted through a marula and strawberry rooibos blend, linking the service more closely with South African flavours.

The combination of speciality tea, local ingredients and French Champagne gives the experience a distinctive position within Johannesburg Luxury Travel. It also reflects the wider approach being adopted by Four Seasons Hotel The Westcliff, where international hospitality standards are being presented alongside regional culinary influences.

The Champagne Afternoon Tea Experience is available daily in the Lobby Lounge & Bar when advance notice is provided. On Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, two seatings are offered at noon and 3:00 pm. Live music accompanies the weekend service, adding another element to the hotel’s social and dining programme.

The Champagne Afternoon Tea Experience is priced at ZAR 950 per person and includes a glass of French Champagne. A second option, The Westcliff Afternoon Tea, is priced at ZAR 650 per person and includes a glass of locally produced Méthode Cap Classique.

Both formats have been created to serve guests seeking premium Luxury Travel experiences while allowing a choice between international Champagne and South African sparkling wine.

A Wider Season of Culinary Events Is Unveiled

The new afternoon tea has been introduced as the latest addition to a broader dining season at the Johannesburg hotel. Flames, which was recently recognised as the Best Fine Dining Restaurant in South Africa by the South African Restaurant Awards, will host several curated experiences under Executive Chef Rudi Liebenberg.

The programme will begin on 31 July 2026 with The Spirit of Inzalo Agave, where agave spirits will be paired with a fire-inspired menu. The Agronomist will follow on 28 August, with vineyards and carefully selected ingredients being celebrated.

Spring with Babylonstoren will be presented on 23 September through a menu focused on honey. Effervescence with Moët & Chandon will be staged on 24 October, when Champagne and elevated pairings will be featured.

On 27 November, Wasted. Reimagined will explore creative cooking methods through a reduced-waste approach. Summer with Babylonstoren will conclude the announced programme on 3 December, with heirloom tomatoes being showcased at their seasonal peak.

These occasions have been designed to extend beyond the restaurant. Overnight accommodation, spa treatments, sauna and steam facilities and breakfast served in bed overlooking Johannesburg may also be incorporated into a visit.

Through this expanded programme, Four Seasons Hotel The Westcliff is strengthening its position within Johannesburg Luxury Travel. Afternoon tea, fine dining, wellness and accommodation are being brought together within one destination, allowing the hotel’s hospitality offering to be experienced across multiple settings.

Reservations for the Champagne Afternoon Tea Experience and The Westcliff Afternoon Tea may be made through Dineplan or by contacting the hotel directly.