Belmond Mount Nelson

Had a lovely experience for lunch at The Fountain - special shout out to Lulu for looking after us all afternoon in the beautiful gardens and the food was delicious.

Nqobile was an INCREDIBLE server. She made our afternoon tea so pleasant. We will definitely be back with more people.

An oasis of calm in luxurious setting In our 25 years visiting Cape Town we have dined at many wonderful restaurants, but few venues can match the timeless, elegant beauty of the Veranda or offer such delicious, seasonal cuisine. Occupying an enviable position overlooking the stunning gardens of the Belmond Mount Nelson hotel, the Veranda restaurant offers something unique. This is a secret garden oasis right in the heart of the city. Whether you chose to be seated on the terrace or in the elegant glass walled conservatory, comfort, luxury and old-world charm abound. Many of the restaurants in Cape Town feel crowded and noisy. Tables are pushed together to offer more covers, stripped back décor does nothing to absorb the noise of diners striving to be heard above the cacophony of music and wooden chair legs scrapping against bare floorboards. Tables are too small to accommodate a side plate, and seats seemed to be designed to be so uncomfortable you won’t want to linger. So, what a delight to be able to dine in a space that is designed to be inviting, comfortable and a feast for all the senses. Even before the food arrived, we were in heaven. This is a place of elegance and calm. Deeply cushioned chairs invite you to sit back and relax. Pristine tablecloths and crystal glasses speak of quality and attention to detail. The melodic sound of piano music adds to the charm, and you could believe you had stepped back in time to an era of sophisticated glamour. We were delighted to be greeted by restaurant manager Emmanuel (Manny) Mcotheli. Since his appointment the Veranda restaurant has reached new heights of excellence. Manny has that rare blend of warmth, charisma and a passion for service that enable him to make every guest feel like the most important person in the room. With him at the helm the whole atmosphere of the Veranda has been elevated, and his energy and leadership reverberate throughout the restaurant. As you would expect from a five-star hotel, the level of service was outstanding. Manny seemed to know intuitively when our glasses needed replenishing, and all the staff hit that balance of being attentive without being intrusive. The menu offered a delicious selection of seasonal, local produce and it was almost impossible to decide which to opt for. I feasted on the most tender Karoo Lamb, whilst my husband enjoyed the Chalmar Beef Fillet and declared it to be ‘the best’ he had ever tasted. The main courses were generous, but we couldn’t resist ending on something sweet, and I’m so glad we did. A standout highlight of our evening was the ‘surprise’ chocolate mousse, served tableside. This wasn’t just a dessert, it was a moment of theatre, choreographed by Emmanuel to curate a very special experience. The rich, velvety chocolate delivered more than expected, as did the whole unforgettable evening. You don’t need to be a guest at the Mount Nelson to enjoy the Veranda restaurant, neither do you need to be a millionaire to dine like one. Everyone deserves to experience this level of luxury, so if you are in the mother city, do yourself a favour and book a table, it will be the best seat in the house.

Driving up the palm lined entrance to the Belmond Mount Nelson, my heart skipped a beat – we were back at our favourite hotel, and it felt like coming home (if your home was a rose hued sanctuary that combined old world luxury and opulence with modern efficiency and sophistication.) We were greeted with scented chilled towels and warm smiles, luggage was whisked away to our suite, and within minutes the stresses of an overnight flight were forgotten – we were back in our favourite hotel in the beautiful mother city! The Belmond Mount Nelson isn’t the cheapest option when staying in Cape Town, but I believe it’s the best. Impeccable Service. As you would expect from a 5-star hotel, the level of personalised, unobtrusive service is outstanding. But the staff at the Nelly deliver something extra – heart. They care about what they do and take pride in making your stay extra special. The smiles are genuine. Every member of staff goes above and beyond, anticipating your needs and aiming to delight. From the turn down service, with a nightly gift left on the pillow, to the pool staff who angle the parasol perfectly, and the team of professionals who ensure every plate of food and glass of wine is delicious. Thank you to the concierge service who are always available to help, the lovely Simone for all her recommendations and Molebz, who saved the day by resolving issues with Hertz downtown. Special mentions to Busi on the front desk for anticipating our every need and much more besides! Thanks to the wonderful Benson and his team at the Planet Bar, especially Sim. Sitting on the terrace, admiring the fountain and gardens whilst sipping a cocktail is the best way to begin (or end) and evening, and the menu available is so appealing, often we couldn’t bear to leave. Luckily, we didn’t have to venture too far for a high-end dining experience or give up that wonderful view as the Veranda Restaurant offers opulent seating both indoors and on the terrace. The Veranda Restaurant. In our 25 years visiting Cape Town we have dined at many wonderful restaurants, but few venues can match the timeless, elegant beauty of the Veranda or offer such delicious, seasonal cuisine. We were delighted to be greeted by our old friend Emmanuel (Manny) Mcotheli who has recently returned to the Nelly as Restaurant manager. Under his care the restaurant has reached new heights of excellence. Manny has that rare blend of warmth, charisma and a passion for service that enable him to make every guest feel like the most important person in the room. With him at the helm the whole atmosphere of the Veranda has been elevated, and his energy and leadership reverberate throughout the restaurant. A standout highlight of our evening was the ‘surprise’ chocolate mousse, served tableside. This wasn’t just a dessert, it was a moment of theatre, choreographed by Emmanuel to curate a very special experience. The rich, velvety chocolate delivered more than expected, as did the whole unforgettable evening. I didn’t think we could love the Veranda more, but with Emmanuel running the show, this is a dining option that deserves an encore. Every year the Nelly seems to accomplish the impossible, it improves upon perfection! Last year it was the addition of The Fountain for al fresco, Mediterranean style dining. This year the reinvention of the Veranda and the addition of Seafood restaurant Amura, establishing the Nelly as a food lovers destination. But whether you chose the Nelly for its unrivalled luxury and old world charm, or its dining options and commitment to service, what will keep you coming back are its people who become the family you wish you had!

I was fortunate to stay at Mount Nelson in early January 2026. Having visited many times before, I already knew how special the hotel is — but this stay was made extra memorable for a new reason. I took several tennis lessons with the resident Tennis Pro, Barkie, who has apparently been at the hotel for many years. His ability to connect with people, read their game, and elevate their performance is unlike anything I’ve experienced before. Barry has a rare combination of technical expertise and outstanding people skills — he knows exactly how to challenge you while keeping the sessions enjoyable and motivating. Thank you, Barkie, for the quality time on court and for taking my game to another level. I’m already looking forward to the next visit. 🎾