The Jacaranda Afternoon Tea Returns to Four Seasons Hotel the Westcliff, Johannesburg

Four Seasons Hotel The Westcliff, Johannesburg welcomes the return of jacaranda season with its annual Jacaranda Afternoon Tea, served from October 1 to November 30, 2026.

Created by Executive Pastry Chef Nathan Jacobs, this year's menu draws inspiration from the distinctive palette of spring while reimagining one of Johannesburg’s most cherished traditions. Throughout October and November, two jacaranda-inspired cocktails join the afternoon tea, while Flames unveils a dedicated seasonal menu of its own, served from one of Johannesburg's most spectacular vantage points.

Each spring, Johannesburg’s streets take on a soft purple haze almost overnight. Elevated on the Westcliff ridge, the hotel offers one of the city's most enviable vantage points from which to witness the transformation. For many Johannesburg residents, the flowering trees signal the arrival of warmer days and the approach of summer, creating a moment that feels uniquely tied to the city.

Served in the Lobby Lounge & Bar overlooking Johannesburg's urban forest, the Jacaranda Afternoon Tea invites guests to pause and take in the season while enjoying a menu inspired by its colours and character.

Chef Jacobs has built the 2026 menu around the fruits that share the blossom’s palette. Blueberry, blackberry, blackcurrant and cherry feature throughout the sweet selection, while savoury offerings include beetroot-cured salmon, warm butter chicken pies and classic afternoon tea favourites. Two seasonal cocktails sit alongside the tiers, offering a spirited alternative to the traditional bubbles pour.

“The jacaranda gives us a colour story before anything else,” says Chef Jacobs. “I followed that thread through the darker berries, then balanced it with brightness, spice and texture, so that each tier feels as layered as the view.”

The result honours the rituals of an English afternoon while capturing a moment that belongs entirely to Johannesburg.

Jacaranda Cocktails at Flames

Throughout this time, the seasonal cocktails shall also be offered alongside the existing Flames cocktail menu. Drawing inspiration from the violet hues that settle across the city's urban forest each spring, the collection offers guests another way to experience the city's annual transformation. As afternoon gives way to evening, Flames provides a spectacular setting from which to watch the sun set over the purple canopy, with panoramic views stretching across Johannesburg's northern suburbs.

A Jacaranda Weekend Experience

On October 24 and 25, the hotel invites guests to experience jacaranda season beyond the hotel grounds through a special weekend programme presented with Joburg In Your Pocket.

Each morning begins with tea, coffee and light refreshments in the Lobby Lounge & Bar before guests set out on a guided exploration of Westcliff's jacaranda-lined avenues. Led by local guides and specialists, the walks offer insight into the history, architecture and seasonal character of one of Johannesburg's most celebrated neighbourhoods.

Following the walk, guests return to the hotel on both days for the Jacaranda Afternoon Tea, served in the Lobby Lounge & Bar and out across its terrace as a fitting continuation of the morning's exploration.

Designed around one of Johannesburg's most anticipated annual moments, the weekend pairs the beauty of the flowering canopy with the hospitality, views and culinary experiences of Four Seasons Hotel The Westcliff.

Tickets for the Saturday, October 24 and Sunday, October 25 walk and hotel experiences are available via Quicket:

Purchase Saturday tickets

Purchase Sunday tickets

Reservations for the Jacaranda Afternoon Tea

• The Jacaranda Afternoon Tea is served daily from 1 October to 30 November 2026, with 12:00 noon and 3:00 pm seatings available
• The Westcliff Jacaranda Afternoon Tea is priced at R650 per person, including a glass of South African Méthode Cap Classique
• The Champagne Jacaranda Afternoon Tea is priced at R950 per person including a glass of Moët & Chandon Champagne
• For reservations, call +27 11 481 6450 or email reservations.johannesburg@fourseasons.com

Follow Four Seasons Hotel The Westcliff, Johannesburg on Instagram at @fsjohannesburg for the latest news and experiences.