Mount Nelson Unveils Ocean-Inspired Restaurant And Thebe Magugu Suite In Cape Town

Cape Town’s legendary Mount Nelson Hotel is entering a new era of luxury and creativity this December, announcing the arrival of Amura by Ángel León, the Michelin-starred Spanish chef’s first restaurant outside Europe, alongside a bold new collaboration with South African fashion designer Thebe Magugu.

A Culinary First For Africa

Ángel León, affectionately known as the “Chef of the Sea”, has earned international acclaim for his groundbreaking approach to marine cuisine. From introducing diners to sea rice and phytoplankton at his three-Michelin-starred restaurant Aponiente in Cádiz, Spain, León has become a visionary in sustainable gastronomy.

Now, he brings that innovation to Cape Town with Amura, a restaurant that promises an immersive marine dining experience rooted in the city’s coastline. The menu will weave together Spanish culinary traditions and South African ingredients, celebrating underused fish species, kelp, and wild herbs sourced from the two oceans that meet at the Cape. Guests can choose between à la carte dining or a theatrical tasting menu designed to surprise and delight.

“Working with local producers and ingredients has been a revelation,” León said, reflecting on the Cape’s extraordinary biodiversity.

Interiors Inspired By The Ocean

Designed by acclaimed South African interior architect Tristan du Plessis, Amura’s interiors will channel the drama of Cape Town’s kelp forests. Expect cinematic, marine-inspired spaces that blur the line between nature and dining. Mount Nelson’s GM, Patrick Fisher, described the restaurant as “a love letter to the ocean,” highlighting the shared vision of sustainability and soulful hospitality.

Thebe Magugu Steps Into Luxury Hospitality

The culinary debut will coincide with the opening of the Thebe Magugu Suite and Magugu House Cape Town, marking the award-winning designer’s first foray into hospitality design.

The suite, crafted with StudioLandt, spans two floors and blends Afro-modernist aesthetics with South African cultural heritage. Adjoining the suite is Magugu House Cape Town, a concept store and cultural hub set to showcase his collections alongside rotating exhibitions from African artists.

“Together, the Mount Nelson and I have crafted a space rooted deeply in place and purpose, with a strong commitment to preserving the culture from which we draw inspiration,” Magugu explained.

The suite will join Belmond’s prestigious Signature Suites and Villas collection, while Magugu House Cape Town opens to the public on 10 November.

A New Chapter For The “Pink Lady”

For over 125 years, the Mount Nelson has been an icon of Cape Town hospitality, affectionately nicknamed the Pink Lady. With the launch of Amura and the Thebe Magugu Suite, the hotel is not only preserving its heritage but also reimagining what luxury can look like in Africa today: creative, sustainable, and deeply connected to culture.

{Source:Tourism Update}

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