Tea, glorious tea. Nothing is as fitting an accompaniment to a good book, or more comforting after a long day. If you’re looking for a tea fix in that’s a bit more exotic than Five Roses, here are five places in Johannesburg to get your tea fix:
Contessa – Tea Connoisseur and Bistro
Stocking over 150 different teas, including around 28 imported loose leaf teas and the entire Twinings range, this sidewalk cafe is the place to go if you’ve tasted tea overseas that you’re struggling to find locally. The menu is simple but wholesome and fresh, offering a range of homemade cakes baked on the premises daily. The coconut and chocolate cake is like a layered lamington in cake form – to die for. Tea tastings cost R75 per person and allow you to taste 6 different variants.
Shop 2a, Cnr Rivonia Blvd & 11th Ave, Rivonia
Call 011-234-6641. Open Mon – Fri 07h30-16h30; Sat 08h00-15h00
2. 54 on Bath
This art deco hotel offers a traditional Afternoon Tea in its modern and opulent lobby. In addition to a selection of sweet and savoury treats, guests can enjoy a variety of Dilmah teas, including the first black tea in history – Lapsang Souchang, sourced from China’s Fujian Province. You will be presented with a choice of flavour enhancements to add to your tea, including star aniseed, orange zest, mint and lemongrass.
54 Bath Avenue, Rosebank
Call 011-344-8500. Tea is served every day from 15:30-17:00 and costs R160pp including snacks.
3. Enmasse
Some may be surprised to see a Thai Massage spot on this list, but Enmasse is no normal spa. With branches in JHB and CT, this slick, Hong Kong-style massage concept is basically a large room partitioned into massage areas. The trendy tea lounge acts as a bridge between leaving your massage space and getting into your car, encouraging people to extend their relaxation experience. Enmasse produces its own range of loose leaf teas and enables you to blend a variety of teas depending on what your palate is craving. For example, the Hot Cross Bun Chai tea blends well with their ginger blend, while their Cape Queen (a blend of green bush and Jasmine) blends nicely with their peppermint and spearmint option.
Unit 14, Illovo Junction, 1 Corlett Drive, Illovo
Call 011-880-3020 Open Mon-Sun 8am-10pm
4. The Tea Merchant
Specialising in sourcing teas from around the world, The Tea Merchant stocks green, white, fruity and traditional black teas. It is the perfect place to source exotic, rare teas and tea accessories. It is not a sit down café but it does offer tea tastings. You can also purchase teapots which are available in a vast selection of glass, cast iron, porcelain and stainless steel. Teas can be sourced on request for customers.
7th Avenue, Parktown North
Call 011-447-9307. Open Mon-Fri 08h30-16h00
5. Crabtree & Evelyn Tea Room
Quaint and eclectic, the Tea Room, situated a floor above the C&E retail store, is a quiet haven that offers expertly blended herbal infusions and black teas. Reminiscent of a traditional English country kitchen, it is warm and cosy with board games and magazines available- so you needn’t be in a hurry to leave. Their scones with C&E strawberry jam and clotted cream are undoubtedly the best in Jhb.
Design Quarter, Fourways
Call 011-465-8276. Open Mon-Sat 09:00-17:00; Sun and holidays 09:00-16:00.
For more restaurant ideas in and around Jozi, visit Hasmita’s personal blog: www.joziliciousblog.co.za
Looking for affordable accommodation in Johannesburg? Try Getaway Accommodation.
