This season, one of Cape Town's most charming winter traditions returns as Cape Grace, A Fairmont Managed Hotel welcomes back A Game of Grace, its Championships-inspired afternoon tea experience served at the hotel's signature restaurant, Heirloom.
Running from 18 June to 12 July 2026, the experience once again pays tribute to one of the world's most celebrated sporting occasions, translating the traditions and rituals of a famed London tournament into a distinctly Cape Town affair.
Where Cape Town Meets Centre Court
While South Africa settles into winter, the sporting world turns its attention to the grass courts of South West London, where generations of champions have made history.
Last year, Cape Grace found a creative way to bridge these two worlds. What began as a limited four-day activation quickly became one of the season's most talked-about experiences, blending the elegance of traditional afternoon tea with the atmosphere and nostalgia associated with championship tennis.
For 2026, the concept returns in expanded form. Hosted from Thursday to Sunday each week, with two sittings daily, A Game of Grace invites guests to embrace the leisurely rituals that have long defined both English summer traditions and luxury hospitality.
An Afternoon Designed Around Ritual
At its heart, A Game of Grace is a celebration of the small pleasures that make certain occasions unforgettable. The experience unfolds slowly, encouraging guests to settle in for an afternoon of conversation, refreshments and live screenings of the day's most anticipated matches.
Inside Heirloom, the setting has been transformed with a palette inspired by the season itself. Crisp whites, lush greens and subtle accents of yellow and pink create a visual nod to the traditions of centre court while complementing the sophisticated surroundings of Cape Grace. The result is refined without feeling overly formal — a balance that has become increasingly important within contemporary luxury hospitality.
A Tea Service Inspired by Tradition
No tribute to championship season would be complete without a carefully considered afternoon tea. The menu draws inspiration from classic English courtside refreshments, offering an elegant progression of finger sandwiches, freshly baked scones served with clotted cream and preserves, and an array of beautifully crafted pastries. Returning by popular demand is one of last year's most photographed treats: the edible tennis ball.
Playful yet exquisitely executed, the confection has become something of a signature for the event, demonstrating how luxury hospitality increasingly embraces moments of whimsy alongside sophistication. Each element is designed to evoke both nostalgia and delight, creating an experience that feels simultaneously familiar and fresh.
The Theatre of the Gin and Pimm's Trolley
Part of the enduring appeal of afternoon tea lies in its sense of ceremony, and Cape Grace leans into this beautifully. Throughout the experience, a bespoke gin and Pimm's trolley moves through the restaurant, offering guests a selection of botanical infusions and classic summer serves.
Prepared tableside, the drinks introduce an element of theatre while honouring the traditions associated with championship season. The ritual of selecting a cocktail, watching it prepared and savouring it alongside afternoon tea adds another layer to the experience, transforming a meal into an occasion. It is a reminder that hospitality is often at its most memorable when it engages all the senses.
Dressing for the Occasion
Guests are encouraged to embrace the sartorial spirit of the event, whether through classic whites or subtler tennis-inspired styling. The dress code is intentionally relaxed rather than prescriptive, reflecting the effortless elegance that has long defined both Cape Grace and championship culture. It's less about strict adherence to tradition and more about participating in the atmosphere — a chance to embrace a little glamour during the quieter winter months.
As Amanda Strydom, Food and Beverage Director at Cape Grace, explains: "The rituals of this time of year are some of my favourites. Dressing up, gathering, taking a long afternoon over a single match. We have tried to honour that, with all the small touches that make the season what it is. The edible tennis balls, of course, had to come back."
A New Winter Classic
In a city known for its summer energy, experiences such as A Game of Grace offer a compelling reminder that winter has its own pleasures. Rather than retreating indoors entirely, Cape Town's hospitality scene increasingly embraces the season through thoughtful experiences centred on comfort, connection and celebration.
Against the backdrop of the V&A Waterfront, with harbour views, afternoon tea, botanical cocktails and world-class sporting drama unfolding on screen, Cape Grace has created something that feels both timeless and distinctly contemporary. More than simply an afternoon tea, A Game of Grace is a celebration of ritual itself — the joy of gathering, dressing up, slowing down and savouring a winter afternoon well spent.
Credits
Images: Supplied
