Cape Town restaurant bags spot on TIME's 'World's Greatest Places' list just months after opening

A new immersive marine dining experience in Cape Town has earned a spot on TIME Magazine’s World’s Greatest Places list for 2026.

It's TIME's collection of the 100 most exciting destinations around the globe.

Amura by Ángel León is located at Cape Town's iconic Mount Nelson Hotel, or the "Nellie" as it's fondly known.

It opened just months ago in December 2025 and is the only restaurant on the African continent to be awarded the TIME honour.

The Belmond hotel group says Amura's menus are inspired by the beauty and biodiversity of the Cape coastline where the Indian and Atlantic Oceans meet.

As TIME puts it, a new continent becomes the canvas for Andalusian chef Ángel León with his latest venture, his first outside Spain.

The visionary behind Amura has become known the world over as Spain's Chef of the Sea. 

León is credited with  helping to "redefine the possibilities of seafood-driven cuisine", establishing himself as one of the most influential names in contemporary gastronomy.

The restaurant celebrates the shared flavours of Cape Town and Cádiz, highlighting sustainably sourced seafood, seasonal produce and indigenous spices, he says.

And TIME is in raptures about the Michelin-starred chef's reimagining of seafood at the Cape: 

"Local kingklip is served fresh with a Spanish pilpil enriched with plankton; abalone, deeply tied to South Africa’s coast, is paired with an emulsion of Gordal olives; and shrimp toast, inflected with Durban’s curry-laden maritime heritage, has struck a chord with local diners. León also grounds the menu in personal history, paying homage to his family’s maritime roots with Cádiz-style squid-ink croquettes served with aioli."

Dishes further include yellowfin tuna tartare with cured egg yolk, smoked Cape salmon with buttermilk sauce and plankton risotto.

Amura's wine list also celebrates Cape terroir and maritime influence, chosen to complement its dishes.

Click here to find out more and to make a booking.