Oluthando Keteyi|Published
There is something about jacaranda season in Johannesburg that makes getting dressed up and catching up with your girlfriends feel even more special. With the city turning shades of purple, spring offers the perfect excuse to swap your usual coffee date for a leisurely afternoon of good food, pretty views and a little indulgence.
If you are looking for your next girls' day out, Four Seasons Hotel The Westcliff, Johannesburg, is bringing back its annual Jacaranda Afternoon Tea, running until November 30.
Set in the hotel's Lobby Lounge & Bar, overlooking Johannesburg's urban forest, the experience combines seasonal treats with views of the city's flowering jacaranda trees, making it an ideal spot for a long-overdue catch-up with your besties.
A spring-inspired afternoon tea
Created by executive pastry chef Nathan Jacobs, this year's menu takes inspiration from the colours of jacaranda season, with a selection of sweet and savoury bites designed to celebrate spring.
Expect a berry-inspired sweet selection featuring blueberry, blackberry, blackcurrant and cherry, alongside savoury favourites such as beetroot-cured salmon and warm butter chicken pies.
The menu brings a seasonal twist to the traditional English afternoon tea, pairing familiar favourites with flavours inspired by Johannesburg's springtime transformation.
“The jacaranda gives us a colour story before anything else,” says 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.”
And because no girls' outing is complete without something special to sip on, guests can choose between two afternoon tea experiences.
The Westcliff Jacaranda Afternoon Tea costs R650 per person and includes a glass of South African Méthode Cap Classique, while the Champagne Jacaranda Afternoon Tea is priced at R950 per person and comes with a glass of Moët & Chandon Champagne.
Cocktails and sunset views
For those who would rather extend their afternoon into the evening, Flames restaurant is also celebrating the season with a limited-edition jacaranda-inspired cocktail menu.
Drawing on the violet hues that blanket the city during spring, the cocktails offer another way to toast the season while enjoying panoramic views across Johannesburg's northern suburbs.
As the afternoon sun begins to set, the setting makes a compelling case for lingering a little longer over conversation, drinks and those all-important catch-up moments.
Take your girls' day beyond the hotel
If you want to make a full day of it, Four Seasons Hotel The Westcliff is also partnering with Joburg In Your Pocket for a special jacaranda experience on Sunday, October 25.
The programme begins with tea, coffee and light refreshments at the hotel before guests head out on a guided walk through Westcliff's jacaranda-lined avenues.
Led by local guides and specialists, the walks explore the neighbourhood's history, architecture and seasonal charm.
Afterwards, guests return to the hotel for the Jacaranda Afternoon Tea, served in the Lobby Lounge & Bar and on its terrace.
It is an opportunity to appreciate the beauty of one of Johannesburg's most anticipated seasonal spectacles before settling in for an afternoon of good food and conversation.
What you need to know
When: October 1 to November 30, 2026.
Afternoon tea seating times: Daily at 12.00pm and 3.00pm.
The Westcliff Jacaranda Afternoon Tea: R650 per person, including a glass of South African Méthode Cap Classique.
The Champagne Jacaranda Afternoon Tea: R950 per person, including a glass of Moët & Chandon Champagne.
Jacaranda weekend experience: Sunday, October 25, in collaboration with Joburg In Your Pocket.
Tickets for the October 25 experience are available through Quicket.
Whether you are celebrating a birthday, planning a catch-up with your closest friends or simply looking for an excuse to enjoy Johannesburg at its prettiest, jacaranda season is the perfect time to make a little space for yourself and your favourite people.