ONLY AFRICAN RESTAURANT FEATURED IN TIME’s 2026 World’s Greatest Places List: AMURA BY ÁNGEL LEÓN AT MOUNT NELSON

Amura by Ángel Leó located at Mount Nelson, A Belmond Hotel, Cape Town, has been featured on TIME’s 2026 World’s Greatest Places, which highlights 100 extraordinary destinations to visit and stay.

The immersive marine dining experience is the only restaurant in Africa included this year.

To compile this list, TIME solicited nominations of places – including hotels, cruises, restaurants, attractions, museums, parks, and more – from its international network of correspondents and contributors, as well as via an application process, with an eye toward those offering new and exciting experiences.

Other South African places included on the prestigious list are Park Hyatt Johannesburg, Masiya’s Camp at Royal Malewane at Kruger National Park. The rest of the continent is represented by Grand Egyptian Museum, Cairo, Jnane Karwan, a tented desert retreat in

Marrakesh, Morocco, The Pinnacle Kigali, Rwanda’s first women-led ultra-luxury hotel, and andBeyond Suyian Lodge located in the Suyian Conservancy in Kenya.

Opened in December 2025, Amura marks the first restaurant outside of Spain by internationally acclaimed chef Ángel León, widely known as the “Chef of the Sea,” whose Andalusian restaurants – Aponiente (three Michelin Stars) and Alevante (two Michelin Stars) – have earned global recognition for pioneering marine cuisine.

Inspired by the meeting of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans and the rich biodiversity of the Cape coastline, Amura offers a deeply immersive dining experience shaped by the rhythms of the sea. Blending Mediterranean techniques with South African ingredients, the restaurant celebrates overlooked marine species, seasonal coastal produce and indigenous flavours, telling a story of two seafaring cultures, Andalusia and the Cape, connected by ancient tides and a shared culinary heritage.

“At Amura we try to tell a different story about the sea; that is rooted in nature, time and respect for the ocean. To see this vision recognised by TIME among the world’s greatest places is both humbling and deeply exciting for our entire team,” says Carlos León, Business Manager of Amura and brother of Chef Ángel León.

Set within the storied halls of Mount Nelson, one of the city’s most iconic luxury hotels, Amura forms part of the property’s evolving culinary offering, bringing a new global dining destination to the heart of the Cape.

“It is an incredible honour for both Amura and Mount Nelson to be recognised by TIME in this year’s list of the World’s Greatest Places,” says Patrick Fisher, General Manager of Mount Nelson, A Belmond Hotel, Cape Town. “From the beginning, Amura was envisioned as a restaurant that would bring together Chef Ángel León’s pioneering marine cuisine with the remarkable ingredients and coastal heritage of the Cape. To see this vision acknowledged on a global stage is a proud moment for us all.”

As shared by TIME in its feature on Park Hyatt Johannesburg: “Though there’s a big brand behind it, the boutique property doesn’t lack personality. Housed in a mansion from the 1930s and designed by Johannesburg-based interiors whiz Stephen Falcke, its 31 slick rooms and suites are outfitted with green tub chairs, marble-topped credenzas, Ndebele-patterned throws, and glass-encased bathrooms. Room 32, the hotel’s restaurant, has quickly become a favorite among locals – particularly for high tea, where a treasure chest reveals tiny bites tucked in drawers, from bunny chow to venison carpaccio, served on a terrace overlooking a heated pool framed with greenery.”

Atef Soliman, General Manager of Park Hyatt Johannesburg, commented: “This recognition by TIME reflects the dedication of our team and the strength of the Park Hyatt brand. At Park Hyatt Johannesburg, we are committed to offering refined, personalised service within an environment that feels residential, intimate, and culturally connected. To be included among the world’s most extraordinary places to visit and stay is an honour that inspires us to continue setting new benchmarks for understated luxury in the region.”

Hamza Farooqui, CEO of Millat Group, owners of Hyatt Hotels in South Africa, commented:

“To be recognised by TIME as one of the World’s Greatest Places is a humbling moment for our team and for South Africa. From the outset, our responsibility was to restore this landmark with care, build a team that reflects excellence and integrity, and create a product that honours both global standards and local heritage. This recognition belongs to the people who brought the vision to life every day. For us, true luxury is not excess, it is intention, authenticity and service delivered with heart.”

Masiya’s Camp at Royal Malewane at Kruger National Park was commended for its unique design aesthetic, including its hot pink tents.

“Masiya’s Camp gleefully flips safari clichés on their heads with striped walls, jewel-toned furnishings, Persian rugs underfoot, and a standout African art collection. Traditionalists may mourn the loss of khaki and dusty animal hides – but once you settle onto a teal-and-fuchsia ikat bar stool, you won’t miss them for a second.”

See the full list here: time.com/collection/worlds-greatest-places/2026