In Victorian England, the Duchess of Bedford complained of a “sinking feeling” in the afternoon. Her solution was to have bread and butter, cake, tarts and biscuits delivered to her boudoir, thereby paving the way for the rest of us to eat dessert in the afternoon.

Today, the traditional British high tea is enjoying something of a revival. Across the country, restaurants and hotels are offering three-tiered platters, or sprawling buffets of delights. The Mount Nelson’s afternoon tea buffet enjoys a huge following, while further north, The Polo Bar at the Westcliff used to be booked out for months in advance for its version of high tea.

As the Royal wedding season approaches, live like a Duchess, and visit one of these fabulous spots:

Cape Town

Kirstenbosch Tea Room
What you get: A pot of tea, cucumber and cream cheese or egg sandwiches on either white or wholewheat bread, two mini spinach-and-feta quiches, home-made scones with strawberry jam and clotted cream and one cake.
Price: R140 for two

Mount Nelson Hotel
What you get: Choose from a vast buffet, including strawberry cream cake, cheesecake, bee-sting cake, mini éclairs, three tea loaves, petit fours, scones and more. Savoury treats include a salmon and crêpe stack, smoked lamb focaccia, butternut, sage and pine-nut savoury muffin with a sage sour cream, glazed onion and tomato tarts and cucumber sandwiches.
Price: Morning: R105 (adults), R60 (children under 12) Afternoon: R165 (adults), R85 (children under 12)

The Vista Bar at the One & Only
What you get: A three-tier stand containing chocolate delice, baked vanilla bean cheesecake, caramel and gold leaf éclairs, tea loaf, macaroons, tea sandwiches and fine buttermilk scones.
Price: R145 (excludes drinks on weekdays; includes drinks on weekends)

The Table Bay Hotel
What you get: Three courses: mini-quiches, finger sandwiches, a three-tiered silver tea tray with a variety of warm scones, triple cream, jams and apricot custard, and finally, a buffet of chocolate treats, sweet cakes and fruit tartlets. A wide variety of teas is also available. (Mad Hatter theme until the end of July)
Price: R160 or R200 with a glass of bubbly

The Cape Grace
What you get: Traditional: finger sandwiches, scones, coffee and tea, and two items from the sugar buffet. Sugar and bubbles: sugar buffet and a glass of Graham Beck sparkling rosé (no tea). Sugar and spice: sugar buffet and hot Malay savouries (spring rolls, beef stays, etc.), tea and coffee
Price: Traditional: R75; Sugar buffet: R12/item; Sugar and bubbles: R110; Sugar and spice: R110

The Vineyard Hotel
What you get: A tray with a selection of finger sandwiches – smoked salmon and cream cheese, on wholewheat. finely sliced cucumber on white. vegetarian quiche, mini chocolate tart, lemon cupcake, mini fruit tartlet, poppyseed cake, coconut ice, Turkish delight, baked passion fruit cheesecake, scone with homemade strawberry jam, cream and cheese.
Price: R95

Somerset West

Garden Terrace at the Lord Charles
What you get: Mini buffet offering savoury and sweet options. It changes daily depending on the pastry chef, but expect finger sandwiches, scones and at least two types of cakes.
Price: R55

Paarl

Grande Roche Hotel
What you get: chocolate dipped fruit, mini scones, choc brownie with whipped cream, apple crumble, fruit tartlets, profiteroles, cucumber sandwiches, ham and cheese sandwiches, parma ham, olives, sun dried toms and parmesan cheese. Filter coffee and tea.
Price: R95

Franschhoek

Grande Provence
What you get: A platter for two including scones, plum preserve, chocolate mousse cake, carrot muffins and smoked salmon sandwiches.
Price: R95 for two

The Orchard Restaurant (last weekend of every month only)
What you get: A savoury and sweet buffet that normally consists of a selection of cakes, sandwiches and scones, plus tea and coffee.
Price: R125

Hermanus

The Marine
What you get: A two-tiered plate with mini scones, muffins, cheesecake, pastry and sandwiches – smoked salmon on brown and cucumber on white.
Price: R160 for two people

Durban

Beverly Hills Hotel
What you get: Choose four items from strawberry cheesecake, hazelnut brownies, éclairs, mini fruit tartlets, scones, macaroons, cupcakes, egg salad sandwiches, smoked salmon sandwiches, cheese-and-chive scones with onion marmalade, cocktail rolls (pastrami, cheese, tomato), chicken canapés.
Price: R55, excluding drinks

The Oyster Box
What you get: Buffet treats such as chocolate and coffee éclairs, fruit tartlets, pecan-nut tartlets, lemon-meringue tartlets, carrot cake, Madeira cake, cupcakes, blueberry cake, Belgian chocolate cake, chocolate fudge brownies, scones, panna cotta, salmon sandwiches, cucumber sandwiches, cheese sandwiches, ginger biscuits, shortbread, chilli bites, and samoosas.
Price: R145

Johannesburg

The Polo Bar at the Westcliff
What you get: The buffet changes daily, and includes the likes of fluffy scones served with preserves and whipped cream, scrumptious cakes, delicate finger sandwiches and fruit tarts.
Price: R165

Peermont D’oreale Grande
What you get: A buffet including muffins, cakes, scones, vegetarian wraps, buffalo wings and mini quiches. Menu changes daily.
Price: R55

Tea Amo at the Hyatt Regency Hotel
What you get: Make your selection from the trolley of finger sandwiches, slices of cake, tarts and sweet and savoury pastries. On Sundays: full buffet with scones, finger sandwiches, cakes, tarts, pastries, plus live entertainment by the Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra.
Price: Two menu options – the smaller ‘Be Beautiful’ menu: R155 per person or R300 for two; and more extensive – ‘Be Fabulous’ menu: R380 per person or R700 for two.

Café Rialto at Montecasino
What you get: Chef’s daily bake of miniature cakes, sandwiches, quiches and petit fours.
Price: R195 for two people or R255 for two people including a glass of L’Avenir Pinotage Brut Rosé

Pretoria Rosemary Hill Farm (by appointment only)
What you get: Coffee, 14 speciality teas, cappuccino, mint-lemon water, home-made iced tea, sparkling wine, rosewater-glazed scones, almond turnovers, vanilla and almond cupcakes, coffee chocolate mousse, cucumber teapot sandwiches, biltong and Peppadew tartlets, spicy chicken skewers, salmon crumpets with crème fraîche.
Price: R135 for four sweet and four savoury items

Crystal Court at the Palace
What you get: Pastries, scones, a cake selection and a selection of teas.
Price: R165

Tiffins Bar and Lounge
What you get: A selection of sweet and savoury items, as well as traditional scones, local and international cheeses, tea and coffee.
Price: R120

By Katharine Jacobs, researched by Angelique Smith and Caylee Scholtz.