Where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans converge, a new culinary story begins. This December, Mount Nelson, A Belmond Hotel, Cape Town unveils Amura by Michelin-starred Chef Ángel León — an immersive dining experience inspired by the mystery and biodiversity of the sea. It marks León’s first restaurant outside Spain, and his African debut.
“Rooted in heritage and guided by nature, Mount Nelson and Amura share a vision: to honour the ocean and celebrate hospitality with soul,” says Chef León.
Patrick Fisher, General Manager of Mount Nelson, adds: “Amura is Chef León’s love letter to the ocean — a celebration of creativity, sustainability, and discovery.”
An Invisible Maritime Bridge
From Spain to South Africa flows a current of salt, wind, and tradition. Cádiz, León’s birthplace, was once a gateway to the East, while the Cape of Good Hope refreshed ships rounding Africa. Amura celebrates this shared seafaring legacy with fermented fish, spice-laced broths, fire cooking, and deep reverence for the ocean.
The Chef of the Sea
Known globally as the “Chef of the Sea,” Ángel León has redefined marine cuisine with groundbreaking uses of sea-sourced ingredients — from phytoplankton and sea rice to overlooked fish species. His flagship restaurants, Aponiente (three Michelin stars) and Alevante (two Michelin stars), have earned him international acclaim, including the Michelin Green Star Award.
Amura is also personal — named for the bow of a boat, it pays homage to his late father, who inspired his love of fishing and the sea.
Spanish Roots, South African Ingredients
Amura showcases the breadth of South Africa’s oceans — elevating not only prized seafood but also plankton, halophytes, and by-catch as haute cuisine. Guests can choose between à la carte or tasting menus that weave together wild herbs, kelp, and spices with Mediterranean techniques such as fermentation and open-fire cooking.
“Working with Cape ingredients has been a revelation,” León says. “As in Andalusia, beauty lies in the unexpected.”
A Kelp Forest Interior
Designed by Tristan du Plessis, Amura’s interiors pay cinematic tribute to Cape Town’s kelp forests. Deep greens, warm timber, and bronze accents evoke the ocean floor, while an open kitchen creates a stage for culinary theatre.
Rooted in Purpose
Like Mount Nelson, Amura is built on responsible sourcing and marine conservation. From a bar menu using the hotel’s botanicals to a wine cellar pairing Cape terroirs with Andalusian sherries, every detail is considered.
Amura invites guests to celebrate the ocean, its beauty, and its stories.
Opening December 2025.
Reservations: restaurantreservations.mnh@belmond.com