Amura by Ángel León at Mount Nelson Named Among TIME’s World’s Greatest Places

Amura by Ángel León at Mount Nelson, A Belmond Hotel, Cape Town, has been recognised on TIME’s annual list of the World’s Greatest Places for 2026.

Revealed on 12 March 2026, the list highlights 100 extraordinary destinations to visit and stay, including hotels, restaurants, attractions, museums and cultural experiences across the globe.

TIME compiles the list using nominations from its international network of correspondents and contributors, as well as submissions through an application process. The selection focuses on destinations offering new, innovative and memorable experiences.

Amura, the immersive marine dining experience located at Mount Nelson, has been included among the most exciting new places to visit.

A Story Inspired by the Sea

Opened in December 2025, Amura marks the first restaurant outside Spain for internationally acclaimed chef Ángel León, often referred to as the “Chef of the Sea”.

León’s restaurants in Andalusia, Aponiente and Alevante, have earned three and two Michelin stars respectively for pioneering marine cuisine that explores the culinary potential of the ocean.

Inspired by the meeting of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans and the biodiversity of the Cape coastline, Amura offers a dining experience shaped by the rhythms of the sea.

The menu blends Mediterranean techniques with South African ingredients, celebrating seasonal coastal produce, indigenous flavours and often overlooked marine species. The concept tells the story of two seafaring cultures, Andalusia and the Cape, connected through centuries of maritime history.

“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.

A New Culinary Destination for Cape Town

Located within the historic Mount Nelson, one of Cape Town’s most iconic luxury hotels, Amura forms part of the property’s evolving culinary offering.

The restaurant introduces a new international dining destination to the city, combining global culinary expertise with the unique ingredients and coastal heritage 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.”

TIME’s Recognition of Marine Gastronomy

TIME highlighted León’s groundbreaking approach to seafood-driven cuisine, which has helped redefine how marine ingredients are used in modern gastronomy.

Known for creative techniques such as transforming mussels into blood sausage, reimagining tuna as fish jamón and exploring ingredients harvested from the ocean floor, León has become one of the most influential chefs in contemporary seafood cuisine.

At Amura, his culinary vision takes on a new dimension in South Africa. Dishes on the menu include kingklip served with Spanish pilpil enriched with plankton, abalone paired with a Gordal olive emulsion and shrimp toast inspired by Durban’s curry-infused maritime traditions.

The restaurant also pays tribute to León’s own heritage, with Cádiz-style squid ink croquettes served with aioli as a nod to his family’s seafaring roots.

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