Known as the “Chef of the Sea,” the Spanish chef will bring his marine-focused cuisine to the African continent, blending Andalusian traditions with South African coastal ingredients.
Ángel León, the man behind the three-Michelin-starred Aponiente and two-Michelin-starred Alevante in Cádiz, is celebrated for his inventive use of ingredients like phytoplankton and sea rice.
He has been recognised as a Food Hero by the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organisation for his commitment to sustainable fishing.
As such, Amura will deliver a dining experience inspired by the rich biodiversity of the Cape coastline and León’s dedication to marine conservation.
Kelp inspired
The restaurant will blend Spanish culinary traditions with local South African ingredients. These will include overlooked treasures like by-catch fish, kelp, and halophyte plants.
The aim is to bring these delicacies to the forefront of innovative cuisine.
The restaurant’s design, by South African architect Tristan du Plessis, draws inspiration from Cape Town’s kelp forests. Diners will experience a theatrical open kitchen and interiors that capture the colours and elements of the ocean floor.
A shared fishing legacy between South Africa and Spain
The Spanish chef describes the menu at Amura as an homage to a shared seafaring legacy between the two countries.
“To the salted fish and coastal fermentations, speaking the same ancestral language,” León said.
“The menu honours the spices that crossed oceans, just like our forebears. To the broths, flames, vinegars, and preservation traditions that echo across both coasts.”
Depth will be added to these flavours with techniques like open-fire cooking.
À la carte and tasting menus
Amura at the Mount Nelson will offer both à la carte and tasting menus. A curated wine list will pair local Cape wines with Andalusian sherries.
For León, the project is also a tribute to his father, who first inspired his love of the sea.
“Working with local producers and ingredients sourced from the two oceans surrounding the Cape Peninsula has been a revelation,” León added.
“The coastline is full of species that are overlooked, just like in Andalusia. That’s where we find beauty, in the unexpected.”
