You’ll find high tea heaven in a most unremarkable corner of Kyalami, a suburb well known for its association with a Grand Prix race track that has been a Johannesburg feature since 1961 but until now not much else.

Tucked into an elaborate version of a strip mall is Café Hemingway’s, and like the name, the café itself has a story to tell. The current owner was a long-time customer of this coffee shop until the day he heard it was to close and, unable to face the prospect of the friendly staff being turned out of their jobs, decided to buy the place.

From a simple café kitchen fitted with a microwave, fryer and toaster, Café Hemingway’s kitchen is now headed by TV’s Top Chef contestant Sashin Gosai who regularly creates showstopping and lavish high teas filled with sweet and savoury treats and an incredibly delicious array of fantastically decorated cakes. The cake names are as enchanting as the cakes themselves and include the Alice in Wonderland cake, Midnight in Paris, the Fluttershy Unicorn cake and Twilight Sparkle cupcakes. Light, spongy and layered with butter cream. The cakes here are generally remarkable and it’s a real plus that you can buy them in different sizes to take home.

Inspired by writers and books, you could write this high tea up as an essential book club experience where you get to taste the Great Gatsby and Lewis Carroll’s genius creations, along with the cake Terry Pratchett or JK Rowling may have dreamed up if they weren’t busy writing. Team them up with gourmet cocktails.

Filmy curtains shade your view from the mall’s parking lot, and if you keep your eye on the high tea table you’ll be pleasantly transported to a sweet wonderland.

Adjoined by a whisky bar and private dining area with dramatically elaborate lighting and a range of more than 140 whisky labels. Café Hemingway’s has also become known for its fine dining menus, whiskey and gin pairings, as well as bistro-style cuisine.