Guests at wooden tables under a spreading forest tree, with teacups and mugs hanging from the branches above.

Licensed café · Gallery · Wedding venue

Tea in the Trees

Breakfasts, slow lunches and famously good cheesecake — served under ancient trees in the indigenous forest at Chintsa West.

Call 072 611 2367 How to find us
  • Open Thursday to Sunday, 9am–2pm
  • 4.5 out of 5 on Tripadvisor
  • Dogs & children welcome

When we’re open

Thursday to Sunday, 9am – 2pm.

Plus occasional Friday food fests, 5–9pm — dates go up on Facebook.

Where to find us

Chintsa West Road, on the corner of Schafli Road — about 25km from East London.

Free off-street parking.

Say hello

072 611 2367
teainthetrees@gmail.com

Big group or a wedding? Drop us an email.

The kitchen

Freshly made, every morning

Hearty breakfasts, healthy lunches and a cake counter that has become something of a legend. Everything is made fresh on the day, in generous portions, with vegetarian and vegan options always on.

A wooden board with fresh bread, cheese, cured meats, pesto and hummus, lit by fairy lights in glass jars.

Breakfasts & lunches

Proper cooked breakfasts, open sandwiches on health bread, big home-made burgers and generous salads — the kind of portions that need a walk afterwards.

A whole cheesecake topped with strawberries, blueberries and grapes on a white cake stand.

Cakes & home bakes

We are, quite happily, famous for our cheesecake. There is home-made lemonade too, and a cake counter that changes with whatever is good that week.

Two filled rolls in paper wrapping beside enamel mugs of iced fruit punch on a wooden table.

Full bar & good coffee

Coffee worth the drive, thick milkshakes, cocktails and a fully licensed bar — best taken slowly, out on the deck.

  • Vegetarian & vegan options
  • Kids’ menu
  • Card & digital payments welcome
  • Takeaways available
The café's rustic wooden serving hatch, shelves of teapots and china, potted succulents and a chalkboard specials board.

Since 2010

A café in the middle of an indigenous forest

Tea in the Trees sits in the indigenous forest of Panorama Farm, on the corner of Schafli Road and Chintsa West Road. What began in 2010 as a few tables under the trees has grown into a licensed café, a small art gallery and one of the Eastern Cape’s best-loved wedding venues.

It still feels, mercifully, like being fed in somebody’s garden.

  • Tables under the trees, out on the deck, or inside beneath the fairy lights
  • A small gallery at the back showing work by local artists
  • Jungle gym, sand pit and a kids’ menu — and dogs are always welcome
  • Free off-street parking, 25km from East London

More than a café

Make a morning of it

There is usually a reason to stay longer than you planned — a market, a walk through the forest, or an exhibition you did not know was on.

The Sunday market

Stalls, live music and a proper morning out under the trees — held on the first and last Sunday of the month.

4.5km forest walk

An indigenous trail through ancient trees, popular with birders and cyclists. Look for warthog, duiker, porcupine and the old tortoise, then sit at the dam and watch the birdlife go by.

Family & dog friendly

A jungle gym, a sand pit and a kids’ menu keep the small ones busy long enough for a second coffee. Well-behaved dogs are always welcome.

The gallery

A small gallery at the back of the restaurant, hung with work by artists from around Chintsa — and most of it is for sale.

Bridesmaids and a bride throwing bouquets in the air in the forest theatre, with white paper lanterns strung between the trees.

Weddings & celebrations

Say it in the forest theatre

Our forest theatre seats up to 80 guests among the trees, with log benches, paper lanterns and a natural aisle that needs almost no decorating. When the sun goes down, everyone moves inside — wooden beams, fairy lights and room to dance.

We have been hosting weddings, birthdays and long lunches here since 2010. Tell us your date and we will talk you through it.

  • Forest theatre seating up to 80 guests
  • Indoor venue for the reception and dancing
  • Catering from our own kitchen, and a licensed bar
Email us about your date Or call 072 611 2367

What people say

Worth the drive out

“The venue is stunning, magical, like a fairy tale between the trees. The food is fantastic and the staff is friendly and knowledgeable.”
Suna H. · Tripadvisor, March 2025
“We enjoyed tea, coffee, cake, breakfast and a burger under the trees. Lovely setting, interesting art exhibition, friendly service and excellent value for money.”
Kardoesie · Tripadvisor, July 2026
“I loved the rustic laid back vibe, this restaurant is in a league of its own. It feels like you are at home in mommy’s house — the lemon cake was one of the best cakes I have ever had.”
Tsatsawani · Tripadvisor, July 2022

Rated 4.5 out of 5 from 40 Tripadvisor reviews, and recommended by 96% of 247 reviewers on Facebook.

Find us

Out past the last turning

  • Mon – WedClosed
  • Thursday9:00 – 14:00
  • Friday9:00 – 14:00
  • Saturday9:00 – 14:00
  • Sunday9:00 – 14:00
Tea in the Trees Panorama Farm, corner of Schafli Road
& Chintsa West Road
Chintsa West, Eastern Cape 5279

Roughly 25km from East London. There is free off-street parking on site, and the last stretch is a farm road — take it slowly.

Open in Google Maps Call for directions
Call 072 611 2367