It effortlessly lives up to its reputation as a gourmet hotspot with enough fine-dining restaurants to feast on a different gastronomic highlight every night of the week, and is also home to a clutch of casual bistros, delightful cafés and elegant eateries.
Whether you’re visiting for a weekend getaway or basing yourself on a lavish wine estate for a whole week of mountain-view-drenched luxury, take the guesswork out of planning your culinary adventures with our picks of the best places to eat in Franschhoek. As always, we’d love to hear about your favourites in the comments below.
Afoot in Franschhoek The dining scene in Franschhoek is never static and there are some exciting new openings in the works for 2023: Darren Badenhorst’s Le chêne will be reopening in an as-yet undisclosed location in the new year, while the La Motte restaurant, currently undergoing an extensive renovation, will be re-opening mid-2023 under the auspices of Franschhoek pioneer chef Chris Erasmus, whose ground-breaking restaurant Foliage closed during Covid.
Best restaurants in Franschhoek
La Petite Colombe
A veritable jewel in Franschhoek’s culinary crown, La Petite Colombe remains one of the most coveted dining experiences in the Cape. Situated at Leeu Estates wine farm, the sibling of Constantia’s superlative La Colombe is a relaxed yet refined and flawlessly five-star eatery helmed by chef Peter Duncan. A theatrical, multi-course array of superb dishes flows out of his kitchen – from oysters and crayfish to the sweets trolley. The dazzling presentation, professional service and smart winelist create a sense of occasion that makes dining here very special.
Good to know The two menus (the full Chef’s Experience and the Reduced Menu) both offer vegetarian options.
Opening times Monday – Sunday, 12pm – 10pm
Contact 021 202 3395, reservations@lapetitecolombe.com
Where to find it Leeu Estates, Dassenberg Road, Franschhoek
Arkeste
Perched on the edge of a forest on Chamonix Wine Estate, this restaurant is a culmination of chef Richard Carstens’ 30-plus years of experience in some of the top kitchens in the land. The menu combines past passions and triumphs (molecular gastronomy Asian-fusion), classical French techniques and his most recent musings: clean eating and pescetarianism. The result? Healthy, well-prepared and utterly delicious plates, enjoyed on the deck or inside, with floor-to-ceiling glass allowing the serene greenery to permeate. If you have an adventurous palate, ask about the Baked Alaska (meringue and smoked salmon ice cream!). It’s not on the menu but he’ll gladly whip it up.
Opening times Wednesday – Saturday, 12pm – 2.30pm; 6pm – 8.30pm
Sunday, 12pm –3pm
Contact 021 876 8415, reservations@arkeste.com
Where to find it Chamonix Restaurant, Uitkyk Street, Franschhoek
Haute Cabrière
Indoor-outdoor dining with unbridled valley views is just part of Haute Cabrière's allure. Excellent wine, knowledgeably paired with delicious food, completes the picture. We recommend a stroll around the grounds before settling down on the sun-kissed deck with a pre-lunch glass of some of Franschhoek’s finest wines, while you choose from the fuss-free French-inspired dishes on the à la carte menu. Starters include fried goat’s cheese, prawn tempura, and beef tartare; for the main course, the likes of sirloin with chimichurri, spinach gnocchi, and pan-fried trout from the valley; followed by classic desserts with a twist, such as cinnamon crème brûlée, baked lemon cheesecake and bread and butter pudding.
Good to know The Bakery inside the cellar is open every day for fresh bread, coffee and pastries. Weekend breakfasts on the terrace with a glass of MCC are not to be missed
Opening times Monday, Thursday + Friday, 12pm – 3.30pm
Saturday + Sunday, 9am – 3.30pm
Contact 021 876 8500, reservations@cabriere.co.za
Where to find it Lambrechts Road, Franschhoek
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