Where to eat in Franschhoek

THE "BETTER" FRANSCHHOEK RESTAURANTS (In Franschhoek town and valley)

Akademie Street Boutique Hotel and Guest House is in the heart of the "food and wine capital of the Cape". Many people visit just to eat at the famous Franschhoek restaurants, some situated on the wine farms, some attached to the hotels and some independent ones in the village itself. This means that particularly during the high season (1 September to 15 May) it can be impossible to get into the restaurant of your choice without prior booking. You might wish to book ahead using the e-mail addresses given. If phoning from outside South Africa leave out the 0 at the beginning and substitute +27 instead.

For your guidance we give an alphabetical list of some of the better restaurants (at least in our opinion). There are, of course, plenty of other places to eat for those who want to explore.

There are no taxis in Franschhoek. It is sometimes possible to organise transport but at fair notice. It is expensive and makes one very inflexible. So either one should drive oneself, as do most people, or else walk and eat in town.

It is even more difficult with the wineries, which, unless you are a major hiker, need to be got to by car, bicycle or horseback.

VEGETARIANS – PLEASE LET RESTAURANT KNOW WHEN BOOKING TO ENSURE A BETTER CHOICE.

Dinner only

  • Le Quartier Français - The Tasting Room (Do not confuse with The Common Room at same venue): Easy walking distance. Margot Janse has been voted S.A.’s best chef and the restaurant rated in the top 50 restaurants in the world for several consecutive years by Restaurant Magazine UK. Often number one restaurant in South Africa (Eat Out Awards). A five-course à la carte menu or a nine-course "surprise" African-inspired menu, with or without wines to match, it is a must for people who like superb, out-of-the-ordinary food. Vegetarian option always available! Wine information, though very good, is not up to the same standard as the world class food. Wonderful taste experience. You need to book directly; they require credit card details in advance. 021 876-2151 res@lqf.co.za

Dinner and lunch

  • Café des Arts: Easy walking distance. Small casual. Small menu on blackboard until dishes run out and are erased. Minimal wine list. Good straightforward food. Closed Mondays 021 876-2952 cd@franschhoek@gmail.com
  • Delaire Graff: Opposite Tokara, halfway to Stellenbosch. A stunning situation with a large collection of contemporary South African art. Closed on Sunday and Tuesday. A Thai restaurant, Indochine, at the guest lodge, is open daily. O21 885-8160 info@delaire.co.za
  • Dieu Donné: On the slopes of the mountain with magnificent views over the valley. Lovely for a sundowner (also a micro-brewery). Horrible "hotel" music intrudes! Caters for children. 021 876-3384 info@dieudonnerestaurant.com
  • Dutch East: Easy walking distance. Great venue for watching the passing scene. Good food. O21 876-3547 info@dutcheast.co.za
  • Freedom Hill: On the way to Paarl, opposite the prison where Nelson Mandela walked out as a free man. Nice for in-between snacks (Tapas) with a view. Small personally run restaurant. Closed Mondays. 021 867-0963 info@freedomhillrestaurant.co.za
  • Fyndraai at Solms Delta: Very interesting building, South African dishes and museum – well worth a visit. Lunches daily, early dinners (until 20h00). Tues. to Sat. Local music on Saturday evenings. 021 874-3937 info@solms-delta.co.za
  • Grande Provence: Very beautiful venue especially in the daytime. Good food. Very good red wines under the Grande Provence label. Avoid the Angels’ Tears popular wines. Interesting contemporary art gallery and sculpture garden. Can also eat al fresco. Wine tasting at the bar adjoining the restaurant 021 876-8600 enquiries@grandeprovence.co.za
  • Haute Cabriere: Romantic as it is in a wine cellar built into the mountainside above Franschhoek, but noisy for the same reason. Restaurant run by Matthew Gordon, as is The French Connection and The Grill Room (see below). 021 876-3688 hautecab@iafrica.com
  • Le Bon Vivant: Easy walking distance. Can eat in garden. Guests of ours particularly fond of the 5 course "Surprise" menu. Good food. Closed on Wednesdays. 021 876-2717 lebonvivant@mweb.co.za
  • Monneaux: at Franschhoek Country House and Villas. Good contemporary dishes. One can eat al fresco. 021 876-3386 info@fch.co.za
  • Mon Plaisir: at Chamonix. Lovely situation. Can eat under the large oak trees. Typically French menu. Good Food, but vegetarians not considered. Wednesday to Saturday lunch and dinner, Sunday lunch only 021 876-2393. cmonplaiser@gmail.com
  • Reuben's: Easy walking distance. Local lad, Reuben Riffel, much fêted. The food is wonderful. (Brasserie style). He also works at the One and Only Hotel in Cape Town where he replaced Gordon Ramsey. It is necessary to book even in winter. Easier to get a luncheon booking. Sit in the shady courtyard under the white stinkwood trees. Interesting pub section where the bar-counter is the wing of a Dakota airplane. Open 7 days a week. During the day one can eat in a different part of the courtyard at their deli where outstanding value, light food is served. 021 876-3772 reservations@reubens.co.za
  • Pierneef à La Motte on La Motte farm: South African dishes with a contemporary twist. Stunning setting. Good food. Wine tasting, an art gallery and also a small exclusive (pricey) shop. Breads, excellent pâtisserie and chocolates. Closed Mondays. 021 876-8800 pierneef@la-motte.co.za
  • Ryan’s Kitchen: Easy walking distance. Ryan (ex Mange Tout at Mont Rochelle) has opened his own small restaurant in the village. Very good food.
  • The French Connection: Easy walking distance. Bistro style. Same owner as the Grill Room. Open 7 days a week. In season hard to get a booking. They keep your table for 15 minutes only! 021 876-4056 Fax 021 876-4036 french@worldonline.co.za
  • The Grill Room: Easy walking distance. Other dishes on menu besides grills. Quite similar to The French Connection but the venue is more zizzy and we believe the food (particularly the steaks) is better. Open 7 days a week. 021 876-2451 info@thegrillroom.co.za
  • Tokara: Half way to Stellenbosch. A state of the art restaurant / winery. Stunning views. Ask for a window seat at lunch time. Richard Carstens is a wonderful chef, is now at the helm of the kitchen. Very good food. Closed Sundays and Mondays. 021 808-5959. Fax 021 808-5966. eat@tokararestaurant.co.za

Lunch only

  • Babel: At Babylonstoren. An old farm which has been redeveloped as an enormous vegetable and fruit garden based on an old French design. The garden is beautiful and well worth a visit (ideally not on a hot summer’s day, though.) Tours at 10 am and 3 pm. The restaurant is super-trendy and different, green salads go with a green dressing, yellow with yellow and red with red for instance. Ignore the colour schemes and go for the “proper” food on the menu which is very good. Open 10 am till 4 pm. Closed Mondays and Tuesdays. 021 863-1804. anelle@babylonstoren.com
  • Boschendal: Very beautiful farm to visit. Buffet lunches inside main barn-like Restaurant or also outside, under the trees. Good quality buffet lunches. Light lunches at Le Café. Excellent home made lemonade. In summer famous for their picnic lunches (at tables). Bookings for main restaurant and picnics necessary well ahead in summer. 021 870-4272 Fax 021 874-2137 reservations@boschendal.com
  • Bread and Wine: On Môreson wine farm. In summer open 7 days a week. At other times always enquire ahead. (Arthur’s personal favourite lunch place). Also named one of the top10 restaurants in South Africa (Eat Out 2008). Neil Jewell makes and sells wonderful sausages from the shop. Sit outside under the trees and umbrellas looking at the orange tree orchards and eat wonderful food in a very relaxed and informal atmosphere. 021 876-3692 breadandwine@moreson.co.za
  • Café Allée Bleue: Just the place for a light lunch after visiting Boschendal or L’Ormarins Motor Museum. Good food, prize winning wines, particularly the Pinotage. Pick a day when one can sit outside on the patio under the shade of the giant blue gum trees. 021 874-1021 info@alleebleue.com
  • Café Bonbon: Lovely views of the farms and mountains. 021 876-3936 cafebonbon876@gmail.com
  • Cotage Fromage at Vrede and Lust: Sliding glass doors enclose this Mediterranean restaurant, run by Matthew Gordon, noted caterer Duncan Baker and baker Jean-Pierre Smith. Also very good cheese, olive and bread deli. Quite a way to drive but worth it for the views from the wine tasting patio. 021 874 3991 cottage@vnl.co.za
  • Hillcrest Berry Orchards: Open daily for teas and lunches. Can sit inside or out. Wonderful views. Emphasis on organic products and small producers. Lovely tarts and desserts made with their berries. Berry products for sale. Slow service. 021 885-1629
  • La Petite Ferme: One of the most popular restaurants in Franschhoek for the last twenty odd years. On the mountainside with lovely views. Friendly. Only open for lunch. In summer, need to book well in advance. 021 876-3016 info@lapetiteferme.co.za

Some others where it is normally not necessary to book ahead (at peak times, still not worth taking a chance):

  • Col’ Cacchio: Easy walking distance. Excellent pizzas and good salads also a few so-so pasta dishes. Upstairs lounge bar. Live music sometimes. 021 876-4222 franschhoek@colcacchio.co.za
  • Elephant and Barrel: Easy walking distance. English style pub. Sit inside or in the square. Has nice ambience and good pub food. Music some nights. Kitchen closes at 22h00 (on Sundays at 21h30) 021 876-4127 mark@elephantandbarrel.co.za
  • The Common Room (formerly Ici) – at Le Quartier Francais: Easy walking distance. No bookings taken. Open from 7.30 a.m. until 10 p.m. all day for light meals in the most sophisticated bar in town. Tapas menu but the best place to be for a light meal because the food is so good. Also has outside tables. Open daily. 021 876-2151 res@lqf.co.za
  • Kalfi's: Easy walking distance. Family restaurant. Very friendly owners. Especially nice place to be because of the staff. Have several typical South African dishes on the menu. Try the Cape Malay curry. If you like hot chocolate ask for Arthur’s Special (with a shot of brandy in it). Kitchen closes at 10 p.m. in summer. 021 876-2520
  • Salmon Bar at the Yard: Easy walking distance. Specialise in salmon dishes but a couple of non-fish options available. Small and sophisticated good restaurant, bar, deli. Very good breads baked throughout the day. Open daily from 9.00 a.m. until 9.00 p.m. 021 876-4591 info@salmonbar.com

Good restaurants further afield in the Winelands

Should you wish to drive further for an excellent lunch* we list below some of the restaurants that in our view are particularly good. (They are 35 minutes to 50 minutes driving time from Akademie Street Boutique Hotel and Guest House).

  • Bosman’s: at the Grande Roche hotel in Paarl. 021 863-5100
  • Casparus: 59 Dorp Street Stellenbosch. (open Tuesday through Saturday) 021 882-8124
  • Jordan Restaurant with George Jardine: on the Jordan wine farm. 021 881-3612
  • Overture: on the Hidden Valley wine farm. 021 880-2721
  • Pomegranate: on the Vergenoegd wine farm. 021 843-3248
  • Restaurant Christophe: in Rynefeld Street Stellenbosch (next to the Synagogue). 021 886-8763
  • Terroir: on the Kleine Zalze golf course. 021 880-8167

* After dinner we do not recommend the long night drive back to Franschhoek