While France is known as one of the best foodie destinations in the world, it is a long way to travel for a good meal. Fortunately, a local French corner in the Western Cape also has some fantastic restaurants. We are referring of course to Franschhoek restaurants.
Franschhoek is located just an 82km drive east of Cape Town and is one of the oldest towns in South Africa. The Afrikaans name translates as “French Corner” which is a testament to the French Huguenot refugees that originally settled in the area. This French heritage is kept alive in the area by the surrounding winelands and all the fantastic fine-dining Franschhoek restaurants.
There are numerous great restaurants in Franschhoek which can make finding the right one to satisfy your craving challenging. That is why we decided to make this list of our picks for the 3 best fine-dining Franschhoek restaurants. To help you find the perfect restaurant that will satisfy your inner foodie and give you a taste of fine dining in the French tradition.
Epice
If you are looking for a fine dining experience amongst the Franschhoek restaurants then Epice is the place for you. Located in the Le Quartier Francais Hotel, Epice derives its name from the French word for spice which is Épice (pronounced eh-peace). This has a tranquil contemporary aesthetic, that is reinforced by their use of natural materials for furnishings. This provides a stunning base camp for your tastebuds to embark on an exhilarating journey.
The food at Epice is the epitome of fine dining, with a focus on quality over quantity. They offer a variety of set menu options. These include the “Full spice journey” and the “Vegetarian spice journey” or the reduced versions of these. Each of these menus has a variety of dishes that are guaranteed to tantalise your taste buds. These include hawaij cape malay prawn, chilli phaal curry karoo lamb roti, and smoked paprika white onion risotto. These fine dishes have earned Epice its spot as one of the best Franschhoek restaurants for an amazing dining experience.
Epice is open from Tuesday to Sunday for dinner, from 18:00-20:30. It is also open for lunch from Friday to Sunday from 12:00-14:00. This is a fine dining experience that is not to be missed if you are in Franschhoek.
Ōku Asian Eatery
This is the first Asian eatery among the Franschhoek restaurants having opened in 2015. Ōku has quickly risen to be one of the most popular restaurants in town. Located on Huguenot str, which is one of the main streets. Ōku has a minimalistic interior that is inspired by Asian culture. All this is enhanced by the wooden furnishings, white walls, and plenty of natural lighting. This provides a wonderful setting to enjoy the fine cuisine on offer.
Ōku offers two set menus, the Kaiseki menu, and their 4-course menu with three options for each course. Each of these menus includes wonderful Asian dishes like Bao buns, gyoza, sashimi sushi, and more. They also have a number of desserts like Japanese cheesecake, and a delectable chocolate mousse. This restaurant will take your taste buds on a journey to the East that you won’t forget.
Ōku is open every day from 12:00-23:00, making it ideal for lunch or an unforgettable dinner. So if you have a craving for some fine Asian cuisine be sure to stop by this restaurant. As they provide a wide variety of fine dishes that are sure to satisfy even the harshest of critics.
Arkeste
While the Franschhoek restaurants attract visitors it is not the town’s main draw. The primary attraction of Franschhoek remains its wine farms. Fortunately, with Arkeste you can experience the best of both attractions. This is because this wonderful casual fine-dining restaurant is located on the Chamonix Wine Farm. The restaurant has a stylish rustic aesthetic that is casual and intimate. There is also outdoor seating on a deck that is on the edge of a luscious forest. This provides a wonderful setting to enjoy the delicacies on offer.
The food at Arkeste is expertly prepared by Richard Carstens and his team. They showcase seasonal and local ingredients in a combination of classic dishes and some unique creations of their own. The a la carte menu includes starters like togarashi squid and tempura line fish. For mains, there are delicious dishes like roast mushroom, miso chalmar beef, and roast confit duck breast. They also have a range of desserts that are sure to satisfy any sweet tooth.
Arkeste is open from Tuesday to Sunday serving both lunch and supper. For lunch, they are open from 12:00-14:30, and for dinner, they are open from 18:00-20:15. Arkeste is ideal for anyone exploring the wine route who needs to refuel. Additionally, they offer a full range of Chamonix wines to accompany their delicious foods. Meaning you don’t have to interrupt your wine tasting while enjoying the wonderful food on offer.
These are our picks for the 3 best Franschhoek restaurants that offer fine dining experiences. Therefore if you find yourself in need of some extra energy while exploring the area, or just want a taste of fine dining. Be sure to stop by one of these restaurants for a dining experience you won’t forget.