Fair Franschhoek is a region popular for many things: majestic mountains, top wine estates and of course, its French-inspired roots – but it’s also home to a selection of great restaurants.
Here are the top 13 restaurants in Franschhoek:
#1 Haute Cabrière Restaurant
Photo credit: Everett-John Mariano via Instagram
This iconic restaurant is famed for its unique setting and breath-taking views, offered by its location against the Franschhoek Mountain. Its soaring arches and primarily summer terrace offer cathedral-like views of Pinot Noir Barrel Maturation Cellar and the valley below.
The seasonal menu features classically prepared dishes with a modern twist, and its cellar master and chefs work to marry good food and wine.
Contact: (021) 876 3688
Website: https://www.cabriere.co.za/restaurant
Address: Haute Cabrière, Lambrechts Road, Franschhoek, Cape Town
#2 Le Bon Vivant
At Le Bon Vivant, food is an experience. Chef-patron Pierre Hendriks and his staff invite you to journey with them and savour bold flavours and unique combinations, presented impeccably for your enjoyment.
Inspired by his training in classic French kitchens, Pierre’s recipes – which offer modern interpretations of classic lunch and dinner dishes – aim to surprise, whilst maintaining an exacting standard expected from a restaurant such as Le Bon Vivant.
Contact: (021) 876 2717
Website: http://www.lebonvivant.co.za
Address: 22 Dirkie Uys Street, Franschhoek
#3 Orangerie at Le Lude
Photo credit: Le Lude
Chef Nicolene Barrow has, aside from formal training in Europe, worked at world-famous restaurants like London’s Gavroche Restaurant before her arrival at Le Lude. Now, at Orangerie restaurant, she prepares classical French cuisine, with a contemporary twist.
What’s more, Orangerie’s seasonal menu uses only the Cape’s finest and freshest ingredients, and meals are perfectly paired with Le Lude wonderful Method Cap Classique.
Contact: (021) 100 3464
Website: http://lelude.co.za/the-orangerie-restaurant
Address: Le Lude, Bowling Green Avenue (Lambrechts Road), Franschhoek
#4 Pierneef a La Motte
Named for the famous South African artist, Jacob Hendrik Pierneef, this restaurant, through its traditional cuisine, creatively reflects the beauty of South Africa, even as it offers a modern take on things.
Its unique food styles and diverse flavours have drawn inspiration from centuries of cooking – and with the talented chef Michelle Theron at the helm, you can be certain of delicious, quality meals in a fresh, natural-looking restaurant.
Contact: (021) 876 8800
Website: http://www.la-motte.com/experience/pierneef/
Address: R45 Main Road, Franschhoek
#5 Greenhouse Restaurant
Hidden away between oak trees, the appropriately named Greenhouse welcomes guests to rest as they enjoy delicious home-baked treats like cake, coffee, tea and fresh garden juices.
Greenhouse at Babylonstoren also offers proper meals, with artisanal breads, handcrafted cheeses and dressed meats, served with a selection of homemade goodies, including herb oils and garden salads.
Note: There is a R10 entry fee for weekdays and R20 (adults) and R10 (children under 12) entry fee for weekends and public holidays at Babylonstoren, which goes towards their local child education trust.
Contact: (021) 863 3852
Website: https://www.babylonstoren.com/experience/restaurants/greenhouse
Address: R45, Simondium, 7670
#6 Monneaux Restaurant
Photo credit: Monneaux Restaurant
Offering fine wine and contemporary cuisine, this acclaimed restaurant – located at the original site of Franschhoek’s first perfumery, which dates back to 1890 – is a classically Cape culinary affair.
Enjoy lunch out on the fountain terrace, or dine in style inside the elegant, yet soothing Manor House dining room. They also have a comfy bar lounge and great award-winning wines to make your visit truly memorable.
Contact: (021) 876 3386
Website: http://www.monneaux.co.za
Address: Huguenot (Main) Road, Franschhoek
#7 Le Petite Ferme Restaurant
The restaurant at La Petite Ferme offers a unique culinary experience, brought to you by Neethling du Toit and Tanya Rousseau.
Only the freshest and best local ingredients are used, as the restaurant prides itself on serving high quality, delicious meals, aimed at satisfying every kind of customer.
Contact: (021) 876 3016
Website: http://www.lapetiteferme.co.za
Address: La Petite Ferme, Franschhoek Pass Road, Franschhoek
#8 The Werf Restaurant at Boschendal
Boschendal’s restaurants offer an array of authentic food experiences, with a focus on flavourful, nourishing farm-to-table food.
Under the careful guidance of executive chef, Christiaan Campbell, the Boschendal staff whip up mouth-watering meals… and this much is especially true of their flagship restaurant: The Werf.
Located in the original, revamped Manor House cellar, The Werf offers contemporary dining and the freshest, finest farm-to-table cuisine, like fermented breads, brisket and lovely desserts. Note: Bookings are essential.
Contact: (021) 870 4206
Website: http://www.boschendal.com
Address: Pineal Road, Groot Drakenstein, Franschhoek
#9 Allora
Allora Ristorante Classico is shaped around the idea of a traditional Italian village, with the restaurant’s focal points being the centrally based fountain and distinctive wood-fired ovens.
The menu offers artistically arranged meals, including seafood, poultry, meat, home-made pasta and thin-based Neapolitan pizza, as well as vegetarian options.
This casual, yet classy restaurant offers fine dining and a refined atmosphere, without feeling pretentious.
Contact: (021) 876 4375/6
Website: http://www.allora.co.za
Address: 32 Huguenot Street, Franschhoek Square, Franschhoek
#10 Tuk Tuk Microbrewery
In early 2016, Leeu Collection and Cape Brewing Company (or CBC) – which is owned by Fairview’s Charles Back, Andy Kung and Swedish brewer Hendrik Dunge – joined forces to bring Franschhoek its first microbrewery.
This bespoke restaurant and microbrewery offers tasting menus paired with their great brews. Their food is primarily Mexican, with the likes of nachos and tapas on offer.
Contact: (021) 492 2207
Website: http://tuktukbrew.com
Address: 14 Huguenot Street, Franschhoek
#11 The French Connection Bistro
This charming bistro-style restaurant is both welcoming and unpretentious in nature. Here, chef-patron, Matthew Gordon, offers a simple, yet delicious menu for all palates to enjoy.
With a concentration on fresh ingredients, you can enjoy a range of salads for lunch –including smoked chicken breast, with roasted beetroot, hummus and garlic yoghurt dressing – or pitas, and more substantial meals, like veal schnitzel. For dinner, tuck into crispy roast duck or fresh mussels.
Contact: (021) 876 4056
Website: http://www.frenchconnection.co.za
Address: 48 Huguenot Rd, Franschhoek
#12 Good Food & co
Good Food and co is a deli, which specialises in choicely cut meats, hand-crafted cheeses, artisanal charcuterie and grab-and-go meals too, owned by the go-getting Gauteng duo, Joey Stiglingh and Emmarentia Klassen.
The deli offers gluten-free bakes, whilst the premises itself offers banting-friendly products, A-grade meats, hand-made cheeses and free range meats from sources like Ryan Boon and others.
They also make platters for function and offer a restaurant menu, which includes salads, breakfast, burgers and fish, as well as a takeaway menu and ‘Doorstep Menu’, which allows you to order food for the week and have the meals delivered to your home.
There’s a great kids’ play area, making Good Food and co very child-friendly too.
Contact: (021) 876 3556
Website: https://www.goodfoodfranschhoek.com
Address: 13 Main road, Place Vendome Lifestyle Centre, Franschhoek
#13 LUST Bistro & Bakery
LUST Bistro & Bakery – found on Vrede en Lust Wine Estate – will entice and tantalise you with its wonderful freshly baked artisan breads and other great food, offered up by patron chef and baker, Jean Pierre Smith.
Serving breakfast and late lunches, Lust Bistro & Bakery offers something for everyone to enjoy devouring, be it cakes fresh from the oven or mouth-watering chicken and beef dishes. Everything is fresh and tasty, without being pretentious.
On Sundays, you can also enjoy slow-cooked roasts, but for these Sunday Buffet lunches, booking is essential.
Contact: (021) 874 1456
Website: http://www.lustbistro.com/
Address: Vrede en Lust Wine Estate, Intersection of the Klapmuts Road and the R45, Franschhoek
These and many other wonderful restaurants belong entirely to the Franschhoek Valley and make it even more of a special place to visit… and when you do, tuck in and be sure to enjoy every bite!