Emma’s guidebook
Favourite restaurants
We don't eat out alot but these are places we like or have heard about!
La Petite Colombe offers fine dining and many of our guests have really enjoyed dining here. You will need to book well in advance to get a table here in the evening.
33 locals recommend
La Petite Colombe
Dassenberg RoadLa Petite Colombe offers fine dining and many of our guests have really enjoyed dining here. You will need to book well in advance to get a table here in the evening.
Protege is at Le Quartier Francaise - a lighter dining option offering tapas style dishes. Nice for a village lunch and ask for a table in the back terrace.
11 locals recommend
Protégé
18 Huguenot StProtege is at Le Quartier Francaise - a lighter dining option offering tapas style dishes. Nice for a village lunch and ask for a table in the back terrace.
We haven't been here for a while but our guests seem to like it! It is a fine dining option and Chris the owner/chef enjoys foraging in the local mountains and woodlands for many of the ingredients on his menu. His dishes are adventurous - quite earthy in flavour and often smoked!
48 locals recommend
Foliage
We haven't been here for a while but our guests seem to like it! It is a fine dining option and Chris the owner/chef enjoys foraging in the local mountains and woodlands for many of the ingredients on his menu. His dishes are adventurous - quite earthy in flavour and often smoked!
Cafe des Arts is hidden away in a lovely shady spot just off the main road. It offers breakfast, lunch and dinner with a blackboard menu. The staff are lovely here and it is a nice spot for a good value lunch outside under the trees or for a cozy dinner inside.
14 locals recommend
Cafe Des Arts
7 Reservoir West streetCafe des Arts is hidden away in a lovely shady spot just off the main road. It offers breakfast, lunch and dinner with a blackboard menu. The staff are lovely here and it is a nice spot for a good value lunch outside under the trees or for a cozy dinner inside.
Well this is one place we have been to alot! It is a buzzy bistro and has a good atmosphere even in mid winter when they have the fires lit. We often go here for family meals out and although the menu doesn't change often, they always have a specials board and it is consistent in its quality - although a little pricey!
39 locals recommend
The French Connection Bistro
48 Huguenot StreetWell this is one place we have been to alot! It is a buzzy bistro and has a good atmosphere even in mid winter when they have the fires lit. We often go here for family meals out and although the menu doesn't change often, they always have a specials board and it is consistent in its quality - although a little pricey!
We go here from time to time - but for a visitor its great as it has wonderful views over the valley. The menu is varied (including a snail menu) with a South African twist and is reasonably priced. We would recommend that you go early for sundowners on the outside terrace where you can also eat. Remember that once the sun disappears Franschhoek evenings are generally a little chilly!
30 locals recommend
ROCA Restaurant
Uitkyk StreetWe go here from time to time - but for a visitor its great as it has wonderful views over the valley. The menu is varied (including a snail menu) with a South African twist and is reasonably priced. We would recommend that you go early for sundowners on the outside terrace where you can also eat. Remember that once the sun disappears Franschhoek evenings are generally a little chilly!
Leopards Leap is a nice option for lunch - so there are various salads to choose from and 3 meat options - the price is worked out depending on the weight. It is well priced.
31 locals recommend
Leopard's Leap
R45 Main RdLeopards Leap is a nice option for lunch - so there are various salads to choose from and 3 meat options - the price is worked out depending on the weight. It is well priced.
La Paris is located a ten minute drive from Franschhoek village. It is in a lovely setting and has a slick feel - the food is great and there is a deli. You can pop into the newly opened Mandela prison opposite La Paris before lunch!
La Paris Bistro
Wemmershoek RoadLa Paris is located a ten minute drive from Franschhoek village. It is in a lovely setting and has a slick feel - the food is great and there is a deli. You can pop into the newly opened Mandela prison opposite La Paris before lunch!
Wineries
The wine tram is one way to visit many of the wineries in one day without having to drive - it is quite touristy and expensive and to fit in all the wineries on each route you have to be quite hardcore! We would recommend picking two wineries and do a wine tasting and/or cellar tour and then wine tasting and lunch at another.
Boschendal is a beautiful old wine farm which has been developed quite extensively over the last four or five years and although it is quite commerical it has been really nicely done. You can do wine tasting here and there are lots of different dining options from the Pic Nic to the Werf restaurant. You can tour the old Cape Dutch farm house as well as the gardens. Best to look at their website. It is a 15 minute drive from the village
130 locals recommend
Boschendal Wine Estate
Boschendal is a beautiful old wine farm which has been developed quite extensively over the last four or five years and although it is quite commerical it has been really nicely done. You can do wine tasting here and there are lots of different dining options from the Pic Nic to the Werf restaurant. You can tour the old Cape Dutch farm house as well as the gardens. Best to look at their website. It is a 15 minute drive from the village
La Petite Ferme has the best views in Franschhoek and is a great spot to spend a lazy summer lunch after a cellar tour or wine tasting.
37 locals recommend
La Petite Ferme Lakeside Lodges
Pass RoadLa Petite Ferme has the best views in Franschhoek and is a great spot to spend a lazy summer lunch after a cellar tour or wine tasting.
Babylonstoren is uber cool and has the most amazing garden - no expense spared! You can book a guided garden tour here followed by lunch or wine tasting.
183 locals recommend
Babylonstoren
Klapmuts - Simondium RoadBabylonstoren is uber cool and has the most amazing garden - no expense spared! You can book a guided garden tour here followed by lunch or wine tasting.
La Bri is low key and quite a welcome change from the highly manicured estates of Boschendal and Babylonstoren - they offer a wine pairing experience - you can do wine tasting paired with biltong, chocolate or cheese!
La Bri Estate
Excelsior RoadLa Bri is low key and quite a welcome change from the highly manicured estates of Boschendal and Babylonstoren - they offer a wine pairing experience - you can do wine tasting paired with biltong, chocolate or cheese!
Eikehof
R45We haven't tried Eikehof but lots of our guests have been and have said how lovely it is.