The Cape Winelands are blessed with some of the finest restaurants the Cape has to offer. As such, we strongly recommend that you make a plan to spend a few days in our wine region. Note that these regions are very close to Cape Town; therefore, it is very easy to do a lunch in any of them even if you are based in Cape Town for your holiday.
Best restaurants in Franschhoek:
La Petite Ferme: I highly recommended this restaurant for excellent food and a fantastic view of the valley. When booking, always request a terrace table, which will allow you to have the vest view of the Franschhoek valley and the vines. On arrival, always ask to sit in the garden and order your meal from there. When the food is ready, they will call you through to your table.
The menu boasts good ole’ fashioned dishes cooked in innovative ways. It is always a treat to spend the afternoon here; and if you have the time, do not plan to leave, just relax and take your time. After lunch you can retire back to the lawn and the view.
They do not open for dinner and, as such, they expect you to spend the afternoon with them. But, if you are in a bit of a hurry, it is always best to let your waitress know when you put your food order in.
Book well in advance since they are extremely popular > Open for lunch only and open daily > Tel +27 21- 876-3016 (Franschhoek) > www.lapetiteferme.co.za
Le Quartier Francais: Currently voted as South Africa’s TOP restaurant by Eat Out magazine, voted by UK magazine, RESTAURANT, as one of the TOP 50 in the world, and winner of numerous Chef of the Year awards, Le Quartier Francais is a must-visit restaurant! They have split up their offerings into two restaurants on the property: The Common Room is the more casual side of the food offering with lighter tapas-style meals outside on the terrace or inside with wonderful décor. And the verdict on this new spot: excellent!!!
The second restaurant is the award-winning one called The Tasting Room, which only opens in the evening. Here, they offer a tasting menu of a number of courses – 6 or 8. This menu changes regularly and it is well worth the drive to enjoy dishes from the award-winning Chef Margot Janses. Note that you have to be a serious foodie to enjoy The Tasting Room; it is all tasting portions, foams, twirls, and whorls and taste sensations – this restaurant does not work for those into Soul Food and hearty portions!
www.lqf.co.za > Booking in advance is essential > Tel: +27-21-876-2151 > Note they are now requiring your credit card details in advance due to the high number of “no shows” that restaurants have to deal with in the Cape (For bookings for the tasting room only).
Reubens in Franschhoek: Relaxed fine dining with innovative combinations, Reubens in Franschhoek offers good size portions and something on the menu that will appeal to most tastes. Chef Reuben worked at a number of restaurants in this town working his way up in the kitchens before departing for a stint overseas. The town has lured him back and he opened his first restaurant to much acclaim.
In summer, dine in the outside courtyard and plan to stay for three delicious courses. Reubens has now also opened in the One & Only Hotel in Cape Town, and in the small Country Hotel in Robertson. There are fears that he will spread himself too thin – but things seem to be going well at the moment.
Open daily for lunch and dinner > Note that they also have Reubens Deli in Franschhoek, which serves lighter and excellently priced meals > www.reubens.co.za > Tel +27-21-8763772
So glad to see Le Quartier Francais on here! We had a marvelous time everywhere we dined in Franschhoek, but this was definitely a highlight. We have a video full of our dinner on our blog:
https://www.hoogs50bestrestaurants.com/www.hoogs50bestrestaurants.com/The_Restaurants/Entries/2012/3/6_31_La_Colombe___Constantia%2C_Cape_Town%2C_South_Africa_2.html