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ARKESTE

Reviewers' Choice 2025 - Top 100 Reviewers' Choice 2024 - Top 50
Bistro French South African
Location Pointer Chamonix Wine Estate, Uitkyk St, Franschhoek, 7690, South Africa
4.8
(2389 reviews)
RRR
Menu
Favourite

Attributes

  • Romantic
  • Outdoor Seating
  • Wine Estate
  • Gourmet Guide Plated
  • Reviewers' Choice 2022 - Top 100
  • Reviewers' Choice 2023 - Top 50
  • Reviewers' Choice 2024 - Top 50
  • Reviewers' Choice 2025 - Top 100

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Menu
Favourite

At Arkeste, we present an a la carte menu in a casual fine dining style. We are located on Chamonix Wine Farm, Franschhoek, in a characterful heritage building on the edge of a forest. This sets the scene for a tranquil dining experience and delicious food by chef Ashwin Johannes who present dishes which showcase seasonal and local ingredients. Our wine list features Chamonix wines and a curated selection from the Cape region.

Gourmet Guide™ Description

Chamonix Wine Farm in Franschhoek is the perfect backdrop for Richard Carsten’s culinary ability. The forest setting is serene and the heritage building charming, but diners come for the food. Richard has returned to Chamonix after 30 years of notching up an impressive pedigree at top restaurants that included a successful tenure at Tokara, giving him time to cement his reputation and following. Known for his modern twists on classics, Carstens creates dishes that celebrate the seasons and heralds local.

Choose from an a la carte menu with inventive starters like the squid, either with togarashi, dashi black rice, wakame, cucumber and chili garam or a rendition with risotto, parsnip, wakame and a yuzu-ginger sauce.

Mains could be a citrus-glazed linefish with pommes, greens, rouille, heerenboon and a sauce bouillabaisse, showing chef’s love of traditional, notched up with a contemporary flair. Or the kapokbos-glazed springbok with creamy and dreamy Robuchon pomme, greens, sake-pears, and a sauce that he calls ‘Cape senses’. Dishes are sure to appeal to all your senses. His signature baked Alaska of rainbow trout and the Franco-Jap interpretation of seafood are a must. Vegetarians are well respeced and catered for. Be sure to order a delectable dessert – watch out for the gorgonzola ice cream with walnut, pears and honeycombe – and your appetite for deliciousness will be sated. The wine list reflects wines of the estate and the Cape. Here’s casual fine dining at its best.

Opening Hours

  • Monday 12h00 - 14h30, 18h00 - 20h15
  • Tuesday 12h00 - 14h30, 18h00 - 20h15
  • Wednesday 12h00 - 14h30, 18h00 - 20h15
  • Thursday 12h00 - 14h30, 18h00 - 20h15
  • Friday 12h00 - 14h30, 18h00 - 20h15
  • Saturday 12h00 - 14h30, 18h00 - 20h15
  • Sunday 12h00 - 14h30, 18h00 - 20h15

Reviews (2389)

4.8 out of 5.0
Based on the past 12 months
Food 4.8
Value 4.8
Service 4.9
Ambience 4.8
  • Ian Dined: 1 day ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Thu 07 May 26
    Excellent creative and delicious meal! Cosy wood burner setting

  • Aileen S. Dined: 5 days ago
    4.8
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 4.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Tue 05 May 26
    Food was exceptionally good. The black pepper icecream with strawberry sorbet was incredible. Fine dining, but relaxed. Setting also very beautiful. The fire was lighting, and the restaurant was super cosy.

  • Henry R. Dined: 5 days ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Mon 04 May 26
    Great selection food and service!

  • Johan M. Dined: 5 days ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Sun 03 May 26
    This is officially our favourite restaurant in Franschhoek. We were a table of 10, all with different food choices, and everyone said they can’t remember when last they enjoyed a meal as much. Simply fantastic!

  • Adriaan O. Dined: 5 days ago
    4.8
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 4.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Sun 03 May 26
    Awesome good.

  • Susan S. Dined: 1 week ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Thu 30 Apr 26
    Everything was excellent. Thoroughly enjoyed the venison fillet with blueberry sauce. Wine selections and service were both superb.

  • Hans-Joachim M. Dined: 1 week ago
    4.8
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 4.0
  • Alex Dined: 1 week ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Mon 27 Apr 26
    We had a delicious meal here. The service was excellent, the vibe was great! Highly recommend

  • Dave J. Dined: 1 week ago
    4.8
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 4.0

    Reviewed on: Sun 26 Apr 26
    Service and food both great, but views from restaurant could be better as only trees to see

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