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Epice

Fine Dining
RRR+

Attributes

  • Romantic
  • Gourmet Guide Plated
  • Reviewers' Choice 2022 - Top 20
  • Reviewers' Choice 2023 - Top 50
  • Reviewers' Choice 2024 - Top 50

Epice – derived from the French word Épice meaning spice (and is pronounced eh-peace) - is an intimate fine dining restaurant located at Heritage Square, Franschhoek (opposite Leeu House)

"The restaurant menu will revolve around spices, but that doesn’t necessarily mean spicy hot - think of vanilla and saffron, or cinnamon and nutmeg, too," says Scot Kirton, Chef Proprietor of La Colombe.

Heading up the kitchen, head chef Charné Sampson is no stranger to refined, cutting edge cuisine- until recently she was the sous chef at La Colombe and is another one of Scot’s protégés to spread her wings. A graduate of Silwood, Charné also honed her craft in the kitchen of The Restaurant at Waterkloof and The Test Kitchen.

Gourmet Guide Description

Take a magic culinary ride to the iconic space in the old Le Quartier building in Franschhoek for a captivating treat at Epice (French for ‘spice’). The interior’s understated spice hues juxtapose perfectly with the bright sunshine and greenery outside, or you can appreciate the
crackling fire in winter.

Chef Charné Mouton is unapologetic about her passion for spices and the depth they impart to all dishes, whether sweet or savoury. She delights in introducing the full spectrum at your table from the start. The uninitiated may think of curry, but there’s true intellect in how she has married every ingredient with her first-choice spices. This spice queen celebrates each ingredient personally, drawing from her Cape heritage, with both her vindaloo sauce and fabled bread course creating a come-back-for-more scenario.

Choose from a traditional wine pairing, cocktail, or in-house tonic pairing. Whilst marrying beverages with spicy foods can be challenging, the team has worked hard to ensure successful surprises. Expect a little showboating with dry ice and tableside service, which all adds to the fun. Food is tasty and well-executed, and guests rave about the sweet potatoes with cumin, beef dripping, and berbere. In ‘feeding with passion’, La Colombe converts will be overjoyed to devour octopus cooked in passion fruit, cutting it open with scissors. You’ll leave with a spice box, some seeds to plant, and indelible memories.

Reviews (2072)

4.8 out of 5.0
Based on the past 12 months
Food 4.9
Value 4.7
Service 4.9
Ambience 4.7
  • Tish P. Dined: 3 days ago
    4.8
    Food 5.0
    Value 4.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Thu 07 Nov 24
    Most superb food and service

  • Marina O. Dined: 2 days ago
    4.3
    Food 5.0
    Value 4.0
    Service 4.0
    Ambience 4.0
  • Dirk S. Dined: 3 days ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0
  • Ronald F. Dined: 3 days ago
    4.5
    Food 5.0
    Value 4.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 4.0
  • SIMON E. Dined: 4 days ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0
  • Hana B. Dined: 5 days ago
    4.5
    Food 5.0
    Value 4.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 4.0

    Reviewed on: Mon 04 Nov 24
    We had a great dining experience. The food was delicious, the wine pairings perfect and generous and our waiter made it a memorable evening.

  • Vanessa A. Dined: 1 week ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Sun 03 Nov 24
    Food and services were fantastic! Thank you

  • Beate K. Dined: 1 week ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Sat 02 Nov 24
    The Spice Journey was amazing. My husband doesn’t tolerate chillies very well. So the kitchen adapt the courses and everything tasted extraordinary.

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Opening Hours

  • Monday CLOSED
  • Tuesday 18h30 - 22h00
  • Wednesday 18h30 - 22h00
  • Thursday 18h30 - 22h00
  • Friday 12h00 - 15h00, 18h30 - 22h00
  • Saturday 12h00 - 15h00, 18h30 - 22h00
  • Sunday 12h00 - 15h00, 18h30 - 22h00