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Epice

Reviewers' Choice 2024 - Top 50 Reviewers' Choice 2023 - Top 50
Fine Dining
Location Pointer Berg St & Huguenot St, Franschhoek, 7690, South Africa
4.8
(2407 reviews)
RRR+
Favourite

Attributes

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

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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.

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

Reviews (2407)

4.8 out of 5.0
Based on the past 12 months
Food 4.9
Value 4.6
Service 4.9
Ambience 4.7
  • Ursula E. Dined: 3 days ago
    4.8
    Food 5.0
    Value 4.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Thu 10 Jul 25
    A very special experience with outstanding service.Tuna was out of this world good and the tartlet snack was heavenly. Would love some chocolate with the banana dessert. We will be back again, thank you for a warm and special evening out.

  • Mariette B. Dined: 1 week ago
    4.5
    Food 5.0
    Value 3.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Thu 10 Jul 25
    We had the most amazing lunch at Epice. The food was fabulous and the service faultless. Our waiter Chris was fantastic. We chose the normal wine pairing and although I did find that the pairing was good and the wine went well with the dishes, I think it is very expensive for the amount of wine we received. It would better to rather just buy a bottle of wine next time.

  • John S. Dined: 1 week ago
    4.5
    Food 5.0
    Value 3.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Sun 06 Jul 25
    The food was out of this world. It was so imaginative and with layers of flavor. We ordered the higher end wine pairing and it was a total ripoff. R1495 for 6 tastings size glasses is ridiculous. I would have had no problem paying the price if they had actually given you a real glass of wine each time. We also ordered one extra glass while waiting for the chef’s table and they charged R580. I could have pitched the entire bottle for R690. As much as I loved the food and the service, I will never return because they way overcharged us.

  • Helen W. Dined: 1 week ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0
  • Martin T. Dined: 1 week ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Mon 30 Jun 25
    Absolutely stellar. Should definitely be on the San Pellegrino lists and get Michelin stars. World-class.

  • Carl S. Dined: 2 weeks ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0
  • Elma T. Dined: 4 weeks ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Sun 15 Jun 25
    World class restaurant with flavours to match. Out third time and never been disappointed

  • Nicole H. Dined: 4 weeks ago
    4
    Food 4.0
    Value 4.0
    Service 4.0
    Ambience 4.0

    Reviewed on: Sun 15 Jun 25
    The winter special is good value for money. Delicious use of spices. Loved the dipping dish. I would add a spoon to the options during each course. Thank you!

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