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Epice

Reviewers' Choice 2023 - Top 50 Reviewers' Choice Awards 2022
Fine Dining
9A Huguenot St, Franschhoek, 7690, South Africa
(1931 reviews)
RRR+

Attributes

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

Bookings for EAT SLEEP DRINK Franschhoek open on 1 May 2024.

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

An integral member of the La Colombe family, Epice chef Charné Mouton has made her mark on the main road of Franschhoek for working her magic with spices in multi-course menus. The cocktail-mocktail trolley is the first lavish touch, but you can choose MCC, beer or cider to kick-start your experience. Charné presents and explains 36 spices that will be crafted into her inimitable dishes. Every dish has a pivotal spice or spices, but they are so instinctively combined that nothing dominates.

As you peruse the wine diary an amuse bouche will be presented. Look carefully in the artful greens and you will spot three tasty bites, plus a vindaloo sauce on the side. The bread course is her stunning signature…a brass plate presented with oils and spices in which you wipe your bread to scoop up the flavours. Diners are invited to the open kitchen for one of the courses, to witness poetry in motion. Tableside service is plentiful, like the bounty of palate cleansers like tangerine and spekboom or star anise and lemon.

Cross your fingers that the main course is her springbok with parsnip, beetroot and black cardamom. Before dessert there is an exemplary presentation of cheeses with moreish preserves and jams. It’s the dainty wafer cylinders filled with milk tart, ‘Ouma se melk tert’, that will take you on an emotive journey to Charné’s childhood.

Choose from the full spice or reduced menu. Know that the vegan and vegetarian options are equally enthralling, and that every dish will have you applauding for more.

Reviews (1931)

4.8 out of 5.0
Based on the past 12 months
Food 4.9
Value 4.7
Service 4.9
Ambience 4.8
  • Orin R. Dined: 6 days ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Mon 15 Apr 24
    The best fine dining in the w cape, only one critic is the coffee and almond milk needs improvement. Other than that, a spices explosion that taunts your taste bud

  • Kai H. Dined: 1 week ago
    4.8
    Food 5.0
    Value 4.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Sat 13 Apr 24
    Das Essen im Epice war ein tolles Erlebnis. Alle Gänge haben uns sehr gut geschmeckt, am besten fanden wir das Lamm-Curry. Der Service ist sehr gut, humorvoll und angenehm. Das Weinpairing und das anti-alkoholische Pairing haben uns ebenfalls sehr gut gefallen, der Preis hierfür ist allerdings schon recht hoch.

  • Lisa B. Dined: 1 week ago
    4.5
    Food 5.0
    Value 4.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 4.0

    Reviewed on: Fri 12 Apr 24
    Every course is a mouth-popping delight of perfectly balanced flavour and texture. For me though the theatrics and grandiose presentations felt pretentious and unnecessary. The food is so exquisite it needs no distraction.

  • Ruediger G. Dined: 1 week ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Tue 09 Apr 24
    The products are top-notch. The wine selection is outstanding, as is the advice. The service shines through attentiveness, charm and competence. The high-quality interior with its clear design and warm wood completes the sophisticated picture. In short: a place that combines class and a feel-good atmosphere!

  • Keith S. Dined: 2 weeks ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Sun 07 Apr 24
    Amazing food, stellar service, perfect ambiance (lighting, music, decor). Couldn’t have been more satisfied.

  • Aliya F. Dined: 2 weeks ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Sat 06 Apr 24
    One of the best fine dining meals we have had in Cape Town. The menu was very innovative and original and the restaurant lives up to its name in terms of its species taking centre stage. The full menu is quite alot to get through although so book for 7pm of having dinner to finish tineously.

  • Henri M. Dined: 2 weeks ago
    4.5
    Food 5.0
    Value 4.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 4.0
  • Steve L. Dined: 2 weeks ago
    4.8
    Food 5.0
    Value 4.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Thu 04 Apr 24
    Fabulous culinary journey. Very knowledge service. I had the wine pairing. An awesome selection.

  • Bertram-Neill d. Dined: 2 weeks ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Thu 04 Apr 24
    What a wonderful experience, concept and food was really top notch. We will definitely go back again!

  • Oliver W. Dined: 2 weeks ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Wed 03 Apr 24
    It was a great experience and a wonderful evening. The staff is amazing !!!!

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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