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Le coin Francais

French Fine Dining
Location Pointer 17 Huguenot St, Franschhoek, 7690, South Africa
4.4
(724 reviews)
RRR
Favourite

Attributes

  • Outdoor Seating
  • Gourmet Guide Plated

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Favourite

The newest edition to the Franschhoek scene is a restaurant really and truly for Franschhoek. Both in concept and in name, the aptly named “Le coin Francais” , which literally means Franschhoek, will embody the essence of the valley in heritage, cuisine, art and wine. It will feature cutting edge methods meeting time tested French elegance in cuisine, a carefully selected locally themed wine list to showcase the best local wines, a French sommeliers selection, and an ever evolving collaboration of art in the theme of photography.

Gourmet Guide™ Description

Here is a fine-dining establishment that has become an institution on Franschhoek’s main road. It’s where locals celebrate and visitors are introduced to the heritage of the French Huguenots. The intimate space, with fewer than 30 seats, offers a cosy and romantic atmosphere with a roaring fire in winter and verandah seating in summer. French music playing in the background gives it an almost Parisian café feel, but the comparison ends there. Sophisticated, first-class fine dining is the order of the day.

Chef Darren Badenhorst’s first restaurant remains his ‘baby’, but head chef Miguel de Caries holding the fort has the space to express himself. Food seems simple but is complex, well-executed, and artfully plated. Wines are flawlessly paired with dishes and confidence. A playful touch includes palate cleansers where diners identify wine in black glasses and inventive twists on classic cocktails. Friendly and genuine hospitality is offered by Ephraim Gomani, the front-of-house manager who has been with the restaurant for over seven years.

One popular starter is the veal tartare, presented in two ways. It combines finely chopped venison with layers of venison carpaccio and is impeccably paired with two different Pinot Noirs – one from Hemel-en-Aarde and the other from Elgin. Another notable dish is the duck, an underrated ingredient that shines with thoughtful texture and flavour. It gets glowing reviews, deservedly so.

Opening Hours

  • Monday CLOSED
  • Tuesday 19h00 - 20h30
  • Wednesday 19h00 - 20h30
  • Thursday 12h00 - 14h00, 19h00 - 20h30
  • Friday 12h00 - 14h00, 19h00 - 20h30
  • Saturday 12h00 - 14h00, 19h00 - 20h30
  • Sunday 12h00 - 14h00, 19h00 - 20h30

Reviews (724)

4.4 out of 5.0
Based on the past 12 months
Food 4.4
Value 4.2
Service 4.6
Ambience 4.4
  • Peter G. Dined: 2 days ago
    3.3
    Food 3.0
    Value 2.0
    Service 4.0
    Ambience 4.0

    Reviewed on: Sat 22 Nov 25
    We took the tasting menu with wine pairing at R1895 per person. Staff were very pleasant and mostly attentive. First course was Sourdough milk bread with porcini and citrus butter was pleasant, alhtough we coudln't detect the presence of porcini. We were invited to smell the sourdough mother - a pleasant touch and something we haven't experienced elsewhere. Charred tuna and red pepper compote tartare was pleasant enough, but would have benefitted from more citrus elements. The brown/grey appearance was unappetising - and could perhaps have been better served on a white rather than black plate. The next course was Butter poached and BBQ north coast langoustine, aerated Gruberg and west coast snoek brandad velouté. The langoustine was seriously over cooked, but the cheese and smoked fish veloute was heavy and thick and added nothing to the dish. Indeed the smoked aroma from an adjacent table was powerful. Likewise the pea risotto added to the heaviness of the dish. A light langoustine bisque would have been a much better accompaniment and would have avoided having too many flavours competing on the plate. Next was the palate cleanser - a very sweet citrus sorbet that would have been better placed as a pre-dessert rather than preceding the salmon course. The 45°C confit salmon, citrus and salmon dust, citrus gel, with split watercress coulis was also overcooked. The watercress coulis was pleasant, but the salmon was over-seasoned. The “Key lime pie” wasn't a pie, and didn't taste of key lime. It was whipped cream served on a biscuit with basil. After the preceding courses this was just to heavy and couldn't be finished. The guests at the table next to us also couldn't finish theirs. Overall the food would have benefited from being lighter, and simpler, to avoid conflicting elements. Sadly when we bot arrived home we both had serious food poisoning.

  • Trevor Dined: 2 weeks ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 0.0

    Reviewed on: Fri 21 Nov 25
    Superb, as always

  • Thomas Schok Dined: 4 days ago
    2.8
    Food 3.0
    Value 3.0
    Service 1.0
    Ambience 4.0

    Reviewed on: Thu 20 Nov 25
    Service was the problem here. Superficial, not personal. Tables around got a bubble to start with, but they forgot our table. Premium wine pairing was okay (table with the same menu next to us got sometimes different wines, although also selected the premium wine menu). Food was overall good, not wow.

  • Rudolf S. Dined: 5 days ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Wed 19 Nov 25
    Delicious set menu prepared by a creative chef & his crew. The wine pairing was an excellent way to discover some very tasty whites and reds. A place to visit while staying in Franschoek!

  • John O. Dined: 1 week ago
    4.3
    Food 4.0
    Value 4.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 4.0

    Reviewed on: Sun 16 Nov 25
    Tasting menu very good but not for everyone. Restaurant was quiet on the night so not much atmosphere.

  • Luc U. Dined: 1 week ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0
  • Thomas James E. Dined: 1 week ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Fri 14 Nov 25
    I really enjoyed the food, it was of the highest standards and it really gave my taste buds a go. Well done to the chef and staff working there, it was a pleasure to have dinner there with my wife.

  • Katja M. Dined: 1 week ago
    4
    Food 4.0
    Value 4.0
    Service 4.0
    Ambience 4.0
  • Pieter v. Dined: 1 week ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Thu 13 Nov 25
    Must visit in Franschhoek. Staff was fabulous, food and the presentation well worth 5 stars. Also the tempo (sometimes an issue when it comes to restaurants with set menus) was on point! We never felt the service was rushed.

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