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Le coin Francais

Fine Dining French
Location Pointer 17 Huguenot St, Franschhoek, 7690, South Africa
4.5
(670 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 (670)

4.5 out of 5.0
Based on the past 12 months
Food 4.5
Value 4.2
Service 4.8
Ambience 4.6
  • Nicholas David G. Dined: 2 days ago
    4
    Food 4.0
    Value 3.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 4.0
  • Graeme O. Dined: 2 days ago
    1.8
    Food 1.0
    Value 1.0
    Service 3.0
    Ambience 2.0

    Reviewed on: Sat 14 Jun 25
    Probably one of the worst dining experiences ever

  • Werner K. Dined: 1 week ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0
  • John D. Dined: 2 weeks ago
    3.5
    Food 3.0
    Value 2.0
    Service 4.0
    Ambience 5.0
  • Howard S. Dined: 1 month ago
    4.8
    Food 5.0
    Value 4.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Sat 10 May 25
    Wonderful tasting menu. Well presented by the staff. Lovely warm setting. Great to chat to the chef. Really worth the premium for fine dining. . Warm and city environment. Worth the price foran unforgettable

  • JAMES T. Dined: 1 month ago
    4.8
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 4.0

    Reviewed on: Sat 10 May 25
    ambiecnce only down marked because lunch time and only 3 tables by time left so hard to rate

  • Magda Coertze Dined: 1 month ago
    3.3
    Food 3.0
    Value 2.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 3.0

    Reviewed on: Tue 29 Apr 25
    We did the restaurant week tasting menu for our annerversary. On paper it looked delicious, but the food was unfortunatley underwhelming. Some of the dishes was not seasoned, a clear oversight from the chef. Each time a new dish arrived I was hopeful as the plating looked great, but the dishes just didn’t deliver on taste at all. The cheese course was both of our favourite, but nothing else stood out unfortunatley. Although the service was attentive and good, the ambiance could improve. There doesn’t seem to be much attention to detail with restaurant decor, and it seemed like one CD was replaying all evening long. (I knew some of the songs and it repeated a few too many times..) My husband and I were both dissapointed with the evening and will not return.

  • Heidi V. Dined: 2 months ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Sun 27 Apr 25
    Awesome!

  • Lauren Fok Dined: 1 month ago
    3.8
    Food 3.0
    Value 2.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0
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