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Le coin Francais

French Fine Dining
Location Pointer 17 Huguenot St, Franschhoek, 7690, South Africa
4.4
(718 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 (718)

4.4 out of 5.0
Based on the past 12 months
Food 4.4
Value 4.2
Service 4.6
Ambience 4.5
  • Luc U. Dined: 3 days ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0
  • Thomas James E. Dined: 3 days 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: 4 days ago
    4
    Food 4.0
    Value 4.0
    Service 4.0
    Ambience 4.0
  • Pieter v. Dined: 4 days 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.

  • Theresa M. Dined: 5 days ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Wed 12 Nov 25
    We dined here for our 30th Anniversary dinner. This was one of the best dinner's we have ever had. The service was amazing, the food was amazing, the wine was amazing. the ambiance was amazing. We are in South Africa for the first time and visiting Le Coin was on our list of restaurants' to try. We were very happy with our choice!

  • Richmond Wilmot Dined: 2 weeks ago
    3.8
    Food 4.0
    Value 4.0
    Service 3.0
    Ambience 4.0

    Reviewed on: Tue 11 Nov 25
    Our international guests (14 of them) enjoyed the food and wine pairing but 2 things bothered us all. 1/ The service staff were very unclear in their dialogue and could not be understood most of the time. 2/ The chef was at all times visible to the patrons but never once entertained the idea of coming to the table to ask how we were enjoying the different dishes presented or answering any questions the folk may have had,

  • Eva K. Dined: 1 week ago
    3.5
    Food 4.0
    Value 3.0
    Service 3.0
    Ambience 4.0
  • Jos K. Dined: 2 weeks ago
    4.8
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 4.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Mon 10 Nov 25
    Een Paarl in Franschhoek. vele restaurants bezocht op onze reis die hoog stonden aangeschreven, maar dit is een Paarl die er zeker bij hoort, en naar mijns inziens zelf in de top daarvan. Hier wordt echt aandacht besteed aan de gast, een klein restaurant met een geweldige keuken. Jos K. Nederland

  • Martin Andreasson Dined: 1 week ago
    4.5
    Food 5.0
    Value 4.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 4.0
  • Fiona M. Dined: 1 week ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Sun 09 Nov 25
    Fabulous evening with wonderful food! Thank you!

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