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Le coin Francais

French
Location Pointer 17 Huguenot St, Franschhoek, 7690, South Africa
4.5
(719 reviews)
RRR
Menu
Favourite

Attributes

  • Outdoor Seating
  • Gourmet Guide Plated

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Menu
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 (719)

4.4 out of 5.0
Based on the past 12 months
Food 4.5
Value 4.2
Service 4.6
Ambience 4.5
  • Monique Z. Dined: 1 day ago
    3
    Food 3.0
    Value 1.0
    Service 4.0
    Ambience 4.0

    Reviewed on: Wed 25 Mar 26
    Our menu was not as advertised on their website, nor on Dineplan. The courses were good, but not spectacular like the ones I saw on google. The biggest disappointment was the 'Premium' Wine Pairing (R1200 pp). Despite the restaurant’s boast of a massive, award-winning wine list, the pairing featured standard young retail bottles in really, really minuscule pours. Wish I could show pictures. The wines we got: Vuurberg White: A full bottle is R520 at Reuben’s (next door). Bellingham Freda White: A full bottle is R429 at Franschhoek Cellar. Holden Manz Good Sport: R425 retail at the estate. Keermont Terrasse: R480-R520 (Full bottle) at Kloof Street House. We paid R2400 (for two) for a few sips of wine that were nice, but shouldn’t be sold as premium wine pairing. With such a vast cellar available, serving basic wines at this price is inexcusable. Not recommended for those seeking value or transparency. This was not the high fancy, fine dine experience we thought it would be. We liked the food and ambiance at Ruebens, Hussar and we absolutely loved SINN and the food at Inzalo lodge, Hopefully our next restaurants: Tang, The Bungalow and Kloof street house will be as nice as the other restaurants. This was the most expensive restaurant of our trip, our fine dinning experience in Africa, and I wish I had chosen another.

  • Maritz S. Dined: 6 days ago
    4.8
    Food 5.0
    Value 4.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Tue 24 Mar 26
    Best fine dining we’ve had in years!

  • Thomas Z. Dined: 2 weeks ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Mon 23 Mar 26
    One of our favorite restaurants in SA

  • Pam P. Dined: 1 week ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Mon 16 Mar 26
    Fantastic food and service. UK Michelin quality. We look forward to revisiting next year.

  • Winand K. Dined: 1 week ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Sun 15 Mar 26
    perfect in our view !

  • Christopher H. Dined: 1 week ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Sun 15 Mar 26
    Having eaten a tasting menu last night and spent a day in the wineries I almost cancelled this booking as they only seemed to offer a tasting menu. Boy would that have been a huge mistake! This turned out to be one of the best meals I’ve ever eaten. A tasting menu that was well balanced and left me perfectly satisfied and not needing a wheel barrow to get me home. Each course beautifully presented and at least one would have had me licking the plate clean if I could have got away with it. The staff were great, the sommelier knew his list well and really made an effort. If this place were in London I couldn’t have got a table and would have resented the bill. If you love food SA is the place to come. Definitely worth a detour to Franschoek for this spot. Well done!

  • James P. Dined: 1 week ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Sat 14 Mar 26
    We had the best experience here out of all the restaurants we visited in Franschhoek. I was pleasantly suprised at the excellent wine pairing and complex dishes.

  • Jenny N. Dined: 2 weeks ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Mon 09 Mar 26
    Perfect service from the staff and super good food!

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

    Reviewed on: Sat 07 Mar 26
    Wonderful young chef , great elegant food and topservice

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