354 reviews
#6 of 76 Restaurants in FranschhoekRRRR, Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten Free Options+27 21 224 0801+ Add websiteImprove this listing
Hours
Sun
7:00 - 22:00
Mon
7:00 - 22:00
Tue
7:00 - 22:00
Wed
7:00 - 22:00
Thu
7:00 - 22:00
Fri
7:00 - 22:00
Sat
7:00 - 22:00
What is Travellers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Ratings and reviews
4.5
Travellers' Choice 2023
Details
Someone from this business manages this listing.
Learn More
Special Diets
Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten Free Options
Meals
Lunch, Dinner
FEATURES
Reservations, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Free Wifi, Table Service
Does this restaurant offer table service?
Details
Special Diets
Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten Free Options
Meals
Lunch, Dinner
FEATURES
Reservations, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Free Wifi, Table Service
Contribute
4.5
354 reviews
Excellent
276
Very good
46
Average
13
Poor
11
Terrible
8
Tine
1 contribution
Jan 2020 • none
My husband and I dropped in at Protege for lunch one day, without a reservation. We did not know the restaurant and did not know what to expect. We decided to choose from the a la carte instead of the set menus. We found it a bit hard to see from the meny what was starters, mains, etc, and did not get a good explanation, but chose two courses each. The first course was amazing (duck and springbock), but because of a misunderstanding between the waiter and the kitchen our second course came very late and we had to ask for it in the end. They took this extremely seriously and we were invited back for a full complimentary meal, which was way more than one would expect after such a small mistake. We came back a couple of days later and chose the shortest set menu. The service was perfect, the food was amazing and we experienced that the set menu made more sense and gave better value for money. We had a great time and recommended the restaurant to our friends who live permanently in Franchhoek. They reported that they also had a great experience here.
Written 3 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Capetownbuddy_123
119 contributions
Oct 2020 • family
My daughter took me to Protege as a girl’s birthday treat to try their new Social Sunday special offer. All plates and carafes of Kloof Street wines are very reasonably priced at R65, considering the quality of food and service. We were so lucky to be served by Patrick, ably assisted Anando and Betty, and overseen by Jolene and Rececca, the most able and pleasant management team we have ever seen. Every plate was exquisite in presentation and on the palate - explosions of taste sensations. We really enjoyed a long, lazy afternoon together from 4 - 9pm, allowing for time and breathing space between courses. However, the true feel good factor was thanks to the staff, who looked after us with such charming efficiency, that we truly can’t wait for another opportunity to return en famille or with a group of friends. Our only complaint was the cigarette smoke blowing into the courtyard from the hotel’s smoking section next door, but this was not the restaurant’s fault and Jolene moved us with no fuss or bother. Highly recommended and appreciated, thank you one and all and hope to see you again before too long.
Written 8 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
An Unindentured Adventurer
Ballito482 contributions
Jan 2020 • family
Protégé
16 January
We had the most exquisite meal here.
Our 9 year son opted for the reduced menu, and we took the chefs tasting menu.
The snacks alone served before the courses are an experience on its own.
Each course with beautiful intricate plating.
Starting with subtle flavors and elevating the flavor palette with each course.
The respect in which the chefs treat the ingredients is evident in how each flavor profile is enhanced.
Being of Indian decent, I was pleasantly surprised to see our humble curry leaf take centre stage in some of the courses.
Portion sizes where perfect for me.
Plating was pleasantly surprisingly.
I would absolutely make the trip from Durban to Franschhoek again!
Written 21 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Heidi van Bergen
Cape Town4 contributions
Oct 2020 • friends
Staff was amazing, but for a pescatarian menu I got- Olives and bread for first course, deep fried cauliflower for second course & aubergine wrapped in lettuce as main, so a bit disappointed in the food for the price. No protein of fish is sight. The meat eaters got theirs though... Maybe just an off day.
Written 12 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Judy S
Bakewell164 contributions
Mar 2020 • none
A short, imaginative menu in this fresh modern restaurant with cooking on display at a central bar area. Food is fusion and beautifully prepared and presented. We couldn’t eat our way through the seven course tasting menu but the a la carte was delicious and brilliant value with lots of unexpected extras. We ate tuna tartare and springbok - both delicate and full of flavour. Highly recommended.
Written 3 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mark D
Suffolk283 contributions
Jan 2020 • none
This restaurant used to be Le Quartier Francais and it used to be very good but this reincarnation is nothing like what we used to get. I chose what I assumed would be an ample meal but ended up with a meagre dish of what i think was meant to be a Japanese special. My wife had something different but equally small. For what we ate it was very expensive.
Written 7 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
westlowjack
Congleton93 contributions
Feb 2020 • couples
We were surprised that there is essentially 2 menus: a 4 course and a tasting menu of several courses. We opted for the 4 course which is a lot of food particularly with the very generous “snack” course of olives, biltong, chicken wings, endive beans and bread.
Overall the quality was excellent and the service very efficient and professional. In fact there seemed to be the equivalent of a waiter per table.
At times the brisk walking around of the staff was mesmerising!
The loin of springbok was especially good. In one or two dishes there were too many flavours and this could make the dish too rich. The cheese selection was comprehensive and almost too much.
Booking is essential
Written 16 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jim M
Perth6 contributions
Mar 2020 • none
We ate at the chefs' counter. It was hard to criticise any element of the tasting menu. Delicious flavour after delicious flavour. We were watching Kyla and Andria prepare the dishes and had great interaction with both, Kyla in particular. Live theatre and a front row seat for us. We drank a bottle of Topiary Innocence, as recommended by our waiter. Outstanding wine. We also enjoyed watching Rebecca running the whole room with enthusiasm and expertise. She is a star and I hope Protege's owners realise this.
We score every meal we eat in South Africa; this meal scored 93 out of 100, the highest score of our whole fine dining trip. If you are in Franschhoek, this is the number one restaurant, even better than the excellent Le Coin Francais. And in our opinion, much better than its more famous (and more expensive) sister restaurant, La Petite Colombe. Just a fabulous experience.
Written 13 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
David R
London792 contributions
Dec 2019 • family
Christmas Eve and a wonderful Tasting Menu of great value at this wonderful restaurant. Just a short walk from our hotel in Franschhoek we were shown to a lovely table in the window at the back of the restaurant. We had 4 tasting menus which were fabulous and we all thoroughly enjoyed our evening which started Christmas perfectly.
The wine was as expected wonderful and great value.
Staff were perfect and never seemed rushed or flustered and were very attentive. Highly recommended when in Franschhoek.
Written 7 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Veronique
Cape Town731 contributions
Nov 2020 • none
If you choose to sit at the counter, you will have a view on what's happening in the plates of the guests... and it it a show itself...
Everything is done with delicateness and precision.
The plates are neat and the food tasty.
The service is attentive and friendly.
And the Sunday evening special... a super good deal!
Written 23 November 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bears Notebook by Sabrina Shaw
Milan316 contributions
Aug 2019 • none
Afternoon cocktails and a few snacks are the best way to end the day spent in the Franschhoek Valley. This restaurant is part of the La Colombe and Leeu Collection which have a wide variety of fine-dining establishments in and around Cape Town.
The food is cooked and seasoned to perfection as well as the plating is beautiful and elegant. I do think it is overpriced for the portions and compared to eating from the main menu.
I will be back to taste their lunch menu and to see what Chef Van Dyk will be doing!
Written 21 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
D252016
London9 contributions
Feb 2020 • none
Excellent meal here sitting at the bar watching the chefs prepare the food with great care.
Everything was delicious and fresh, beautifully presented, the springbok a stand out as was the ceviche style starter. Very local produce and a really bright enthusiastic bunch of young chefs at work. Pricey but really worth it for a special treat, just don’t eat before you go,
Written 16 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LadyWillow2014
Walton-On-Thames99 contributions
Feb 2020 • none
We spent our last night in Franschhoek at this fantastic restaurant. The food is outstanding and beautifully presented. There was a choice of menu; we went for the a la carte as we didn't feel we could manage the chef's menu! The staff were very attentive and explained each course. It was one of the most expensive meals we had during our visit to South Africa but the experience was worth every penny.
Written 10 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RonnieStellenbosch
13 contributions
Jun 2021 • none
Dined at Protege last Friday evening, what a feast, we had the full menu of small plates and as pescetarians we were treated with vegan/vegetarian/pescetarian substitutes for the meat options. FANTASTIC!!! Have never eaten such quality prepared vegetarian food anywhere at a South Africa restaurant before. Will definitely go back soon.
Written 13 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
HELEN DE LANGE
Durban22 contributions
Nov 2020 • family
My daughter and I walked in for a light lunch and were overwhelmed by the warm welcome, wonderful relaxed service and beautifully presented, delicious cheese and charcuterie platter. The weather was good so we sat outside but will certainly return when next in Franschhoek for a dinner in their gorgeous restaurant. Don’t overlook this gem when in Franschhoek.
Written 6 November 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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