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Hours
Sun
12:00 - 14:0018:00 - 20:30
Mon
12:00 - 14:0018:00 - 20:30
Tue
12:00 - 14:0018:00 - 20:30
Wed
12:00 - 14:0018:00 - 20:30
Thu
12:00 - 14:0018:00 - 20:30
Fri
12:00 - 14:0018:00 - 20:30
Sat
12:00 - 14:0018:00 - 20:30
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 2024
RATINGS
Food
Service
Value
Atmosphere
Details
Someone from this business manages this listing.
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CUISINES
International, Healthy, Wine Bar
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options
Meals
Lunch, Dinner
features
Is this a wine bar?
Details
About
Introducing Epice - The latest venture from the team behind La Colombe, La Petite Colombe, Foxcroft and Protégé. Epice - derived from the French word Épice meaning spice (and is pronounced eh-peace) - is an intimate fine dining restaurant located at Heritage Square, Franschhoek (opposite Leeu House) Serving an array of delectably curated dishes, the fine-dining restaurant is headed by chef Charné Sampson (previously sous chef at La Colombe), and features a flavour-packed menu inspired by the team’s culinary expedition to India, as well as memories of travels through Spain, Japan, Mexico, Denmark and the US. Chef Charné’s menu features home-cooking-style dishes with a refined edge. Says Scot: “Charné has always had a love for spices and Epice is the perfect place for her to weave her magic.”
CUISINES
International, Healthy, Wine Bar
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options
Meals
Lunch, Dinner
FEATURES
Reservations, Seating, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Wine and Beer, Mastercard, Visa, Free Wifi, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service, Non-smoking restaurants
Contribute
4.5
137 reviews
Excellent
113
Very good
13
Average
5
Poor
4
Terrible
2
Rosetokai
Cape Town10 contributions
Mar 2020 • none
We were looking forward to the new restaurant from the team behind la Colombe and it didn’t disappoint. We had the 6-course lunch menu, each course was so beautifully presented and the flavours exceptional. We both remarked on the elegant cutlery and plates, the attention to detail remarkable
The staff were both professional and friendly overall a great experience and one we look forward to revisiting in the near future
Written 15 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.
kay2948
London79 contributions
Jan 2020 • couples
Wow! We have just had a wonderful evening on an exciting food journey. The flavors build as you travel through the tasting menu accompanied by charming helpful staff who pace your meal perfectly. There were no negatives about this evening. Everything was just right. It was a real privilege to eat here. A restaurant not to miss out on.
Written 22 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.
Alice M
New Rochelle177 contributions
Jan 2020 • none
We had an amazing lunch at this wonderful new restaurant. We selected the “reduced” spice journey which was 7 courses, not 9. It was plenty. Every course is precisely explained and beautifully presented. They were very sensitive to our food allergies and were extra careful to explain the substitutions they made. Kudos to them!
Written 25 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.
Tim Parsons
Cape Town6 contributions
Feb 2021 • none
Epice is the newest member of La Colombe’s excellent family of restaurants, around the Western Cape. It concentrates on Asian flavours, more subcontinent that South East, if you know what I mean!
We opted for the R495 Summer Special, seven courses of exquisite food. The bread course is created, with great theatre, at the table by Sous Chef, Monique, the sorbet course also served by a chef. While it is all about the spices enhancing a dish and it’s ingredients, they are, predominantly, subtle, adding flavour, rather than heat.
A special mention for the Welsh Rarebit dessert. I cannot remember a more innovative, thought out dish in all the time I’ve been fine doing around the world.
Service is impeccable and it is remarkable value. Covid protocols are fastidiously applied and the social distancing of tables is reassuring, especially with the sliding, external, windows open. I cannot fault the food, service or value. My only observation is that it a very lively room for acoustics. The background music was more suited to a gym, there is a lot of collateral noise from other tables, all of which makes waiters wearing masks unintelligible. We were able to move tables so it did not affect the whole experience, too much.
Love everything that La Colombe do, SA should be very proud to have their restaurants as they are some of the most noteworthy in the world. "Happy days, yummy food!"
Written 4 February 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.
SWC2018
Croydon68 contributions
Feb 2020 • solo
Visited Epice during a two night stop in Franschhoek and the experience was memorable from start to finish. The restaurant has a great cool vibe and all staff without question were helpful, polite and lovely throughout. The cuisine is on another level! The nine course ‘Spice Journey’ is a delicate creative masterclass from chef Charne Sampson with personal standout dishes being the spectacular smoking oyster dish and a great combo of prawn, quail, yoghurt, ginger and masala. Matching wines all perfect and the finale, the chocolate petit four ‘Spice Test’ an innovative finish.
My advice is book this restaurant asap before the talented chef is headhunted elsewhere!!!
Written 29 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.
bcs1309
Königstein im Taunus781 contributions
Nov 2021 • couples
The food in this establishment was mainly good to excellent. A bit disappointing was the Wagyu course with the beef overcooked almost to be not recognisable. Very elaborate and sometimes stunning presentation.
But why only three stars?
Firstly the ambiance is just not nice.. A large room, very noisy and to brightly lit.
Secondly the waitstaff. While they were all friendly everything was rehearsed and you could hear the exact same words at every table. If you asked something additionally you wouldn’t get an answer. In addition to that we had one waiter dedicated to our table, but at least five different others that would from time to time appear and do the same chores again. Like ask about another bottle of water five times. And especially annoying was that one of the waiters was constantly circling the room with his Tablet in search for a glass or dish he could take to the kitchen - mostly in vain.
Thirdly their dressicode or better lack there of. We had two single guys sitting at tables next to us. One had obviously already had his good share of alcohol before getting to the restaurant, was wearing Flipflops and looked at kids videos on his phone all the time ( very loud) when he did not call someone on the phone. The other male visitor was more quiet, but was in shorts and showed us half of his derrière most of the time. Luckily after a while he changed his seat so that another couple had the pleasure.
After all: while Protege was really a great place and we will definitely come back, this far more expensive place did disappoint.
Written 19 November 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.
Katie T
4 contributions
Feb 2020 • couples
We were promised a ‘spice journey’ but unfortunately the kitchen failed to pack the spice case. Whilst the cooking was accomplished, sadly the majority of the dishes on this 9 course tasting menu failed to deliver- it would be generous to describe the spicing as delicate, in most cases it was non existent. Only the sauce accompaniment for the oyster and the fish curry showed a promise of what could be achieved if the kitchen showed more courage. In the meantime, Epice is simply a fine dining establishment and there a superior and better value alternatives in Franschhoek.
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.
Bertie d
Franschhoek28 contributions
Feb 2020 • none
I couldn't give the score higher than 3 or lower for that matter as it wouldn't be fair. The effort gone into the presentation of each "dish" are really good. The service we received from Shan (or Shane ...sorry i forgot your name) was really good. There is no ambiance, firstly. Lights are too bright, not one painting on any of the walls.No back ground music. Main concern, will they be here next season? When all the tourists have gone - when they depend on the locals what then? I can't see myself pulling out R2700 again (per couple) for a meal? I don't think so. Anyway, we've tried it, but it's not a place where you go back regularly as it's a dining experience.
Written 24 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.
Wishinguwerehere
Ashford1029 contributions
Feb 2020 • couples
We were not disappointed! Having looked at the menu a couple of hours earlier my initial thought was to cancel because I wasn’t sure I could eat what was on the menu but I was wrong and it was superb or as my husband said ‘party in my mouth’ Beautiful presentation of all courses. Service was excellent. My only criticism would be that the courses did come out quite quickly and I think just an extra 20 minutes overall would have made a difference. The meal was probably out most expensive so far but we would recommend it ;-)
Written 13 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.
Leon von Moltke
1 contribution
Sept 2022 • couples
It was our first time doing a fine dining experience. The Hostess asked if we would like to have sparkling or still water with our meal. Having saved just enough for one drink per person and the meal I said to the hostess I need the prices of everything before I ordered. Instead of just leaving the drinks menu I was asked to please take out my calculator and calculate what we are able to afford (This was done infront of the hostess). This was totally embarassing. It did taint the whole evening from then on.
The food was still on point and all the staff were fun and explained everything well.
Overall it was a bad start but a good ending.
Written 24 September 2022
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.
Garth.C.S
Cape Town1 contribution
Dec 2019 • none
I would have never guessed this amazing restaurant only officially opened its doors in mid December. The way it was run from the friendly and knowledgeable staff, to the immense attention to detail poured into the menu. One would say that they have been around for many seasons. I look forward to visiting this establishment once again in the very near future for more superb food and great company with friends and family.
Written 5 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.
hjones9448
Newport2 contributions
Jan 2020 • friends
I have eaten in some amazing restaurants around the world but the experience at Epice was amazing and every course was just poetry. A group of 4 of us ate dinner and we all agreed the service, the food and the fusion of spices was outstanding.
The team was cohesive, very attentive and knowledgeable. Don’t miss visiting it’s a real Gem.
Written 24 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.
Christian & Irena
2 contributions
Mar 2022 • none
Sure, it’s very difficult to pick a favorite fine-dining restaurant in the Western Cape, but if we had to decide from all the places we went, it would be Epice in Franschhoek. Every single course of The Full Spice Journey menu was an adventure for the sense of taste. Always well explained and presented by the waiters or kitchen staff, it surprised again and again. The atmosphere, the attention to detail, even the designer plates and cutlery were incredibly well-orchestrated with every course. What topped it off was the most friendly, most competent and most attentive waiter we could possibly have. We travel the whole world, but this restaurant and its staff is definitely one of our favorite fine-dining experiences. Thank you, and we will be back soon.
Written 9 May 2022
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.
MrMiggoo
London54 contributions
Jun 2022 • couples
I’m not sure how this is not higher up on the rankings for restaurants in Franschhoek. Not that I’ve been to enough to judge, but if there are that many better, there must be some incredible places because Epice is excellent.
The atmosphere is chilled and not pretentious or formal. There was chilled house music playing, good lighting and friendly staff. The decor and the crockery are all tasteful too.
We had the reduced menu as we weren’t super hungry and this was a really good amount of food. The pace of serving was also great so we were never waiting or feeling full because it was slow. Every dish appeared well thought out, was well explained and ultimately very tasty!
There were some standout pieces like the bread course where they come and create a dipping mixture out of butter, beef drippings and all sorts of spices - really unique! And at the end you get chocolate infused with different spices and you have to guess which each is - a great way to end!
The staff were all friendly, very observant and attentive so we always had a full glass and importantly the table was kept clean between every course. This is not far off a Michelin standard.
We really enjoyed our experience here and would absolutely return! Thanks guys!
Written 8 June 2022
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.
Regina
7 contributions
Feb 2020 • none
We dined with a party of four and had the spice tasting menu. Unfortunately most of the dishes were too subtly spiced to sustain the theme. The fish curry was lovely and well balanced, but most other dishes were presented with flair and beautiful but did not live up to the name of the restaurant. The food was good, and at any other restaurant would have been great - but the promise of a journey through spices was not really delivered, starting with the specially table-side mixed butter which disappointed with a lacklustre dukkah powder and lack of salt. However, the concept end execution from a service stand point is amazing. The decor and utensils are great. and the service is excellent. Sadly there were many opportunities to infuse spice which were missed - the sorbet course being a good example.
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.
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