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Epice

Reviewers' Choice 2025 - Top 100 Reviewers' Choice 2024 - Top 50
Fine Dining
Location Pointer Berg St & Huguenot St, Franschhoek, 7690, South Africa
4.8
(2308 reviews)
RRR+
Favourite

Attributes

  • Romantic
  • Gourmet Guide Plated
  • Reviewers' Choice 2022 - Top 20
  • Reviewers' Choice 2023 - Top 50
  • Reviewers' Choice 2024 - Top 50
  • Reviewers' Choice 2025 - Top 100

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Favourite

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)

"The restaurant menu will revolve around spices, but that doesn’t necessarily mean spicy hot - think of vanilla and saffron, or cinnamon and nutmeg, too," says Scot Kirton, Chef Proprietor of La Colombe.

Heading up the kitchen, head chef Charné Sampson is no stranger to refined, cutting edge cuisine- until recently she was the sous chef at La Colombe and is another one of Scot’s protégés to spread her wings. A graduate of Silwood, Charné also honed her craft in the kitchen of The Restaurant at Waterkloof and The Test Kitchen.

Gourmet Guide™ Description

Take a magic culinary ride to the iconic space in the old Le Quartier building in Franschhoek for a captivating treat at Epice (French for ‘spice’). The interior’s understated spice hues juxtapose perfectly with the bright sunshine and greenery outside, or you can appreciate the
crackling fire in winter.

Chef Charné Mouton is unapologetic about her passion for spices and the depth they impart to all dishes, whether sweet or savoury. She delights in introducing the full spectrum at your table from the start. The uninitiated may think of curry, but there’s true intellect in how she has married every ingredient with her first-choice spices. This spice queen celebrates each ingredient personally, drawing from her Cape heritage, with both her vindaloo sauce and fabled bread course creating a come-back-for-more scenario.

Choose from a traditional wine pairing, cocktail, or in-house tonic pairing. Whilst marrying beverages with spicy foods can be challenging, the team has worked hard to ensure successful surprises. Expect a little showboating with dry ice and tableside service, which all adds to the fun. Food is tasty and well-executed, and guests rave about the sweet potatoes with cumin, beef dripping, and berbere. In ‘feeding with passion’, La Colombe converts will be overjoyed to devour octopus cooked in passion fruit, cutting it open with scissors. You’ll leave with a spice box, some seeds to plant, and indelible memories.

Opening Hours

  • Monday CLOSED
  • Tuesday 18h30 - 22h00
  • Wednesday 18h30 - 22h00
  • Thursday 18h30 - 22h00
  • Friday 12h00 - 15h00, 18h30 - 22h00
  • Saturday 12h00 - 15h00, 18h30 - 22h00
  • Sunday 12h00 - 15h00, 18h30 - 22h00

Reviews (2308)

4.8 out of 5.0
Based on the past 12 months
Food 4.9
Value 4.6
Service 4.9
Ambience 4.7
  • Robert V. Dined: 2 days ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Thu 26 Feb 26
    The overall experience was amazing!! The spices, flavours and wine pairing were outstanding. We had a great night out!

  • Uwe G. Dined: 3 days ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0
  • Simona S. Dined: 5 days ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Tue 24 Feb 26
    Honestly, hands down the best food and dining experience I’ve ever had in my life. Everything was absolutely top notch. I had the vegetarian option, and I feel that’s important to mention — it’s often easier to create a memorable fine dining experience with meat or fish, but making it this special with vegetarian dishes was pure magic. The space, the atmosphere, the staff — everything was truly exceptional. An unforgettable experience.

  • Judith M. Dined: 4 days ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Tue 24 Feb 26
    Outstanding - best meal in Franschhoek!

  • Jan K. Dined: 4 days ago
    4.5
    Food 5.0
    Value 4.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 4.0

    Reviewed on: Tue 24 Feb 26
    Very good food with sophisticated plates especially the first course, a warm welcome by the staff and a great ambiance.

  • Ben W. Dined: 5 days ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Mon 23 Feb 26
    Outstanding

  • Jenneke K. Dined: 5 days ago
    4.5
    Food 5.0
    Value 3.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Mon 23 Feb 26
    Nice experience but overpriced ( especially the wine arrangement)

  • Adah S. Dined: 6 days ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Mon 23 Feb 26
    Epice is officially my favorite restaurant In Franschhoek! The food is so good, so much flavor, there is so much creativity in every course, and the wine pairing even better. I’m getting hungry again just writing about it! My all time favorite restaurant, highly recommend!

  • Margo T. Dined: 5 days ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Mon 23 Feb 26
    We really enjoyed it. It was quite an experience. Thank you, Maarten and Margo ter Hart ❤️

  • Margot D. Dined: 6 days ago
    3
    Food 4.0
    Value 3.0
    Service 2.0
    Ambience 3.0

    Reviewed on: Sun 22 Feb 26
    Overall, we had a good experience and thoroughly enjoyed the quality of the food. The dishes were well prepared and met our expectations. However, the service did not reflect the standard one would anticipate from an establishment of this caliber. We were attended by Bruce, who was initially welcoming and friendly. Unfortunately, as the evening progressed (and we assume we did not order enough supplements or drinks?), his demeanor noticeably changed, and by the end of the meal, the attentiveness and warmth had diminished significantly. This shift made us feel somewhat uncomfortable. As a larger group, we were seated at a large table adjacent to the kitchen, which was not the most comfortable or inviting location in the restaurant. While we appreciate the culinary quality, we have experienced better overall value for money elsewhere in South Africa.

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