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Epice

Fine Dining
4.8 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 (2337)

4.7 out of 5.0
Based on the past 12 months
Food 4.9
Value 4.6
Service 4.9
Ambience 4.7
  • Hans D. Dined: 1 day ago
    3.8
    Food 4.0
    Value 3.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 3.0

    Reviewed on: Wed 11 Mar 26
    The prize of the very small portion of wagyu beef is unreasonable high. Overall we find value for money not acceptable.

  • Michael H. Dined: 1 day ago
    4
    Food 5.0
    Value 3.0
    Service 3.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Wed 11 Mar 26
    The food in Eoice is first class and well presented, but it’s amongst the most expensive in the area. On the night we visited, the service was not great. We asked for cocktails and some wine, and the food started to come before the cocktails. We also had to call a server over to order wine and ask for our glasses to be refilled. Would go back, however.

  • Rony E. Dined: 3 days ago
    4.8
    Food 5.0
    Value 4.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Mon 09 Mar 26
    Excellent by food small portions in the main course

  • Janet B. Dined: 3 days ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Mon 09 Mar 26
    Outstanding dinner and service. One of the best dinners of my life. Ambience and presentation extraordinary!

  • Tuija H. Dined: 3 days ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Mon 09 Mar 26
    Just perfect!

  • Hein W. Dined: 3 days ago
    2.8
    Food 2.0
    Value 1.0
    Service 4.0
    Ambience 4.0

    Reviewed on: Mon 09 Mar 26
    Friendly staff and nice presentation of the food. But …. much to spicy! The price is not South African standaard but European standard. Much to high!

  • Frank M. Dined: 3 days ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0
  • Camilla B. Dined: 4 days ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Sun 08 Mar 26
    Outstanding food, service and experience. Definitely coming back, what an amazing place. Thank you

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