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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
(2556 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 (2556)

4.8 out of 5.0
Based on the past 12 months
Food 4.9
Value 4.7
Service 4.9
Ambience 4.7
  • Frank D. Dined: 1 day ago
    4.3
    Food 5.0
    Value 3.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 4.0
  • Orin R. Dined: 1 week ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Sat 06 Dec 25
    Where do I even begin?! 😍 We've been to Epice 10 times, and we're still counting! This Franschoek gem remains the best-kept fine dining secret in town, and we're so grateful to have stumbled upon it. Every dish is a masterclass in flavors and creativity. The kimchi crab tart? Chef's kiss! 🤌 The Cape Point tuna had us swooning, and the Cape Malay Lamb was pure magic. And let's not forget the Perlemoen, a match made in heaven with labneh and sultana! Desserts, though - that's where things got interesting. The 'Ouma's milk tart' was a nostalgic delight, but the spring dessert missed the mark (we're still thinking about the banana dessert, though!). And please, PLEASE bring back the roti! But it's not just the food, it's the experience. The management and staff make us feel like locals, and their hospitality is top-notch. We feel seen, heard, and appreciated every time we walk in. So, to the Epice team, thank you for being our happy place. We'll keep coming back (and bringing friends!) until you kick us out 😂. Can't wait to see what's next on the menu! P.S. Fix that spring dessert 😉

  • Carmen N. Dined: 2 days ago
    4.5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 4.0
    Ambience 4.0

    Reviewed on: Sat 06 Dec 25
    The food itself was outstanding. An explosion gor the senses. Criticism is minor: some tables are too small even for two people. The restaurant isn’t sound treated in any way and therefore it’s difficult to understand the waiters and waitresses when thy present the foods. Apart from that:all good!

  • Wim V. Dined: 3 days ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Fri 05 Dec 25
    Always such a great experience. Never disappointed. Chef Charné knows how to surprise your taste buds with special herb combinations. The service is warm and friendly. Our special occassion became a wonderful event. Thank you, Team Epice

  • Bruno F. Dined: 1 week ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Thu 04 Dec 25
    Just a great Evening

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

    Reviewed on: Tue 02 Dec 25
    A wonderful evening.

  • Damian M. Dined: 1 week ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Tue 02 Dec 25
    Very good meal - best on our holiday. Service excellent taking you on the food journey. Wine pairing good too.

  • Rolf K. Dined: 1 week ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0
  • Annelieke V. Dined: 1 week ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0
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