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ARKESTE

Reviewers' Choice 2024 - Top 50 Reviewers' Choice 2023 - Top 50
Bistro Fine Dining French South African
42 Uitkyk St, Franschhoek, 7690, South Africa
(1958 reviews)
RRR

Attributes

  • Romantic
  • Outdoor Seating
  • Wine Estate
  • Gourmet Guide Plated
  • Reviewers' Choice 2022 - Top 100
  • Reviewers' Choice 2023 - Top 50
  • Reviewers' Choice 2024 - Top 50

At Arkeste, we present an a la carte menu in a casual fine dining style. We are located on Chamonix Wine Farm, Franschhoek, in a characterful heritage building on the edge of a forest. This sets the scene for a tranquil dining experience and delicious food by chef Ashwin Johannes who present dishes which showcase seasonal and local ingredients. Our wine list features Chamonix wines and a curated selection from the Cape region.

Gourmet Guide Description

Chamonix Wine Farm in Franschhoek is the perfect backdrop for Richard Carsten’s culinary ability. The forest setting is serene and the heritage building charming, but diners come for the food. Richard has returned to Chamonix after 30 years of notching up an impressive pedigree at top restaurants that included a successful tenure at Tokara, giving him time to cement his reputation and following. Known for his modern twists on classics, Carstens creates dishes that celebrate the seasons and heralds local.

Choose from an a la carte menu with inventive starters like the squid, either with togarashi, dashi black rice, wakame, cucumber and chili garam or a rendition with risotto, parsnip, wakame and a yuzu-ginger sauce.

Mains could be a citrus-glazed linefish with pommes, greens, rouille, heerenboon and a sauce bouillabaisse, showing chef’s love of traditional, notched up with a contemporary flair. Or the kapokbos-glazed springbok with creamy and dreamy Robuchon pomme, greens, sake-pears, and a sauce that he calls ‘Cape senses’. Dishes are sure to appeal to all your senses. His signature baked Alaska of rainbow trout and the Franco-Jap interpretation of seafood are a must. Vegetarians are well respeced and catered for. Be sure to order a delectable dessert – watch out for the gorgonzola ice cream with walnut, pears and honeycombe – and your appetite for deliciousness will be sated. The wine list reflects wines of the estate and the Cape. Here’s casual fine dining at its best.

Reviews (1958)

4.8 out of 5.0
Based on the past 12 months
Food 4.9
Value 4.8
Service 4.8
Ambience 4.7
  • Dalene J. Dined: 3 days ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Mon 20 Jan 25
    Amazing experience at an amazing spot!

  • Thomas S. Dined: 2 days ago
    4.3
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 4.0
    Ambience 3.0
  • Cinzia A. Dined: 2 days ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Mon 20 Jan 25
    Excellent food and service! The location is very convenient for us, lovely vegetation and forest!

  • Lillian B. Dined: 2 days ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Mon 20 Jan 25
    Always enjoy this restaurant. A group of 9 and we all really enjoyed our meal. The food was excellent and beautifully presented Service couldn’t have been better. Definitely one of my favourite restaurants

  • Margaret A. Dined: 3 days ago
    4.3
    Food 5.0
    Value 4.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 3.0

    Reviewed on: Sun 19 Jan 25
    Stunning food beautifully served. Every course a delight and superb service.

  • Karl U. Dined: 4 days ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Sat 18 Jan 25
    Best Pork Belly I had ever in South Africa

  • Kathryn K. Dined: 5 days ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0
  • Jenna B. Dined: 5 days ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Fri 17 Jan 25
    Wonderful food. Very well presented and flavoursome. Served with a great deal of knowledge and aplomb. Super wines and particularly the MCC. Will certainly return. Warm and friendly atmosphere. A great find off the High Street.

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

    Reviewed on: Thu 16 Jan 25
    Fabulous, fabulous. What a gem of a restaurant. Small and intimate (you have to prebook), what a treat. Flavour combinations and taste sensations make this a must visit destination. A little gem in Franschhoek.

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Opening Hours

  • Monday 12h00 - 14h30, 18h00 - 20h15
  • Tuesday 12h00 - 14h30, 18h00 - 20h15
  • Wednesday 12h00 - 14h30, 18h00 - 20h15
  • Thursday 12h00 - 14h30, 18h00 - 20h15
  • Friday 12h00 - 14h30, 18h00 - 20h15
  • Saturday 12h00 - 14h30, 18h00 - 20h15
  • Sunday 12h00 - 14h30, 18h00 - 20h15