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ARKESTE

Reviewers' Choice 2024 - Top 50 Reviewers' Choice 2023 - Top 50
Bistro Fine Dining French South African
Chamonix Wine Estate, Uitkyk St, Franschhoek, 7690, South Africa
(2162 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 (2162)

4.8 out of 5.0
Based on the past 12 months
Food 4.8
Value 4.7
Service 4.8
Ambience 4.7
  • Liana Dined: 5 days ago
    4.8
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 4.0

    Reviewed on: Tue 01 Apr 25
    Excellent food and service.

  • Claus V. Dined: 4 days ago
    4.8
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 4.0
  • Robert P. Dined: 4 days ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Sun 30 Mar 25
    An absolutely wonderful experience. The meal was gorgeous. Cannot fault it. Would highly recommend.

  • Richard D. Dined: 5 days ago
    4.8
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 4.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Sat 29 Mar 25
    The waitress lacked expertise in wine recommendation/knowledge. I would have expected her to ask a more knowledgeable colleague to come and assist but instead she gave (bizarre) advice. No big issue - we enjoyed a lovely meal. But would have been better if they could have helped us with choosing the wine.

  • Susanne E. Dined: 6 days ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Fri 28 Mar 25
    This was our second visit and it was good as the first time. Fantastic food, lovely atmosphere and great service.

  • Stephen V. Dined: 6 days ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Fri 28 Mar 25
    Yet again a wonderful experience, highly recommended.

  • Katheryn L. Dined: 2 weeks ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Fri 28 Mar 25
    Absolutely exceptional! After visiting in February 2024, I've been dreaming of returning all year - and the second visit did not disappoint! Incredible food, fabulous staff... I just wish I lived closer so could eat there more often. Until next time...

  • Ashraf A. Dined: 1 week ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Wed 26 Mar 25
    An amazing fine dining in a relaxed and non pretentious setting with lovely knowledgable staff. You could see the chefs picking the herbs fresh from the garden - a true garden to plate experience!

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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