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Le coin Francais

Fine Dining French
Location Pointer 17 Huguenot St, Franschhoek, 7690, South Africa
4.4
(753 reviews)
RRR
Favourite

Attributes

  • Outdoor Seating
  • Gourmet Guide Plated

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Favourite

The newest edition to the Franschhoek scene is a restaurant really and truly for Franschhoek. Both in concept and in name, the aptly named “Le coin Francais” , which literally means Franschhoek, will embody the essence of the valley in heritage, cuisine, art and wine. It will feature cutting edge methods meeting time tested French elegance in cuisine, a carefully selected locally themed wine list to showcase the best local wines, a French sommeliers selection, and an ever evolving collaboration of art in the theme of photography.

Gourmet Guide™ Description

Here is a fine-dining establishment that has become an institution on Franschhoek’s main road. It’s where locals celebrate and visitors are introduced to the heritage of the French Huguenots. The intimate space, with fewer than 30 seats, offers a cosy and romantic atmosphere with a roaring fire in winter and verandah seating in summer. French music playing in the background gives it an almost Parisian café feel, but the comparison ends there. Sophisticated, first-class fine dining is the order of the day.

Chef Darren Badenhorst’s first restaurant remains his ‘baby’, but head chef Miguel de Caries holding the fort has the space to express himself. Food seems simple but is complex, well-executed, and artfully plated. Wines are flawlessly paired with dishes and confidence. A playful touch includes palate cleansers where diners identify wine in black glasses and inventive twists on classic cocktails. Friendly and genuine hospitality is offered by Ephraim Gomani, the front-of-house manager who has been with the restaurant for over seven years.

One popular starter is the veal tartare, presented in two ways. It combines finely chopped venison with layers of venison carpaccio and is impeccably paired with two different Pinot Noirs – one from Hemel-en-Aarde and the other from Elgin. Another notable dish is the duck, an underrated ingredient that shines with thoughtful texture and flavour. It gets glowing reviews, deservedly so.

Opening Hours

  • Monday CLOSED
  • Tuesday 19h00 - 20h30
  • Wednesday 19h00 - 20h30
  • Thursday 12h00 - 14h00, 19h00 - 20h30
  • Friday 12h00 - 14h00, 19h00 - 20h30
  • Saturday 12h00 - 14h00, 19h00 - 20h30
  • Sunday 12h00 - 14h00, 19h00 - 20h30

Reviews (753)

4.4 out of 5.0
Based on the past 12 months
Food 4.3
Value 4.1
Service 4.6
Ambience 4.5
  • Charles R. Dined: 1 week ago
    3.8
    Food 3.0
    Value 2.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Mon 05 Jan 26
    The Tuna tartare and the Langoustine dishes were outstanding. We felt that the starter biscuit dish was bland and overwhelmed by the mayonnaise. The fish main was also excellent, but the meat main was disappointing. A touch overcooked, and a rather uninspiring dish overall. The Key Lime Pie was well presented but way too sweet for our taste.

  • Mike W. Dined: 3 days ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Mon 05 Jan 26
    Each year we come to Franschhoek this is our favourite.Again the food is of the highest standard creatively and on the tastebuds.

  • Ansone P. Dined: 2 weeks ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0
  • Dawn w. Dined: 1 week ago
    3.5
    Food 4.0
    Value 4.0
    Service 3.0
    Ambience 3.0

    Reviewed on: Fri 02 Jan 26
    New Years Eve , set menu and wine pairings selected . The food was good and the courses not to our taste was a personal preference . The crayfish was exquisite as was the desert The thing that let it down was wine pairings didn’t start immediately - fine but no mention of this was made and no drinks were offered to ourselves and others in the restaurant as a matter of course - you could see others were bemused as to what was happening like us . All the staff friendly and knowledgeable but it felt on that evening , it lacked leadership to pull it together and definitely a missed opportunity to upsell a glass of champagne for example on such a celebration evening .

  • Dennis Oudejans Dined: 1 week ago
    2.8
    Food 3.0
    Value 2.0
    Service 3.0
    Ambience 3.0

    Reviewed on: Tue 30 Dec 25
    bread, amuse bouche, palet cleanser etc all counted as a course in the 8-course tasting menu.... - dining room was boiling hot - first course arrived after nearly 1.5 hours - amuse bouche was a tasteless fried something - langoustine was torched - same plates were served at different temperatures - the steak was very good - no side dishes, vegetables etc. - all 'n all a disappointing experience

  • Ryan V. Dined: 1 week ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Sat 27 Dec 25
    Wonderful experience

  • Jacques D. Dined: 1 week ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Sat 27 Dec 25
    Highly recommended for authentic, perfectly crafted meals and great service. Certainly made our mother’s 70th birthday very special.

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