Many people drive all the way to Franschhoek and stick to the main drag of the main road. Here are 15 places to visit and things to do that might help you explore this food and wine hotspot.
- If you’ve got any love at all for flowers, visit the Exotic Plant Company at Môreson. This magnificent nursery is headed up by Michael Tibbs, the youngest Royal Horticultural Society judge ever. Michael has written 10 books on orchid growing and his plants have won numerous awards, including awards at the Chelsea Flower Show.
- Bread and Wine is on the same premises as the Exotic Plant Company. The restaurant offers delicious meals, prepared by internationally renowned chef, Neil Jewell. Visitors can also join Neil for a charcuterie and wine tasting. Yum!
- Babylonstoren has an exotic fruit and vegetable garden designed by a well known European garden designer and grows 23 varieties of nectarines, artichokes and other fruit and vegetables. The restaurant specialises in salads by colour. Wonder if they do a red, white and blue one…?
- Backsberg is South Africa’s only carbon neutral winery. Visitors can sample their award-winning wines and picnic on their immaculate lawns. If you happen to be there on a summer in Sunday, stay for one of their Sunday sunset concerts.
- Noble Hill has a South American/Mexican restaurant with a dedicated chilli garden.
- Vrede en Lust offers visitors an exceptional food and wine pairing experience, and they’ll tell you fascinating stories about the history of the farm during wine tastings.
- Plaisir de Merle has just refurbished their Manor House and you can sample homemade stone ground flour bread as well as their wines.
- Solms Delta is known for its entertaining music and wine tours. It has a restaurant with excavated floors showing the foundations below, and there’s a museum on the farm showing its history from the days of the San people.
- L’Ormarins, fondly known as the Franschhoek Motor Museum, boasts a collection of cars from the early 1900s onwards. There’s also wine tasting of the Anthonij Rupert range.
- If you pop in for wine tasting at La Motte you really should try to include a meal at the popular Pierneef Restaurant, which specializes in South African food. Sit outside in the beautiful garden. If the weather’s chilly or you’re feeling nosy, the interior seating allows diners to view the demonstration kitchen. La Motte also boasts the Pierneef Art Gallery, which was brought to La Motte estate from London.
- Grande Provence was the winner of the Great Wine Capital Awards for architecture and garden design. There’s a stunning sculpture garden and art gallery as well as lovely accommodation (perfect for a weekend getaway). And of course, you can taste their wine or eat in the restaurant.
- Enjoy a sumptuous meal at Matthew Gordon’s new restaurant The Grillroom (he’s also the chef at Haute Cabrière). Make sure you try a glass of the Pinot Noir, Chardonnay Pinot Noir or Belle Rose Cap Classique. And, if you’re lucky, experience a sabrage demonstration in the cellar or tasting room.
- Le Quartier Français needs no introduction: its restaurant The Tasting Room was recently rated No. 37 of the top 50 restaurants in the world. Visitors can wander around the sculpture garden, sample “˜little plates’ of tasty treats at the new restaurant, The Common Room, check out the IS Art Gallery or even watch a movie at The Screening Room.
- If you’ve never eaten there before, Café BonBon at La Petite Dauphine is known for its French cuisine and exquisite interiors and gardens. The restaurant also plays host to musical evenings during the Classical Music Festival and Franschhoek Literary Festival.
- There are many great restaurants in Franschhoek. Some of the best ones include the French-inspired Le Coin Français and the extravagant Deaux Lions. Here are 20 Franschhoek Restaurants that you should visit.
