Franschhoek regular, planning a special trip out, or attending one of the town’s special events like the Bastille Festival? Here’s where to secure bookings using our new app before all the good spots are gone.

The Dining Room at Leeu Estate (Dassenberg Road)

Keen to spend some quiet time with a loved one or charm a business associate? This is the spot. Choose two or three courses before delving into dishes like roast fish with gnocchi and velouté sauce, slow-cooked pork belly with black pudding and Granny Smith apples, and steak tartare with crisps. For the Franschhoek Bastille Festival, there will be a stand outside the restaurant featuring live entertainment and eats like beef croquettes, sticky chicken wings and seafood chowder.

The refined elegance at The Dining Room. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

The Garden Room (Dassenberg Road, Leeu Estate)

Make sure to nab a seat here if only to let the beauty wash over you. Best for a sunny day out with the family, The Garden Room has gorgeous courtyard seating along with a varied children’s menu. Kids can chomp on spring rolls and egg-fried rice or more conventional kiddie fare while adults enjoy dishes like oysters, duck ramen, and prawn cakes with kimchi aioli. For the Franschhoek Bastille Festival, there will be a stand outside the restaurant featuring live entertainment and eats like beef croquettes, sticky chicken wings and seafood chowder.

The inviting décor of The Garden Room. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

Le Petit Manoir (54 Huguenot Road)

Guesthouse and fine-dining restaurant combo Le Petit Manoir is the new kid on the block. The restaurant is headed up by chef Kevin Grobler, who previously worked as the head chef at Jan Hendrik van der Westhuizen’s Michelin-starred restaurant, JAN, in France. You could go for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Dinner features a five-course tasting menu that could star dishes like sweet-potato mousse with black garlic; cured and roasted carrot with goat’s cheese mousse; and whiskey tipsy tart with salted-caramel mousse for dessert. Or indulge in the deli’s offering of freshly baked breads and pastries, imported and local cheeses, and cured meats. The restaurant is scheduled to open on 13 July and will have a stand outside for the Franschhoek Bastille Festival.

Sweet potato mousse with black garlic and mascarpone at Le Petit Manoir. Photo supplied.

Marigold Indian Restaurant (9 Huguenot Street)

At Marigold it might be shorter to answer why not to book a table. However, no corners are cut at this North Indian restaurant. The menu is extensive, covering a range of Indian cuisine from chaat, tandoori dishes and curries to dhal and briyani. The phenomenal stuffed naan in and of itself is worth a booking. Loaded with chilli, coriander, garlic onion and paneer, it’s creamy, fluffy and full of flavour. For the Franschhoek Bastille Festival, Marigold will also be selling wraps and butter chicken samoosas outside the restaurant. Our advice: go early.

A post shared by Marigold (@marigoldleeu) on Jun 14, 2018 at 4:46am PDT

Reuben’s Bar and Restaurant (2 Daniel Hugo Road)

If “It’s Reuben Riffel” somehow isn’t enough of a drawcard for you, consider the globe-trotting nature of the menu at Reuben’s Bar and Restaurant. It features dishes like peppered picanha steak, butter chicken and Vietnamese pho. Enjoy a gin on balmy evenings and sit by the fireplace on chilly ones.

A post shared by Reubens Restaurant and Bar (@reubensrestaurantandbar) on Jul 7, 2018 at 1:27am PDT

Terra Del Capo Antipasti Bar (Anthonij Rupert Wine Estate)

Wine is the name of the game here and, with food this delicious, you’ll linger for hours. Enjoy Protea, Terra Del Capo, Cape of Good Hope, L’Ormarins and Anthonij Rupert wines with dishes like mini lasagne, potato gnocchi with black garlic butter, and carrot and cumin-Boerenkaas arancini. You could also opt for either the Italian cheese and wine pairing, or the charcuterie and shiraz pairing. Bookings are essential.

A selection of dishes at Terra Del Capo. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

You can book at all of these restaurants with a few clicks using the new Eat Out app. Download it now and register to make bookings at restaurants in Franschhoek and around the country.