Fast Facts

Restaurant name: Epice

Address: 2-14, r45, Franschhoek, 7690

Phone number: 021 492 4044

Opening Times: Monday closed; Lunch Friday to Sunday 12noon to 2pm; Dinner Tuesday to Sunday 6pm to 8.30pm

Average price of a main course: A 13.5% service charge will be added to your bill. Prices of the menus are subject to change. The Reduced Spice Journey R1095 per person; The Reduced Vegetarian Spice Journey R1095 per person; The Full Spice Journey R1595 per person; The Full Spice Vegetarian Journey R1595 per person.

Corkage: No BYO

Parking Situation: Secure parking on site.

Food Type: Fine-dining

Food

Epice is a wonderful eating experience that certainly fits the bill of fine-dining. Service is world class and the front of house team never misses a beat. Beautiful full-of-flavour food makes this a wonderful jewel in the food landscape of South Africa.

 

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The highlight of the menu, put together by head chef Charné Sampson and her team, is the bread course. Simply because it hits all the marks – a touch of nostalgia and a dish that surprises you with many flavours. The balance of spices were off in some of the dishes; It was either too hot, too one dimensional, or a bit confusing. One must acknowledge though,  that precision is definitely the driving force behind this eating experience. Seasonality on the menu is good but perhaps a bit more focus on locally sourced ingredients and celebrating unique South African ingredients will make it a full round experience. Our floral kingdom offers a wide selection of spice alternatives from within our own borders, why not use them? This experience is definitely value for money, and opting for a reduced tasting menu is more than what you need. Set in the iconic food capital of Cape Town Franschhoek, this is a must visit restaurant if you enjoy spicy flavours in many forms.

 

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Drinks

The Wine list does not disappoint, with enough options for high to low budget diners. A nice selection of local wines, spirits and beers makes this wine list what one would expect when visiting an establishment such as Epice.

 

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Service

Service is professional, and guests are well attended to by several staff members. Meeting the chef table side as the bread course is presented makes this eating experience so much more joyful.

 

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Ambience

The interior of Epice is all done in shades of brown. Modern use of table lamps and soft ambient lights adds to the warmth of the restaurant. Creating the feeling of sitting in a spice shop/spice box.

Modern furniture and clean tables set the tone for the food to come. Modern lounge music offers the diner a feeling of a contemporary restaurant, although, one does wish for a bit of colour. When dining in the evening , guests would miss the picturesque garden view while eating. The greenery from the garden definitely adds to the ambience of the eating experience during the day though.

 

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Eat Out critics dine unannounced and pay for their meals in full. Read our full editorial policy here.