In the small village of Franshoek, an hour’s drive from Cape Town, there is the best restaurant on the continent. Epice lives up to its name since it is an establishment that offers flavors from the four corners of the world.
With its 17,000 inhabitants, Franshoek is known for its gastronomy and wine specialties. Nestled in the middle of the vineyards, it also houses the best restaurant in Africa.
seasoningswhich opened its doors in 2019, was recently awarded at the World Culinary Awards which were held in Dubai.
The chef regularly travels abroad, in search of inspiration, but without excluding his own Malaysian roots. “It is very important for me to use flavors from elsewhere and combine them with those of Cape Malay cuisine, which has its origins in India”says chef Charne Sampson.
A boon for local tourism
seasonings offers four set menus, two of which are vegetarian. Each of them has between eight and eleven dishes. Among the flagship recipes, there is the breadboard with beef juice. A cumin and sweet potato roll whose flavor is enhanced by spices, Ethiopian-inspired.
In 2020, Epice won the title of best new restaurant in Africa at the World Culinary Awards, just one year after its opening. The success of Franschhoek’s restaurants is a boon for tourism.
Choosing a name French for this renowned establishment is not insignificant, it is a nod to the origins of the founders of the village of Franshoek, French Protestants fleeing persecution.
