Information on Franschhoek

South Africa’s Food and Wine Capital

Franschhoek bills itself as South Africa’s Food and Wine Capital – and it’s a claim that’s easily demonstrated.

Settled more than three hundred years ago by the French Huguenots, the Franschhoek Valley produces some of the world’s truly great wines, with spectacular vineyards covering the mountain slopes.

The food culture has drawn some of South Africa’s truly great chefs to the extent that eight of Franschhoek’s restaurants feature in the country’s Top 100.  Here you can expect anything from light meals to world-class cuisine, with the chefs utilising the superb fresh produce from the surrounding valley.  Choose between a huge variety of restaurant options, each presenting its own ambience and style.

Franschhoek with its breathtaking beauty is built on the banks of the Berg River, and lies against a backdrop of the towering Franschhoek and Drakenstein Mountains, a wonderful setting for the village and its vineyards.

Naturally wine is all important here, and, with the wine industry as one of the region’s biggest attractions, you can taste and buy the local products at many of the estates along the Vignerons de Franschhoek Wine Route.

Some estates are open by appointment only, but others have restaurants serving lunches and picnics, and one has an equestrian centre offering wine tasting on horseback.

Franschhoek’s main street is lined with shops and galleries where you will find a treasure trove of antiques, art, crafts and bric-a-brac.  You will also find fromageries, a chocolate factory and coffee shops serving freshly baked confections.  For those feeling more energetic venture into the surrounding countryside for pleasant walks or take a visit to the Forestry Station for hiking, cycling, horse riding and fly fishing.