South Africa is an absolute foodie heaven. The mix of African, Indian and European culture has created an eclectic mix of cuisine that spans the country. This and the strong service culture that is present has led to the establishment of ultra-high-end restaurants that rival the best in the world. Many of these establishments are in the winelands of the Western Cape and several in the boutique tourist town of Franschhoek. In my approximately 20 visits to the town over the last decade, I would say I’ve only managed to visit half of them.
It’s hard to narrow down “the best” and in all honesty I can count on one finger the “not great” meal that I have had in town over the years, but my personal favourite is Foliage in Franschhoek. Led by South African “Celebrity Chef” Chris Erasmus, the unique restaurant breaks away from the other 5 Star establishments by offering an ever-rotating menu of locally sourced “foraged” ingredients. With a strong sustainability vibe, the focus on Vegan foods is noticeable but not dominating. That said, as somebody who does enjoy heavy meats, this is the only restaurant where I will proactively search out meat-free options as there is a genuine effort to make them unique. Veggies aside, the meat and seafood dishes are also excellent and offer unique game prepared in a variety of styles. The menu changes on a very high frequency depending on the availability of produce so each visit is different. Not being able to read a menu before visiting is a bit of an oddity in the internet age, but it’s actually quite nice to make a decision on the spot!
The restaurant itself is on the main street of Franschhoek and easily walkable from the town’s hotels and guest houses. There is inside or balcony seating and the open kitchen helps to provide an airy, non-pretentious vibe. There is also an attached art gallery.
The menu format has changed over the years from being traditional a la carte to course based. This allows for multiple courses to be selected with several options available for each. The restaurant also offers a wine pairing or the option to select a bottle (/s) from the wine list. Like most restaurants in SA, it’s very reasonably priced and the right side of the menu can be largely ignored. Multi-course meals with wine can be enjoyed for under $75 which is quite difficult for an Australian to fathom, especially considering the extremely high standard of food and service. When presenting a South African package to clients, we will include a reservation at Foliage as, in my view, it is an experience that cannot be missed.
Visit https://www.foliage.co.za for reservations or Contact Us
Updated September 2021
With a heavy heart, I can report that Foliage was yet another victim of the pandemic. It’s almost impossible to comprehend that we’ll never experience this amazing restaurant again, however wish Chris and the team all the best for their future endeavours.
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