Restaurant Jan Franschhoek

Tucked into the lavender fields of La Motte Wine Estate in Franschhoek, Restaurant Jan Franschhoek offers a dining experience that feels more like an intimate gathering than a conventional night out. Created in collaboration with Michelin-star chef Jan Hendrik van der Westhuizen, this seasonal food and restaurant destination in the Cape Winelands brings South African hospitality, storytelling, and terroir-driven cuisine together around one communal table. Set in a lovingly restored 19th century farmhouse, the restaurant welcomes guests into a space where every detail, from the décor to the pacing of the evening, is carefully considered. Diners join locals and visitors from around the world for a limited-time pop up restaurant experience that celebrates the flavours and stories of South Africa. Small, focused and seasonal, Restaurant Jan Franschhoek is designed for guests who value atmosphere, narrative and sense of place just as much as what arrives on the plate. With a dedicated team led by Head Chef Lara van Heerden and a tight-knit front of house, the restaurant offers a communal dining format that encourages conversation, connection and shared discovery. Whether you are a serious food lover touring the Franschhoek restaurant scene or a traveller seeking a memorable evening in the Cape Winelands, this La Motte destination is crafted as a once-in-season experience rather than an everyday reservation. ## Services & Specialties At the heart of Restaurant Jan Franschhoek is a seasonal tasting menu that showcases South African ingredients and heritage dishes in a refined yet generous way. Guests enjoy a set progression of courses, often highlighting traditional flavours and festive favourites in a fresh, thoughtful interpretation. The menu is paired with curated wines from La Motte and the broader Cape Winelands, with each course designed to tell part of a larger story about the region and its culinary roots. The restaurant operates as an exclusive culinary event, with a limited number of seats available at a long, shared table. This communal dining experience is one of the defining features of Restaurant Jan Franschhoek, inviting guests to engage with fellow diners, share impressions of each course and immerse themselves in the narrative that unfolds throughout the evening or Sunday lunch. The setting in the middle of La Motte’s lavender fields, combined with the farmhouse interior, adds a sense of intimacy and escape that is difficult to replicate in a traditional city restaurant. For those planning something special, Restaurant Jan Franschhoek also offers exclusive reservation of the entire space for private groups, up to a set maximum number of guests. This option is ideal for milestone celebrations, intimate corporate gatherings or destination events where the full focus is on one party enjoying the complete JAN Franschhoek journey from start to finish. ## Why Choose Restaurant Jan Franschhoek - Distinctive pop up concept: A limited-time, seasonal restaurant on La Motte Wine Estate, offering a rare opportunity rather than an everyday booking. - Communal table experience: One long shared table that encourages interaction between guests from South Africa and abroad, creating a social and memorable atmosphere. - Story-driven South African cuisine: A set tasting menu that honours local traditions, ingredients and food memories while presenting them in a curated, multi-course format. - Lavender field farmhouse setting: Dining in a 19th century farmhouse surrounded by lavender in the Franschhoek Winelands, combining history, nature and design. - Tight-knit, hands-on team: A small, visible team both in the kitchen and front of house, offering attentive, personal service that feels relaxed rather than formal. - Ideal for special occasions: From anniversaries to destination trips through the Western Cape, the restaurant is designed as a once-in-a-season highlight. ## Location & Accessibility Restaurant Jan Franschhoek is located on La Motte Wine Estate in La Motte, Franschhoek, in the heart of the Cape Winelands. Surrounded by vineyards, mountains and lavender fields, it sits a short distance from central Franschhoek and is easy to reach by car from Cape Town and other Winelands towns. Guests typically meet at a designated point on the estate before being taken to the farmhouse, which forms part of the carefully staged experience of arriving at this intimate restaurant in La Motte. ## Get in Touch To experience Restaurant Jan Franschhoek for yourself, advance reservations are essential due to limited seating and seasonal operation. Check current dates, availability and booking details via their official channels, and secure your place at the communal table for an evening or Sunday lunch in one of Franschhoek’s most atmospheric dining settings.