The combination of good food, great wine and time out in breath-taking countryside is a formidable recipe for relaxation. It’s no wonder then that the tiny town of Franschhoek has earned the well-deserved reputation as the Epicurean Capital of South Africa. This charming French provincial-style town, tucked away at the foot of the Groot Drakenstein mountains, is South Africa’s self-proclaimed gourmet capital, and with good reason. The Tasting Room at Le Quartier Francais consistently ranks amongst the World’s 50 Best Restaurants but book well in advance as it’s extremely popular.

Unashamedly proud of their Gallic ancestry, the clutch of restaurateurs, retailers and curators in town embrace all things French. Local and celebrity chefs rub shoulders in good-natured rivalry and it’s their willingness to experiment and innovate with menu creation and wine pairings that has greatly enhanced the town’s reputation.

The Huguenot Museum and many boutique wineries are just a stone’s throw from the town’s main street. Overall, there are 43 wineries along the wine trail that produce lovely Loire-style sauvignon blancs, merlots, French-oaked chardonnays as well as bold Bordeaux-style reds, so it's easy to lose yourself in the day.