Deux Lions: An Elegant Restaurant in a Serene Franschhoek Garden

A mountain stream runs through the garden of Deux Lions on La Bourgogne Farm, bringing a spritz of freshness on a hot summer’s day. The terrace tables shaded by oak trees and wide umbrellas have become a favourite haunt since the restaurant opened in March 2022, with locals lured by the serene calm and birdsong of this secluded valley farm just off Franschhoek’s main drag.

Chef Neil Byrne has taken over the kitchen from Nanda Cardoso with a short, adaptable and approachable menu that is pitched exactly right for family and friends seeking that elusive middle ground between Franschhoek’s plethora of fine-dining establishments and casual cafés. Deux Lions is somewhere to relax and kick back, elegant but unpretentious, welcoming to kids and pets: what they describe as barefoot luxury.

Something for everyone

The menu is short and sweet (five starters, four mains), but there’s something for everyone: simply presented and delicious dishes for the no-fuss brigade (think lamb rump with pink peppercorn jus and hasselback potatoes); and more complex plates, to delight the foodies. Starters double as small plates to share – the panko prawns already declared a favourite by locals are now a fixture on the menu. Then there are beautiful charcuterie and cheese platters for the wine-tasting crowd looking for a light lunch.

Showstoppers on our visit were a sumptuous roast cauliflower small plate, with romesco sauce, almonds and a gorgeous black-olive crumb, redolent of smoke and earthiness; and a glorious miso-charred trout main dish, with lemon and mentsuyu-dressed soba noodles, a generous dollop of miso mayo, trout roe, crispy onion shards and charred broccoletti.

Final flourish

We finished with a flourish of flowery sweetness in the rose-and-lemon posset, a play of pastels contrasted by a deep raspberry sorbet, and a temptingly rich chocolate peanut tart with peanut-butter ice cream. Or you can keep things simple with a flaky pasteis de nata and an affogato (espresso shot with ice cream).

A warm and welcoming space

Contemporary, stylish and yet intimate, the indoor dining room is warm with cinnamon-hued walls, comfortable chairs and wide doors opening onto a leafy view of the mountain stream. A slate-tiled fireplace and comfortable armchairs in the adjoining lounge create an appealing, cosy refuge in cooler weather.

It’s a hidden gem in a Franschhoek farm setting that is well worth discovering.

Good to know There’s a short kids’ menu and it’s pet-friendly too.
Opening times Tuesday + Sunday, 11am – 5pm
Wednesday – Saturday, 11am – 8pm (summer)
Contact 021 876 3245, reservations@deuxlions.za.com
Where to find it La Bourgogne Farm, Excelsior Road, Franschhoek
Book through DinePlan

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