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Eighteen seats. One long table. A gorgeous cottage set amid lavender fields. And a multi-course menu by Michelin-starred chef Jan Hendrik van der Westhuizen.
You guessed it... JAN Franschhoek is back.
This hugely popular seasonal dining experience returns to La Motte wine estate in Franschhoek this spring, marking the fifth year running for what has become one of the most sought-after pop-up dining experiences in the Cape Winelands.
As in previous years, JAN Franschhoek sets up in the 18th-century Veepos cottage, hidden away among the lavender fields of La Motte, with all 18 diners seated around a single communal table decorated in Jan’s signature maximalist style.
Season V will see Van der Westhuizen once again turn his attention to the South African family table, reimagining familiar flavours, regional favourites and nostalgic food traditions through the lens of contemporary global cooking.
So what exactly will be on the menu? Well, that remains under wraps for now. But expect a proudly local celebration of seasonal ingredients, familiar flavours given an unexpected twist, and plenty of beautifully paired La Motte wines.
How it all works
JAN Franschhoek Season V will run from 4 September 2026 to 30 April 2027. Dinner is served Wednesday to Saturday. Guests meet at the La Motte Manor House at 6.30pm, with dinner beginning promptly at 7pm.
Sundays are a more leisurely affair, with an extended lunch experience. Guests are welcomed to the Manor House from noon, with lunch beginning at 12.30pm.
And the price? I knew you were going to ask that. It’s not cheap, priced at R3550 per person.
But that does include the entire food and wine experience, and – I tried it last year – there's more to eat and drink than you could ever hope to finish. It’s also only R150 more than the R3400 you would have paid last year. Is it worth it? Well, that’s up to you. It’s definitely cheaper than buying a ticket to France to eat at Jan’s Michelin-starred restaurant in Nice, though.
Reservations for September and October are open now, while bookings for the remainder of the season – from November 2026 through April 2027 – will be released on 1 September. Bookings are via La Motte on Dineplan.
With only 18 chairs around the table for each meal, it sells out every year, so if you have your heart set on a food and wine splurge, don’t wait around to book.
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