Spotlight on Le Bistrot de JAN: French Flair Meets Cape Town Charm

Cape Town’s dining scene is about to get a little more je ne sais quoi. This December, the city welcomes Le Bistrot de JAN, a new chapter from Michelin-starred chef Jan Hendrik van der Westhuizen, opening at the InterContinental Table Bay in the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront.

Set between the shimmer of the Atlantic Ocean and the majestic rise of Table Mountain, the new Le Bistrot de JAN brings the soul of the French Riviera home, blending French bistro culture with the warmth and flair of South Africa. Inspired by its sibling in Nice, the restaurant celebrates life’s little luxuries: the clink of glasses, the hum of jazz, the joy of a perfectly cooked meal.

“It feels only fitting to bring the youthful spirit of Le Bistrot de JAN home,” says Jan Hendrik. “Cape Town has an amazing energy – it’s a homecoming filled with flavour, joy, and pride in our South African roots.”

Unlike its Michelin-awarded counterpart, the Cape Town bistro is all about relaxed refinement. Expect a tight, ever-evolving à la carte menu, honest comfort food with a hint of indulgence, and a wine list that nods to both French classics and South African stars. It’s the kind of place where you might pop in for a cheeky martini and lunch solo, or linger long into the evening as the room glows and the music swells.

At the helm is Executive Chef Giles Edwards, celebrated for his time at La Tête, now teaming up with Jan Hendrik and JAN Group Executive Chef Andrea Pick. Together, they’re creating a menu that bridges continents, rooted in the timeless charm of southern French cuisine, but seasoned with imagination and a distinctly local sensibility. “We’re creating a space that balances elegance with authenticity,” says Edwards. “Flavour, generosity, and intention guide every detail.”

The opening also marks a new culinary era for the InterContinental Table Bay Cape Town, recently transformed but still defined by its signature warmth and sophistication. As Joanne Selby, the hotel’s General Manager, notes, “Le Bistrot de JAN brings home the brilliance of one of South Africa’s own, a place where locals and travellers alike can savour global excellence rooted in our spirit.”

Echoing the buzz of a European port city, yet unmistakably Cape Town in heart and view, Le Bistrot de JAN promises to become the city’s next great meeting place where nostalgia meets modern elegance, and every bite tells a story of homecoming.

Le Bistrot de JAN opens 5 December 2025 at InterContinental Table Bay Cape Town. Walk-ins are welcome; reservations will open soon.