Col'Cacchio Franschhoek — Restaurant in Stellenbosch Local Municipality

We spent a few days in Franschhoek recently (March 2025) and were blown away by the manager at Col'Cacchio FH! Armando goes above and beyond at his branch and should definitely be a franchisee and not a manager! We are yet to see a manager of a chain act so humbly and yet greet (non) regulars with such enthusiasm and treat his staff with such respect but with a firm and strong presence. After we had been just once for a pizza, he asked us the following day if we enjoyed our pizza (how did he even know with the amount of foot traffic there!). We watched as it started to drizzle the following day and he got stuck in with moving cushions from the rain as the staff were running around with orders, etc. We were amazed that when my husband stood up and began walking to ask for more ice, Armando saw him from the corner of his eye and without even looking at him requested the waiter to send ice to us straight away (uncanny). This man is not just an asset to the brand but an absolute superstar! Whatever he is being paid, double it now, give him shares and an option to become a franchisee before he is scooped up by another big brand. This is an absolute true review and we do not know Armando or anyone else in the company. Feel free to reach out here if any further comment or testimony is required. FIVE STARS, HANDS DOWN. Wendy...

Visited Col'Cacchio yesterday evening for some lunch. They have a nice open area outside to sit, with a view of the main street. Nice music playing in the background. Col'Cacchio has quite a large menu to choose from. I usually get one of their pizzas. This time round I tried their selection of pasta. I tried The Pollo pasta with fettuccine. Tasted really good with, shredded chicken and a basil tomato pesto. My partner tried the Blu Formaggi, which have a very creamy taste from the Italian blue cheese that is in it. Our server Sinazo, took really great care of us from sit down to suggesting a dessert . Now on the dessert. A must try is the Crostata with salted caramel sauce. This is so nice!!! Crispy biscuit with sweet caramel sauce to dip in. Round that off with a nice Durbanville Hills Chardonnay and some coffee and you are set for a great evening. Well worth the visit. Prices are in the mid range, but the quality of the food and service...

Reading through the other reviews, I see we share the common grievance of poor service or slow service.

I have visited this restaurant many times, I love the location, the venue and the food is good.

Yet the service is much to be desired, which is bad for a location of a restaurant in one of South Africa's top tourism towns.

We had to search out out waiter and ask to be served after being seated for approximately 15 minutes as a near empty restaurant.

The other tables - as seen in other reviews - still had dirty plates and glasses and were left like that.

There is also a play area that is supposed to be available for patrons children, however it was completely occupied by children from 6 to 17 years who were not with any patron of the restaurant.

I have previously enjoyed my visits there, but would rather support somewhere else upon my next visit to Franschoek.

Which is sad, because I really look forward to Col'Cacchio...