A Taste of Nice Comes Home: Le Bistrot de JAN Opens in Cape Town This December
Get ready to mark your calendars, Mother City foodies! The culinary scene at the V&A Waterfront is about to get a major upgrade with the much-anticipated opening of Le Bistrot de JAN at the InterContinental Table Bay Cape Town. Building on the success and playful spirit of its sibling in Nice, France, this new South African outpost from Michelin-star chef Jan Hendrik van der Westhuizen is set to open its doors on December 5, 2025.
Indulgence, Nostalgia, and Naughty Martinis
This isn’t just another restaurant—it’s a homecoming and a joyful marriage of South African and French flair.
Le Bistrot de JAN is an ode to classic French bistro culture, but viewed through Jan Hendrik’s distinctly refined yet playful lens. Think of it as a younger, more relaxed sibling to his other acclaimed establishments. It’s a place to lose yourself in a moment, whether you’re sneaking in for a solo daytime lunch with a “naughty martini” or soaking up the warm glow of early evening with live jazz in the background. It’s about easy elegance, connection, and savouring the small moments that make life delicious.
Unlike other JAN spots, this bistro leans into a smaller, à la carte menu. You can expect consistent, delightful meals without the formality of a tasting menu—just luxurious comfort food and a fantastic wine list celebrating local and French gems.
“Cape Town has an amazing energy… it feels only fitting to bring the youthful spirit of Le Bistrot de JAN home for a full-circle moment, a homecoming filled with flavour, joy and pride in our South African roots.” — Jan Hendrik van der Westhuizen
The Dream Team: Edwards Joins Van der Westhuizen
To bring this vision to life, Jan Hendrik is teaming up with a local legend: acclaimed Executive Chef Giles Edwards, celebrated for his work at the award-winning La Tête.
Chef Edwards will lead the kitchen, working closely with Jan Hendrik and JAN Group Executive Chef Andrea Pick to craft an evolving menu. The dishes will be rooted in the timeless charm of classic cuisine from the south of France, but beautifully reinterpreted with a distinctly South African sensibility. It’s the JAN philosophy you know and love, but infused with the vibrant energy of Cape Town.
“Jan and I share an appreciation for honest cooking steeped in nostalgia and a deep connection to where we come from… We are creating a space that balances elegance with authenticity, where flavour, generosity and intention guide every detail.” — Chef Giles Edwards
The V&A Waterfront—an iconic, bustling meeting place for locals and visitors alike—is the perfect backdrop for this new culinary chapter. The space itself, which has recently undergone a major transformation, will echo the vibrant, European port city feel of the Nice location, but framed by the magnificent Atlantic Ocean and Table Mountain.
Le Bistrot de JAN Cape Town officially opens on December 5, 2025. Stay tuned for reservation details, though walk-ins will also be welcome!
