When your craving pate, steak frites or tarte tatin, head to one of these incredible restaurants serving up traditional French fare in Sydney.
Kittyhawk, CBD
Kittyhawk has reminded us why they should remain at the top of our French dining list with their new menu launch! Nestled down Phillips Lane in the CBD, step off the streets and into a space designed around the Liberation of Paris in 1944. Combining old-world charm with a modern French-inspired menu, an impressive cocktail list and live music every Thursday night, we’d bump Kittyhawk to the top of your date night list. The new menu highlights include Duck Liver Pate with cornichons and tawny port jelly, Steak Tartare with shaved parmesan, Baked Fish Of The Day with lemon crust and spinach, and frites (never forget the frites). Find out more here.
Loulou, Milsons Point
Fresh sourdough, sweet bakery goods, charcuterie and rotisserie chicken. These are a few of our favourite things at Loulou! Head Chef Billy Hannigan serves up French bistro classics in a more approachable way for lunch and dinner. For breakfast, follow your nose to the Boulangerie where you’ll find fresh artisanal baguettes, croissants and batards. There’s also a Traiteur within the venue offering house-made produce and meals to take home. Find out more here.
The Strand Bistro, Darlinghurst
On the ground floor of this newly renovated pub sits one of our favourite, more casual spots to enjoy fine French cuisine. Drawing expressions of turn-of-the-century Paris, The Strand Bistro promises a sense of old-world sophistication without the pretence. Humble steak frites, duck leg pie with mash and gravy, and baguettes with cultured butter sit proudly upon Head Chef Alex Kavanagh’s classic French-inspired menu. Find out more.
Manon, CBD
This French brasserie has opened in the Queen Victoria Building offering punters a refined taste of the European lifestyle whether it’s at breakfast before work, a long lunch or an ambient evening dinner. The decadent menu has been expertly designed by Chef Thomas Boisselier, transporting guests with authentic French flavour by the bucketload. Find out more here.
Porcine, Paddington
P&V Wine Merchants are joined by their upstairs neighbours, Porcine. This French bistro has taken over the former Micky’s Cafe space on Oxford Street, with a duo of hospitality heavyweights at the helm. Porcine is all about good times, great food and delicious wine. Expect a shared-style menu of French bistro classics including Duck Pâté, Garlic Mussels and Grilled Ox Tongue. Find out more here.
Bistrot 916, Potts Point
This French-inspired bistro is the brainchild of hospitality heavyweight Dan Pepperell. You’d probably be familiar with his name from his time at the Swillhouse Group, heading up the culinary direction of Restaurant Hubert and Alberto’s Lounge. The menu is seafood-focused while remaining true to French bistro classics. They’ll be the likes of oysters, steak au poivre, boudin noir spring rolls, and handmade pasta with garlic and snails on the menu. Find out more here.
Restaurant Hubert, CBD
There are countless incredible restaurants in Sydney but none quite like Restaurant Hubert. It’s more than a bar and restaurant, with a 120-seater theatre located in the venue. Head Chef Dan Pepperell is at the helm of the kitchen executing a classic French menu with nods to a past era of fine dining, but there’s no pretension here. Expect French bistro cuisine served in a relaxed, approachable way. Find out more here.
Franca, Potts Point
At the helm of this modern brasserie and bar is Executive Chef Alexis Besseau (ex-Bather’s Pavilion and Est.), whose experience spans Michelin-starred restaurants around the globe including France, Brazil and Switzerland. Diners can expect a menu spanning a variety of cities and regions in France and neighbouring Mediterranean coasts. Find out more here.
Bistrot Rex, Potts Point
For modern French dining at its best, you can’t miss a visit to Bistro Rex. This Potts Point institution delivers Sydney’s version of a Parisian bistro, brimming with French classics and reimagined dishes. Expect everything from French onion soup to steak frites and chicken liver parfait, with an impressive menu of bar snacks and delicious tipples to sample too. Find out more here.
Gavroche, Chippendale
Gavroche is anything but ostentatious. It’s good, honest, French bistro food that’s classic and full of flavour. It’s as if Chef Frenchmen Frederic Colin has taken a French bistro from Paris and planted it in the middle of Sydney. Along with some great French wine and an order of Burgundy snails baked in their shell with parsley and garlic butter, you could easily feel as though you’re in Paris for a one-night holiday. Find out more here.
Bellevue Cottage, Glebe
Bellevue Cottage is located within the heritage-listed building in Glebe and offers delightful waterfront views to relish. The menu showcases Chef Antoine’s refined culinary techniques with a particular French touch on each dish. From pork and chicken liver terrine, confit smoked pork bell and succulent braised beef cheeks, it’s an approachable French-style menu everyone will love. Find out more here.
Now that you’ve got Sydney’s best French restaurants covered, discover Sydney’s best Middle Eastern restaurants!
