20 Best French Restaurant Sydney Options [2024]

French Restaurants Sydney

Looking for a delicious French meal in Sydney? Look no further! We’ve compiled a list of the 20 best French restaurants in Sydney. From classic bistros to contemporary eateries, these restaurants will have you feeling like you’re dining in Paris. So sit back, relax, and enjoy some of the best French restaurant Sydney has to offer!

1) Bistro St Jacques

Key Service	Serves grass-fed beef steak
Address	6 Pitt St, Redfern, NSW
Website	https://www.bistrostjacques.com.au/
Phone	0478 705 704
Email	info@bistrostjacques.com.au
Operating Hours	Wed: 5:30pm – Late Thu: Lunch 12pm, Dinner 5:30pm Fri: Lunch 12pm, Dinner 5:30pm Sat: Lunch 12pm, Dinner 5:30pm Sun: Lunch 12pm, Dinner 5:30pm

Bistro St Jacques has established a solid reputation for providing honest French cuisine with simple and obvious flavor combinations at unpretentious rates. The two-story bistro has the same “bistrot” atmosphere that you’ll find on Champs-Élysées. The Pièce du boucher accompanied with fresh new potatoes and sauce from the cook is another dish to try, but it might be difficult depending on how fluent you are in French.

Key Differentiators:

• Serves grass-fed beef steak
• Clear and straightforward flavour combinations
• Southern-French cooking-inspired menu

Customer’s Review:

Saturday was our second time eating here, both experiences were fantastic. The food and the wine are outstanding. Gary and Tom are lovely and had such passion for the wine and food. Everything was excellent, I strongly suggest the scallops! The prices are comparable to similar restaurants in Sydney. I hope to dine here again soon. Thanks for a great night!

Catherine Lyons

2) Restaurant Hubert

Key Service	Serves homemade béarnaise sauce
Address	15 Bligh St, Sydney NSW 2000
Website	https://swillhouse.com/venues/restaurant-hubert/
Phone	02 9232 0881
Email	reservations@restauranthubert.com
Operating Hours	Lunch Wed-Sat from 12pm Dinner Mon-Sat 5pm—Late

Restaurant Hubert is a love letter to opulent evenings spent dining out. You’ll be completely enamored with the old-world glitz and grandeur of this opulent French eatery as soon as you walk through their doors and down their magnificent staircase, passing their magnificent piano. Try the pan-fried wollemi duck breast is then over-roasted in a delicious orange sauce for an authentic French dining experience.

Key Differentiators:

• Serves homemade béarnaise sauce
• Delicious pastries
• A perfect blend of the ambience, live jazz and martini’s

Customer’s Review:

Wow! What an amazing experience. Fantastic atmosphere, phenomenal live band, delicious food, beautiful wine and vigilant staff in the age of COVID. Special mention to Mitch who made our evening special and Jackson the manager for a well organized night. Looking forward to my next visit, best restaurant in town!!

tntramzy12

3) Porcine

Key Service	Traditional French cooking techniques
Address	268 Oxford Street, Paddington, Sydney 2021
Website	porcine.com.au
Phone	0423 015 032
Email	bonjour@porcine.com.au
Operating Hours	Friday: 6:00 PM – 11:00 PM Saturday: 6:00 PM – 11:00 PM Sunday: 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM

Traditional French cooking methods, coupled with simple, high-quality ingredients, are the key to Porcine’s success. Their pâte en croûte is also quite well-known. It’s another popular French dish that consists of pâte made from ox tongue and foie gras (duck/goose liver), which is then baked in an oven in a folded pastry shell. While you wait for your main, we suggest starting with a rock oyster starter dish with smoked eel vinegar.

Key Differentiators:

• Traditional French cooking techniques
• Simple, high-quality ingredients
• Expansive menu

Customer’s Review:

On top of the bottle shop, porcine is a head to tail all things pork. This a casual French bistro done well. I first came here before the big lockdown in winter and they had the fireplace going and it’s very romantic. Fast forward to Post lockdown, I came back with a larger group of friends and they all enjoyed the food. Each time I came the dishes are different.

Travis Lum

4) Bistrot 916

Key Service	Authentic French menu
Address	22 Challis Ave, Potts Point NSW 2011, Australia
Website	https://bistrot916.com/
Phone	+61 2 9167 6667
Operating Hours	Daily at 5 PM

Bistrot 916, located in Potts Point, delivers a genuine French experience from their candy pink table cloths to their authentic French cuisine. The menu at this seafood restaurant is overseen by Dan Pepperell, who also runs 10 William St’s Hubert, and Restaurant Hubert. Bistrot 916 has a huge and wonderful wine list, with champagnes, reds, whites, and sparkling from various parts of France such as Burgundy and Chateauneuf-du-Pape.

Key Differentiators:

• French specialties
• Authentic French menu
• Impressive wine list

Customer’s Review:

Great service and flavoursome pallet. Relaxed warm ambiance on all corners of the restaurant with pleasant smiles (with their eyes as they’re all wearing mask:) from the staff. This place will suit any occasion and looks like it’s pet friendly as well. Well done guys, keep up the good work.

Moyu Fangshi

5) L’Heritage

Key Service	Romantic French ambience
Address	7b Chowderbay rd Sydney, NSW, Australia 2088
Website	https://lheritage.com.au/index.php/menu-copy-2/
Phone	02 9968 1658
Email	info@lheritage.com.au
Operating Hours	Wed-Sun 10AM-10PM

L’Heritage is the ideal French restaurant for a romantic lunch or evening out, against the mystical backdrop of Ripples Chowder Bay and sparkling ocean. The Chowder Bay is a fusion of rich French and Australian history, symbolized by the monument. Escargots are the ideal beginning to your main course. They’re a French classic that feature a plate of snails poached in court bouillon and then roasted with confit garlic and persillade butter on slices of baked baguette.

Key Differentiators:

• Romantic French ambience
• Friendly staff
• Beautiful country town aesthetic 

Customer’s Review:

Super authentic Parisian interior decor. Yummy food and fast and friendly service! Will definitely come again!

bbg smitten

6) Felix

Key Service	Elegant interior
Address	2 Ash Street, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Website	https://merivale.com/venues/felix/
Phone	+61 2 9114 7303
Operating Hours	Mon-Fri12:00 pm – 10:30 pm Sat 5:30 pm – 10:30 pm

Felix, a contemporary French seafood restaurant in the heart of Sydney City, is one of the finest methods to enjoy Parisian cuisine without traveling to the city. The interior of the restaurant is lovely, with French-imported chandeliers, a wine room, beautiful white linen tables and the appetizing scent of baguette baskets.

Key Differentiators:

• Outstanding desserts
• Elegant interior
• Serves freshly baked baguettes

Customer’s Review:

Great ambience, excellent service,nice cocktail and amazing food. I’ve been to this place many times over the years and enjoyed it every time. A little bit pricy but definitely worth it. Please leave room for desserts, which will make the grand finale for the night. Highly recommended.

Anna Lynn

7) Gavroche

Key Service	Serves 24 month-aged Gruyère de Comté cheese
Address	Level 1, The Old Rum Store, 2 – 10 Kensington St, Chippendale NSW 2008
Website	https://gavroche.com.au/
Phone	+612 9281 6668
Email	reservations@gavroche.com.au
Operating Hours	Wednesday: 5pm to 10pm Thursday: 5pm to 10pm Friday: 12pm to 10pm Saturday: 12pm to 10pm Sunday: 12pm to 10pm

Gavroche, a little restaurant tucked away in Chippendale’s Spice Alley, is another strong contender for one of the city’s finest French eateries. Gavroche is a distinctive method of gracefully conveying the elegance of traditional French cuisine. You will be head over heels in love with Gavroche as soon as your first course arrives.

Key Differentiators:

• Serves 24 month-aged Gruyère de Comté cheese and truffle
• Has traditional crêpes suzette flambées
• Nicely decorated space and warm atmosphere

Customer’s Review:

Amazing food! Best duck confit I’ve ever had. So flavoursome and tender! Snails were delicious as well. Service was friendly and impeccable!

Rebecca Bui

8) Bistro Rex

Key Service	Tasty cocktails
Address	Shop 1, 50-58 Macleay St., Potts Point, NSW 2011
Website	https://bistrorex.com.au/
Phone	+61 2 9332 2100
Email	hello@bistrorex.com.au
Operating Hours	DINNER 7 DAYS A WEEK Dinner: Monday to Sunday from 5.30pm. LUNCH: FRIDAY TO SUNDAY Lunch: Friday to Sunday from 12pm.

Bistro Rex, on the other hand, is a French and modern Australian fusion, with dishes that will appeal to both purists and casual eaters. Oysters or their luscious pissaladiere, which is a tiny French pizza covered in caramelised onions, anchovies, and black olives, are two excellent ways to start your day.

Key Differentiators:

• Beautiful rich French flavours
• Tasty cocktails
• Serves the classic steak frites

Customer’s Review:

Absolutely stunning Sunday lunch experience and bonus points to the staff for their hospitality and service. Bistro Rex just rocketed into my top 5 restaurants in Sydney for classic high quality food and service. I’m rebooking already.

Adam Tulich

9) Manon Brasserie

Key Service	Culinary selection of French classics
Address	Queen Victoria Building, 55/455 George St Sydney
Website	https://manonbrasserie.com.au/
Phone	(02) 9051 2008
Email	bookings@manonbrasserie.com.au
Operating Hours	Mon-Fri 7am until late, Sat & Sun 8am until late

Manon Brasserie is a new French brasserie located in the Queen Victoria Building. The ambience of the restaurant takes you back to old-world Franco charm with its red leather banquettes, brass and aged bronze accents, warm timber furnishings, mirrored surfaces, marble bar, and retro tiling. Chef Thomas Boisselier, who was born in France, leads the kitchen team. The restaurant offers takeaway, breakfast, lunch, and dinner services, as well as being open late on Friday and Saturday nights for supper.

Key Differentiators:

• Curated wine lists
• Eloquent cocktails
• Fresh seafood raw bar 

Customer’s Review:

As if having breakfast here isn’t good enough, I’ve just tried lunch. Absolutely superb. Try it once, you’ll definitely return again and again.

Angus Chisholm

10) Bistro Papillon

Key Service	French dishes in a cosy, romantic space
Address	Bistro Papillon 98 Clarence Street Sydney NSW 2000
Website	https://www.bistropapillon.com.au/
Phone	+61 2 9262 2402
Email	bonjour@bistropapillon.com.au
Operating Hours	LUNCH Tues to Thurs 12:00 TO 14:00 DINNER Tues to Thurs 17:45 TO 22:30 Fri to Sat 17:45 TO 23:00

Ludo and Xavier first met in the UK while frequenting a French bistro called Papillion. They fell in love with the classic French cooking at this restaurant and decided to open their own Australian version of it, paying tribute to their memorable experience. The walls inside are decorated with emblems from their decades of travel and hospitality work, telling the history and story of the venue. The duo derives satisfaction from preparing French classics such as duck confit, beef bourguignon, and escargot with ingredients sourced from France as well as the markets and butcheries of Sydney.

Key Differentiators:

• Serves beautiful French wine
• Lovely ambience
• A romantic restaurant serving French classics

Customer’s Review:

Cute French place in the heart of the city. Only 40 diners or so, so fairly intimate which is great for a small work lunch, and an ideal setting for a meal for two. I had the Snails and Duck. Both were beautifully prepared, and very enjoyable, with side bread to soak up the flavour even more. Service was exceptional. Definitely try this one out.

Joshua Quirk

11) Loulou

Key Service	A focus on lighter French classics
Address	61 Lavender St, Milsons Point NSW 2061
Website	https://loulou.sydney/
Phone	(02) 8000 7800
Email	reservations@loulou.sydney
Operating Hours	Monday 12–11PM Tuesday 12–11PM Wednesday 12–11PM Thursday 12–11PM Friday 12PM–12AM Saturday 8–11AM, 12PM–12AM Sunday 8–11AM, 12–10PM

Loulou’s Bistro, headed by Billy Hannigan (formerly of Bistro Guillaume and Michelin-starred The Ledbury London), provides refreshingly light French classics. For lunch or dinner, you can indulge in a caviar service, hand-cut steak tartare with potato crisps, chicken liver parfait served with warm brioche, classic steak fries, and then finish off sweetly with an apricot mille-feuille or rhubarb soufflé.

Key Differentiators:

• Serves caviar service
• Hand-cut steak tartare
• With great customer service

Customer’s Review:

Every dish we ordered was just delicious. Highly recommend the octopus, dory, the burger, the warm brioche with liver pâté. Oh just everything is great!

Remonda Gabriel

12) Bistro Cocotte

Key Service	Fine French restaurant in a rustic and elegant setting
Address	78 Ramsay Street Haberfield, NSW 2045
Website	https://www.bistrococotte.com/
Phone	02 896 413 01
Email	bistrococotte@gmail.com
Operating Hours	Lunch 12 pm — 2:30 pm Dinner from 6 pm ( 5:30 pm on Fri & Sat)

Even though it may not look like much from the outside, Bistro Cocotte will surprise and delight you at every turn. The owner and chef are Korean-born and has been passionate about French cuisine since he was a child. He spent ten years in France perfecting his skills, earning a degree from Le Cordon Bleu and working in various restaurants throughout the country. His only goal is to provide customers with a truly French experience – something that he Is very dedicated to delivering successfully..

Key Differentiators:

• With a focus on rich, complex flavours
• Stylish classic French restaurant
• Serving highly authentic dishes

Customer’s Review:

Came here for lunch a couple of times with work colleagues. And wow! This restaurant never disappoint! Their quality of food is amazing! Highly recommend this French restaurant whenever you are nearby! Their food and service were impeccable! Worth a try!

Alice Noogen

13) La Renaissance Patisserie And Cafe

Key Service	French-designed cakes and glazed treats
Address	47 Argyle Street, The Rocks Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia
Website	https://larenaissance.com.au/
Phone	61 2 9241 4878
Email	orders@larenaissance.com.au
Operating Hours	Monday – Sunday: 8am – 4pm (coffee machine closes 3.30pm)

La Renaissance in The Rocks and Waterloo, open since 1974 and operated by the same family throughout its existence, has a clear French theme. Its sharp interior gives you the feeling that you’re shopping for jewellery on the Champs-Elysées rather than browsing an array of beautifully designed cakes and sweet treats.

Key Differentiators:

• Wide selection of French pastries and desserts
• A family-run business with over 40 years of experience
• Stylish and minimalist interior design

Customer’s Review:

My favourite French patisserie in Sydney. Absolutely love the pastries and cakes, and the coffee is nice as well. They have the best almond croissants and macaroons I’ve ever had in Sydney. Cakes are creative and the flavours are well-balanced. The whole cakes can be ordered in different sizes and at very reasonable prices. This is my top 1 place to go for birthday cake orders.

Anna Lynn

14) The Strand Bistro

Key Service	Casual French restaurant
Address	99 William Street Darlinghurst, NSW, 2021
Website	https://www.strandhotel.com.au/bistro
Phone	(02) 9068 8527
Operating Hours	Daily 10AM–Midnight

The Strand Hotel, located on the corner of William and Crown Streets, has been around for almost a century. It’s recently gone through some changes though, now inspiring Paris in the Belle Époque with its multi-level design. If you’re looking for a casual French meal, then be sure to check out the ground-floor bistro.

Key Differentiators:

• Inspiring Paris in the Belle Époque with its multi-level design
• The ground-floor bistro is perfect for a casual French meal
• Features a menu of classic French dishes with a modern twist

Customer’s Review:

Honestly some of the best Bistro food I’ve had in Sydney. Wonderful restaurant/environment and has incredible service too. Their recent renovation was really well done. The food was first class. Perfect flavours. In our group, every plate was cleaned and everyone loved it! Definitely make it to dessert.

Nick Park

15) Whalebridge

Key Service	French bistro and bar
Address	8 & 10 East, NSW 2000
Website	https://whalebridge.com.au/
Phone	(02) 9000 7709
Email	info@whalebridge.com.au
Operating Hours	Monday – Sunday | 12pm ’til Late

If your dream of France is less Paris and more Côte D’azur, Whalebridge’s million-dollar harbour views are definitely for you. This new spot is nestled near the sails of the Sydney Opera House with a spectacular view of the Bridge. The kitchen is led by executive chef Will Elliot, who counts Restaurant Hubert, Melbourne’s iconic Cumulus Inc, and ST JOHN in London on his resume. The food follows a fuss-free ethos, with Elliott serving up playful French dishes and plenty of seafood—an intersection of Paris and the Pacific Ocean, if you will.  

Key Differentiators:

• Perfect for those who want a Côte D’azur experience
• Stunning views of the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge
• Fuss-free French dishes from executive chef Will Elliot

Customer’s Review:

Beautiful food, sitting on the Dock of the bay drinking wine and eating food. Lovely lovely lovely. I had the Chateaubriand cooked medium rare. I thought it was all reasonably priced for a tourist trap. Worth stopping by and having a bite to eat in the sunshine.

Rob Murdoch

16) Bronte Road Bistro

Key Service	Intimate French neighbourhood restaurant
Address	282 Bronte Rd, Waverley 2024
Website	https://bronteroadbistro.com.au/
Phone	(02) 9389 3028
Operating Hours	Tuesday to Sunday from 5.30pm

Their philosophy “comme à la maison” means “feel like home”, and they tell us that they “try to bring as much of Provence to Sydney” as possible. The menu features recipes derived from their grandmothers’ cooking like a lavender crème brûlée and a duck breast with homemade Provençal gnocchi. On Tuesdays, they do bottomless raclette, which means an all-you-can-eat mountain of liquid cheese over veggie or meat offerings that are just as indulgent as they sound. Go with the classic French onion soup to start, you won’t be disappointed.

Key Differentiators:

• Comme à la maison philosophy
• Features recipes from their grandmothers’ cooking
• Offers bottomless raclette on Tuesdays

Customer’s Review:

I had such a lovely experience here! The service was wonderful and the food was absolutely amazing. I ordered the french onion soup to start, and it was so flavourful and comforting.

Jenn

17) Bouillon l’Entrecote

Key Service	Traditional, spacious French restaurant
Address	6 Loftus Street Sydney 2000
Website	https://lentrecotesydney.com.au/bouillon/
Email	resv@bouillonlentrecote.com.au
Operating Hours	Monday to Saturday Lunch: 11:30am to 2:30pm Dinner: 5:30pm to 10pm

Steak frites is the specialty dish at this two-level French bistro located in downtown. In addition to Gallic standards, an impressive wine list with selections from Burgundy, Champagne and Rhone Valley wine regions is available.

Key Differentiators:

• Serves traditional French cuisine
• Amazing quality Sirloin Steak
• Crispy homemade french fries

Customer’s Review:

The food here is incredible. Probably the best French cuisine I’ve had. We really liked Hubert, but this place was next level. The service was also excellent.

Mark Sedhom

18) Macleay St Bistro

Key Service	Elevated French cuisine
Address	73A Macleay St, Potts Point NSW
Website	https://macleaystbistro.com.au/
Phone	02 9358 4891 0484 503 497
Operating Hours	LUNCH: 6 days from 12:30pm (closed for lunch on Wednesdays) DINNER: 7 days from 5:30pm

If you’re looking to be transported to Paris without hopping on a plane, look no further than this restaurant in Potts Point. With a menu full of French bistro classics and a stately exterior, you’ll feel like you’re dining in the heart of the City of Light.

Key Differentiators:

• Comfy BYOB French restaurant
• Complemented by weekly blackboard specials
• A tasty selection of wines by the glass.

Customer’s Review:

Intimate dining experience. The food is good with all the favourites on the menu, at times like this I wish I had a dining partner to share. I settle for steak frites. It’s a delicious meal, with crispy fries and a delicate salad.

Simon H

19) Franca

Key Service	French and Mediterranean cuisine
Address	Shop 2/81 Macleay St, Potts Point NSW 2011, Australia
Website	https://www.francabrasserie.com.au/
Phone	(02) 9167 2921
Email	hello@francabrasserie.com.au
Operating Hours	Lunch Friday – Sunday from 12pm Dinner Tuesday – Sunday from 5:30pm

Franca’s menu consists of local French food as well as dishes from other Mediterranean regions, such as Italy. The dining room is decorated with art-lined walls and velvet furniture, and the atmosphere is set with a jazz-filled soundtrack.

Key Differentiators:

• Chic brasserie with an expansive bar
• Bold flavours
• Locally-sourced ingredients

Customer’s Review:

Best dinner during my 1-week Sydney trip. Wife & I wanted to dress up a bit to make our trip special, and this was the perfect place for that.

Muhammad Pandu

20) Metisse

Key Service	French-inspired fine dining restaurant
Address	5-9 Roslyn Street Potts Point, NSW 2011
Website	https://www.metisse.com.au/
Phone	02 8590 7698
Email	contact@metisse.com.au
Operating Hours	Tuesday – Sunday : 5:30pm to 11:30pm

Talented chef and restaurateur, Opel Khan, served up amazing food in a beautiful setting with a view of the Kings Cross bustle. The degustation dishes were strongly influenced by Khan’s experience in different top-notch kitchens from around the world but France being his biggest muse.

Key Differentiators:

• Airy, contemporary restaurant 
• Great range of cocktails
• Offers vegan/plant-based menu 

Customer’s Review:

An unmissable experience. The staff? Wonderful. The food? Exceptional. The decor? Spacious and modern.

Mason

French Restaurants Sydney

If you’re looking for a romantic French restaurant Sydney, any of the restaurants we’ve listed would be a great choice. They all offer excellent food, service, and beautiful settings that will make your night unforgettable. So why not try one out tonight?

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