Bon Appétit! Where To Find The Best French Restaurants in Adelaide

French gastronomy is practically an art form, from indulgently decadent dishes to simple classics with their certain je ne sais quoi. And let’s not forget the mouth-watering wines that are as well-known as some of our own South Australian wine greats.

Adelaide is blessed with a vast offering of multi-cultural cuisines, some of the best French restaurants included. Fast and fresh French bistros, cafés serving up that perfect morning croissant, and dark and moody brasseries for a steak frites like no other.

Here are some of the best spots in Adelaide for an authentic taste of France.

La Louisiane 

Descend to the basement inside a heritage building to discover a moody brasserie dishing up classic French dishes and some of the best martinis in Adelaide. La Louisiane is here for a good time, not a long time, and you'd be remiss to miss out on an evening spent tucked within this gorgeous space, listening to live jazz til late on weekends and indulging in the likes of gruyere soufflé, steak tartare, snails with garlicky herbed butter, a signature burger and fries, and as much steak and frites with Café de Paris butter as your stomach can permit. The world class wine list doesn't hurt proceedings either. Bon appetit! 

Until December 2023

89 King William Street, Adelaide  

Delicatessen Kitchen + Bar 

Dining at an understated bistro like Delicatessen Kitchen + Bar is almost as great a pleasure as a sojourn to Paris. One of the best French restaurants in Adelaide, Delicatessen is bistro dining matched with the relaxed SA setting - and the result is c'est magnifique! For lunch, settle in for a classic salad Nicoise, or try their twist on the Caesar salad, made with crispy duck leg. Keep toasty with their delicious serving of French onion soup, or spend time drooling over their Croque Madame. A more extensive and elaborate menu is offered at dinnertime; bouillabaisse, anyone? 

12 Waymouth Street, Adelaide

Prayer For The Wild at Heart

Go for modern brasserie fare at Prayer For The Wild at Heart, which will take you from breakfast right through dinner. The globetrotting menu at this excellent French-inspired restaurant in Adelaide spans everything from duck and leek terrine with pickled cumquats, flat-iron steaks with Cafe de Paris butter and market fish of the day. We also recommend spending an afternoon here sipping special reserve wines from France and beyond, sampling tasty snacks, and watching the last rays of sunshine dapple into dusk within this beautifully designed venue. The space is suited to everything from casual catch-ups to an intimate dinner - we can't get enough! 

44 Hurtle Square, Adelaide 

Hey Jupiter

Take a seat in a Parisian café al fresco setting, tucked away in the charming corners of Ebenezer Place and soak up the atmosphere of Hey Jupiter. 

Start your morning with a petit dejeuner of coffee and croissant or ‘au Champagne’, or take your pick of French favourites when dining at any time of the day. There are oysters, saumon fume and croque monsieur on offer for a mid-afternoon feed, and plats/mains of steak frites, joue de boeuf a la bourguignonne and poisson du jour for late night feasting. 

11 Ebenezer Place, Adelaide

Garcon Bleu

Immerse yourself in 1920s Parisian elegance and glamour, right in the heart of Adelaide, all for the love of good food and wine. Garcon Bleu welcomes those who are hungry for a taste of French gastronomy with a side of award-winning interiors, sat on level 9 of Adelaide’s 5-star luxury hotel, the Sofitel Hotel. 

Head Chef Gianni Delogu brings an innovative menu bursting with fresh and bold French flavours, following his previous work in Michelin star restaurants across the UK, Europe and Asia. The Rapide menu is perfect for a quick lunch without compromising quality, with the A La Carte menu for those wanting to savour every last bite.

Signature High Tea, special events and masterclasses to experience, including a 90-minute Wine & Cheese Masterclass.

Level 9, 108 Currie Street, Adelaide

Madame Hanoi

A reflection of the continued European influence found in Saigon following the French conquering in 1859, Madame Hanoi showcases the fusion of Vietnamese and French cuisine in a harmonious and delicious style.

Delve through a menu designed for a shared experience and feast on plates of grilled scallops, seared tuna, bao buns and favourites such as pork belly san choy bow. Their drinks menu will also tempt you to try something new, with everything from classic martinis, signature G&Ts and mocktails to a range of beers, spirits and wines.

Sky City, North Terrace, Adelaide

La Buvette Drinkery

Dreaming of Parisian late-night café and cocktail culture? Situated just a step away from Adelaide’s bar district of Hindley and Bank Street, La Buvette oozes French style, with its deep blue interiors, low lighting and large blackboards stating their natural wine selections. Begin your evening with an aperitif, get your fill of classic French dishes from escargots to charcuterie and finish up with an expertly curated cocktail. C'est magnifique!

27 Gresham Street, Adelaide

Herringbone Restaurant

Seasonal South Australian produce served in a rustic European style, Herringbone Restaurant has a communal focus that’s rich with culture and warmth. The light, airy and stylish surroundings are brought to life with colourful dishes packed with the freshest ingredients, and the menu changes with the seasons. Spring brings us dishes like applewood smoked ocean trout and French favourite coq au vin, with a zesty brûlée meyer lemon tart for dessert. 

72-74 Halifax Street, Adelaide

Bistro Francais

Adelaide’s King William Road is a haven for food lovers, with dozens of excellent restaurants, cafes and bistros stretching down through Hyde Park, where you'll find Bistro Francais.

With their firm belief that French food shouldn’t be reserved for special occasions only, their doors are open from Tuesday through Sunday to serve us authentic recipes, modern takes and seasonal specials alongside a wine list sourced from many a  French region. Feast on boeuf bourguignon and steak frites, enjoy a light meal of crepes aux champignons, and treat your sweet tooth to a traditional crème brulee.

144A King William Road, Hyde Park

Les Deux Coqs

A setting for every food-mood, venture into Adelaide Central Market and Les Deux Coqs will sort you out. Starting from a passion for their home country’s food, we are lucky enough to have founders Bastien and Katia find a new home in Adelaide, bringing some of the very best of French food with them. You can find authentic French charcuterie, patisserie, viennoiserie (baked goods) and ready to eat products to take home with you (you can even order online). Parfait! 

Stall N°2 Adelaide Central Market, 44-60 Gouger Street, Adelaide

Loving our list of Adelaide’s best French Restaurants and want to discover more top-foodie spots? Check out our guide to the best new restaurants and the finest long lunches in the city.