The Best French Restaurants in Melbourne

Whether it's croissants and croque monsieurs or soufflé and sweet sweet camembert, French cuisine is something we will never tire of. Luckily for us, Melbourne is spoilt for choice when it comes to phenomenal French fare. An array of bistros, brasseries and restaurants have made it their duty to provide the best that France has to offer. And of course, the libations at each of these institutions are equally as commendable as their cuisine.

Without further ado, here are the best French restaurants in Melbourne perfect for your next indulgent dinner or leisurely lunch.

Bistrot Bisou

Bistrot Bisou marks the return of celebrity chef Luke Mangan to Melbourne, bringing his touch of French elegance to the chic Hotel Indigo on Flinders Lane. This charming bistro radiates warmth with its leather banquettes, soft golden lighting, and panoramic views of one of the city’s historic streets. Delight in refined classics such as steak tartare, chicken liver parfait, and confit duck leg, alongside wood-roasted poussin with champagne-tarragon butter. Indulge in apple tarte Tatin and vanilla crème brûlée for dessert, paired with a crafted Martini selection and a curated list of fine wines from Australia and beyond.

575 Flinders Lane, Melbourne

French Saloon

Perched above Kirk’s in the CBD, French Saloon triumphantly returned to Melbourne's dining scene back in mid-2023, effortlessly recapturing the charm of a classic Parisian bistro with a captivating modern twist. Featuring elegant white floors, a striking red ceiling, and a genuine bar imported from just outside Paris, it radiates an inviting European charm. The menu offers modern spins on French classics—think duck with cherries, beef with onions, and oysters with caviar—crafted with flair.

Renowned wine expert Jack Brodie curates an impressive list, showcasing French-inspired selections alongside a superb range of cocktails and aperitifs. 

First Floor, 46 Hardware Lane, Melbourne

Wally's 

Tucked away on a tranquil corner in Albert Park, Wally's is a charming retreat for wine enthusiasts, radiating the old-world allure of a Parisian wine bar. Head Chef Damon McIvor’s European-inspired menu evolves weekly, celebrating the freshest seasonal produce. Savour share plates such as flatbread with smoked celeriac butter, oysters, and whipped cod roe on toast, or indulge in hearty dishes like perfectly cooked steak and sumptuous seafood pastas.

Wally's stands out with its impressive collection of rare back-vintage bottles and exclusive auction finds, offering a unique selection of wines that perfectly complements the venue’s enchanting, how you say...je ne sais quoi!

67 Cardigan Place, Albert Park

Le Bar Supper Club

Discover Le Bar Supper Club, a hidden gem that fuses Parisian romance with New York speakeasy flair. This opulent cocktail bar and French-inspired restaurant offers an unforgettable night out by the bay. With its gold-splashed onyx bar, intimate velvet booths, and burnished chandeliers, it evokes an era of luxury and glamour. Mingle in a setting fit for Coco Chanel and Ernest Hemingway as you enjoy a curated menu of exquisite French fare and theatrical cocktails, including Absinthe and Armagnac, alongside a stellar wine selection. For an evening of 1920s elegance, Le Bar Supper Club is Melbourne’s best-kept secret.

12 North Concourse, Beaumaris

Public Wine Shop

Public Wine Shop is a quaint haven with space for just 20, where French-inspired seasonal plates and pastas shine. Think exquisite charcuterie, creamy cheeses, tangy pickled vegetables, rich pâté, crusty bread, and fresh seafood.

The real pièce de résistance, however, is the wine. The shop's walls are adorned with bottles from near and far. Select your preferred vintage from the shelf, and a perfectly chilled counterpart will be brought from upstairs, ensuring every sip is sublime. 

179 St Georges Road, Fitzroy North

Normandy Bar & Grill

Normandy Wine & Grill invites you to a refined yet laid-back French dining experience in Melbourne. This charming new spot strikes a perfect balance between classic French techniques and inventive twists, serving up everything from flawless steak frites to exquisite seafood dishes.

Chef Azem Dzevlan, whose love for French cuisine ignited at local institution, Bistro Thierry, pours his passion into every plate, complemented by a thoughtfully curated selection of wines and cocktails. For a taste of French culinary artistry in a sophisticated setting, Normandy Wine & Grill is simply exceptional.

162-164 High Street, Windsor

Reine & La Rue 

Reine & La Rue, nestled within the majestic 1890s neo-gothic Melbourne Stock Exchange, offers a sublime blend of French sophistication and opulent charm. Here, you can enjoy everything from elegant bar snacks with Champagne to a luxurious three-course feast in a cosy booth. Delight in Eastern Rock lobster cocktail and succulent steak with Bordelaise or café de Paris butter. With a vast selection of French and American wines by the glass and inspired cocktails like a Manhattan or Sazerac, every moment here is steeped in romance and grandeur.

380 Collins Street, Melbourne

Bar Magnolia

Bar Magnolia, a petite French bistro with a focus on natural wines, has swiftly earned its place among Melbourne's finest. This charming neighbourhood gem exudes a beautifully lit, moody atmosphere, perfect for an intimate dining experience. Savour delights such as savoury carrot tarte Tatin, courgette flowers stuffed with scallop and crab in a mint and pea pistou, and indulgent duck and pork terrine. Don’t miss their coq au vin with a ballotine twist. Save room for dessert—whether it's a perfectly crafted mille-feuille or an artfully arranged cheese plate, you won’t be disappointed.

295 Sydney Road, Brunswick

Chancery Lane

Chancery Lane, a French-influenced bistro by Scott Pickett welcomes diners to the historic Normanby Chambers building. Suited for any occasion, from a glass and a bite at the bar to a private dinner party, you can expect classic French and European dishes with a twist. The 100-seater bistro is ensconced in a rich palette of dark green, checkerboard tiling and dark timber, emulating old-world charm and opulence of La Belle Époque. Antique brass and textured gold details are featured throughout.

430 Little Collins Street, Melbourne

Franco Belge

Enjoy the 'joie de vivre' of classic French-Belgian cuisine, accompanied by wine, family, and friends at Franco Belge, in the heart of Camberwell Junction. It'll quickly become clear why it's one of the best French restaurants in Melbourne, for both its relaxed nature and traditional, flavoursome dishes (and for the fact that it's from the combined brain-power of two former France-Soir alums).

Settle in for oysters mignonette, housemade terrine and French onion soup, before tucking into comforting mains like cote de bouef (rib-eye for two) and duck cassoulet, mussels and frites and Poisson du jour (fish of the day). 

9 Evans Place, Hawthorn East 

Tartine

This charming corner restaurant challenges the notion that French food is always rich and heavy. Tartine takes classic dishes and gently modernises them, resulting in the kind of food you could have every day of the week. The menu centres around the tartine, an open-face sandwich that tops toasted sourdough with anything from crab and green apple to pear and roquefort. Ideal for a solo lunch or a light entrée, there’s plenty to explore elsewhere on the menu. Sunlight bathes the airy restaurant during the day, while candles and banquettes create cosiness at night.

105 Swan Street, Richmond

Bistrot d’Orsay

Located inside the Athenaeum Theatre, Bistro d’Orsay has catered countless pre-theatre dinners and post-theatre suppers over the years. The interior is worth the visit alone – adorned with a trompe l’oeil ceiling, vintage posters and white tablecloths, it’ll transport you straight to the bistros of Montmartre. The menu makes occasional forays into its Mediterranean neighbours, meaning you can get both a stunning seafood bouillabaisse and a perfectly al dente seafood linguine here. 

184 Collins Street, Melbourne

Entrecôte 

Melbourne’s much-loved steakhouse Entrecôte has moved to bigger and swisher premises in Prahran, but they’re still doing the same classic cuisine you know and love. The main event is the steak frites, a hefty portion of grain-fed Black Angus steak lathered in buttery tarragon sauce and served with zingy salad and fries. While you can’t go wrong with the house specialty, there’s plenty else to enjoy at this relaxed yet elegant bistro. Snack on lobster gougères and garlicky escargot, dig into a classic cheeseburger and end on a sweet note with lemon tarts and chocolate profiteroles. 

142-144 Greville Street, Prahran

Smith St Bistrot

Smith St is renowned restaurateur Scott Pickett’s take on the storied French bistro. The menu is an ode to the classics, plying guests with luxurious oeufs mayonnaise topped with avruga caviar, garlicky escargot vol-au-vents and king dory fillets with sauce gribiche. The space is equally lush with green velvet, brass chandeliers and antique mirrors, while a spiral staircase leads up a mezzanine and private dining space. For an elegant affair, this is certainly up there as one of the best French restaurants in Melbourne. 

300 Smith Street, Collingwood

Bistro Volière

Located in the foyer of the historic George Hotel, Bistro Volière is a little slice of Paris in St Kilda. True to the traditions of bistro cuisine, they offer à la carte lunches and three course dinners that will have you spooning escargot and gnocchi Parisiènne or savouring truffle tortellini and rich beef bourguinon. The wine list trots around France’s hallowed vineyards from Bordeaux to Chardonnay, before desserts of both the sweet and cheesy variety end the meal on a high.

129 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda 

Mon Ami

If you’ve never tried French-Scandinavian cuisine, make a beeline for Mon Ami in Fitzroy. Small in size but big in heart, their 16-seat capacity means you’ll feel like you’re at an intimate dinner party. Mon Ami’s husband and wife team recreate French dishes with the clean flavours of Scandinavian cuisine, resulting in delights like citrusy scallop ceviche with Finnish pickled cucumbers and sous vide lamb loin in a yoghurt orange glaze. 

144 Nicholson Street, Fitzroy 

Bistro Sousou

Bistrou Sousou (formerly known as Madame Sousou) has been an icon of the Melbourne food scene for nearly 20 years. Throughout that time they’ve never wavered from their mission – classic French food served in a beautiful space straight out of 1920s Paris. Warm light, soft chatter and golden-era décor wraps diners as they tuck into cheese soufflé, coq au vin and apple tarte tatin. There’ll never be any surprises at Sousou, just the greatest hits done well. After all, they’re classics for a reason.

153 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy 

Bar Margaux

Uncover this hidden gem, crafted by the creators of Heartbreaker and The Everleigh. Margaux is a charming basement bar that channels the essence of French brasseries in New York, offering timeless cocktails and whimsical bistro fare well into the night. With vintage-inspired red leather banquettes, black-and-white subway tiles, and softly dimmed lighting, Margaux creates a captivating escape where time seems to stand still. Indulge in a delightful array of oysters, Champagne, duck frites, fresh fish, and decadent clafoutis for dessert.

111 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne

Philippe

Tucked up the Paris end of Collins Street, acclaimed chef Philippe Mouchel’s namesake restaurant is a must-try for French-loving foodies. It may only be a few steps down off the street, but this cosy basement eatery will have you feeling a thousand miles away. With its open kitchen at the helm, Philippe’s refined menu might read traditional, but the final product is far from played out. Atop crisp white tablecloths you’ll be served exquisite plates of Wagyu beef tartare, seafood bouillabaisse and herbed rotisserie chicken. As for dessert, it's crème brûlée all the way.

115 Collins Street, Melbourne

Bon Ap’

This relaxed French restaurant in Melbourne—part restaurant, part bar, part café—delivers on its promise of bon appétit with flair. Committed to the joy of fine food, Bon Ap’ serve everything from morning croissants to sumptuous three-course dinners. To truly savour their classic menu, gather a group and sample a bit of everything. If you're feeling indecisive, simply say 'feed me' and let the Bon Ap' team guide you through a delectable journey across France.

193 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy

France Soir

An iconic fixture on Melbourne’s dining scene since the 1980s, France Soir is a celebration of Parisian charm nestled in South Yarra. Inside, the vibrant atmosphere and walls adorned with French wines transport you to the city of love. The menu honours classic French cuisine with timeless dishes such as freshly shucked oysters, escargots, steak tartare, and beef bourguignon, all made with the finest Australian produce. For an authentic French experience brimming with joie de vivre, France Soir is Melbourne's definitive destination.

Sitchu Tip: For a truly Parisian touch, enjoy a dirty Martini at one of the sidewalk tables, soaking up the lively ambiance and indulging in a bit of people-watching.

11 Toorak Road, South Yarra

Bistro Gitan

Inspired by the rich and varied flavours of Europe, Bistro Gitan offers a unique culinary journey through Western Europe, with a particular emphasis on French traditions. This warm and welcoming upscale eatery exudes elegance while serving delightful dishes like Tasmanian bush pepperberry parfait and mustard-crusted spatchcock. The experience is complemented by a generous selection of both Australian and international wines and beers. It's casual French dining at its finest.

52 Toorak Road West, South Yarra

Chez Olivier

A staple of Melbourne's foodie scene, Chez Olivier is celebrated for its attentive service and authentic French cuisine. The rustic, welcoming décor provides the perfect backdrop for the food to take centre stage—especially with dishes like creamy seafood bisque and foie gras terrine on offer. Coupled with a generous wine list and an exceptional dessert menu, this beloved French restaurant in Melbourne ensures you'll leave thoroughly satisfied.

268 Toorak Road, South Yarra

Chauncy

Say bonjour to Chauncy, Heathcote’s acclaimed fine dining and one-hatted destination for French-inspired, culinary delights. Step into a warmly welcoming, light-filled, and romantic dining room where the hospitality is as impeccable as the food. In winter, indulge in a hearty menu du jour that brings comfort to the table, while summer’s menu shifts to a lighter yet equally enchanting offering. Expect the finest seasonal produce to take centre stage, with standout dishes like pickled carrots with goat's curd, chicken liver parfait, and succulent lobster paired with warrigal greens and a velvety bisque. 

178 High Street, Heathcote

Bistro Elba 

Experience the French Riviera without leaving Sorrento at sunlit Bistro Elba. Here, you'll indulge in exquisite cuisine from the South of France, with a menu showcasing freshly baked bread, succulent seafood, buttery pastries, and Provençal-style vegetables, all complemented by an extensive wine list.

The space is a feast for the eyes too—tall windows, skylights, and a charming courtyard let the sunshine pour in, while vibrant art lines the walls, perfect for those Instagram-worthy moments.

Whatever you choose, don’t forget to save room for their decadent chocolate éclairs and a selection of fine imported French cheeses. Bon appétit!

100-102 Ocean Beach Road, Sorrento 

Now that you’ve tackled the best French restaurants in Melbourne, continue your gustatory world tour with our top foodie picks, these are the most delicious Japanese restaurants, Korean BBQ, and Italian spots in town.