The Best French Restaurants in Sydney

We love our bread, we love our butter, and we love just about everything that French cuisine entails. France is arguably THE gastronomic hot spot and, luckily for us, when it comes to French cuisine, Sydney more than has you covered.

An awesome array of bistros, cafés, brasseries and restaurants make it their business to fill us with the best that France has to offer. And the wine lists at these French restaurants are just as delicious as their dishes! 

Arrive hungry and thirsty and be totally satisfied by the best French restaurants in Sydney.

Chez Crix

For those seeking the best French restaurants in Sydney, Chez Crix at The Cricketer's in Surry Hills is a hidden gem. While the downstairs pub caters to the usual crowd, upstairs offers a different world. Chez Crix has cheekily admitted they're not French, but that doesn't mean they can't serve you sumptuous French-style dishes. In fact, head chef Antoine Vassallo and the team make a mean mushroom vol-au-vent that'll kickstart your meal on a high note. Follow it with flavourful mains like the yellowbelly flounder, and wash it all down with delicious wine from Chez Crix's "Piss List" and you're in for a night filled with joie de vivre, a la Chez Crix.

106 Fitzroy Street, Surry Hills

Chez Blue (Image Credit: Steven Woodburn) 

Chez Blue 

Chez Blue is everything you want a French restaurant to be. A bustling hive of activity with incredible dishes being endlessly whisked around the dining room. Cosy booths, banquette seating and mosaic tiling provide the mood whilst the menu delights with dishes curated by Head Chef Mark Williamson (ex-Bistro Moncur). Expect classic French with a fresh spin - tuna tartare and tabasco, peach and tomato dressed in goat's curd and brûléed chicken liver pate. A mostly French wine list tops things off alongside some reworked classic cocktails. 

Sitchu Tip: Don't leave without ordering the ratatouille! It looks just like the one from the Disney film and it tastes incredible. 

599 Darling Street, Rozelle

Parlour

Sitting pretty at the base of Sydney's iconic QT is Parlour, a neo-French bistro, that redefines indulgence right in the heart of the city. Step inside and be transported to Paris with an eclectic selection of wines and classic French fare with a modern twist thanks to head chef Sean Connolly. Standout dishes include the  Escargot with smoked ham, pea purée and garlic butter, the chicken liver parfait and the twice-baked goat's cheese souffle. If you're stopping by for a late bite the Raclette Cheese jaffle is a must.

49 Market Street, Sydney

Bouillon l’Entrecôte

This traditional French bouillon is all about serving up simple, traditional French fare. Make your way up the stairs past a gallery of French posters, an open kitchen, and an enviable cellar. With white tables, banquette seating, and classic French plates, you’ll feel like you’ve stumbled into Paris. Start à la française with a drink or two and hors d’oeuvres from oysters shucked to order, rich soufflé with twice baked Roquefort with confit onion and walnuts, soul-warming soupe a l’oignon or even some buttery escargot.

When mains roll around you’re offered an epic selection of plats principaux from duck Magret with perfectly piped pommes duchesse to rock lobster. The main event, however, is their delicious steaks. Their signature chargrilled sirloin is served with fries, walnut green salads, and their famous secret sauce. Make sure you leave room for dessert, their tarte tatin with delicious, thin ribbons of apple served with house-made mascarpone is one of the best things you’ll try in your life. 

6 Loftus Street, Sydney

Strand Bistrothèque (Photo credit: Parker Blaine)

Strand Bistrothèque

If you’re a French food fanatic, we recommend booking a table at Strand Bistrothèque, stat. As you step off William Street into this low-lit haven, you’ll be forgiven for thinking you’ve stumbled into a chic Parisian dive bar. Everything is impeccable from the tiled floors to the wine list curated by P&V Wine & Liquor Merchant’s Mike Bennie and a swish cocktail list curated by the Maybe Sammy team. But the food, the food is what we’ve been left daydreaming of. You can’t go wrong with a single dish from the exquisite menu but you’d be mad for not ordering the pastry-topped French onion soup and potato galette to start.

Sitchu Tip: Swing by on a Wednesday and settle into a cosy booth as you’re serenaded by live jazz.

99 William Street, Darlinghurst

ChouChou

For a genuine slice of Parisian flair amid the sunny vibes of Bondi, ChouChou is the ultimate destination. This charming and chic eatery tantalises diners with a delectable array of classic French bistro favourites, from the irresistibly mouthwatering croque madame to a transcendent beef tartare. The food is further elevated by an equally impressive drinks selection, thoughtfully curated with wines and beers from both local producers and the owner’s homeland of France. As you step inside, the vibrant French atmosphere infuses the air with an enchanting "je ne sais quoi" vibe that turns each visit into a memorable culinary voyage.

13 O'Brien Street, Bondi Beach

Métisse Restaurant 

Métisse is one of our favourite fine dining restaurants in all of Sydney. As you arrive on Roslyn Street, you’re instantly captivated by the unique interior design and the inventive degustation dishes. Their degustation always offers show-stopping dishes including the Mondrian-esque mosaïque dish served with a rich butter sauce, and their version of duck a l'Orange is perfectly rich and flavourful.

We simply can't rave enough about this wonderful establishment helmed by renowned Chef Opel Khan and his equally impressive daughter Lucinda. While you're there make sure you try the Tarte Tatin cocktail with cavaldos apple brandy, caramel, cinnamon, pear puree, lime juice and cider warming you up from the inside out and the ferociously fresh tarte au citron cocktail - we promise you, you won't regret it!

5-9 Roslyn Street, Potts Point

Charlotte Bar & Bistro

Situated across two stories on Blues Points Road, Charlotte Bar & Bistro is fast becoming the talk of the town. Led by Chef Hiroshi Manaka, whose experience extends to European Michelin-starred restaurants, the bistro holds a unique charm thanks to elements of nostalgic Feng shui and a menu full of French classics and signature cocktails to match. 

139 Blues Point Rd, McMahons Point

Whalebridge

Meet us at the intersection of Paris and the Pacific. What are we talking about? The dreamy harbourside restaurant, Whalebridge with perhaps one of the best addresses on the planet on the edge of the glittering harbour between the Sydney Opera House and the Harbour Bridge.

In an iconic environment but with a playful, relaxed feel, you can sit by the sea knocking back 18-month aged Comte soufflé, Moules Marinieres organic mussels and burnt Basque cheesecake. What could possibly be better than that?

Circular Quay East, Sydney

Loulou Bistro

Lavender Bay's French bistro has quickly become the Lower North Shore's go-to for fabulous French fare. Loulou is a bistro, boulangerie and traiteur. The dishes are recognisable French classics but with a lighter technique. Think crab soufflé omelet, hand-cut steak tartare with potato crisps, rotisserie chicken, pâté en croute and, of course, a glass or two of bubbles!

61 Lavender Street, Milsons Point

Macleay Street Bistro

Open in Potts Point for over 30 years, Macleay Street Bistro is, in many ways, the heart and soul of the Potts Point dining scene. They’re known for their focus on French dining that uses only the freshest local ingredients.

Even though they have one of the best wine lists in Sydney, the Potts Point restaurant is BYO – so break out that fancy bottle of wine you’ve been saving! 

71A Macleay Street, Potts Point

Manon

Say bonjour to Manon, a European-style brasserie from industry veterans who brought us Lola’s. Within one of Sydney’s most iconic buildings, the QVB, a sophisticated menu with elevated brasserie classics.

Inspired by the French, all-day dining style Manon is serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily as well as a light late-night supper service on Friday and Saturday nights. Also inspired by the French are their 400-bottle strong wine list and delicately balanced aperitifs.

Ground Floor, Queen Victoria Building, George Street, Sydney CBD

Porcine

One Old Fitz chef, one former owner of Don Peppino’s and a whole pig walks into a bar… introducing Porcine. Along with P+V Wine and Liquor, Porcine has taken over the former Mickey’s space.

Expect traditional French bistro food but with a twist. Think warm scallop vol au vent with champagne, octopus bariguole and grilled ox tongue au poivre rather than the standard steak frites and duck a l’orange. 

268 Oxford Street, Paddington

L'Heritage

The owners of the beloved Frenchy's Café, have added another restaurant on the water at Chowder Bay. Celebrating the traditional style of French food, L'Heritage serves up everything from Canard a L'Orange and Entrecôte Frites, to Escargot and signature Bouillabaisse. We think that L'Heritage will fast become your new favourite restaurant.

7b Chowderbay Road, Mosman

Bistro Rex

For modern French fare head straight to Bistro Rex. Located in the heart of Potts Point, this chic venue has put a Sydney spin on classic Parisian bistros. Dishes include classics such as french onion soup, steak frites and cheese souffle along with Australian-style dishes like Morton Bay Bug omelette and Cloudy Bay Vongole.

Shop 1, 50-58 Macleay St, Potts Point

Bistrot 916

A neo-French bistro, Bistro 916, has created waves in the Sydney foodie scene. Run by talented trio Dan Pepperell (Restaurant Hubert, Alberto’s Lounge and 10 William Street) has earnt his stripes as a master of Italian and French cuisine, Michael Clift who spent years working in the development kitchen of Heston Blumenthal’s Fat Duck before spending eight years at Rockpool Dining Group and Andy Tyson who will be ensuring delicious drops as the restaurant's sommelier.

The concise one-page menu riffs off French-bistro classics but with an undeniable modern Australian twist. Two standout dishes include the rich and crispy boudin noir spring rolls and the quarts de chaum custard dessert topped with a bitter toffee syrup. For Paris by way of Potts Point, Bistro 916 should be your go-to destination.

22 Challis Avenue, Potts Point

Gavroche Chippendale

Paris meets Sydney at this exquisite Parisian bistro. Transforming an old rum warehouse on Kensington Street in Chippendale’s culinary precinct, Gavroche has become a mainstay among a line-up of renowned restaurants. Classic French dishes are featured throughout, matching an Australian and French wine list.

1/2-10 Kensington Street, Chippendale

Bistro Mosman

Quietly tucked away in the corner of a local Mosman pub, this village gem (formally known as Bistro Moncur) comes oozing with Parisian charm. Sophisticated and refined with a touch of old-school glamour, Bistro Mosman is the epitome of chic, with light-filled interiors, brick archways and ambient lighting. The perfect setting for a decadent banquet français. 

Look forward to a quintessential menu full of classics – all the French favourites are in here, but with a modern Aussie twist. From snails slathered in garlic butter and French onion soufflé gratin, to salmon en croute and succulent steak frites – the fillet with Béarnaise sauce is far too good to pass up. This is gourmet feasting at its finest. Leave room for the cheese plate and matching wines. Because what’s a trip to Pairs without a slab of brie and a large glass of French Bordeaux? 

76 Middle Head Road, Mosman 

Restaurant Hubert

Bunkered down in Bligh Street, Restaurant Hubert is an uber-romantic Parisian post-war style eatery with elegant velvet-draped touches and fringed lamps throughout. Hubert sets expectations high upon arrival – thankfully the food meets them. Fittingly, the wine list is a sight to behold, with an array of tipples available by the glass, half-bottle, or bottle.

15 Bligh Street, Sydney

Frenchie's Bistro & Brewery

This small upscale French bistro-cum-microbrewery, showcases the best of French cuisine, with each dish on their traditional menu,  skillfully complemented by their moreish range of craft beers. 

6-7/61-71 Mentmore Avenue, Rosebery

Bistro Moncur Woollahra

Bistro Moncur Woollahra takes the best of Australian seasonal produce to create fine French food for breakfast, lunch and dinner. From the French onion souffle gratin, to the vanilla crème brûlée, you’ll be completely transfixed by the sensory dining experience at this Eastern Suburbs gem. A curated mix of Australian and French wines fills out the (substantial) wine list, with impeccable pairings happily advised by agreeable wait staff.

116A Queen Street, Woollahra

After more inspo for your next foodie adventure? Check out our deep dive on the best hatted restaurants in Sydney and our round-up of the best cafes in Surry Hills.