The best French restaurants in Sydney

Opportunity doesn’t necessarily knock. Sometimes it pours you a glass of wine and says, “we’ve got a space upstairs you should see”. This is how Porcine, the beautiful, French garret restaurant on Oxford Street came to be. And while you scrape out the last bits of a crème brulee or a chocolate mousse, you’ll already be wondering how quickly your budget and blood glucose levels will let you return.

What to order: Paté en croute with duck, veal, prunes and pistachio.

The Cricketer’s in Surry Hills has long been a pub for the youths and the young at heart. Uni students, skaters, hospo workers – as well as those sniffing out a drink on the way home from the Sydney Cricket Ground. So a French(ish) bistro is quite a departure for the pub’s upstairs restaurant. Though for non-French people, the crew at Chez Crix certainly do a good job of serving up delicious Frenchy food with a big, fat side of joie de vivre. 

What to order: Whole baked NZ yellowbelly flounder with capers, brown butter, parsley and lemon. Oh, and the mushroom vol-au-vent.

Tucked away near the base of the Harbour Bridge in Milsons Point is Loulou, a staunchly French bistro with a few timely twists. Yes, of course, there are the classics of steak frites, mille-feuille and charcuterie made in-house, Champagne in long-stemmed glasses and the ubiquitous baguette. However, where Loulou stands apart from the clichés is a strong line of freshness. It’s French, yes, but French-Lite.

What to order: Smoked bone marrow with soubise and parsley.

To set foot in Franca is to be immediately whisked to the Belle Époque of European fine dining. It’s a veritable masterpiece of panelling, parquet, grand columns, vermillion velvet and old-world ceiling molding. The pièce de résistance, however, has to be the moss-green crescent-shaped booth seating, which is reminiscent of iconic London dining institution, the Ivy. Franca is an exemplary example of opulence without arrogance, a true jewel in Potts Points’ crown. Move over Paris - it’s midnight on Macleay Street.

At Bistro Grenier, Odd Culture exec chef James Macdonald has paid homage to classic French food, serving it up in a setting that’s sophisticated and sexy but also a bit more relaxed and funky than the posh restaurants we tend to associate with French dining here in Sydney. A bistro, after all, is meant to be a casual, comfortable eatery serving simple French food – and that’s what you get from Newtown’s only French restaurant (where weirdos are welcome).

The fact that Bistro Moncur – the classic French restaurant located in leafy Woollahra, which opened its doors to the public back in 1993 – is still open and thriving today deserves, in our opinion, several glasses of Champagne. So, how in the world have they done it? Through good-old fashioned hospitality, care for the local community, and an absolute commitment to sophisticated French cuisine that showcases the very best in Australian produce. Our tip? Finish with the vanilla creme brûlée with lemon.

What to order: Grilled sirloin with Café de Paris butter and fries.

It's all about the atmosphere at Felix, from the floor-to-ceiling tile work (including some saucy frescoes, if you look up) to the bentwood chairs and polished brass. The menu of bistro classics is deceptively simple, but for the most part beautifully executed.

What to order: French onion soup with gruyère toast.

There’s a certain stereotype associated with any fancy ‘grand’ brasserie, especially one where the wine list soars up to $38,000 bottles, the cocktail ice is embossed with the institution’s logo, and the menu throws out phrases like ‘signature caviar service’. For some, that stereotype is ‘pomposity’. The Charles, though, manages to evade the clichés and make fine dining, believe it or not, fun. In fact, they tackle the problem head-on. As their culinary director, Sebastien Lutaud, explains, the team has set out to “celebrate the charm of old-school hospitality without the stuffiness”.

What to order: Russian honey cake. 

Park your butt on an outdoor seat at the completely alfresco French bistro Whalebridge at sunset and, as you look over towards the Harbour Bridge and Luna Park beyond it, it’s impossible not to understand why Sydney’s harbour is considered one of the most beautiful in the world. Watch the ferries pull into Circular Quay's wharves, the sparkle of the last rays of sun reflecting off the water, the sky change colour, as people behind you wander over to the Opera House for an evening show. It’s a very Sydney experience. 

Time Out tip: Going to see a show at the Opera House? Come here for a bite to eat before.

What do Madonna, Queen Elizabeth II and Anna Wintour have in common? They’ve all been served by globally acclaimed chef and restaurateur Jeff Schroeter. Now you can quite easily join that list, now that his latest venture is open in Glebe – on a site he’s very familiar with. New French brasserie Darling Glebe now occupies the historic Darling Mills site on Glebe Point Road, where Schroeter previously co-founded restaurant Beckett’s in 2021. This new iteration of the subterranean space features a French omakase chef’s table, a Martini bar, a private dining room and a private cellar event space.

You'll spot the candy cane umbrellas first. Red-and-white striped, they stand tall out the front of Woolloomooloo’s historic Old Fitzroy Hotel. The three-storey brick-and-butter building looks well-worn yet strong – which makes sense when you consider the Old Fitz is around 150 years old. As well as a pub and a theatre (The Old Fitzroy Hotel is the only remaining theatre pub in the coutry), you'll find a French-British bistro on the first floor. It’s a gorgeous, Jane Austen-esque space with weathered floorboards and antique oil paintings – it looks like the kind of place you would take your mum for Sunday lunch.

What to order: Duck croquette with hot sauce.

What is it? A two-level bistro in the heart of Martin Place, and sibling to Milsons Point’s LouLou Bistro, Boulangerie & Traiteur.

Why we love it: With a fab happy hour featuring escargots and oysters for $2, and $13 mini Martinis, plus loaded steak frites baguettes at lunchtime, it’s fair to say LouLou Bistro has opened with a bang.

Time Out tip: As mentioned above, head here at lunch for the loaded steak frites baguette, which comes with a house wine, beer or soft drink for $25. But be quick – it’s only available from noon to 2.30pm.

Address: Cnr Elizabeth & Hunter St, 1 Elizabeth St, Sydney NSW 2000

Expect to pay: Starters $15–$30; mains $35–$60, plus drinks

Found on Surry Hills' Crown Street, Armorica pays homage to Paris and its surroundings. The space is drop-dead gorgeous, with opulent red banquet seating, gold finishings and art by American illustrator David Plunkert. Jose Saulog, who also oversees the kitchen at Franca, is the executive chef at Armorica. Here, Saulog has taken inspiration from Northern France to curate his menu, which features classic French fare. And it's absolutely delicious. Which is why Armorica won Time Out Sydney’s Best Fine Dining Restaurant Award 2023.

What to order: The campanelle with peas, cherry tomatoes, smoked stracciatella, almonds and basil.

What is it? A charming wine bar by pig-lovin’ French bistro Porcine (found upstairs).

Why we love it: French snacks and rich delights alongside cracking drops from small-batch producers, in a cute little terrace courtyard. 

Time Out tip: Hello, Sunday afternoons.

Address: 268 Oxford St, Paddington NSW 2021

Expect to pay: $10-$30 for snacks, plus drinks

Named after the famous Hôtel Martinez in the French Riviera, Circular Quay's Martinez is inspired by the south of France and its idyllic neighbours. And while you will find steak frites on the menu (served with bone marrow butter), as well as a crumbed pork cutlet with jamon, mustard and brie fondue, amongst others, executive chef Alex Wong’s menu mostly champions vegetables and seafood in all its fresh, salty and sweet glory.

What to order: Bouillabaisse with prawn and scallop tortelli, mussels, clams and rouille. 

Inspired by the famous Parisian bistro Le Relais de l’Entrecôte, known for its brilliant steak dish, Bouillon l’Entrecôte serves quality NSW Rangers Valley sirloin with crisp, golden fries, a secret sauce (we suspect anchovies make an appearance) and a simple green salad. Having tried it ourselves, we can confirm it’s très délicieux. Located a short stroll from the harbour, this good-looking restaurant also showcases traditional French cuisine at a reasonable price point. Options may include duck liver parfait with baguette, French onion soup, snails with parsley and butter, Wagyu tartare and crème brûlée to finish it all off. There’s also a new Wagyu steak-frites baguette featuring fries and that sauce served in an AP Bakery baguette. Plus, there’s new indoor and outdoor seating – so even more reason to come with your friends the next time you’re craving fine French fare (and fries).

Time Out tip: Be sure to also check out Bouillon l’Entrecôte’s nearby sibling, Basque-style wine bar Deux Frères.

L’Heritage is possibly home to the most beautiful dining table in Sydney. The table for two is draped in a white tablecloth, alongside soft and buttery leather seats, positioned right by the window overlooking the azure ocean and pristine Chowder Bay. It looks like it’s been plucked from the pages of a fancy home magazine, or really, the south of France. Don’t worry if you don’t get that table, though. There’s not a bad seat in the rustic, farmhouse-chic dining room. And while the gorgeous French diner may be a little hard to find, that’s often the case with gems.

What to order: The silky crème caramel.

In Paris, where day drinking is encouraged and a tote bag is incomplete without a fresh baguette sticking out of it, you take the availability of an everyday, local bistro for granted. But here in Sydney, finding a good, mid-week steak frites is much harder work – Potts Point’s Bistro Rex is setting out to change this.

What to order: Rex Wagyu burger with pickles, raclette and French fries.

Chippendale’s French eatery is all about giving punters that classic-French bistro experience. There is pâté en croûte de grand-père Henri and French onion soup also dedicated to the chef's grandfather. Plus, escargots (snails), king crab thermidor and a classic melted goat’s cheese salad.

What to order: Duck leg with potato gratin and jus.

Say hello, bonjour or konnichiwa to the French and Japanese-inspired Bistro Nido. Part of Devon Hospitality Group’s impressive portfolio of fusion eateries – which includes Devon Cafe, Dopa Donburi and Milk Bar and Tsukiyo – Bistro Nido marks the group’s first foray into the world of classic French cuisine, but still with their signature Japanese touch. Hidden in Regent Place (just a short walk from the QVB), this restaurant is darker, more sophisticated and smaller than its siblings (it has just 40 seats), offering an intimate setting for your next dinner date.

What to order: Moreton bay bugs with yuzu kosho butter.

The appeal of the neighbourhood French bistro lies in its traditions. This is where to go when you want the classics with no surprises; steak frites with Café de Paris butter, goat's cheese soufflé, French onion soup, and oysters served with Champagne vinegar. If the famously fragrant butter sauce invented in the French capital is not your preferred steak accompaniment, Bistro St Jacques in Redfern also have a pepper sauce and a Borderlaise. Parfait, cassoulet and brûlée are all present and accounted for on a menu primed for a cosy date night.

What to order: Steak tartare with mustard, caper, cornichons, crouton and egg yolk.

For more than a decade, this quiet, unassuming French bistro at the well-tailored end of CBD has kept things simple – but extravagantly French – with both the menu and décor. They stick to the classics and do them très well.

What to order: Pork rillettes with apple and onion chutney and French baguette.

Bellevue Cottage by Antoine is a very French restaurant that has found its home in a beautifully restored heritage building along the Glebe foreshore. Come for a modern take on the French classics in a dreamy setting.

What to order: Roasted thyme chicken with mash.

Think of a night out at a French restaurant, and it’s unlikely you’ll picture yourself surrounded by giant tanks of beer. Yet at Frenchies Bistro and Brewery in Rosebery, that’s exactly the kind of sweet spot that craft beer and charcuterie lovers would find themselves in. 

What to order: Frenchies’ platter with saucisson, prosciutto, pork rillettes, pickles, cheese and bread.

Chez Beckett's relocated from its original Glebe site on Glebe Point Road to 3 Kensington Street in Spice Alley, Chippendale, late in 2025. While the address may have changed, its elegant vibe and seasonal French classics remain.