If you're anything like me and you're constantly wondering why you're here instead of Paris or Bordeaux my list of Melbourne’s best French restaurants might save you a trip.
Melbourne’s bustling dining scene owes a very honest tip of the hat to France. Every suburb has its own cache of bakeries, bistros and patisseries reminiscent of the City of Lights.
In the CBD we’re doubly blessed with a stack of casual dining restaurants, scaling up to full-blown, historic and heritage fine diners, all serving up top-notch cuisine for Francophiles.
I’ve also managed to track down a few cheeky cheap and cheerful mid-week specials as well as some BYO options if you’ve got something in the cellar you’re busting to crack out.
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Degustation to à la carte, France has led the way, and without further ado, here are some of the best French restaurants Melbourne has to offer for 2025.
Normandy Wine & Grill
162-164 High Street, Windsor
Image: Normandy Wine & Grill | Supplied
Normandy is slick, taking its inspiration from the north-west coast of France, an area renowned for its seafood. The menu mirrors the restaurants namesake: seafood heavy, with a great selection of Aussie goodness, Freo octopus, Skull Island prawns and cray. But it’s their grill menu that really shines. They’re serving up Cape Grim and black angus cuts with bordelaise, béarnaise or peppercorn sauce and perfectly salted and crunchy hand-cut fries. Hands down, this might be some of the best steak in Melbourne. Best of all if you’re free on a Tuesday (and smart about getting a table) Normandy hosts a steak night, with all of their beef half price.
INSIDER INTEL:
- They have a BYO option for wine Tuesday-Thursday if you’re desperate to crack into something from the cellar.
- Tuesday night is steak night (half-price grill menu) and Wednesday night is French Classics night (fixe prix menu) with a special and a glass of red.
- Book ahead. Normandy gets busy—by virtue of it being so excellent of course.
Maison Bâtard
23 Bourke Street, Melbourne
Image: Maison Bâtard | Supplied
Everything restaurateur Chris Lucas touches turns to gold, but none more-so than this four-storey homage to all that is the French joie de vivre. Working our way from the top down, upstairs and half inside, half outside like only Melbourne knows how La Terrasse is serving up cheeseburgers and steak tartare (plus the signature Dirty Bâtard martini which is a must). Coming back down the grand staircase are two floors of restaurant which just bump with 20s Parisian style—along with a huge oyster bar and flaming grill. Then tucked away downstairs is Le Club, perfect for plonking down after working your way through their protein and seafood heavy menu to catch a jazz band. Oui, s'il te plaît!
INSIDER INTEL
- You can eat the cheeseburger on La Terrasse with one hand. Weird flex, but a good one.
- Downstairs they more than 10 different appellations of oysters and even a sashimi bar.
- Our fave is the massive 1.2kg Côte de Boeuf Bordelaise, perfect for sharing or that big night out.
Reine And La Rue
380 Collins Street, Melbourne CBD
Image credit: Reine And La Rue | Petrina Tinslay
There are several strong options when it comes to picking a très bien French restaurant in Melbourne CBD (a good problem to have), but Reine and La Rue just might take the cake. To say that the restaurant is extra is an understatement. Housed in the former stock exchange of Melbourne the period architecture sets the scene for a gourmet experience. The protein-heavy menu is anchored by a large open-fire grill. The combo of French technique with flame and charcoal manifests in rockstar dishes like the dry aged O’Connor rib eye with a bordelaise.
INSIDER INTEL
- There's a roaming cheese trolley to add to the theatrics.
- Simply put, order the lobster cocktail, it’s refreshing as hell.
- The staff are known to be experienced and friendly, so hit them up for any food recs.
Tartine
105 Swan Street, Richmond
Image credit: Tartine | Supplied
Helmed by francophile head chef Andrew Beddoes in collaboration with Matteo Bruno, owner of The Meatball & Wine Bar, this stylish restaurant and bistro brings a touch of France to Swan Street. From an elevated open sourdough sandwich for lunch to an evening of natural wines, Tartine is one of the best French restaurants Melbourne offers, as seen from their sultry ambience and meticulously curated menu.
The menu spans classic French delights like Steak Frites with Montpellier butter to innovative fusion dishes, including hashbrowns crowned with foie gras and truffle or scallop tartare with cucumber and caviar.
INSIDER INTEL
- There’s an impressive selection of tartines, each featuring different flavours and presentation.
- Pair your food choices with an artisanal beverage, either a specialty coffee or tea.
- Kudos to the chef, the food arrives shortly after ordering it.
Malin
687 Rathdowne Street, Carlton North
Image credit: Malin | Tash Sorensen
Malin, Carlton North’s new mini fine diner taking over the former La Tonada spot is serving up eye-popping deliciousness and a decor that would be at home in an expat French chef’s petit resto in a souk in Marrakech. Think technically complex dishes like chicken ballotine (a must order—this isn’t the boring choice, trust us), beef and oyster tartare topped with sabayon; a white wine custard, and hibachi kissed octopus and tender Western Plains lamb rump.
INSIDER INTEL:
- Order the mashed potato, don't ask questions, just do it.
- If you're only feeling peckish hang out at their stunning heritage bar and suck back a martini, they're on point.
- Our fave spot to sit is in the window, looking out on to Rathdowne Street by those gorj sheer curtains.
Paris Go Bistro
116 Rathdowne Street, Carlton
Image credit: Paris Go | Website
Nestled in a slightly more unassuming part of Rathdowne Street is Paris Go Bistro, a French restaurant Melbourne has been sleeping on. Their entree list itself is formidable, with the standouts being the ravioli filled with goat's cheese and creamy basil sauce, capsicum stuffed with mushroom risotto, and the grilled quail.
INSIDER INTEL
- The staff are experts on the wine front, they’ll suggest a suitable wine for each plate.
- You can’t go past their eye fillet steak with a decadent Bernaise sauce.
- You can request your steak tartare to be mild, medium or spicy.
Bon Ap' Petit Bistro
193 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy
Image credit: Bon Ap' Petit Bistro | Instagram
Part bar, part cafe, part restaurant. This ambient little spot in Fitzroy is surely one of the best French restaurants Melbourne is home to, famously open from sunlight ‘til candlelight. This is some proper French bistro fare too—their Poisson Du Jour is always a winner, along with the classic Escargots a la Bourguignonne, otherwise known as snails in garlic butter. Don’t knock it till you try it.
INSIDER INTEL
- The wine list is formidable but we have to recommend the French Negroni.
- Take the fuss out of ordering with the three-course celebration menu from $69.
- Head in from 3:30pm to 5:30pm for happy hour, think $12 glasses of Heidsieck with French cheese.
L'Hôtel Gitan
32 Commercial Road, Prahran
Classic, timeless, and reliable. L'Hôtel Gitan should be on your French dining hit list. Helmed by Jacques Reymond and his family, L'Hôtel Gitan is your modern-day Melbourne gastropub with some serious chic.
A timeless art-deco fit-out and open kitchen create a classical bistro atmosphere, and the menu backs it up with Cassoulets, steak Frites and Gratins alongside a crafted selection of French wines. They also have a sister venue, Bistro Gitan if you're keen on a more fine dining experience.
INSIDER INTEL
- Request a seat near the open kitchen to watch the chefs craft French classics in action.
- For romantic evenings, opt for the blue booth seating.
- Don’t be fooled by the pub-like exterior, the interior is sleek and elevated.
Franco-Belge
9 Evans Plane, Hawthorn East
Image credit: Franco-Belge | Instagram
French and Belgian cuisine is a marriage made in heaven, as proven by Franco-Belge, making for a unique experience compared to other French restaurants Melbourne provides. Straight from the homelands with a Melbourne twist, Franco-Belge is authentic yet modern, with dishes like asparagus, basil and ricotta tart, scallops with leek Fondue, and duck breast with a cherry sauce alongside Pommes Ana.
INSIDER INTEL
- The meringue for dessert is a no-brainer.
- You can choose whichever sauce tickles your fancy, from mushroom to blue cheese.
- The mussels are one of our top picks, they’re seasoned to perfection.
Smith St Bistrot
300 Smith Street, Collingwood
Scott Pickett's most recent creation is a culinary gem, and surely a French restaurant Melbourne can be proud of. Whether you're craving a hearty lunch or a romantic dinner, Smith St Bistrot caters to every palate with its thoughtfully curated menu. The renonwed chef has founded a stack of Melbourne's best restaurants as well.
INSIDER INTEL
- The Soufflé Suissesse is always a solid bet, as are the Vol au Vent D’escargo.
- Vegetarians can go for a Gnocchis à la Parisienne (gnocchi).
- Meat lovers, we recommend the chicken Fricassée with braised leek and confit garlic.
Bistrot d'Orsay
184 Collins Street, Melbourne CBD
If you like your meal with a view, then get behind Bistrot d'Orsay. Granted, that view is inside and consists of a trompe l’oeil ceiling right above your head. The best part is these guys are old school, you can't book online, you have to call or chance a walk in if you're after a table. Serving up everything from the classics to seafood Linguini to Bouillabaisse, you’re definitely going to find something that sings to you at this traditional French restaurant.
INSIDER INTEL
- Make sure you save room for the caramelised white chocolate Parfait.
- Start off with the charcuterie board to warm up your taste buds.
- The goat's cheese soufflé—chef’s kiss.
France Soir
11 Toorak Road, South Yarra
Image credit: France Soir | Supplied
A bistro that has aged just as well as the city, France Soir is Melbourne's premier French institution. The Toorak Road gem has been serving traditional-style cuisine with an authentic irreverent attitude since it opened almost four decades ago. This non-gentrified marvel has retained its seriously cool reputation by sticking to what they do best, dishing up a range of regional entrees and plats de Résistance. They team that head up France Soir has also just opened up Le Splendid, a phone-free cocktail bar.
INSIDER INTEL
- The team source the good stuff—all beef is pasture-fed from O’Connor and South East Gippsland.
- Entree go-to’s are the grilled octopus and pan-seared scallops.
- Tables are limited in the dining space and close together, so expect to get to know your neighbours.
Philippe
115 Collins Street, Melbourne CBD
Chef Philippe Mouchel has created one of the best French restaurants in Melbourne. The basement space features shards of natural light, white linen and walls sprouting leafy greens. The resulting bistro, Philippe, features a classically French menu of dishes like crispy-skin roast chicken anointed with truffles (they need two days prior), escargot and four types of steak if you include the new-fangled tartare.
INSIDER INTEL
- If you’re looking to order from the speciality menu, 24-hour pre-order is required and there’s limited availability.
- Hit up their seasonal weekly lunch menu, it’s damn good.
- Finish with the dark chocolate mousse—it’s everything you could dream of,
Entrecôte
142-144 Greville Street, Prahran
Image credit: Entrecôte | Supplied
All-you-can-eat French Fries. If that's not enough to lure you in, Entrecôte's primo Greville Street location should sweeten the deal. Inspired by the steakhouse, French Le Relais De L'Entrecôte, this reimagined Melbourne institution’s steak frites (steak and chips) is truly otherworldly. While the food is exquisite, the venue is filled with glass chandeliers, golden candlesticks and colours resembling the French flag making it the perfect spot for special occasions. Their sibling venue over the road Gigi is now open as well.
INSIDER INTEL
- A bargain is a bargain and if you fancy a cheeseburger, you can't go past their $34.95 burg and drink combo dining on the terrace
- Don’t miss Apéro Hour 4pm to 7pm daily, the house wine and vin chaud is only $7.90
- With walk-ins only, the bar menu caters to those spontaneous, unplanned cravings
Leading image credit: Entrecôte | Brahman Perera
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