Sydney’s Best French Restaurants

Think romantic dining, and French cuisine springs to mind. Whether it’s a cosy bistro with the welcoming lilt of a French accent, an elegant brasserie with ambience or a more formal dining experience, French restaurants tantalise with authentic and classic French fare such as the kind you find in Paris.

Here are our top picks for Sydney’s Best French Restaurants:

Felix Bistro & Bar

Ananas Bar and Restaurant, Sydney

Ananas Bar and Restaurant brings a touch of Parisian flair to the Rocks. Start with an apero at the elegant bar before moving to the dining room to indulge in a French-inspired brasserie menu.

18 Argyle St, The Rocks, Sydney 2000
www.ananas.com.au

Bistro Mint, Sydney

Recently opened, Bistro Mint is located on the first floor of The Mint along Macquarie Street. Servng only breakfast and lunch, the menu includes traditional French fare and Mod Oz adaptations at a reasonable price point.

1st floor of The Mint, 10 Macquarie Street Sydney
www.bistromint.com.au

Vincent, Woollahra

The ambience may be more suited to daytime but the food at Vincent in Woollahra is what brings you back. Not quite an intimate and romantic venue as it gets boisterous at times but well worth it.

14 Queen Street Woollahra
vincentfrench.com.au

Le Pelican, Surry Hills

For over eight years, Le Pelican in Surry Hills have been serving contemporary French fare with Basque influences using local seasonal produce in a charming sandstone terrace with an outdoor dining area.

Shop 2, 411 Bourke Street, Surry Hills
lepelican.com.au

Macleay St Bistro, Potts Point

An intimate gem, Macleay St Bistro serves some of the finest French-inspired fare. The wines are perfectly paired and the experience will remind you of what dining was about before the share plate trend.

73a Macleay Street, Potts Point
www.macleaystbistro.com.au

Montagne Restaurant, Fairfeld

The western suburbs have their own piece of France at Montagne Restaurant, located within Fairfield RSL. The elegant French brasserie and serving a host of classic French dishes such as coq au vin and bouillabaisse.

Fairfield RSL, 14 Anzac Ave, Fairfield
fairfieldrsl.com.au

Café Sel et Poivre, Darlinghurst

Café Sel et Poivre in Darlinghurst has been charming Sydney-siders since 1998 with classic bistro style dishes, good wines and a warm welcome from its bilingual staff.

263 Victoria St, Darlinghurst
www.seletpoivre.com.au

Felix Bistro and Bar, Sydney

The elegant Felix Bistro and Bar evokes memories of Balthazar Restaurant in New York with a Parisian bistro touch. Classic French fare is matched by an extensive wine list in a beautiful setting.

2 Ash Street, Sydney
merivale.com.au/felix

Claire’s Kitchen at Le Salon, Darlinghurst

Claire’s Kitchen at Le Salon in Darlinghurst tantalises the tastebuds in a glamorous interior that evokes memories of France. Thick French accents and eye candy make it an experience to remember.

35 Oxford St, Darlinghurst
www.claireskitchen.com.au

Bistro Papillon, Sydney

You’ll find classic French cuisine in a cosy and intimate setting at Bistro Papillon‘s CBD location. An impressive beverage list includes French aperitifs, digestifs and a solid range of French wines by the glass or by the bottle.

98 Clarence St, Sydney
www.bistropapillon.com.au

Other Guides in this series: Sydney’s Best Brunch Spots, Sydney’s Best Bloody Marys, Sydney’s Best Rum Bars, Sydney’s Best Whisky Bars, Sydney’s Best Wine Bars, Top Ten Sydney Small Bars, Another Top Ten Sydney Bars (2013), Sydney’s Best Tequila Bars, Sydney’s Best Romantic Restaurants

Edit – Cafe Boheme which was originally in this post has ceased trading.