It’s getting haute in here.

The best French restaurants in Sydney to try right now offer a taste of the joie de vivre the French are famed for. Whether you’re a food-obsessed Francophile, have a penchant for crêpes or flaky croissants, or can’t afford a European escape, here is a mix of the best French restaurants to try in Sydney right now.

THE SHORTLIST

Hidden gem: Porcine
Best for fine dining: Armorica Grand Brasserie, Surry Hills
Great for special occasions: Atelier by Sofitel
Best for a romantic night out: L’Heritage French Bistro, Chowder Bay Mosman
Best for Francophiles: Franca
Best for business lunches: Whalebridge
Hottest dining gem: LouLou Bistro

L’Heritage French Bistro, Chowder Bay Mosman

Don your best Riviera wear and pass the Beaujolais, babes. L’Heritage is one of the best French bistros in Sydney for both its location and authentic French fare. There are occasions when chef Julian Audibert might wield his tweezers (such as when he’s adding a squid ink crisp to the lobster, tuna and salmon tartare). But what L’Heritage leans into is comforting French classics such as escargots, bouillabaisse and cheese soufflé. A viable contender for the most romantic French restaurant in Sydney. The former Navy drill hall is one of the most dreamy restaurants in Sydney for Valentine’s Day.

Price: $$$$
Atmosphere: Darling location for date night.
Location: 7b Chowder Bay Rd, Mosman

Parlour at QT Sydney

The spell is cast the second you enter Parlour at QT Sydney. The hotel built in the interwar commercial Palazzo style evokes Sydney’s high society in the early 1900s. And it has been made ever more glorious thanks to the faithful restoration of its original Gothic features. Sink into a plush armchair at Parlour , on the ground floor of the sleek, luxury boutique hotel. Be transported to Paris tout de suite for a selection of délicieux French-inspired courses such as foie gras and steak frites. Say ‘oui-oui’ to Spritz O’Clock from 4 to 6pm. Or plump for the wallet-friendly two-course prix fixe menu for $55 per person.

Price: $$$
Atmosphere: As colourful and theatrical as the adjacent State Theatre.
Address: 15 Market St, Sydney

The Charles Brasserie & Bar

The Charles is all old-world charm with ornate lighting and rich timber tones, curved caramel-hued banquettes and soaring ceilings. It’s the ideal setting to savour a stunning European experience curated by talented executive chef Billy Hannigan (The Ledbury, UK; Guillaume at Bennelong). The Charles is not strictly French, it’s more European but deserves its spot in our guide for the spatchcock and squab en croute. You’ll also find the flavours of France in the whole dry-aged Aylesbury duck à la presse and the chicken liver parfait. If you’re in the mood for Italian, descend the stairs to Osteria Luna, one of the best new Italian restaurants in Sydney.

Price: $$$$
Atmosphere: Euro flair.
Location: 66 King St, Sydney

Atelier by Sofitel

Atelier translates to ‘an artist’s workshop or studio’, which is fitting given the painterly precision executive chef Sam Moore applies to the preparation and plating of each dish at Atelier by Sofitel. Prepare to practise your French with the sophisticated staff who are justifiably proud of working at the $500 million hotel, which has views of Darling Harbour. Although the menus at Atelier by Sofitel change with the seasons, they will always be unmistakeably French. Order the Chauvel citrus-fed Wagyu rump cup grilled to your liking over the Mibrasa charcoal oven.

Price: $$$$
Atmosphere: Smart and sophisticated.
Location: Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour, Level 3/12 Darling Drive

Le Frérot

Le Frérot means ‘little brother’ in French but the term is bandied about informally, like ‘bro’. The little bro to Franca Brasserie brings everyday Parisian vibes to Potts Point. And the locals are responding with enthusiasm to the flexible all-day menu on offer. While Franca is a playground for creative types in the Eastern Suburbs, Le Frérot aims to be part of everyday life. An extension to your living room for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Headed by group executive chef José Saulog, this little bro plays to his strengths, leaning into the vision from Rivage Hospitality to offer everyday charm.

Price: $$$
Atmosphere: Café meets bar meets bistro giving everyday hag.
Location: Shop 3/81 Macleay St, Potts Point

Franca

The dining room of Franca resembles a scene from a vintage Paris poster. It seems like that is intentional and the experience is tres bougie. Executive chef Jose Saulog (Armorica) produces very French fare that is as sophisticated as the opulent, Parisian-inspired interiors. Think coral trout paired with spanner crab and a mille-feuille topped with vanilla custard, blackberry and rosemary ice cream. Expect to see a who’s who of Eastern Suburbs A-listers on the weekend. The happy hour here is one of the best in Sydney.

Price: $$$$
Atmosphere: Classy and convivial.
Location: Shop 2/81 Macleay St, Potts Point

Whalebridge

Whalebridge has one of Sydney’s most enviable addresses. It’s like being in a postcard, perched as it is a chippie’s throw from the edge of Circular Quay. The mood at Whalebridge is classic French bistro, with crowd-pleasing signatures like plateaux de fruits de mer, whole grilled lobster and steak frites done right. It’s the kind of place that works just as well for a long lunch as a pre-theatre dinner or sundowner. Be the queen of your group chat by arranging lunch at Whalebridge, which also earns its place on our list of Sydney’s best French restaurants for its well-judged wine list.

Price: $$$
Atmosphere: Relaxed, elegant, harbourfront hang.
Location: 8 & 10, East Circular Quay, Sydney

Le Foote

It’s easy to follow your nose to Le Foote as the cobblestoned streets all around the heritage-listed pub are awash with the aroma of garlic and butter. Le Foote is housed within a heritage-listed pub dating back to 1838 and sits somewhere between a French wine bar and a Parisian bistro. The space has retained much of its rustic charm, making it one of the most atmospheric French restaurants in Sydney. Find a cosy corner for a glass of wine and a snack. Sit in the sunlit courtyard to enjoy steak frites. Or let the night unfold at one of the al fresco tables on the footpath over a Le Foote Burger and pommes frites. Close the night out at sister venue, Curtains.

Price: $$$
Atmosphere: European-style wine bar.
Location: 101 George St, The Rocks

Chouchou Bistro & Bar, Bondi

Forget the more formal French bistros of old. The new wave of French bistros in Sydney represents the best of the classic neighbourhood bistro. Bistro Chouchou is well and truly on that train in Bondi. It’s the kind of place we want to see more of. Expect to see Alliance Française students practising their language skills with the tres-chic French staff and country-style dishes such as magret de canard or raclette à la bougie.

Price: $$$
Atmosphere: Rustic, warm and cosy.
Location: 13 O’Brien St, Bondi Beach

Clam Bar

The menu at this CBD favourite from Dan Pepperell, Andy Tyson and Mikey Clift (Pellegrino 2000) doesn’t pretend to be traditional. Instead, it borrows freely from a multitude of cuisines and lets the flavour do the talking. Steak tartare and crudités sit happily alongside empanadas. And an old-school Barnsley chop might follow something distinctly French or not. This is a bar that understands that Sydney diners don’t care for rigid categories; they just want good food and wine delivered with intent. Lobster spaghetti in a tomato and shellfish bisque? Don’t mind if we do. Think of Clam Bar as French adjacent.

Price: $$$
Atmosphere: Oh so French.
Location: 44 Bridge St, CBD

Manon

These days, there are lots of excellent French restaurants serving lunch and dinner around Sydney. But this stylish French brasserie is also open for breakfast. And it’s an elegant addition to the Queen Victoria Building, one of Sydney’s most iconic architectural attractions. Croque madames, soufflé pancakes and eggs Florentine are just a few of the options. Manon is also a must for a relaxed lunch at the southern end of the Queen Victoria Building. Sit at an outdoor table facing the statue of Queen Victoria for brasserie favourites such as tuna tartare, steak frites and moules marinières. Out-of-towners love meeting here for coffee and cake.

Price: $$$
Atmosphere: Grand Parisian bistro.
Location: QVB, 455 George St, Sydney NSW 2000

Bouillon l’Entrecôte, Sydney

In Paris, a bouillon is traditionally a brasserie with a casual ambience that serves a variety of simple, delicious dishes, which almost always includes a rich beef bouillon or broth that is enriched by simmering short ribs. Sydney’s Bouillon l’Entrecôte dips its beret to Le Relais de l’Entrecôte, the famous one-dish steakhouse that opened in Paris in 1959. It brings the best of both worlds together with its simple, quality menu and great cuts. And oui, the bouillon forms the basis for a lot of the dishes.

Price: $$$
Atmosphere: Casual and chic.
Location: 6 Loftus St, Sydney

Martinez, Quay Quarter

Executive chef Alex Wong (Lana) has looked to the south of France to produce crowd-pleasing mains at Martinez that are reminiscent of the Riviera. Order a plate of tuna cru ala ‘nicoise’ and a glass of Champagne and sit on the sun-splashed terrace, which has views of Sydney Harbour. Oh, and did we mention there’s rosé on tap at Martinez? Secure an early evening table to graze the night away.

Price: $$$
Atmosphere: TGIF every day of the week.
Location: 50 Bridge St, Sydney

Armorica Grand Brasserie, Surry Hills

Executive chef Jose Saulog has brought elegant Parisian bistro vibes to Sydney with flame-licked faves such as the steak cooked over the custom-built Josper grill and served with golden frites. The ambience at Armorica brasserie screams Midnight in Paris as diners from the top end of town fan out around the curved banquettes in the dimly lit space. Menu highlights include the lavish seafood tower and gold-dusted chocolate bar.

Price: $$$
Atmosphere: Elegant and full of an impossibly good-looking crowd.
Location: Shop 1 & 2/490 Crown St, Surry Hills

Frenchies Bistro & Brewery

Frenchies is a viable contender for the best Aussie-French bistro in Sydney. Located at The Cannery, Rosebery, the 120-seater bistro attracts brew dogs as well as expats who go full force on steak frites nights on Thursdays. The Sunday special is also a steal: lobster frites for $39. You will appreciate the simple, rustic style of cooking on offer here over dishes such as beef tartare with a potato mille feuille or oven-roasted lamb rack with confit garlic and rosemary jus. Pick up a baguette to go from adjacent Frenchies Bakery & Pâtisserie led by Michelin-trained chef Celine Vendeville.

Price: $$$
Atmosphere: Gastro pub with great French grub.
Location: The Cannery, 6/61-71 Mentmore Avenue, Rosebery

Bistro Moncur

Bistro Moncur is quite the institution having occupied the same corner spot in Woollahra for more than three decades. To this day, Bistro Moncur is considered one of the most romantic restaurants in Sydney. Head chef Tom Deadman is quite the wizard. Much of the produce used in the kitchen is sourced as locally as possible – think plump cèpes fresh from the forest – and dining here is as much about the excitement of securing a table under the monochrome mural as it is getting a feel for the well-heeled Woollahra life. Head into Bistro Marche on Sundays for the wonderful Sunday Marché.

Price: $$$$$
Atmosphere: A temple for Francophiles.
Location: 116A Queen St, Woollahra

Gavroche

Gavroche is one of the jewels in the crown of Chippendale, otherwise known as Hippendale for its street art and buzzing backstreets. Walking through the imposing oak entrance feels like stepping into an antique postcard. Discover vintage touches such as brass-railed banquette seating, hand-painted tiled walls and a VeloSoleX motorised bicycle from the 1950s. The menu designed by chef Batiste Gouraud pays homage to classics one might see scrawled on a Parisian bistro blackboard such as escargots de Bourgogne or canard confit with Paris mash. Dig in.

Price: $$$-$$$$
Atmosphere: Casual-chic
Location: Level 1/2-10 Kensington Street, Chippendale

Loulou Bistro

Nobody will bat an eyelid if you arrive for dinner at Loulou Bistro with a baguette with the end bitten off. You see, Loulou is equal parts boulangerie, bistro and traiteur – a triple threat nestled on a corner spot in Milson’s Point. Spot the smug locals who stroll to the restaurant from their mansions in Lavender Bay or Kirribilli, knowing the bistro is one of Sydney’s best French restaurants. Highlights include a caviar service and an extensive selection of Champagne. Don’t try to resist the ridiculously good chicken liver parfait with brioche or apricot mille-feuille. There is now a bistro in Martin Place, too.

Price: $$$$
Atmosphere: The French bistro of our dreams.
Location: 61 Lavender St, Milsons Point

Bistro St Jacques

Bistro St Jacques is the little French bistro that could. Unpretentious, timeless, and honest are all words bandied about to describe the dinky dining room that has been going strong for a decade. Housed in a charming terrace on a tree-lined street in the heart of Redfern, Bistro St Jacques keeps the focus on traditional Gallic recipes with dishes such as the coquilles à la St Jacques’ roasted scallops, mushroom duxelle, gruyere bechamel and soufflé au fromage. Impress your loved one with the lunch special of Champagne and oysters for a wallet-friendly $45.

Price: $$$-$$$$
Atmosphere: Like stepping into a vintage French poster.
Location: 96 Pitt St, Redfern

Macleay St Bistro

Macleay St Bistro has long been one of the best French restaurants in Sydney. The timeless institution – all soft sage-green and deep-red hues – has been lovingly recreated at the Paris end of Potts Point just a few doors down from its original Macleay St location. The food is better than good, with chef Callum Brewin known for serving up memorable French classics using locally sourced ingredients. The signature Chateaubriand served with a peppercorn jus with hand-cut triple-cooked potatoes and greens is a standout. As for the crème brulee: it’s a classic.

Price: $$$
Atmosphere: Paris wine bar from the 50s.
Location:71A Macleay St, Potts Point

Porcine

Your Paddington mate is not telling porkies when he says Porcine is one of the best French restaurants in Sydney. Porcine is led by firm friends Nicholas Hill and Harry Levy who have worked together at Sepia, Saint Peter, Don Peppino’s and the three-Michelin-starred Ledbury in London. Porcine has expanded into the space formerly occupied by P&V Wine & Liquor Merchants downstairs and the homey two-storey bistro is perennially packed with Paddo locals. Compulsory is the canard à la Presse, Sydney’s only tableside duck press service.

Price: $$$-$$$$
Atmosphere: Be transported to the epicentre of France.
Location: 268 Oxford St, Paddington

Bistro Grenier

The French word grenier translates to ‘attic’ ‘, loft’ or ‘granary’. And this French bistro suspended within one of Sydney’s best bars is a whole lotta fun. Bistro Grenier is a top spot to visit after binge-watching the annual Alliance Française French Film Festival flicks with your Francophile friends. Odd Culture Group is known for its inclusive approach to hospitality and any place that advertises ‘the freaks are welcome’ gets a big tick from the team at Australian Traveller. Forget about pulling your hair into a neat bun. This is Newtown, babes. Therefore, rock your skullet and enjoy yourself over a pissaladière or bavette steak.

Price: $$$
Atmosphere: Fun and freaky
Location: 266 King St, Redfern

Bellevue Woolloomooloo

Bellevue Woolloomooloo is part of Sydney’s heritage-listed Finger Wharf precinct, built in 1910-1915. Chef Antoine Moscovitz trained under Alaine Ducasse and coaxes the best out of ingredients such as blue swimmer crab, pork belly and scallops. The sleek French-Japanese eatery includes moody, navy-blue hues and statement light installations that tie in with the ambience. Let your evening routine start with Sydney rock oysters, followed by bouillabaisse or drunken corn-fed chicken.

Best for: The seven-dish banquet for $85 per person
Atmosphere: Refined and relaxed.
Location: Unit 2/6F Cowper Wharf Roadway, Wooloomooloo

Bistro by Manu

French-born chef Manu Fiedel drew inspiration from family recipes for the bistro menu at the revamped 196-year-old Inner West Sydney pub, the Red Lion Hotel . Expect to see staples from the Fiedel family table such as French country-style pâté served with prune and Armagnac jam on sourdough passed down by Manu’s father. Or his grandma’s matelote (fish stew) of cod and mussel with speck, mushroom and red wine sauce. The 120-seater dining room is warm, inviting and approachable, like all Laundy Hotels.

Price: $$$$
Atmosphere: Gastro pub
Location: Red Lion Hotel, Level 1/726 Darling St, Rozelle

Bon Vin Darlinghurst

Wondering where Sydney’s bon vivants go to celebrate Bastille Day? They pour into the subterranean sandstone dining room Bon Vin , a much-loved fixture hidden down a laneway in Darlinghurst. Here, you’ll find chef Lisa Nicholson who has fixed her gaze on creating upscale French cuisine with a twist. The sense of joy at Bon Vin is paramount, and it has all the feels of a house party in a Perigord wine cellar. Do order the duck confit; it’s one of the most consistently good French dishes in Sydney.

Price: $$$$
Atmosphere: Romantic
Location: Stanley Ln, Darlinghurst

Bistro Rex

Bistro Rex is chic and elegant and evocative of big, grand Paris dining rooms from the 1950s with French oak, mosaic tiling, a zinc-topped bar and copper finishes. Expect modern French bistro favourites from the team led by Fabio Salvatore (ex-Lumi, Icebergs & Totti’s) such as steak frites, cheese soufflé and chicken liver parfait topped off with a pear frangipane tart with honey whiskey ice cream. Bistro Rex is part of the new Potts Point Village precinct.

Price: $$$$
Atmosphere: A showstopper
Location: Shop 1, 50/58 Macleay St, Potts Point

Four Frogs

The four French owners behind the Four Frogs brand opened their first restaurant in Mosman in 2013. More than a decade on, the crêperies have sprouted everywhere from Circular Quay to Randwick, Lane Cove and Mosman. Whether you like your crêpes sweet or savoury (galettes), the crêpes are cooked to order with a diverse array of fillings. Enjoy Nutella, strawberries and vanilla ice-cream crêpes to cap off a romantic evening.

Price: $$
Atmosphere: Busy and bustling.
Location: Gateway Sydney, 1 Macquarie Place

Darling Glebe

In news just in… you will be sheltered from prying eyes from all sides while bunkered down in Darling Glebe , the new restaurant set to take over the iconic Darling Mills site in Glebe in February 2026. Housed within a sandstone cottage that was built in 1857 for a Sydney pharmacist, the restaurant went on to become home to Sydney’s original farm-to-table restaurant. The expansive space, led by restaurateur Jeff Schroeter (Bayswater Brasserie, Bistro Moncur, The Savoy London), has a storied history. Its latest iteration will feature five distinct dining spaces and a French omakase chef’s table.

Price: $$$$
Atmosphere: New York meets mid-century Paris.
Location: 134A Glebe Point Road, Glebe