Brisbane’s French food scene showcases some stellar hotspots serving breakfast, lunch and dinner along cosy cafes, Parisian bistros and refined gems. From top-notch seafood to steak tartare, the simple elegance of French cuisine shines at these Brisbane gems. Enhance your night out with creative cocktails, fine French wines and glasses champagne. Dessert is always a special affair with rich chocolate mousse, crème brulée with a perfect crack and flaky croissants. Whether you’re planning a special date night, a big family lunch or just want to take yourself out on the town, the best French restaurants in Brisbane are waiting for you.
In an iconic hotel, head to the rooftop to find a memorable high tea experience with macarons and champagne. A heritage-listed building plays host to an old-school brasserie while history papers the walls at a neon-lit bistro that serves perfect steak frites. A transportative gem offers Vietnamese-French fusion dishes and a cosy cocktail bar serves light French fare in the heart of the CBD.
The best French restaurants in Brisbane fill up fast, so secure your spot on OpenTable today.
The best French restaurants in Brisbane – read on for a guide
For a French high tea experience with champagne – book at Belle Epoque – Emporium Hotel in South Bank
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This pâtisserie in the heart of South Bank embraces French traditions, aesthetics and, of course, flavours. Open from 6 am each day, with the ‘petit déjeuner’ menu running until 11 am, Belle Epoque – Emporium Hotel South Bank is the perfect spot for a special breakfast or brunch. Keep things savoury with a smokey croque madame or go sweet with Nutella crepes served with a light crème chantilly. For lunch, dig into French favourites like salade niçoise with smoked salmon or sirloin steak frites. Pair your meal with hand-crafted juices or a flute of genuine French champagne. The à la carte menu at Belle Epoque has plenty to enjoy, but it’s the high tea experience that’s extra special. Diners need to book at least 24 hours in advance to secure their spot at the restaurant’s most popular offering. The high tea menu changes with the seasons, offering gourmet finger sandwiches, macarons with a crisp shell and a soft centre and fluffy scones. A special menu for children swaps the Champagne for juice or a milkshake, so the whole family can enjoy this event.
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For one of the best French restaurants in Brisbane for a special occasion – try Lobby Bar in Fortitude Valley
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Step off Ada Lane and inside The Calile Hotel, where one of Brisbane’s best French restaurants waits just inside the entrance. Many restaurants on this list use local produce, but few find ingredients as locally as Lobby Bar. The Calile’s rooftop garden (also home to a busy bee hive producing delicious honey) grows some of the ingredients used in your dish, just a few floors up. Take a seat (or a bench or a stool) and try that honey with a starter of camembert baked in vine leaves with honey and walnuts. Beef tartare with a kimchi and prawn cracker twist makes an excellent light meal or entrée. For larger mains, consider the Wagyu burger, served with provolone and BBQ sauce, or the quail, glazed, chargrilled and served with an Iberico jamon sauce. Lunch or dinner at Lobby Bar is always a special occasion, but it’s also another excellent Brisbane gem for a fancy breakfast. Try some toast, crumpets or croissants with housemade jam or rooftop honey, with a salted caramel iced coffee. The house-cured salmon with goat cheese curd is always a popular option, and you can order your eggs from Yallamundi Farm fried, poached or scrambled.
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For one of Brisbane’s best French restaurants with a historical bar – don’t miss Les Bubbles Bar and Bistro in Fortitude Valley
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There’s just one main on the menu at this unique French steakhouse in Fortitude Valley. Les Bubbles Bar and Bistro has perfected the art of one of the most popular dishes from French cuisine: steak frites. Just let them know how you like your steak cooked (medium-rare is traditional) and make the most of the bottomless frites. Upgrade the meat to a cut of premium Black Angus for a little extra, or ask for the petite meal for a smaller size. Start things off with a whole-baked camembert with onion confit, or cherry-wood smoked bone marrow. After you’ve had enough of your unlimited fries, it’s time to check out the dessert menu. Lemon dacquoise is a delightful creamy and crunchy meringue treat, while a vanilla bean gelato cuts through the dark chocolate grande brownie’s rich flavour. If you’ve got time, consider arriving early for your booking and grab a few pre-dinner drinks in the storied Bath House downstairs. An empty 15-person spa bath now houses a unique bar where you can enjoy a cocktail or an aperitif. Don’t worry, the restaurant isn’t hard to spot; just look for the large red and blue neon sign that proudly advertises the quality meat served since 1982. Gold-framed photos that celebrate the colourful history behind this building on Wickham Street fill the high walls.
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For French-Vietnamese fusion flavours – book a table at Libertine Bar & Restaurant in Brisbane’s CBD
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At Libertine Bar & Restaurant, diners step into a locally designed luxury space with opulent furnishings and decor. Intricate wallpaper, patterned curtains and glimmering chandeliers set the stage for the feast to come. Housed in the iconic Barracks building, Libertine serves up a flavour-packed blend of French and Vietnamese flavours and cooking traditions. Kick things off with snacks of Moreton Bay bug toast or Vietnamese fried chicken. Then move on to a unique entrée of king prawn croissant with lemon mayo and Aleppo pepper. Twice-cooked pork belly coated in a cognac and chilli glacè and served with pickled watermelon is an explosion of flavours that’s sure to delight. If you’d like to let the kitchen take charge, order one of the Libertine banquets. With five, seven or nine dishes, you’ll get to taste the range of flavours on offer in a combination approved by the chefs. On the dessert menu, you can’t go wrong with a chocolate mousse with dulce de leche and Vietnamese coffee cream. If you’d like something a little lighter, the Saigon mess of meringue, toasted coconut cream and fruit is perfect. Pair your dessert with a digestif like a Vietnamese espresso martini made with traditional Vietnamese coffee.
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For one of the best French restaurants in Brisbane for martinis and steak tartare – book at The Inchcolm Bar in Brisbane’s CBD
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The Inchcolm Bar is the place to escape from it all. Up above the bustling streets of the Brisbane CBD, The Inchcolm’s dark patterned walls, gold-lit bar and plush green armchairs invite diners to retreat and relax. Here, the restaurant gives just as much importance and attention to the martinis as the steak tartare. Hiramasa kingfish, a staple of Brisbane’s best French restaurants, comes raw with a tangy citrus dressing as a starter. Follow it up with a crispy skin barramundi fillet served with a kohlrabi purée. Alternatively, the Moreton Bay bug tagliarini keeps things simple but effective with an aglio e olio sauce and chilli flavours. Finish things off with the tart of the day topped with a dollop of vanilla creme. Martinis are the star of the drinks menu, and The Inchcolm hosts a Three Martini lunch and dinner, where you can sample different drinks paired with the perfect dish. Beyond martinis, there are plenty more classic and creative cocktails, including low and non-alcoholic options.
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The best French restaurants in Brisbane bring refined flavours and expert cooking techniques to your dinner plate. Whether you want somewhere fancy to host your next big get-together or somewhere a little more laid back, there are plenty of French offerings throughout the city. Dig into steak frites and chocolate mousse or baked camembert and crème brulée. Don’t forget to leave plenty of time to peruse the drinks menu and, if you’re not sure what to choose, just ask the friendly waitstaff for their pairing recommendation. It’s common for these restaurants to book out, so if you’re planning a special occasion, book in advance to secure your spot.