More than just the coastal capital of Victoria, Melbourne is a city that boasts an abundance of cultural diversity. This is nowhere more apparent than in the city’s rich and varied food scene. Among this vast sea of international flavours, the best French restaurants in Melbourne hold a special place, showcasing a delightful blend of tradition and innovation and offering a taste of France’s rich gastronomic history while embracing contemporary trends.
Sit down to a delicate amuse-bouche that sets the tone for the meal, try a perfectly cooked coq au vin and end your evening in true Parisian style with a caramelised apple tarte tatin. These are just a few of the experiences that await you at the best French restaurants in Melbourne. Each gem offers its own unique interpretation of French cuisine, ensuring every meal is a memorable one.
Discover the crème de la crème of French dining with the 10 best French restaurants in Melbourne and secure your spot on OpenTable today.
The best French restaurants in Melbourne – read on for a guide
For a cosy date night at a French bistro – visit Normandy Wine & Grill in Windsor
Normandy Wine & Grill is a shining star in Windsor, offering a unique dining experience that marries traditional French cooking with innovative modern twists. Spearheaded by seasoned chef Azem Dzevlan, the restaurant exudes a minimalist yet warm ambience, creating a classic bistro mood. The menu features premium Cape Grim beef steak frites and chargrilled Skull Island tiger prawns with garlic butter, promising a culinary journey that will tantalise your taste buds. The dining area offers a view of Windsor’s beautifully bustling High Street, making it a perfect spot for cosy dates or people-watching with mates. Whether you sit indoors or at one of the quintessentially Parisian outdoor street tables, Normandy Wine & Grill will deliver a memorable dining experience. The hardest part is choosing between the crème brûlée and apple tarte tatin for dessert.
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For a stellar dinner at one of the best French restaurants in Melbourne – don’t miss French Saloon in the Melbourne CBD
Tucked away in the heart of Melbourne, French Saloon is a culinary gem that offers a taste of France in the city’s bustling Central Business District. The restaurant exudes a classic yet fresh ambience, with rustic wooden floorboards, a deep-red ceiling and an ambience that’s both elegant and welcoming. The menu features French morsels like raw scallops with a hint of spice and a succulent steak tartare. The restaurant’s location on Hardware Lane further enhances the dining experience, offering a view of the vibrant city life. If you want to be among the action, you can dine in the breezy outdoor eating area. Otherwise, you can get cosy in the lush and intimate indoor dining space. Whether it’s a casual catch-up, a romantic date or a special occasion, French Saloon provides the perfect setting for brunches, lunches and evening meals.
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For rustic Provencal charm at one of Melbourne’s best French restaurants – visit Le Petit Bistro in Kooyong
Le Petit Bistro charms lovers of French cuisine with its location in the heart of Kooyong. The restaurant exudes a rustic Provencal charm, offering a cosy and intimate dining experience. The menu, a celebration of seasonal French food, features meals such as the pan-seared scallops with confit capsicum, zucchini, onion and basil oil, and the slow-cooked beef cheek bourguignon served with potato mash. With its chic ambience and warm fireplace, the dining area is the perfect backdrop for everything from romantic dates to casual catch-ups and special occasions. Whether you sit indoors or enjoy the outdoor seating, Le Petit Bistro is sure to charm you and anyone you choose to bring with you.
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For a celebratory meal in an elegant bistro – stop by Bistro La Provence in Brighton
Bistro La Provence operates from the picturesque suburb of Brighton, and it’s a delightful destination for those seeking a classic French dining experience. Decked in dark wood and gold, with sumptuous curtains and deep, warm lighting, the restaurant exudes rustic charm reminiscent of a cosy bistro in the heart of Provence. The menu features abundant traditional French cuisine, with dishes such as escargot and confit duck promising a culinary journey that will be a true treat for your taste buds. With its warm ambience and chic decor, the dining area is perfect for everything from romantic dates to special occasions. Whether you opt for a charming lunch or decadent dinner, your French culinary adventure begins at Bistro La Provence. Bon appétit.
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For sipping Parisian-style cocktails in style at one of the best French
restaurants in Melbourne – save your spot at Bistro Sou Sou in Fitzroy
Bistro Sou Sou, nestled in the vibrant heart of Fitzroy, is a Parisian oasis that offers a delightful French dining experience. With elegant chandeliers and sepia tones, the restaurant exudes an intimate and warm ambience, reminiscent of a cosy bistro in 1950s Paris. The menu honours simple yet delicious French cuisine, featuring specialities such as the sweet corn and scallop soup and the parfait with homemade butterscotch ice cream. If you’re up for a cocktail or two, Bistro Sou Sou has plenty of exquisite options like the Madame Sousou cocktail, a refreshing blend of fresh raspberry, blackcurrant liqueur and Prosecco, and the house espresso martini, a robust mix of vodka, Frangelico, cacao cream and coffee. The dining area, with its chic decor and echoes of Paris, is perfect for everything from romantic dates to casual catch-ups with colleagues after work.
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For an outstanding five-course French feast – don’t miss La Majestic in Prahran
Situated on the cusp of Windsor and Prahran, La Majestic is a beacon of French elegance in Melbourne. The restaurant’s clean lines and simple decor exude an air of sophistication and elegant warmth, reminiscent of a classic French bistro. The lavish five-course meal is La Majestic’s most magical offering, promising a sensory adventure that will leave you feeling perfectly satisfied. From the creamy lobster bisque to the rich beef bourguignon, the succulent lamb shoulder and the decadent chocolate mouse, this five-course feast is a true treat for the senses. With vegetarian options available, La Majestic offers an unforgettable experience that’s perfect when shared with the other food lovers in your life.
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For a step back in time at one of the best French restaurants in Melbourne – head to the magical Bar Margaux in Melbourne CBD
Tucked away in a cosy nook of Melbourne’s Central Business District, Bar Margaux is a late-night French bar and brasserie that will make you feel like you’ve stepped back in time. If you’re a fan of Woody Allen’s Midnight in Paris, this is the hangout spot for you. The restaurant exudes a New York-style ambience with a chic Parisian twist. The menu won’t let you down either, with flavourful classics like French onion soup, made with rich veal stock, slow-caramelised onions, pancetta, butter, herbs, port, red wine and gruyère served with a toasted baguette. Another standout is the escargots served in shells brimming with melted butter, garlic and Pernod. The dining area, with its chequerboard floor, glittery white subway tiles, timber and upholstered booth seating and wired-glass room dividers, is perfect for everything from romantic dates to birthdays and other special occasions. Embark on a trip back in time and savour the traditional flavours of France at Bar Margaux.
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For Melbourne’s best French restaurant with breathtaking views – head on to Vue de monde in Melbourne’s CBD
Perched high above Melbourne’s Central Business District, Vue de monde is a testament to the belief that a simple meal can be a wondrous experience if the ambience is right. Featuring possibly the most stunning views of any restaurant in Melbourne, Vue de monde adds to the decadence with avant-garde decor and staff in designer garb, each subtle feature creating an elevated dining experience in every sense. The menu is equally lavish, featuring native Australian ingredients prepared with classic French techniques and driven by a vision of sustainability. You’ll find unique specialities such as the mud crab with Victorian saffron and the Blackmore Wagyu with maitake mushrooms. The dining area, with its chic decor and breathtaking views of the city, is perfect for everything from romantic dates to classy client meetings. Whoever it is you’re looking to impress, Vue de monde will do the trick.
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For a taste of Burgundy in the heart of Melbourne – book a table at Chez Olivier Le Bistro in South Yarra
Chez Olivier Le Bistro is a charming South Yarra gem that will make you feel like you’ve stepped from the streets of Melbourne into a cosy bistro in Burgundy. With wooden floorboards and arched windows, the restaurant exudes a warm and inviting ambience, perfect for a romantic dinner or a casual lunch. The menu features specialities such as freshly shucked oysters with red wine vinegar and shallots, and coquilles St Jacques à la Bretonne, gratinéed scallops served with a béchamel sauce and button mushrooms. The dining area, with its chic decor and comfortable seating, is perfect for settling in and allowing the pressures of life to flow away. If you need a little help in that regard, Chez Olivier’s plateau de fromages and comprehensive wine list will do the trick. So, when you could use a slice of relaxing French life, Chez Olivier Le Bistro is waiting to welcome you.
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For a dog-friendly meal at one of Melbourne’s best French restaurants – rush to Chez Misty in St Kilda
Who says dogs don’t deserve fancy dining experiences? At St Kilda’s Chez Misty, you can treat your pooch to a decadent, dog-friendly dining experience while enjoying some of the best French food Melbourne has to offer. The restaurant exudes a friendly and welcoming ambience, with a special menu for dogs, making it a fun and pet-friendly environment. You can even arrange dog birthday parties in the chic dining area! The human menu features specialities such as la super complete, a crepe filled with a variety of delicious ingredients. With its chic decor and comfortable seating, the dining area is perfect for everything from casual brunches to special doggy occasions. With a focus on healthy ingredients and a menu designed specifically to cater for the needs and preferences of pups, Chez Misty is an essential dining experience for Melburnians with four-legged family members.
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In the heart of Melbourne’s culinary mosaic lies an exquisite realm of French gastronomy, where tradition dances with innovation. The city’s French restaurants invite you on an indulgent journey, each hotspot a canvas of distinct flavours and atmospheres. From Normandy Wine & Grill’s traditional French fare with a modern twist to the astonishing views of Vue du monde in the CBD, the best French restaurants in Melbourne offer a unique culinary adventure. These are just a few gems awaiting discovery in Melbourne’s French culinary landscape. From the dark elegance of Bistro La Provence in Brighton to the cosy, dog-friendly vibes of Chez Misty in St Kilda, Melbourne’s French restaurants promise lavish meals served with immersive experiences to savour. So, if you’re up for a food-fuelled odyssey, let your senses revel in the symphony of French flavours waiting for discovery at Melbourne’s finest French restaurants.
