Overview
French cuisine and the restaurants that serve it can sometimes take themselves very seriously — which is fine if you're in the mood. But French food doesn't have to be all snooty; there are a variety of options available from fine dining and wine rooms to regional, homestyle restaurants and BYO bistros through to patisseries and boulangeries. We've scoured the city to bring you this list of the ten best French eateries in Brisbane.
Montrachet
A decade-old this year, Montrachet holds a special place in the heart of Brisbane Francophiles, a fact for which the Soufflé aux Crabe et Gruyère is largely accountable. Though other delectable dishes may come and go from the menu, this double baked soufflé with crab meat and Gruyère cheese, finished with a light cream sauce, is stalwart.
224 Given Terrace, Paddington
Brents
Sitting at the bottom of one of those steep residential streets common to Brisbane’s inner western suburbs, Brents is easily missed. Almost hidden by shrubbery, with a little letterbox out the front, from the street it looks like someone’s house, rather than a hatted restaurant. However, the modern French menu, devised by head chef Brent Farrell, is made up of some pretty impressive dishes, particularly in the area of dessert. Sadly Brents is set to close January 24, so hurry now to send this classic out with a bang.
85 Miskin St, Toowong
Bistro Arlette
New Farm’s Bistro Arlette has found favour with those who prefer their French food unpretentious and straightforward. Dishes are reassuringly recognisable: French onion soup, Duck a l’Orange and profiteroles feature on the menu, and are executed with finesse. Even the wine list is comfortingly short and very affordable.
Shop 4/154 Merthyr Road, New Farm
Anise
A 20-seater wine room, Anise is the type of establishment where you can feel comfortable spending quite a bit of time. It’s warm, understated and surprisingly relaxed, and very conducive to a tête-à-tête; couples in particular would benefit from a trip.
If you are after a tasting flight, then wine is available by the glass, and the selection is often updated, according to curatorial wisdom. If you’d prefer degustation with matched wines, the Gallic inspired European fare at Anise will not disappoint.
697 Brunswick Street, New Farm
Chouquette
For those lucky enough to have travelled to France, a trip to Chouquette will bring back memories of the quickly adopted daily ritual of visiting Parisian patisseries and boulangeries. If you manage to step past the first counter displaying a mouth-watering array of reasonably priced petit cakes you’ll find a selection of pastries, fresh baked artisan bread and the all-mighty coffee machine. We recently crowned Choquette king of Brisbane’s best croissant, and rightly so.
19 Barker St, New Farm
Privé249
Located in the Sofitel Hotel, Privé249 offers an intimate fine dining experience. Degustation is available as either six courses or eight, and a la carte offerings, though undeniably fancy, are likely to suit most tastes. Case in point being the Wagyu beef fillet with black truffle sauce, sweet potato gratin and pea textures.
249 Turbot Street, Brisbane
Rhubarb Rhubarb
Rhubarb Rhubarb is named not only for a favoured ingredient, or the festive colour of its paint job, but also the theatre practice of creating a convincing crowd hum by having actors repeat the word 'rhubarb' from the wings. As far as restaurant names go, some thought has gone into this one. Both the venue and the food are far from modern and not too fussy. A standout is the grass fed eye fillet with Gruyere croquettes, speck fumet, horseradish creme and confit tomato.
Shop 5/85 Kent Rd, Wooloowin
Le Bon Choix
With locations on Queen Street, Racecourse Road and Given Terrace, Le Bon Choix is one of Brisbane’s most well-established Parisian-style bakeries. Crusty bread loaves of different shapes and sizes are arranged on shelves behind the counter. Ready-made rustic salad baguettes and croque monsieur are piled up in one corner of the display case, with croissants and other flaky breakfast pastries in another. Next to these are perhaps the biggest drawcard, the assorted colourful mousse cakes.
379 Queen Street,Brisbane; 2/121 Racecourse Road, Ascot; 1/251 Given Terrace, Paddington
La Provence
The Brisbane French food scene seems to be rooted quite firmly north of the river, so it is nice to see Coorparoo restaurant La Provence making a name for itself. Boasting a rather romantic atmosphere, La Provence specialises in traditional, provincial French food. The Cassolette d’escargots façon bourguignonne (French snails ‘Burgundy style’) currently holds a place on the seasonal menu.
321 Chatsworth Rd, Coorparoo
Lutece
In a dining world of charcuterie boards, micro herbs and croquettes, sometimes it is refreshing to find a restaurant not swaying to trends — sticking to the classics and doing it well. Situated in Bardon, Lutece will first take your breath away with its view (looking out south west and to Mount Warning), and then with its food. When it comes to French fare, it can be hard to go past duck and if you do this at Lutece, you will regret it.
1/60 Macgregor Terrace, Bardon