The Ten Best French Restaurants for Bastille Day

It is shocking to think that there is only one holiday a year that truly cries out for a French-themed party. Why don't we have Croissant Day? Or Baguette Day? Romance and Cheese Day could easily be a thing. Still, we do have Bastille Day, and that isn't going anywhere, despite Russell Crowe proving that he absolutely cannot sing.

Bastille Day is important because it celebrates the beginning of the French Revolution — that bloodthirsty struggle for freedom, equality and fraternity. When "the people" stormed the Bastille and seized the military stores, an entire decade of idealism, savagery and carnage started. So why celebrate such a heady (and often headless) period? Because it's about seizing control and brandishing baguettes and bringing about the end of feudalism. Being independent and being proud and well, being French, basically. Along with the start of a new nation, the revolution also saw the explosion of French culture — a culture that Sydney has continually adapted and played with.

Compiled here is a list of Sydney's best and most fun French. Carpe diem at one of them this weekend.

1. Claude's

Claude's, Woollahra's fine dining stalwart, has ditched the whole grown up thing. When it comes to the space, that is. This Oxford Street veteran has been reborn as a chic, vibrant and airy restaurant; an almost unrecognisable transformation from the proper white table-clothed eatery it once was. Downstairs you'll find a compact bar offering a finely tuned wine list and a selection of smaller dishes such as the souffle a la suissesse, hot and sour mussels and a black fungus relish sandwich. Upstairs is where the serious degustation is at.

French culture bonus: Stop in at Palace Verona for the Dans la Maison (In the House), the latest darkly comic French drama from high-profile director Francois Ozon (8 Women, Swimming Pool)

2. Felix

If Felix was in a Paris arrondissement rather than the Sydney CBD, no one would blink a perfectly curled eyelash. From the (sometimes) French waiters bustling around the tiled floors to the decadent crustacean bar and elaborate murals on the ceiling, Felix is the bistro the city deserved. It’s a humming, buzzing, people-watchers delight: all beautiful wooden finishes, crisp white table cloths and intricate tiling. All the classic French cues are here: the ever-changing ‘Plat du Jour’, the rotisserie section and that incredible oyster bar.

Bastille Day: Felix is celebrating La Fete Nationale by offering three courses with a glass of Ruinart champagne for $100pp for lunch or dinner. They'll also host live entertainment. Bookings call (02) 9240 3000.

3. Ananas

An interesting mix of old-school French cuisine and new-world glamour, this sultry restaurant will wow even the most apprehensive amongst us. Contrary to the area's out-of-date pubs populated by tourists, Ananas is a cocktail, champagne and oyster bar extravaganza with an art deco-inspired restaurant and late-night supper club. It's time to join us in indulging what's on offer here, because it's all just brilliantly joie de vivre.

Bastille Day: Ananas is celebrating the Bastille Day weekend with a party on Saturday, 13 July, from 6pm until late with free entry. Held at Bar Ananas, guests can enjoy all things French, including canapes, special champagne offers, DJs and live entertainment. Then on Sunday there's a Bastille Day lunch, where a special a la carte menu created by new head chef Paul McGrath will be served. To make a reservation for either call (02) 9259 5668 or email [email protected].

French culture bonus: It's just a hop and a skip over The Rocks to Sydney Theatre for The Maids, the famous French play by Jean Genet about two maids (Cate Blanchett and Isabelle Huppert) dreaming of killing their mistress (Elizabeth Debicki).

4. Absinthesalon

Absinthesalon has been around for a while now, and it doesn't really get old. It's still like stepping into another world. This is not only because of the absinthe itself, as we hear that this bohemian drink-of-choice doesn't quite possess the hallucinogenic qualities that it once did. Tucked away in an unassuming corner building in Surry Hills, the interior is dressed to a T as an authentic 'Parisien' cafe. In the middle of each table sits a fountain, surrounded by the various accoutrements of the spirit — silver spoons and cubes of fine French sugar. Absinthe, clearly, is more than just an aperitif, and this salon is its Utopian home.

Bastille Day: The Absinthesalon is going all-out with an Off with Their Heads Bastille Day Soiree on Saturday, July 12. Bookings advisable.

5. Le Petite Creme

No revolution before breakfast. The French have a reputation for being, how do you say, outrageous? Le Petit Creme fits the genre perfectly: it has a reputation and it is most certainly outrageous. If it's service you're after, this tiny cafe might not be your first pick — the waitstaff tend to be casual at best. However, if you're searching for an absurdly luxurious breakfast feast, you've found the right place. The Eggs Benedict is the star attraction — deliciously runny eggs, rich hollandaise and your choice of ham or salmon on freshly toasted brioche.

6. Le Pelican

On Bourke Street sits this quaint French restaurant. A stone's throw from Taylor Square and the flurry of hipsters hanging at Lo-Fi, Johnny Wong's, or nearby Beresford, it's hard to believe that one could experience something so removed from the familiar. Le Pelican offers a unique experience marked by authentic French cuisine in only the most delightful of settings. Ditch the Hills' common haunts for a night and try the road less trodden. The Coorong Angus onglet with potato mille-feuille (layered pastry) and sauce vierge (olive oil, lemon, tomato, and basil) was almost like the stuff of our dreams.

Bastille Day: Le Pelican is offering a special Bastille Day menu for lunch or dinner, for $75pp or $105 with matching wines.

7. Le Pub

Le Pub is one of those confused places that's somehow just right for Bastille Day. Le Pub still has "le pokies room" and the appearance of a traditional basement pub: no windows and darkly lit. But then there's the pleasant tiled back area, with Scrabble-like words connected to the French theme, and a gastro menu. There's not a huge indicator that the theme of the bar is anything Gallic related outside of the menu, really, which may explain the simplicity of the name, as almost to say to customers, "look, it's slightly Frenchie but you can get a pint here too."

Bastille Day: Le Pub is throwing a soiree on Friday, July 12, and will have meal specials all weekend long. They also promise can-can dancers and a Parisien discotheque.

8. La Banette

If you just want a slice of France rather than a whole feast, stop by La Banette. The Glebe patisserie-cafe oozes with French charm right from the baked goods to the delightful 'petit miams' in the glass cabinets. Even the provincial-like striped awning out front is indicative of a boulangerie and the wooden furnishings and baskets holding baguettes add a rustic touch. But it's not the decor that you're here for. No, no. It's the flaky pastries and intense chocolate slices of opera sitting alongside the chocolate eclairs that are filled with the creamiest of custards. It's the almond croissants and pain au chocolats that have been handcrafted with passion.

9. La Croix

Given that the walk down Greenknowe Avenue into Elizabeth Bay looks faintly Parisian, it's a suprise there aren't more French establishments in the area. La Croix is a goodie, though. There is a strong adherence to classical decor, with white marble Hellenic sculptures and tables, and you can pick up a croissant, an artwork, and a large clay pot for your olive tree in one fell swoop, as they're also a gift shop. Their specialty is the 'tartine', which literally means 'a slice of bread' but it is more like an open sandwich with a sweet or savoury topping. Many kinds are available, from smoked trout to roast beef.

Bastille Day: A special menu awaits, as well as a free glass of champagne upon arrival. Look out for French toast and beef bourguignon and tarte tatin.

10. La Grillade

Tucked away in a quiet corner of Crows Nest is a cheap alternative to a holiday in Provence. An unassuming cottage on the outside, inside La Grillade is both Gallic hominess and sober modernity. From the same people who brought you the new Vicinity Dining in Alexandria, La Grillade is the North Shore equivalent to Ananas, if less show-offy in appearance.

By the Concrete Playground team.