The Southern Highlands has scored a sleek all-day cafe-bistro hybrid, with an ex-Monopole head chef at the helm. Set in the heart of Bowral — just opposite the train station, day-trippers take note — Lucette leans on classic French technique while heroing Southern Highlands produce and an easygoing Australian cafe sensibility. It comes courtesy of husband-and-wife duo Julien and Romy Besnard, who also own and operate the town's enduringly popular Franquette Crêperie. To lead the kitchen, they've tapped Paris-born chef Guillaume Dubois, a former head chef at the now-shuttered, two-hatted Monopole. The fine-dining polish is evident across a considered menu that moves from loaded croissants and egg dishes in the morning to three-cheese soufflé and steak frites come evening. [caption id="attachment_1077247" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Mattia Panunzio[/caption] Breakfast, served from 7.30am, spans viennoiserie and croissant buns filled with ingredients like raclette, smoked salmon or pumpkin mousseline, alongside larger dishes like French toast with crème brûlée custard and a silky eggs cocotte with ham, gruyère and caramelised onions. From lunch onwards, things shift into bistro territory: French onion soup capped with comté custard, beef tartare with brown butter and cornichons, vol-au-vent with scallops and ratatouille, and a dedicated steak frites selection heroing premium wagyu cuts. Dinner leans further into bistro classics designed for lingering, like a hearty boeuf bourguignon and a 500-gram t-bone to share. [caption id="attachment_1077253" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Mattia Panunzio[/caption] The drinks list follows suit, with French sparkling and champagne, mimosas and spritzes by day, before shifting to classic apéritifs and a considered selection of French wines. A standout is the velvety, Paris-style hot chocolate — designed to be shared between up to four — with the option to add strawberries or a croissant for dipping. It all unfolds in a light-filled space that pairs timber and soft textures with a European-style terrace primed for coffee or an afternoon apéritif. It's French at heart, but designed for the neighbourhood — while also giving Sydneysiders an easy excuse to hop on the train south. [caption id="attachment_1077251" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Mattia Panunzio[/caption] Top images: Mattia Panunzio.
