The Melbourne dining scene is probably unrivalled in Australia. Sydney runs it close, but Melbourne’s diverse array of restaurants is a true foodie’s paradise.
Sampling everything that Melbourne has to offer is an impossibility. Even if you have a ridiculous budget, unlimited time and the capacity to ingest thousands of additional daily calories, you’ll still be chasing new openings.
Assuming that none of these apply to our readers, we have attempted to fine-tune a list of excellent French and Mediterranean restaurants, bistros and eateries, that deserve your attention and custom.
French gastronomy is one of the world’s classic cuisines and is hugely influential. Mediterranean cuisine overlaps and shares some similarities. However, it is generally considered ‘lighter’ with a focus on vegetables, legumes, minimally processed grains, fish and smaller amounts of meat and dairy.
In contrast, French food is generally ‘richer’. Famously, it has a greater emphasis on classic sauces (hollandaise, bechamel, etc), whereas Mediterranean sauces are more organic and stock-based. And of course, the further south one travels in France, the greater the influence of Mediterranean cuisine on the food and lifestyle.
Melbourne, as befits its status of a major hub of fine-dining, has dozens of restaurants that serve a fusion of classic Mediterranean and French dishes. So let us guide you through some of the most inventive European food east of the Bosphorus.
Here are our best French and Mediterranean restaurants in Melbourne.
Location: The Gothic Bank, 380 Collins St, Melbourne, VIC 3000 Ph: (02) 9280 3395
This upmarket French restaurant is the new must-try place in Melbourne,. Not least because of the truly stunning building housing it. For Reine & La Rue has moved into the old Gothic Bank on the corner of Collins Street. From the beautiful floor to the stained-glass windows to the glorious vaulted ceiling – the space is incredible.
And thankfully, so is the food.
But then this is the latest venture from the team behind NOMAD. And if you’re eaten either at NOMAD.Melbourne or the sibling venue in Sydney, you’ll know that quality produce and polished culinary skills are at the heart of their kitchen.
With Reine & La Rue, the focus is still on the best produce available, but this time with a classically French spin.
Open with the delicate, flaky Anchovy Pissaladiere ($16) before dipping into the perfectly seasoned Beef Tartare, Smoked Bone Marrow & Jerusalem Artichoke ($14). The Duck Liver & Foie Gras Parfait with Sauternes & Rhubarb ($28) is impossibly satiny. Whilst the Coral Trout, Mussels & Lobster Beurre Blanc ($70) is divine.
And as for the Wine List, with a 700+ bottles to choose from, there’s got to be something you like!
Yep. It may be new, but Reine & La Rue is already one of the finest French and Mediterranean restaurants in Melbourne.
Update:
Reine & La Rue won the New Restaurant of the Year Award at the recent Age Good Food Guide 2024 ceremony.
The Chapel restaurants come and go, but comparatively new arrival – the Windsor Wine Room – looks like it will be a stayer. Stylish, yet relaxed, this is the kind of Eurocentric eatery every foodie wishes that they had around the corner. Yes, not all the plates have French heritage, but who’s quibbling when everything is this yummy?
As the name implies, the venue sports an impressive Wine Cellar. But that’s not all. The elegant Potato Mille-Feuille ($20) is a clever play on the classic French patisserie. Here, fine leaves of Potato arrive layered with a rich Parmesan Cream. Add a punchy Romesco and you have a divine opening dish.
Perfect for either a date night or an intimate catch up with good friends, give the Windsor Wine Room a visit.
Located on Swan street, Noir is a bustling French bistro that offers a selection of vibrant dishes. The restaurant particularly prides itself on the use of fresh and local ingredients.
Known for its modern decor and welcoming atmosphere, Noir’s small, cosy and intimate space is the perfect place to spend an evening with close friends, where you can sample its excellent wine list and inventive food.
This part of Richmond (and neighbouring Cremorne) has recently attracted many young businesses to its start-up, tech-friendly environment. The Noir lunch menu is perfect for a quick, efficient business lunch – limited choice, fixed price, promptly served (optional glass of house wine) – and is well worth a try.
Offering a wide selection of classic dishes, Noir’s dinner menu is lauded for its confit duck. Other stand-out dishes are its caramelised scallops and rabbit gnocchi.
Whilst it may be early days, there are strong indications that Melbourne hospitality star Chris Lucas has another winner on his hands with Maison Batard. And honestly, we’ve got to admire his ambition. After all, not many would throw their money behind a 4-level French eatery in the current economic climate. But then not everyone if restauranteur Chris Lucas.
First there’s Batard Restaurant which sprawls over the ground and first floors. With an on-trend Open Kitchen, extravagant Oyster Bar and the elegant decor of a chic Parisian bistro.
The menu takes many a French favourite and gives them a Melbourne spin. Hence, the Caviar section includes items like Omelette de Pommes de Terre ($33.5). An Omelette of Crispy Potato & Caviar that would make a very memorable brunch option. From the Hand-Cut Steak Tartare ($34.5/47.5) to the Lobster a L’Americaine ($165), everything smacks of quality produce shown expert care and attention.
On top of Maison Batard you’ll find the city’s newest rooftop bar – La Terrasse. Complete with a large atrium, it gives patrons the choice of both inside and outside dining.
Here, the menu is simpler, but not less delicious. The dinky Beef Bourguignon Pies (2 for $14.5) go down very well with my companion. As does the ratehr fabulous looking Le Cheeseburger ($26.5).
Not surprisingly, many people are knocking back Cocktails as they nibble on the tempting snacks.
With an impressive Champagne List, it’s the kind of intimate space that yells Date Night or special celebration. Despite the lure of Bubbles, we tested out the Maison Royale ($28). An interesting libation, it follows the basics of a Kir Royale with Creme de Cassis and Champagne, but then throws a curveball with a hint of Walnut Liqueur. We like. Very much.
If you love French food and wine, then you really should make a pilgrimage to Maison Batard. It’s already destined to be one of the top French and Mediterranean restaurants in Melbourne.
Based in a stunning Victorian revival, Bistro Gitan is recognisably one of the best French and Mediterranean restaurants in Melbourne. The team here prepare a contemporary menu offering classic dishes with a unique Mediterranean twist.
From the minute you open your menu you will be intrigued by the options on offer. The kitchen doesn’t play safe but serves modern spins on such classic French dishes as chicken liver parfait, spatchcock with mustard crust and sea rockling with fried mushrooms.
All dishes are delicious, authentic and generously flavoured.
When Melbourne culinary star Scott Pickett is behind a venture, you know the food should be good. And good is definitely is at Smith St Bistro.
This is the kind of place where you can plonk yourself on a high-backed stool at the expansive bar and enjoy a Cocktail or 2 and the Francophile ambience before settling at your table.
Once seated, the only problem is what to order. Will it be the Twice Baked Souffle ($26) with Gruyere Sauce, or the Coquilles Saint Jacques ($30) – Scallops with Pumpkin, Honey & Brown Butter? For the Main, the Poisson Du Jour ($9) – Market Fish with a punchy Sauce Grenobloise – is always sublime. But then so is the Magret De Canard ($56). A classic French dish of Loddon Estate Duck Breast, Celeriac, Cailette & Quince.
But when all is said and done, if love the flavours of France cooked and presented with obvious love, you’ll adore Smith St Bistro. It’s one of the finest French and Mediterranean restaurants in Melbourne.
First established by Philippe Mouchel, this French restaurant is considered to be one of the best in Melbourne, with Mouchel’s culinary mastery showcased to full effect.
Born and raised in Normandy, Mouchel was trained by the great Paul Bocuse. This impeccable pedigree is diplayed in the quality of food on offer. It’s creative, vibrant and infused with rich flavour.
If you get a chance to visit this particular establishment, then we highly recommend sampling the oysters, although the rotisserie chicken also remains a popular crowd-pleaser.
If you want to sample a classic French menu, then Bistro Guillaume is the perfect place for you.
Based in Crown Melbourne, this popular French restaurant remains one of the best in the whole city. It is known for its decadent dishes and opulent atmosphere, making it a popular destination for tourists and locals alike.
Boasting a wide menu of delicious options, this establishment offers classic dishes such as cheese souffle, steak frites with bearnaise sauce and a sinful chocolate fondant.
Our tip is to book an outdoor table looking out over the Yarra for lunch. Then chill with a glass of wine and the Poisson a la Meuniere ($48) – John Dory, Capers, Native Lime, Golden Raisin & Parsley. It’ll make you realise how lucky we are to live in such a fabulous city.
This relaxed establishment is the perfect place to sample some authentic French cuisine, with the restaurant boasting a wide selection of delicious food and French-speaking staff.
While France Soir does not reinvent the wheel, it does offer many of the classic French dishes such as rabbit casserole and French onion soup, traditional escargot and tartare. It’s a true brasserie and one of the best French and Mediterranean restaurants in Melbourne.
The next entry on our list is what we could call a triple threat, as it’s a bar, cafe and restaurant all in one. So if you feel like a morning pastry or an evening meal, this establishment has everything you need.
Sporting comfortable decor and a welcoming atmosphere, this restaurant boasts a wide selection of classic French dishes, which include offerings such as steak tartare, chicken liver parfait and a decadent creme brulee.
Just make sure to pair your food with a bottle of delicious wine and you will get to live out the full French experience.
Open for weddings, engagements and birthdays, this French restaurant is the perfect place to celebrate your special day, no matter the occasion.
Offering ambience and atmosphere, this establishment boasts a large menu of delicious French classics, which include notable offerings such as whipped cod, steak frites, assorted cheeses and cured meats.
Looking for a stylish restaurant serving Modern Australian food in the Melbourne CBD? See our review of Hazel.
Established seven years ago, Entrecote has fast become a popular destination for locals and tourists alike, with the classy French restaurant offering some of the best food in the whole of Melbourne.
It’s chic, trendy and situated in a character-filled street in a fascinating part of town.
Covering breakfast, lunch and dinner, this establishment promises authentic French cuisine made with fresh and delicious ingredients, with the menu yielding notable dishes such as porterhouse steak, poached chicken, creme brulee and Pommes Frites.
If you want to remove yourself from the hustle and bustle of Melbourne, then we recommend checking out the French Brasserie, which promises to teleport you to the streets of France.
Not only does this beautiful restaurant capture the aesthetic of a Parisian eatery, but it also offers some of the most delicious French food in the city.
Complete with friendly service and comfortable seating, this establishment boasts a wide menu of tasty meals, which include classics such as escargot, coq au vin and beef bourguignon.
Considered one of the best French restaurants in Melbourne, Bistrot d’Orsay has remained a popular eatery for 25 years, with the establishment offering a wide menu of classic French cuisines.
Styled after a Parisian bistro, this restaurant boasts dark wood panelling, painted ceilings and warm lighting, as well as delicious food and friendly staff.
Although this stunning bistro may seem petite on the outside, it currently offers one of the largest menus in the city.
Featuring classic French dishes such as beef bourguignon, chocolate fondant and duck a l’orange – this is the perfect place to sample authentic French cuisine, accompanied by an extensive selection of excellent wine. It’s a friendly, warm bistro, with a cosy ambiance.
If you’re looking for a Valentine’s Day option, consider this restaurant. It’s undeniably got a romantic feel and is one of the best French and Mediterranean restaurants in Melbourne.
The French bistro dining experience doesn’t get any more authentic than at Toorak’s Bistro Thierry.
The whole ethos behind this much-loved establishment was to recreate the tastes, aromas and ambience of eating in a genuine French bistro.
The service is impeccable and the menu reads like a hit list of French classic. From the Foie Gras to the Le Steak-Frites to the Magret de Canard (that’s duck, to you and me). If you want a cheap lunch, then this isn’t the best place to book. However, if you’re looking for a little slice of Paris in the heart of Melbourne, then you won’t find too many better options.
Bistro Thierry is undoubtedly one of the finest French and Mediterranean restaurants in Melbourne.
When it comes to great places to eat in Australia, the list really is endless. There are so many different restaurants, cafés, and chains to try that you really are spoiled for choice. From Italian food, to Japanese food, to a good ‘ole rump steak, the food options are endless.
This is why I decided to set up my blog, Eatability, to share the best food and drink spots in Australia with as many people as possible. Hi, my name is Dylan Cole, and I moved to Australia five years ago from England, UK.
Through this blog, I will be sharing and recommending some of my favorite places you need to visit, such as where to find the best pizza in Adelaide, and the best bakery in Brisbane. Whatever food you are fancying, I have got you covered!
