10+ French eateries to transport your tastebuds to the streets of Paris
Posted on
It’s time to say “Vive La France” – Bastille Day is on its way.
As lovers of French food and wine, celebrating July 14 in Canberra is always a fun (and delicious) time, and as Bastille Day quickly approaches we thought we’d share some of Canberra’s French eateries with our fellow francophiles.
Covering everything from French fine dining to the best places to get an authentic pastry, here are 10+ places in Canberra that will transport your tastebuds to the streets of Paris with a single bite.
But if you’re looking for a fully immersive French experience, you can’t go past the annual Alliance Française de Canberra Bastille Day celebrations. Taking place on Saturday 13 July from 11 am, at this special Bastille Day event you’ll enjoy everything from a French brunch (think: quiches, pastries, and other treats), to live music, a glass of sparkling French wine on arrival, and more.
You’ll be celebrating with a croissant and saying “votre sante!” before you know it!
Les Bistronomes (Campbell)
View this post on Instagram
When you think of French fine dining in Canberra, it’s hard to go past Les Bistronomes. The winner of the 2022 Silver Award for the best French restaurant in Australia, it’s often been a favourite for locals looking to be transported to France without paying for a plane ticket.
To celebrate Bastille Day this year, they’re offering a five-course menu that will see you indulging in an evening of classic French gastronomy – think la soupe á lóignon (puff pastry-crusted onion soup with grated Comté), les crêpes Suzette (French crepes cooked in orange syrup and flambéed with Cointreau) and more.
Priced at $105 per person, it’ll be authentic fine dining experience to rival any in France.
18 Blamey Place, Campbell | lesbistronomes.net
Breizh Café (Ainslie)
This casual café has a very unique offering – it makes you feel like you’re in a traditional creperie in the middle of Brittany.
Serving galette and crepes all day (both of which can be made gluten-free with buckwheat flour) along with other French treats like quiche, and a “Casse-Croûte” sandwich made to order on a baguette, from savory to sweet they have all of your cravings covered.
Our suggestion? You can’t go past the Breizh Spicy Hot Chocolate – a speciality of the café.
15 Edgar Street, Ainslie | breizhcafecreperie.com
Margot Espresso Vin and Fromage (Parkes)
Celebrating with a croissant is always a good idea – and one from Margot Espresso Vin and Fromage is sure to satisfy any French pastry-inspired cravings.
Serving espresso in the AM and prosecco in the PM (along with fromage boxes), this intimate alfresco space brings a breath of fresh French air to the lakeside.
West Kiosk, Elizabeth Terrace, Parkes | margot.bar
Louis (Barton)
View this post on Instagram
Be transported from the hustle and bustle of the Parliamentary Triangle to France with this fine dining darling.
Focusing predominately on European dishes (including Provencal cuisine) it’s both elevated and luxe, setting the bar for a memorable (and French-inspired) fine dining experience.
louisdining.com.au | 18 National Circuit, Barton
Onzieme (Kingston)
Brought to life by hatted Canberra chef Louis Couttoupes, this Parisian-inspired bistro has an essence that is very much enshrined in its name – the back streets of the eleventh arrondissement in Paris where a whole strip of bistros that hug the canal side of the Left Bank.
With a daily evolving menu that showcases shared plates that feature seasonal fruits and vegetables, dining here is a bespoke experience. And don’t forget about its underground bar, 11e Cave – it’s inspired by the small French cellar bars and serves simple snacks and great wines.
5/39 Kennedy Street, Kingston | onzieme.com.au
L’Orange Patisserie (Griffith)
Fresh madeleines, roule cannelé, eclairs, and French macarons – L’Orange Patisserie is a haven for francophiles with a sweet tooth.
Linger over a fresh cup of coffee and a mille feuille or some refreshing tea and a tart aux fruit for a memorable and pleasurable experience.
Manuka Court, 50/11-17 Bougainville Street, Griffith | lorangepatisserie.com.au
Ondine (Deakin)
View this post on Instagram
A casual dining experience in a relaxed setting, the French-inspired menu at Ondine has everything from escargots au Café de Paris to beef bourguignon with Paris mash.
The only thing missing is the Eiffel Tower.
7 Duff Place, Deakin | ondine.com.au
Savoir French (Acton)
For those in the city craving authentic and homemade French baked goods, this small café has it all.
Only open during the week, from 8.30 am you can pick up everything from Pain au Chocolats (best enjoyed on the spot) to a French brunch pack you can take home. Making everything themselves by hand – using traditional methods – you might not be able to eat your treat by the Seine, but it’s a true taste of France in Canberra.
105 Ellery Crescent, Acton | savoirfrench.com.au
Courgette (City)
This longtime legend never fails to impress, so it’s only right that you make a booking at Courgette for a French fine-dining experience.
Owned by Chef James Mussillon, this hatted restaurant only offers fixed-price menus for both lunch and dinner. Choose between three or five courses and eat your way though some classic French-inspired dishes. Want to elevate your experience? Add in the wine pairing and thank us later.
54 Marcus Clarke Street, City | courgette.com.au
Café Viin (Pearce)
Café by day and restaurant by night, at Café Viin French food is done well and without fuss.
The constantly changing menu showcases the best of seasonal produce and it’s ideal for those looking for a quiet night out. Expect intricate and subtle combinations of traditional French flavours.
Shop3A/70 Hodgson Crescent, Pearce | @cafeviin
Le Bon Mélange Café Pâtisserie (Gungahlin)
View this post on Instagram
A cool little French-inspired café on the corner of Bruning Street and Gungahlin Place, here you can indulge in breakfast, lunch (and most importantly) dessert.
From freshly baked pastries and homemade quiches to macarons, it’s a little piece of Europe in the heart of Gungahlin.
Corner Bruning Street and Gungahlin Place, Gungahlin | lebonmelange.com.au
Provisions (Braidwood)
A gourmet deli, pantry, and creperie offering artisan produce, coffee, French galettes, crepes, and wine…it’s worth taking a road trip to Provisions.
Open seven days a week in the charming town of Braidwood, it offers a mouth-watering taste of France. Grab a galette for breakfast or indulge in some French cheese and wine in a country setting. It may not be the French countryside but it’s not far off.
56C Wallace Street, Braidwood | provisionsbraidwood.com.au
Feature image: Lean Timms.
