Reviews The French Brasserie

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Roman Watkins
+5
We had a beautiful experience here choosing the $95 set menu which included french onion soup, smoked salmon, barramundi, fillet steak and a strawberry dessert. All the food was sublime, cooked and seasoned to perfection. We did buy a bowl of fries which were served with the steak. I've a big appetite but did not leave hungry. The staff were attentive and helpful. The owner was kind enough to give us a few complimentary drinks once he knew it was our wedding anniversary which was very kind of him. Our bill was $232 with a few drinks which I feel given the quality of the food, service and restaurant as a whole represented great value. I would highly recommend the degustation menu and will be coming back the next time I'm in Melbourne. Great job guys you made our anniversary something very special, thank YOU.
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David Weston
+5
Had a delightful catchup with Win Scott at this superb city establishment. We order from the quick lunch menu. Two courses plus a glass wine for $35 is sure to be amongst the best value offers for a restaurant of this quality in Melbourne. Linen table cloths and napkins. Attentive staff. The best part was the care and professionalism in the food. Small but delicious courses. Just so French modern.
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Shanelle Ingram
+5
Had the most beautiful meal here on Friday night. The food was completely faultless and our waiter was exceptional. I was dining with a French friend who had never been to this restaurant before but who was equally impressed.
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Samantha Jayne
+5
The food was superb . The service let the place down. Waiters didn't know what was in the dishes or where the wine was from ......... I recommend the food.
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Elena Krivickas
+5
From the french speaking staff, to the food, to the wine selection. The French Brasserie is our new favourite place! The degustation menu was exquisite and the wine pairing was perfect! Thank You for taking such good care of us last night..we will be back!
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Anne-Claire Petre
+5
We had the degustation menu with the wine selection! Absolutely beautiful meal... et bien arrosé!! Best bouillabaisse and the snapper was perfect! Very friendly and professional staff. Merci beaucoup! ��
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Wendy Guneratne
+5
We had a great meal to celebrate our wedding anniversary. Our waitress was excellent as were all of the staff. Would definitely recommend. Lovely atmosphere along with very good food all in all great. Monday 17th April. Thank you for making our night a special one. We look forward to coming back Wendy and Anil
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عبد القدیر حبیب
+5
Great service, delicious food and very European vibe! Our server max was very friendly and prompt. The owner of the restaurant was very kind. Overall it was a great experience. Will be back for sure �
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Sigrid de Castella
+5
Completely divine and brilliant! 2-courses and a glass of wine express lunch for $35 (3 courses $45). Why is this place not completely packed? The service, attention to detail, divine french bagette and scumptiously plated food is well worth a visit, and lunch is one of Melbourne's best bargains!
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David Martin
+5
One of Melbourne's best "hidden" gems. This place is a great any-classy occasion spot!
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Denise Joyner
+5
Brilliant service, food and amazing wine list. Highly recommend as you won't be disappointed
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Niall Urquhart
+5
I had my 40th birthday here last night. We were welcomed with Kir Royal on the house and it just got better from there. Beautiful food, well thought through and priced wine list and staff that were attentive without being intrusive. Absolutely loved it and would go back. The parfait and snails are exceptional.
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Leanne Wiebenga Connolly
+5
Great venue, atmosphere was spot on. Service was fantastic and we loved the food, highly recommend. Thank you.
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Arrnott Salesi Olssen
+5
I was in Melbourne last year and stopped in for a late lunch, what can I say from the excellent service to the delicious French food and the amazing wine list it was an awesome experience. Thanks so much and can’t wait to get back for another meal.
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Mark Russell
+5
Excellent food, prepared perfectly. The wine list was reasonably priced and of high quality. Staff were knowledgeable and service was prompt and efficient.
10 months ago
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Jessica Sargeant (Unbeleafablefood)
+5
We had a lovely dining experience at the French Brasserie. It was great to see so many vegan options added to the menu! 

We tried a 3 course meal, which was tasty and filling! The first course was deliciou pea soup with parsnip, fresh bread and olive oil. Next we had a warm salad with lots of root vegetables, mushrooms and a delicious dressing. For dessert, we had a poached pear with vegan carrot cake and chocolate on top. 

The service and atmosphere there is divine! I will definitely be back to try their coffee and cocktails, as I've heard good things!
Aug 26, 2019
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Hans Moleman
+5
We went for a Friday lunch and it wasn't overly busy. We were warmly welcomed upon arrival and soon had a drink in our hands. The decor and ambience was very pleasant, and the French waitering staff were very attentive without being too pushy. The food was excellent and well prepared. We enjoyed our lunch very much.

For entrees we had the Hervey Bay Scallops served in their shells with cauliflower, hazelnuts and apple, and Burgundy Snails with garlic herb butter.

For mains we had the Toulouse-style Cassoulet, and Beef Cheek Bourguignon with sides of pomme frites and green beans. All the food was delicious. Could not fault the food or service.
Jul 12, 2019
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RM
+4
A usual diner here for the set menu when I feel like a relaxed lunch. It’s a great French meal and great quality meat. Haven’t had an impressive dessert yet though.
Jun 23, 2019
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Robin
+5
This establishment serves up authentic french cuisine in an elegant atmosphere. It is a quite setting , ideal for a long dinner and conversation with friends & family.

The staff all seems to be french as well, which is fun !

Our server steered us towards a Heathcote Shiraz for wine, which paired great with everyone's meal. This is nice as we were initially thinking we would get a Ch. d Pape - a logical French wine choice - so although they are a French restaurant, they do have a good selection of Australian wines and will recommend them if they think the pairing is right.
Apr 08, 2019
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Michael Daaboul
+4
The French Brasserie lives up to what they say, it is relaxing, it does have soaring ceilings and vast glass expanses. The atmosphere is fantastic as the staff communicate with each other in French, speak to you with a smile and are always attentive. The scene is set.

We ordered the Salmon Niçoise which is a Tasmanian cured salmon with olives, green beans, tomatoes, salmon caviar, herb dressing and the Tomate Deux Façon which is chilled heirloom tomato consommé, tomato, summer squash with chèvre salad. Both entrees were delicious and executed with finesse. Delicate, tasty and impossible to fault. A real treat.

The mains were the Minute Steak which was a 230gm premium eye fillet with pommes frites, salad and red wine jus and the Coq au Vin Blanc which is marinated chicken breast, white wine and baby onion velouté with crispy baco. The minute steak was disappointing. It tasted amazing, but it was chewy to no end and hard to cut. A difficult meal to judge, considering every other element on the plate was flawless, but the main event. I expected better for the price. On the flip side, the marinated chicken breast was tender and filled with flavour, so not all was lost.

If it was a premium eye fillet, as I have learned from Gordon Ramsay, it should never had been chewy like this, it is a cut of meat that should be tender, especially when asked to be cooked medium to rare.

Dessert was next up with the Crème Brûlée and the Cafe et chocolat; what’s that you may ask? Well, it’s a milk chocolate caramel ganache with coffee liquor creme anglaise and vanilla ice cream. Both desserts were exceptional, perfect balance of sweetness and delighted the senses. A perfect way to end the night.

It’s a real shame that the French Brasserie couldn’t pull off a minute steak, at $46, it was not satisfactory with a restaurant like this. I visited Becco recently, I had a scotch fillet, ordered to be cooked the same and was delicate and easy to cut. Surely, it's not meant to be chewy and hard to cut?

I hope they listen to my feedback, as this minute steak is keeping the French Brasserie from reaching 5 stars.
Mar 28, 2019
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Jdnosewine
+5
The French Brasserie is a clear example of Melbourne’s wonderful food and wine scene.

It is in a small lane way; you don’t pass it on a busy street; you have to find it. Five minutes after sitting down, you feel like you’re in a quiet area of France. Wonderful for a short lunch or pre-theatre dinner or also perfect for a very long lunch or dinner. An interesting but not long or complicated a la carte menu or you can have a degustation lunch or dinner and for a lovely night out, go for the matching wines.

My friend and I recently had an Express lunch as part of the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival. We discovered to our surprise that the French Brasserie offers ‘express’ lunch and dinner all the time and it is anything but ‘express’.

We were warmly welcomed and had a leisurely two hour lunch. For the set lunch menu, a choice of about 3 dishes for each of entre, main and dessert.

My friend had a type of fish cakes, with a lovely sauce ( which was needed as the fish cake was a little dry).

I had superb large sardines with some veggies and salad for main and my friend, chicken and mushroom vol-a-vent . Both were perfectly cooked and well apportioned.

For my second course, I had a variant of a creme caramel and wow, it really felt like I was in France. A soupy and rich creme caramel, with a lovely waffle type of large brandy snap.

We finished the meal leisurely with very good coffee.

I’ll definitely be back. The ambience is great; not noisy; good French music and a small private dining area upstairs.Diverse and interesting French and Australian wine list.

Our waitress, Megane ( from France) was warm, attentive and not intrusive; a real professional.

Highly recommend.
Mar 19, 2019
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Chrissiee Hughes
+5
Have to say this is possibly my favourite place in Melbourne right now. Real French vibe. The food is outstanding. We got 6 courses with matching wine and it was stunning. Stand out is between the snails and the beef tartar(with quail egg and sauce) absolutely mouth watering. Must try

Feb 24, 2019
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Stephanie
+5
Tucked away in a side alley, this stylish and sophisticated restaurant is ideal for an important meal.
The entree of snails were a must, the pesto sauce is delicious and ideal for dipping your bread in to.
The creme brûlée is also a stand out, topped with a thin Eiffel Tower biscuit.
Jan 24, 2019
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James
+5
We had an excellent 6 course menu with matching wines tonight. Very generous with the pourings! The restaurant was a beautiful space, very modern but also very French and welcoming. The staff were very attentive and lovely and apologised profusely while we waited all of a minute for freshly baked bread! (I can wait for delicious fresh bread). The food was excellent, particular favourites were the duck, fish and brulee. But the others were equally as good. The tartare and sauce were also pretty awesome. The wine pairings were delicious and worked perfectly. Highly recommend!!
Jan 13, 2019
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Stellios
+4
Atmosphere and service was great. We had a charming French waiter which was very gpod at his role. Food had amazing presentation. The starters including oysters and scallops were tasteful and elegant to look at. As for mains, the duck was a bit too raw in smell for me but could be good for someone who appreciates that and the chicken was OK. The creamy potatoes were very tasty. All in all the atmosphere, food presentation and service made this experience something special. Also was good value on price and we had full tummies which is a big plus for a fine dining restaurant.
Dec 23, 2018
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Food_Is_Heaven
+5
Came here twice, had amazing experience for both visits. The staff were very friendly and welcoming, nice atmosphere, it is one of the best French restaurants in Melbourne. I don’t normally like snails, but they can cook it nicely. I also love their duck breast and foie gras.
Oct 31, 2018
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Prince
+5
We discovered this gem on spec looking for dinner in Melbourne. Very friendly welcoming staff; lovely ambience; attentive service and delicious food. We chose the menu which was excellent value and then added on dessert and coffee. The strawberry tart is absolutely superb! Will definitely dine there again.
Sep 06, 2018
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Veta Bajaj
+4
Degustation menu was well executed. The long pause between courses perhaps could have been shortened. The only course i didnt really get on with was the soup, but luckily there were many well executed courses which followed.
Jul 19, 2018
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Luvfood
+5
Enjoyed dinner at The French Brasserie last night for my brothers birthday. The service from the moment we stepped inside was impeccable. The attention to detail, care and professionalism were outstanding. Throughly enjoyed the food. The minute steak, confit duck leg and fish were all superb. The lemon tart was absolutely delicious. I look forward to returning and sampling more of the menu.
It’s the small gestures like a complementary drink on arrival and a special ‘Happy Birthday’ message that truly make an evening stand out. Thank you for a most wonderful evening.
Jun 22, 2018
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Nikki
+5
Ooh la la !! Food service and vibe was second to none!! Our waitress what a doll, so helpful and friendly even de shelling our snails ! We had snails to start - the sauce oh my , I feel like Manu saying that! Minute steak was the main and I was expecting thin slither instead four big eye fillet pieces , with fries and salad and we got the scallop potato too. All delicious and perfectly cooked . The dessert was a noughat ice cream with moose and was fabulous as well! Would highly recommend and most certainly return ! Thanks for a great lunch !
Jun 12, 2018
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Colleen Murphy
+5
We went to The French Brasserie today for the express lunch ($35 with a glass of wine).  Greeted warmly at the door and taken to a roomy table for four.  The service was efficient & our waitress had a great sense of humor :) Two of our party had the cauliflower soup for entree which they said was amazing.  My highlight was the lemon tart (these dishes had much fancier names in French on the menu).  The serving sizes were definitely generous.  I will definitely be coming back again - I must try the Bouef Bourguignon Wednesday special.
Jun 08, 2018
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Nick Lengkong
+5
Been having my family gathering here for the past few years whenever they visit Melbourne and we've never been disappointed, quality food as always, but their hospitality is champ! Steak tartares a go to, their minute steak is tender as love, great staff service and we love the boss Hadj as well. Exceptional man. It's like coming home to see an old friend.
Jun 08, 2018
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Jenny Pham
+4
Great service and loved the drinks. The entrees were amazing and great food. My first time trying the beef tartare and Im addicted. The potato side dish was extremely salty and dessert were average. Overall it was a lovely dinner.
May 27, 2018
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Thi
+4
Great service, our waitress was personable and energetic. We ordered the beef tartare, the onion soup, the Angus steaks and Creme brûlée. The food was great, especially the tartare. I’ve had better Creme brûlées as this one was a bit eggy.
Mar 25, 2018
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Donnaatbeechworth
+5
Best Gluten Free bread ever!
Duck was to die for, need to visit again.
Staff were welcoming and very helpful for dietary issues 😊👍
An absolute must for anyone who loves French cuisine!
Mar 12, 2018
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The_chic_analyst
+5
Absolutely awesome!!!! I love this place. Absolutely a food indulgence experience. Service is awesome. A true french dining experience... strongly recommend. Def the best french place in mel.
Dec 26, 2017
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Kirsten Clifford
+5
Fantastic food, fantastic service and an incredible atmosphere. Couldn’t have gone to a better restaurant on our first night in Melbourne.

We ordered the crustacean stew, the French onion soup and a steak. The deserts are to die for.

Highly recommend
Dec 05, 2017
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Teddys99
+4
Came here for a work Christmas function. Food and service both excellent. 3 course menu option with an abundance of champagne...what more could you want?
Nov 24, 2017
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Ashanie Mekhala Perera
+4
I had the best service experience that I've ever had at a restaurant at The French Brassiere. Everything was so French, I loved it.

The food was classically French. I tried the tartare for entree and the duck as my.main. Both dishes were on point. The tartare was possibly a tad better than my duck.

To.finish the meal I had the chocolate sphere which was okay. It looked more impressive than it tasted. It's pricey, but worth a visit for a special occasion.
Nov 06, 2017
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Gastrology
+3.5
Gastrology were privileged to participate in a culinary tour of Melbourne's most well-known laneway restaurants as part of the Victorian Government's Food and Beverage Trade Week. The event took place yesterday evening (Tuesday, 10 October). . Each year, the Victorian Government brings international buyers, influencers and key decision makers from around the world to Victoria to experience the best of the state's food, fibre and beverage offerings.
Oct 18, 2017
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Hungry Stanley
+5
Not usually a big fan of French food, nor fancy over the top foodie stuff but this was epic! The fish was perfect, the sauce was amazing, the prosciutto was great, even loved the strange foam! Excellent wine selection as well.
Oct 08, 2017
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Helen O'Kane
+4
My boyfriend and I happened upon The French Brasserie completely by accident, but what a happy accident it was.

The French Brasserie had a lovely classy atmosphere. The staff were all French, which is nice when in a French restaurant. They were very friendly and attentive, keeping our wine glasses filled.

For starters I ordered the escargots, which I had never tried before but always wanted to. The waiter showed me how to eat them, which was good as I had no idea. They were in a garlic butter and were tres tasty! My boyfriend had the French onion soup and said it was very nice.

For main course I ordered the cassoulet, which is a white bean ragout with confit duck, pork belly and sausage. It was hearty and very warming. I thoroughly enjoyed it. My boyfriend had the filet de boeuf which was served with brown rice, king brown mushrooms, pickles and a red wine jus. He really enjoyed it and he presentation was superb.

We had a bottle of the Bellefontaine Sauvignon Blanc which was a lovely wine.

I would definitely recommend The French Brasserie as we had a lovely experience. Lovely wait staff and great food!
Sep 11, 2017
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Goldentongue
+4.5
Bonjour! Je adore this place!! Honestly, I would have left the restaurant a happy girl after entree. That sauce with the escargots was delicious!! Add some butter and chicken liver parfait on bread and then dip it into that sauce 😭 my god, I was in food heaven. We got carried away with the bread and sauce that the manager refused to feed us more bread 😂 He had to remind us to save room for our mains and desserts 😅. For mains, we ordered the eye fillet, accompanied with sides of broccoli and mushrooms and we were recommended to try their special. Every dish was cooked very well. The jus on the eye fillet was good. The dessert ended on a high! The service was beyond my expectations. I loved the vibe and the waitress was the sweetest girl! We even got complimentary glasses of wine to end the night. The only negative thing I have to say is that some of the escargots were just empty shells so we felt a little ripped off. Other than that, everything was perfect. I would definitely recommend the french brasserie to friends and family. I already want to go back!
Jun 04, 2017
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Sneha Arora
+4.5
Just a spontanious decision took us back again, this time for lunch. No booking. Just a walk in off the street, but we were readily accommodated.

Service is very good although i remembered the nightime staff being, perhaps, a little more engaging.

The menu is comprehensive with a strong French influence. There is sufficient variety to satisfy most palates with good presentation and well prepared fare. I have a personal weakness for their onion soup which, i must say, they do very well.

The wine list is good with adequate brand/varietal choice. Pricing may surprise you though.

The decor is simply and rustic which hints at the backlane bistro's of France.

Look, its a good restaurant and certainly one that we are happy to return to. Recommended.
May 25, 2017
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St!nger
+4.5
This place is situated down an Alley way off Flinders lane, so its rather secluded. The ambiance is extremely nice, so is the service and most of the staff seem to be French, which is nice.
The food here was amazing, the steak and pork were cooked to perfection, the wine was amazing and the desserts were to die for.
We spent about $500 for 4 people and it was worth every cent
Apr 25, 2017
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Onara
+5
Classic French bistro. Flawless food and service with an astonishingly comprehensive wine list. This isn't cutting edge nor groundbreaking molecular gymnastics. It's just simple and perfect
Apr 22, 2017
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Romina Battaglini
+5
This place was just amazing. It was mine and my husband's first time eating French food, and we couldn't have picked a better restaurant. We ordered the steak tartare, which I found blended perfectly with the side of French fries. We also ordered escargot to share, which was served with the most delicious herb and garlic butter. Complimented with a crisp white wine and a very friendly waiter (who even satisfied my very non-French husband's request for tomato sauce for his fries). We will be back!
Mar 30, 2017
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Sambuca Sam
+4
First time visit and pretty happy with everything here. Friendly service n decent food, no wonder full house at Monday night. Onlion soup was rich and tasty while the interesting tomato salad very refreshing. Also the outputs is must try. Overall, an nice dinning exp at this french place.
Mar 27, 2017
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Melbourne Culinary
+3.5
While French cuisine is very prominent throughout Melbourne, there are only a select few restaurants that really stand out from the rest. The French Brasserie is one of these restaurants and is also the first restaurant I think of when looking for French cuisine in the CBD. With a history of good food, events and lovely decor, The French Brasserie has made itself into one of the most popular French restaurants in Melbourne.
Mar 27, 2017
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Jennie Cullen
+4.5
This restaurant is one of Melbournes gems, serving up some of the finest French cuisine. I would rate it a 4 but what puts it at a 4.5 is the amazing service of the Maître d' whose service is second to none in my opinion.
Mar 24, 2017
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Essie.zins
+5
Booked there for a birthday and the service was formidable! The food is wonderful and at a very reasonable price. The ambiance of the restaurant is very comfortable and the decoration is awe-inspiring.
Mar 05, 2017
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MF
+4.5
What can i say abt this resto? I realize that maybe this is one of the best rating ive ever given to a resto, because basically everything (the food) during our dinner last night was AWESOME and the service was EXCELLENT. We enjoyed our dinner thorougly, and even though our table was the noisiest as we have a baby girl that was trying to poo and a 3yo that was on sugar rush, the waiter and other guests was very calm and didnt even once give us any annoyed face. And the owner/manager came to our table to play a bit with our baby girl which made us feel very welcomed. In the end we found a small plastic/glad wrap inside of one of the pate on my charcuterie, and the waiter straight away brought back the bill and take out charcuterie from it, outstanding service. We gave quite generous tips in the end, more than the charcuterie itself :)
definitely will go back and try their other food.
Jan 17, 2017
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Jason Meaden
+5
I honestly can not think of a single thing about my experience that wasn't an absolute joy.

The service was crisp and attentive (I never had an empty glass for very long) but informal and the staff all knew the menu and had plenty of opinions that genuinely seemed to stem from wanting me to have a good time.

The food was entirely on point - I had the onion soup (no, I won't try and spell it in French) for entree and it was delicious and hearty without being syrupy. Too often this is either a tasteless dish of onion water or so think that I'm full before I finish the starter. This place got it right.

The eye fillet special was cooked to perfection - and the jus was exactly the right consistency. The side was asparagus and .. something .. if I had to guess, it was like a matting made of mashed pea. It was sublime. The citrusy taste cut through the protein and balanced the dish nicely. If there is a text book of what medium rare means, you'll find a little picture of my steak.

For desert the 'spiced strawberry' dish was heaven and I'm so glad I chose it over the more traditional creme brûlée I would have usually gone for (although I'm sure it was delightful too!).

Wrapped up with champagne, red wine, dessert wine, and a port with my coffee it was an overall outstanding dining experience and I will be back many more times.

To all the team - well done!
Dec 04, 2016
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Michael
+3.5
Enjoyable evening with mixed quality food and service on the slow side. Often the wait staff seemed to be rushing around doing nothing.

My French onion soup was excellent but my minute steak was just average. Others in our group thought the pate was excellent but the duck was just OK.

It was a busy night so perhaps that explains the haphazard service.
Nov 20, 2016
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Brash
+4.5
If you are looking for a taste of France, make your way down to The French Brassiere. We had the absolute pleasure of dining there last Saturday night and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. The exceptionally warm, friendly and attentive service from the front of house team was backed up with great tasting traditional French fare from the kitchen. It was like spending a night in France without having to deal with the jet lag! Many thanks again to you all for a memorable evening.
Nov 13, 2016
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Stephen
+3.5
The French Brasserie is a good restaurant . The decor is modern and understated and it is in a group of good restaurants in a lane off Flinders Lane . Plenty of parking nearby or easy access to the tram in Collins St or train at Parliament Station .

The food was typical French fare with something for everyone on the menu . The four of us tried different choices starting with the terrine plate , chicken pate , French onion soup and steak tartare . Everyone enjoyed the entries which all had plenty of flavour .

The mains were just as good with our choices including the Duck , Fillet Steak , and the Lamb rump (special ) . The deserts were also very good .

Service was a attentive without being overbearing , although it was a little difficult at times to understand our waitress who had a very heavy French accent .

All in all very good value for money and a good selection for a quiet dinner with friends ....... Bon apatite
Aug 07, 2016
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Theyellowbatman
+4
First night in Melbourne, the food is really nice. The tasting plate was very tasty and so was the French onion soup as entrees. The mains were still quite good but the entrees were probably the highlight for myself. Friendly staff and nice atmosphere. The entrees are quite large and filling which lead to us struggling to finish our mains.
Jul 26, 2016
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Claire Humphreys
+4
Had a great meal here last night. Amazing food, great service, lovely ambience.
Have wanted to try this place out for a long time and it didn't disappoint.
Jul 13, 2016
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Lionel Bautista
+5
Went here for my Friend's birthday over the weekend. 

The actual place itself is great, it has a good atmosphere, spacious, and the staff were incredibly friendly. 

Food was not only delicious, it was also hearty, and generous... Although I did see a table share their entire meals between them, I hope they weren't complaining about volume. The table were too full for desert, would love to try desert next time

The owner was cheeky, easy to get along, and has some awesome tales of his establishment.
Jul 05, 2016
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Two Sheds
+4.5
Still an effortless 4.5 for me. I continue to believe that the French Brasserie is underrated. I’ve eaten here five times now for five excellent experiences. Had the lunch special again. A steal at under $40. My rillette was superb. My salmon equally superb. Add a lovely space and decor and polite, efficient and affable staff and you’ve got a winning combination. I can barely find fault. I love it.


28 July 2016

My third visit here on 28 July and a third great experience. The restaurant is nicely tucked away in a lane. It's a pleasant and simply decorated space that pleases the eye. I had the lunch special which was excellent and good value for money. Entree was a mushroom soup. Main course was salmon. Both were outstanding and very tasty indeed. The accompanying one glass of wine I had was a chardonnay and rather nice it was too. The staff were great. Pleasant, efficient and throughly professional with an authentic French accent thrown in. Our main server was just superb. A gorgeous happy bright eyed beauty from western France. She could not have done a better job and I showered praise on her as we left. I couldn't have been happier and my companion felt similarly. This is a really nice place. They do what they do extremely well and at reasonable prices. As a result, it will continue to be a must place to eat.



Previous visit 5 months ago

Went today for lunch. Nice little restaurant/bistro. Pleasant little space part way down a lane. The lunch special for $35 was good value I thought. I had the terrine for entree and fish for main with a glass of Chardonnay. The food and wine were lovely. Service was quite good too. Water was tipped up regularly and interactions were pleasant. Nice to hear some French accents. I would very happily return here.
Jun 27, 2016
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Vivien
+4.5
An amazing time was had here!
The French Brasserie is tucked away on Malthouse Lane off of Flinders Lane. I had the most superb time, thank you to all the staff that made my belated birthday dinner a very special one.
We had the 5 course degustation, with half a dozen of oysters. Each plate was made to perfection.
I absolutely adored the creme brulee to finish the night. It was not too sweet, and had the perfect crack.
The addition of the French-speaking waiters just made the experience all the more enjoyable. Merci beaucoup! :)
Jun 11, 2016
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Snooter2Tooter
+4
Nice setting with good honest French food. I went for the eye fillet steak, was delicious. Great wine selection and extremely friendly and helpful staff
Jun 08, 2016
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Boccadellaveritas
+3.5
Honest French Brasserie that is consistent and fair value. Staff are mostly French which adds to the ambiance. He wine list is better than most and all the usual culprits are represented on the menu
Jun 04, 2016
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The Two Tasters
+4.5
Enjoyed a great night from start to finish at this restaurant. The food was first class as well as the atmosphere, drinks and service. Restaurant was recommended to us and we have no hesitation in recommending it on.
Jun 02, 2016
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Chef Samy
+4.5
Quoi de mieux qu'un bon retour au source, c'est une ambiance de brasserie parisienne avec un staff français on si croirai. Un repas dégustation fabuleux avec un accord mets et vins une soirée formidable. Un rapport qualité/prix un peu excessif mais sur la finalité une bonne prestation. See u soon...
May 26, 2016
Zomato
Sandy Pok
+4
Located off Flinders Lane between Exhibition and Russell Street, there is lots of longstanding popular dining options in the vicinity such as Chin Chin, Cumulus Inc. and Fonda Mexican.

We came here for a FoodSocial event. We were not only able to try delicious French cuisine, but also given the privilege to meet the head chef.
Apr 08, 2016
Zomato
Denys McEneaney
+5
Fantastic place, we will definitely back, perhaps next time for dinner. The oysters and snails were so very good! Service is impeccable and just the right amount of attentive
Mar 21, 2016
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Fleur
+5
French food and it's finest. Anything and everything from entree to main to their exquisite desserts are to die for. Service is impeccable. Staff are great. Wine and champagne list are amazing.
Mar 13, 2016
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Luke
+4.5
Perfect!
Compliments to Edward + and his team :)
The only thing missing tonight was the escargot...the staff were great, the food was delicious, love this place.
Feb 14, 2016
Zomato
M.
+4
Tucked down a lane way this restaurant feels very private and intimate. The staff were very professional and generous, treating our table with extra wine on the house! For entree we had the mussels which were a delight, and the duck and eye fillet for main were cooked perfectly. However, one of our steaks was well done instead of rare (perhaps we were misheard when ordering because everything else was spot on!). A bit on the pricey side at $40 a main, but worth it if you can! A very sweet little restaurant and would recommend it :)
Feb 14, 2016
Zomato
Linnie Eats All The Food
+3.5
Mr D decided to surprise me for my birthday dinner and since I LOVE LOVE LOOOOOVE french food, he took me to The French Brassarie (Yayers!!!), a hidden gem tucked away in Melbourne. When we walked inside, we were welcomed instantly and was shown to our table. It was quite warm inside and very dark. There were little lights but they were so dim, I had to shove the menu in my face to read it (damn, should have brought my flash light). That was probably the only negative thing I could say because from that point on, everything was awesome. We got the charcuturie board because I wanted a little bit of everything and it also includes foie gras (YUMMO!). Everything on the board was DELISH! I was going to town with it!
Jan 18, 2016
Zomato
Mona
+3.5
A nice French restaurant off flinders lane. Staff all french and very friendly. We've been served complimentary glasses of bubbly - very nice of the restaurant manager. They want to make sure we're having a goid time and we actually did. The food is reasonbaly good. We had the duck, the fillet minong and the fish fillet. I quite liked all of these but next time I would try the steak for sure.
Dec 06, 2015
Zomato
Out And About
+4
Such an impressive space! All the staff were actually French, the food was excellent; tuna, avocado and pear salad for entree, grilled Travelli with olives for mains (my choice of having fish twice) and creme brûlée for desert. Devine! The staff were professional and great.
Nov 28, 2015
Zomato
Eat The Streets
+3.5
A little hidden gem off exhibition street in the CBD, the French brasserie was authentic French. From the French chefs to the service staff(who were pretty happy to talk about their hometowns in France), rig down to the simplistic and elegant, but hearty food. We were there for a birthday celebration and had two little ones with us. They were fantastic with the kids and very informative of the menu. We had escargots, the special entrée for the day( which was a pumpkin velouté), the chicken liver parfait and oysters to start with. They were fantastic. Oysters were very fresh. Chicken liver parfait was perfect and pink. Downside was that they served the parfait with two miserable slices of bread. Fortunately, we were able to ask for more but was sort of a nuisance as we kept getting refills of two pieces each time, although they could clearly see that 3 adults were sharing the entrees. The velouté was amazingly smooth and not overly sweet. The escargots were baked in a beautiful herb and garlic butter sauce. Perfection. For mains we had the eye fillet and scotch fillet steak, served with your choice of sauce, both were so tender it melted it your mouth. The beef jus that was served with the eye fillet was strong and full of flavour. What a good jus should be like. On the other hand the bearnaise that was served with the scotch fillet was light and buttery. Just perfect. Both steaks were served with salad and chips. Another main we had was the cassoulet which had too much beans in our opinion with two pieces of sausage, a small piece of pork belly and 2 tiny pieces of duck confit. It was finished with a ton of breadcrumbs and well, it just wasn't our favourite to say the least. Price and taste wise. The sad thing is, we werent allowed to have our birthday cake cut in the restaurant. So, we had asked them to keep the cake in the fridge instead. We get that they werent really happy with the cake situation but the least they could do was keep it away nicely. When we got our cake back, the zumbo plastic bag we originally had was replaced with a grey ugly looking Coles plastic bag and the box was clearly squashed, as though they had placed something heavy on it. To our surprise when we opened it, the birthday plaque on the cake was shattered due to the force put on it. And the top of the cake had smudged on the lid of the cake box. Our zumbo cake which we had paid so much money for was ruined. Didn't wanna make a scene as it was a nice dinner and didn't wanna spoil the good birthday mood. So we just left. If not for that, this placed would have deserved a higher rating. Overall, nice food, reasonable prices, friendly-ish service.
Sep 22, 2015
Zomato
SN
+3.5
Great continental food ... Pricy but hey.. It's French!
Good service and a decent wine list. Definitely a place to try out in the CBD ......
Aug 09, 2015
Zomato
TBMoftheWEST
+5
The host Hadj is one of the most dynamic operators I've ever encountered.
Not having experienced French food outside of France, visiting here took me back to the family trip back in 2012.
Food, wine and atmosphere was simply amazing.
Aug 08, 2015
Zomato
Patricia
+5
The French Brasserie is amazing. What a fantastic restaurant. Fabulous French food and superb customer service.
My husband and I went here for my husband's birthday. The food was amazing. We had the tasting plate to start with terrine, chicken parfait etc. We were really interested to try the beef tartare which we did. Well we both loved it. It had great flavours and was delicious especially for raw meat.
We had the ragout and duck a l'orange for mains. The flavours were exceptional. The food was well presented and so tasty.
Our waitress was a pleasure. She assisted with our menu choices and provided great customer service. I could rave about this place. The French food was just so good. Love love love it!!
Jul 25, 2015
Zomato
Food For Thought
+5
Fantastic little place in Melbourne. Beautiful French food in a lovely classy restaurant. Friendly staff.... pretty sure they were ALL french! adding to the wonderful atmosphere! With many lovely wines and cocktails to choose from to accompany all the food.... Just remember to leave room for dessert and an aperitif!
Jul 20, 2015
Zomato
Donovan
+5
Excellent service, delicious food and very authentic.

Will definitely be back!

Here are some more arbitrary words because of the minimum character requirement. Please ignore.
Jul 16, 2015
Zomato
Virtualmix
+5
I've had dinner at the French Brasserie at least 4 times, including last weekend. It's an excellent place for a romantic dinner with your partner. The food on the menu is great and, as a French man I can confirm, very authentic. The staff is always very attentive and friendly. Loved the Mont Blanc beer as well.
Jul 15, 2015
Zomato
Burgers Of Melbourne
+4.5
Not like I eat snails very often, but these were the best Escargot I have ever had. Plenty of garlic without the oily after taste and enough to soak up a second serving of bread.

Perfectly cooked duck and a dessert to die for. Would again for a special occasion, thanks again for the exceptional service The French Brasserie - quality feed!
Jul 07, 2015
Zomato
Melbourne Glutton
+5
A rather posh restaurant popular with the corporate set near the Paris end of Collins Street, The French Brasserie enjoys loyal custom from the surrounding office buildings. It's tucked away behind 101 Collins, off Flinders Lane, down the same alleyway which hosts Eau De Vie. If you find yourself near The French Brasserie, then make it a point to visit E.D.V. for a pre-meal aperitif or a post-meal tipple.
Aug 22, 2015
Zomato
Dan From Melbourne
+4.5
The French Brasserie is a restaurant located at 2 Malthouse Lane, just off Flinders street. I have mentioned it in passing a few times however to my surprise I haven’t yet written about an experience there. This post is an attempt to make up for the oversight. First off, the customer service is wonderful. The manager Hadj and his staff fantastic at making everyone feel welcome, whether you are a regular or it is your first time. Every time Daisy and I have eaten there we almost feel like a member of the family rather than patrons at a restaurant. They have special set menus throughout the year, such as Bastille Day and Valentines Day, and we have had our valentines day meals there for the past two years and I see no end to that tradition. The restaurant also has special pre-theatre meals during the week, and being located so close to theatres and the Cinema Kino makes them a good starting point for a night on the town. Last night Daisy and I had the 3 course Cassoulet, with Kir Royal o
Jun 07, 2012
Zomato
Wynne Ma
+4.5
Enjoyed a delightful dinner. Friendly service. Delicious food. The kitchen felt a little slow. Free dessert wine when we paid for our bill.
May 04, 2012
Zomato
Chompchomp
+4.5
My thickly cut tender yearling eye fillet was seared to a firm crust on its surface yet carved smoothly like pate under my knife. An elegant smear of ruby red beetroot purée gave a hint of sweetness to the delicate meat. It was exactly what I felt like
Feb 14, 2013
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Al' The Picky EAter
+4.5
Yummy+2, refined flavours with a solid show of finesse, and not to mention superb service.
Jul 25, 2011
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PatInOz
+4.5
I am glad the sons didn’t acquire a taste for oysters until they left home or it might have made quite a hole in the housekeeping budget. Along with me, they couldn’t see past the natural oysters in the trio of entrees. The Spouse reported on an excellent
May 11, 2009
Zomato
JackieO
+4.5
Lovely dinner. I've always enjoyed this restaurant, and had a very nice dinner here this week. The staff are very friendly and the food was delicious. My companion and I opted for three entrees, the Charcuterie (which included the most devine pate), the Tartare de bœuf and the Moules à la provençale - mussels in a delicious tomato based broth. We followed up with a nice assortment of French cheeses. I would highly recommend this for a very pleasant night out.
Jan 21, 2015
Zomato
LauPi
+4.5
Love. The french staff are so friendly and informative! Our meals couldn't have been more delicious.
Very happy over-all and would recommend to any couple to go for a special night filled with good food and drink.
Nov 06, 2014
Zomato
Julija Zivanovic
+4.5
Great service, great food, made our anniversary special.
Aug 12, 2014
Zomato
NB
+4.5
Hidden Gem. This restaurant has everything you want in a fine dining restaurant. Tasty food with beautiful presentation. Staff were very friendly and welcoming. Beautiful linens, decor & interior. I highly recommend it and will definitely be going back again soon.
Jul 21, 2014
Zomato
Sue.wind
+4.5
Wonderful afternoon. My husband and I lunched for the Bastille celebrations at this restaurant. The food was absolutely delicious, the staff were very attentive and the music was fabulous. I would recommend this restaurant if you love French food!
Jul 14, 2014
Zomato
Dijn Thorpe
+4.5
Really good. Really enjoyed my dinner at The French Brasserie. I had a steak that was well cooked and shared Escargot and Oysters which were all tasty and fresh. The service was very attentive and pleasant. We will definitely be back again soon.
Jun 24, 2014
Zomato
Veronica Rodriguez
+4.5
Tuesday menus for roast are worth it! Highly recommended! In particular, the pork roast night was a very good one. The waiter and the service were smooth and attentive. The food was really nice. The pork crackling was really yummy! We will go back for sure!
Jun 23, 2014
Zomato
Pepe Sierra
+4.5
Friday Night Walk In. Past it many times and finally walked in. Without a reservation we were welcomed with open arms (literally). Had a drink at the bar before we decided to dine. Steak tartar is always something I enjoy and this one was fantastic. Well seasoned and didn't have the ''uncooked" feeling some do. Quail egg on top. Whoooowho. Followed it with slow duck breast with shavings of duck prosciutto. French fries of course. Look forward to a return. This place had the WOW factor that night. 3 cheeses to follow nailed the night.
May 25, 2014
Zomato
Louise
+4.5
My husband took me here for a surprise dinner for my birthday. It was a great night. Delicious barramundi and the Peach Melba had a French twist. I loved it all.
Apr 29, 2014
Zomato
Nichy
+4.5
Unbeatable. The staff were very attentive, the food was outstanding. My husbands quite the "foody" and even he was absolutely amazed at how good his eye fillet was. Highly recommend.
Apr 24, 2014
Zomato
Miki Lodewyckx
+4.5
I went to the French Brasserie with a group of 6 before going to see a film at the kino. The pre theatre menu was quite short but the food was delicious and good value for money. The maître'd really made our visit most enjoyable and ensured we were well looked after. Overall a great French experience.
Mar 25, 2014
Zomato
N
+4.5
Great food, wine and service. I felt very welcome and looked after, will definitely return next time I am in town and feel like French.
Mar 07, 2014
Zomato
Alfreda
+4.5
I went here last night for dinner and was blown away. The waiters were very attentive and the food was great. I commented on the improvement to the waiter, and he mentioned that they have a new chef on board.

We had the salmon tartare entree which was light, fresh and beautifully presented (see photo). For main, we shared the ribeye for two and for dessert, we shared a chocolate fondant with berries which I'd definitely recommend.

So yes, we'll definitely be coming back here.
Feb 08, 2014
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Nicholas Dircks
+4.5
Found this place totally by accident and have been back three times as the food (and wine) quality is great.
Dec 07, 2013
Zomato
FantastischMsFox
+4.5
Like. Arrived at TFB by default after eliminating our usual suspect Flinders Lane trio with wait times 45min +
But thoroughly enjoyed the changed.
I had the Bouillabaise the boy had the Barramundi - crispy skin tick
Enjoyed both but the boy was the winner on this occasion
Will come again
Nov 22, 2013
Zomato
Fly On The Wall
+4.5
Excellent food - French onion soup the best I've eaten - main of fish & seafood stew very tasty too! Would certainly reccomend to anyone
Oct 28, 2013
Zomato
Beatrice76
+4.5
Real French food. One day me and my husband were walking down the Flinders Lane and I have accidentally noticed the French Brasserie. I really love French food so we came in and had one of the most delicious lunches ever. My fish (skate) was cooked to perfection, and was served with potato mash, spinach and nice creamy sauce. I had skate for the first time in my life and I will for sure order it in the future. My husband ordered a minute steak with red wine sauce and chips. Steak was juicy and it came with the topping of caramelised onions and bone marrow pieces that my husband loved! Mains were so filling that we had room for only one shared dessert and we got creme brulee. It's our favourite that we always order in French restaurants. It was absolutely delicious and portion size was huge! We will for sure book a table in the French Brasserie for our birthdays or other special occasions. Food is stunning and place itself is very elegant!
Oct 25, 2013
Zomato
Clemence Harvey
+4.5
Fast Fresh and French. Had a nicoise salad of perfection this afternoon. Firm parboiled potatoes, baby berlotti beans, snappy green beans and tiny quail eggs resting on a fragrant summer basil pesto and topped with an expertly cooked piece of wild barramundi. In and out within 30 minutes.
Oct 25, 2013
Zomato
Ashleighd91
+4.5
Divine. Today I visited The French Brasserie for the first time and was extremely pleased with what I saw and ate! The interior was gorgeous with a huge marble bar and the service was just as fabulous. All the waiters had amazing French accents that made me feel like I was in Paris and not a Melbourne laneway.

I had the beetroot and goats cheese foam salad. It was so good I wanted to lick my plate.

Would definitely go back again!
Oct 25, 2013
Zomato
Tim Nitschke
+4.5
Fantastic service. On a cold night in Melbourne we had ventured into Flinders lane to try another restaurant (Meatball - Walk In - 2 hour wait).

We decided to pound the pavement to look for other options and we noticed the French Brasserie just around the corner in Malthouse Lane.

When we walked in the owner apologised that he had no tables (normally need to book) however asked us to consider coming back in 20 minutes and he would see what he could do.

Upon returning 20 minutes later and waiting a further 5 minutes we were given a table, orders we taken and wines poured.

The space is warm and cosy, the wines on display are great and the large glass walls across the front on the restaurant are quite impactful.

The food was wondering... To be honest when we saw the food come out we were concerned about the portion size however I can assure you we left very full and content.

Whilst we didnt come to flinders lane to eat French or spend that much money everyone in our group is so happy that we did!

Whilst the food was amazing the service was of the highest standard and should really be commended.
Jun 18, 2013
Zomato
James Fraser
+4.5
Solid performer across the board. My wife and I have eaten at the French Brasserie twice, and really enjoyed it both times. Much better food and lower prices than some of the more well-known French restaurants around town.

All dishes are presented in a tantalisingly creative fashion, without overdoing it. The dishes are classic French but with a modern twist, so it's not boring. The staff are fun rather than stuffy, and generous to boot.

The real standouts are the desserts - the 'night at the movies' dish is as good a dessert as I have had anywhere. Highly recommended.
Jun 12, 2013
Zomato
Always Hungry
+4.5
Had dinner last night. Attentive and happy staff. Memorable food and very generous. Recommended.
May 18, 2013
Zomato
David J. Brien
+4.5
The lunch time set price is always a delight and changes often. The staff always greet you happily and helpfully. It is not your everyday lunch price but excellent for a treat.I love visiting.Portions are perfect for lunch.
May 16, 2013
Zomato
Superalice
+4.5
French fine-dining with surprise multi-course option. After being turned away from Chin Chin because there were no seats until 11pm on a Saturday, we stumbled into this fine dining restaurant tucked inside a short lane. It was pretty much empty at 6:30 so we weren't sure... walked around a bit more and came back 20min later to an almost full restaurant. Atmosphere is very nice with high ceilings, dim-medium lighting and a good amount of space. Service is fantastic. We got the 4course for $79. Chef designs the meal but we especially requested snails. Turned out the snails were bland (not as nice as The Little Snail in Sydney), but the Blue Eye Cod and the Pork Belly were amazing! Dessert was also nice.
May 12, 2013
Zomato
Gary Wagner
+4.5
We came here for our anniversary and experienced amazing service, wine and food from a menu selected by the chef. Merci!
May 04, 2013
Zomato
Elle
+4.5
Classic French food. Had dinner last night at the French Brasserie with some girlfriends and I have to say we all thoroughly enjoyed our experience. We chose the four course chef menu which was very generous and delicious. We were asked if any dietary requirements were necessary or if any dishes on the menu were wanted in particular - but we left it up to the chef to surprise us.
Charcuterie and escargot started us off (first time eating snails for all of us and we could have had a bucket load more - so garlicky, buttery and delicious!). Next was mushroom soup with chestnuts and truffle oil which was creamy and full of earthy goodness. Main was fish with orange reduction and red wine jus, potato mash and king prawn. I never would have thought that orange and red wine would go together but I stand corrected - the flavours really complimented each other. And to finish we shared a selection of desserts including a fig filled with Grand Maniere frangipane, pear tarte tartin, prune and Armagnac ice cream and creme brûlée. I can't pick a favorite dessert - all were delicious and we polished off the lot!
This is clearly food from a chef that is passionate and trained in the classics of French brasserie cuisine. As a lover of French food, I will definitely be back.
Apr 21, 2013
Zomato
Chips_Dumplings
+4.5
Bien. Last minute dinner booking was catered for. Sommelier's choice of wine matched well with our dishes. Staff were very friendly.
Apr 15, 2013
Zomato
Brunswick Foodie
+4.5
Great steak frittes. Didn't so much like being charged for water though.
Mar 08, 2013
Zomato
Rosie
+4.5
Amazing. My boyfriend and I.... Amazing.
My boyfriend and I went here to celebrate a special occasion and loved the whole experience.
Feb 21, 2013
Zomato
Mike B
+4.5
Lovely place. Excellent Food.
Went there for lunch with the boys in the search of Cassoulet. The restaurant hides down a narrow lane off Flinders, and is an airy, comfortable place. Was only 40% full while we were there. Which is a pity as the food is first class. On a par with France Soir, though a much more limited menu. The Cassoulet was enjoyed by all 5 of us, and was a huge dish of beans, confit duck leg and sausage. Reportedly the recipe of the Mum of the Head Chef ( Lionel-- who enjoys meeting customers!). Appetisers of a huge platter of pâté including an outstanding boudin noir. Excellent and well priced wine list. Service is friendly and under the watchful eye of the Maitre D. Not cheap.....$220 each, although to be fair, that did include a rather large wine component and some huge deserts. The creme brule could have fed 2 people easily. Nice Eau De Vie to finish, courtesy of the boss.
Sep 26, 2012
Zomato
Simon Kitchenguy Beatson
+4.5
Spectacular. Nicest dinner we have had in a long time. Awesome service, awesome food and an awesome wine list and some tasty French beer to try. Took some friends along last week for my second visit and they loved it as well.
Aug 17, 2012
Zomato
Julien
+4.5
I am French and I used to have lunch in the french brasserie for a year in Melbourne . the food is just amazing and the express lunch too. in Saturday I did a degustation menu with 9 courses by the head chef Lionel Abello and his amazing team in the kitchen . JUst Gorgeous !!!! I tried octupussy with chorizo kickers potatoes etc... one of my best memories .... flathead with American sauce ... black pudding . everything were amazing ... thanks for that guys ... all the. best for this restaurant ....
Aug 12, 2012
Zomato
Sagg
+4.5
Every time I come here I am absolutely head overheals charmed by the staff and their cheeky ways. The food has never failed to be mouth watering and is nicely accompanied by a well balanced wine/spirit list. Btw check out there express lunch, I've taken advantage of this little beauty several times now such goooooood value. Do yourself a favour and check it out.
Aug 03, 2012
Zomato
Coburg Diner
+4.5
Fantastic!!. Went to the French Brasserie last night and could not have been more impressed with the food, wine and service. Took the 5 course set menu and loved both entrees , both mains and the dessert. The welcoming on arrival was warm, (even though we were a liitle late!) and the service was well above what is usual in Australia. I also found the food to be reasonably priced given the high quality you receive. This place is winner, #1 french restuarant in Melbourne in my opinion. The owners should be proud of what they have created.
Jul 29, 2012
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Daniel Milanesos
+4.5
A m a z I n g Food and des.... A m a z I n g
Food and deserts are to die for!
Jul 22, 2012
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Victor Persinette-gautrez
+4.5
I went to the French brasserie last Saturday , and it was a splendid , the food is really good but what I enjoy is the atmosphere , Damien our waiter was really good on his job , thx damin for this night , it is really hard nowadays to find some restaurant with a staff who love their work !!
Thx Damien
Jul 03, 2012
Zomato
Isabelle Le
+4.5
Beautiful food. It is so pure and delicate. Good service and great wine :)
Highly recommended
Jun 30, 2012
Zomato
Taste Bud
+4.5
This place is a standout. Despite small oysters everything else was great. The steak tartare was perfectly seasoned. The beetroot salad with melted cheese was aromatic and tender. The bouillabaisse was good but the broth could have been cleaner. The winner was the lamb shoulder. I don't know how they got this rectangular block of lamb so perfect - succulent, tender and a couple of crispy edges. The creme brûlée was massive but good enough to get through, as was the chocolate dessert. This restaurant's food is right up there, but where they lead is in their service. Attentive, friendly, efficient and welcoming. Outstanding.
Jun 04, 2012
Zomato
Jen
+4.5
Amazing dinner in a friendly atmosphere. I went to the French Brasserie last friday night with two friends and we had an amazing night!!
The food is absolutly fantastic, the staff is very friendly and the atmosphere is perfect.

I actually come from France and i went there with two of my australian friends to have a "french experience", and I'm so glad we went there because it was a real succes! I was really impressed of the menu: lots of choices, all meal are really typical in France, and the wine list is really long as well (and i would actually recommend to start with the french beer, called Mt Blanc, a blond and very tasty beer!).

We shared a charcuteire plate and snails for the entree, with a yummy french baguette, it was fantastic! I had the boullabaisse as a main (a seafood stew) it was really good with lots of flavours. My friend had the eye filet and he loved it, and my other friend had the confit pork belly, recommended by the waitress, and it was absolutly delicious!

As a dessert I had the pear crumble, it was really fresh and the apple and ginger sorbe was really tasty. My friend had the "Fantaisie de chocolat" which is chocolate in different textures (choclate mousse, chocolate cookie, ...) and it was very good!! And my other friend tried the madelaines (which is really popular in France) and it was really good as well.

I really recommend this place! It's such a good place for an amazing dinner in a friendly atmosphere.
I also saw that they have lunch special at lunch time (2 courses and a glass of wine for 35 dollars) and as the quality of the food is really good I think it's such a good deal! i would totally come back during my lunch break!
Jun 01, 2012
Zomato
Vicky Chia
+4.5
Fabulous dinner experience. I went there for a colleague's farewell dinner about 2 weeks ago. The owner and staff are very friendly and nice. I had a special welcome cocktail while waiting for other colleagues to arrive. Excellent environment as you won't feel that you are in a hurry to have dinner, you actually get to enjoy your dinner rather than always looking at the time. Food was splendid and very tasty.

I'm actually heading back there tomorrow for my birthday celebrations with all my friends. Can't wait for tomorrow to arrive.
May 31, 2012
Zomato
Mandy Fung
+4.5
New Favourite. This place is a winner! The ambience is fabulous, service a little cheeky but definitely friendly with a smile. Food was delish! We started off with a few entrees to share - the marinated octopus, snails in garlic butter and the charcuterie platter. The charcuterie platter was a generous portion, snails were served in its shell (in my opinion, the preferred way) and the marinated octopus was very tender and tasty. I had the bouillabaisse for my main and it was amazing. There was so much seafood in it that I could not finish the seafood let alone the soup nor the croutons. The flavour was intense but not overpowering and the only downfall of my experience was that I had no room left for dessert! Will definitely visit again....SOON!
Apr 07, 2012
Zomato
KellesBelles
+4.5
Melbourne's Best. The staff are amazing. They know how to make you feel welcome, nurtured and special but leave you alone. It's a craft the owner, Hadj, has impressed on all his staff. He is the master at it. Once comfortable what follows is an exceptional wine list well thought out and carefully selected. The food from entree to dessert is exquisite. The commitment to flavour and quality produce is in each mouthful. Start with the terrines, move onto the Rabbit and finish with the creme brulee. You will not be disappointed. 5 stars from me. Whenever someone important is in town we head straigh to 'The French'.
Jan 20, 2012
Zomato
Paul
+4.5
Fantastic meal. The service was great and the food was excellent, what more can you say, can't wait to go back again
Dec 18, 2011
Zomato
Adrien
+4.5
A taste of France in Melbourne. I have been in Melbourne for 1 month with my french friends and we were looking for a place to remember our missing french speciality. We have heard about the French Brasserie and after a quick check on Internet we decided to judge by ourselves.

The manager Hadj was amazing, he really knows how to welcome people and make them feel at ease. The decoration of the place remember the real brasserie from Paris and the music is appropriateness to that kind of place.

To begin the dinner we order 2 platter of Charcuterie to share, accompanied by a home made pain de campagne, that was ideal to open our appetite! A glass of red wine with this entrée and the dinner was launched !

It was difficult to choose the plat de résistance because all the menu is made of lovely french speciality so we have ordered 4 different plate to try and we were not disappointed. Everything was delightful and the presentation perfect!

To summarize, this restaurant is the place to be in Melbourne if you want to discover the real french sensation of a dinner! For sure, I'll not leave Melbourne without going back in this place to eat and see the boss again !

In France we said : "L'appétit vient en mangeant." => "Appetite comes with eating." so trythe French Brasserie and you'll not be disappointed!

Adrien
Dec 07, 2011
Zomato
Soumi
+4.5
Wholesome food and great value - would go back as an end of the working week treat. The minute steak with chips is fab and the lamb outstanding
Nov 05, 2011
Zomato
NikkiDub
+4.5
Great staff and great food though be prepared to shell out some considerable dosh for a good meal. On this front, the only real negative was once I ordered my meal, I didn't have enough cash to choose a wine that matched the quality of food! Cheapest bottle at $39 and then a jump to $60 and beyond. Well beyond...
Oct 22, 2011
Zomato
Mel
+4.5
I would say this is one of the best restaurant in Melbourne. I went there to have dinner with my brother and other friends that were visiting from Sydney. The gentlemen offered us champagne for four of us, it was very kind. It was a really great experience and I will definitely return and recommend it to friends. Food was excellent and service was fabulous! Love it :)
Oct 10, 2011
Zomato
RM
+4.5
Loved it. Came for a birthday dinner on a Tuesday night and enjoyed it immensely. We got there quite early and so had the benefit of some very personal attention before the restaurant got very full.
We had the five course option and each of the courses was delicious - a mixture of traditional (a main of very tender and tasty rabbit on mash) with the delicate and very pretty (an entree of octopus on small squares of potato, chorizo and various 'bits and pieces' on the plate.)
All in all, a fabulous evening, and would go back any time.
Sep 29, 2011
Zomato
Jessica Halliday
+4.5
Really suprised (in a good way!). This was my 2nd work function at this restaurant and to be honest the 2nd time was a charm.

On my 1st visit I was hesitant to order anything I'd never had before as to avoid the dreaded food envy. The 2nd time it was set menu so I was limited to my choices, which was a good thing.

I had the poulet (chicken) which came with veggies and a very nice sauce. It was the most tender, juicest and perfect chicken I have experienced in my life! I kid you not, could have cut it with a fork if I wasn't in such good company.

What is even more impressive is that they had to replicate this meal again and again as there were over 60 people in there with our function.

The cheeses were heaven, particularly the blue vein. Yum!

I had something quite amazing for desert, a chocolate & beetroot cake with coconut sorbet. Sounds odd, but it was AMAZING! I was so surprised by the taste it created. Absolutely sensational.

I wasn't een on coming back after the 1st time I came here, but luck so happened to take me back and I am so glad for it.

Staff in my experiences, both times were both attentive and very quick. They had personality and a sense of humour which was really refreshing.

Highly recommend. Try the chicken and definitely get the chocolate and beetroot cake if it is there. You'll not regret it!
Sep 08, 2011
Zomato
Sally Kuter
+4.5
Sensational. Everything was fantastic - we had the charcuterie plate, beef tartare and calamari for starters, followed by pork, lamb and cassoulet - all just incredible. My favorite was the brûlée. Wow!!! The service was impeccable, our waiter was decidedly lacking a French accent, however was perfect in every other way, and the owner is just awesome. It's definitely on my list of favorite restaurants.
Jun 25, 2011
Zomato
Vireya Carlton
+4.5
Voila. Very French at every turn, the staff and owner (who clearly makes himself known which gives the diner some comfort that he is all over it), were professional and clearly well trained (by an iron fist we guess) - which is all good news for the customer! The Rabbit and Casselot were the highlight. The upselling of wine was a little in your face, but at the same time cleverly done! The table spacing was perfect, and gave us room to relax and not be distracted by the next table's conversation. Clearly some thought has been put into this, as large tables were upstairs - appreciated! Unlike its rival PM24 which makes you feel like a number not a customer - this restaurant was an overall 9/10 experience compared to PM24 which was highly disappointing 6/10. Melbourne dining at its unprententious best.
May 31, 2011
Zomato
Airlie
+4.5
Spectacular meal. The way food should taste. Service was attentive but not intrusive. A great place to celebrate life's milestones.
Apr 21, 2011
Zomato
My Last Supper
+4.5
Great food, fantastic staff. We chanced upon this place tonight, and what a delight. Three kids in tow - the only in the restaurant - and we were treated gallantly. Staff were terrific, food was what one expects from a French restaurant and prices fair. Very much recommend this Cbd eatery.
Apr 13, 2011
Zomato
Gourmand
+4.5
Excellent service. We came with 3 young children which the maitre'd was a natural with. Great traditional French cuisine
Apr 13, 2011
Zomato
Bec M
+4.5
Restaurant Express Lunch. I have never had French before, but I enjoyed my experience here. I went with 5 others for the Restaurant Express menu, so it was a bit cheaper but their wasn't much to choose from. The sizes were pretty small but I still found it filling enough. I have read complaints with the service, but both the young gentlemen and the young lady we had serve us were friendly and helpful, though the young man's French accent made it a little difficult to understand at times. The French onion soup smelled and looked delicious, not sure what the taste was like but my companion said it was enjoyable. The rest of us had the Charcuterie, which wasn't as nice as I had hoped. Another companion commented that it tasted a bit like spam. It defiantly had lots of flavour to the sauce through. I thoroughly enjoyed my main though. I can't remember what it was called but it was beef with mashed potatoes, a carrot and onion shallots. The beef was so tender it was mouth watering; the potato was light and creamy and helped soften the flavours from the juice and the vegetables. Overall I would go again just to get this dish.
Mar 23, 2011
Zomato
Marion
+4.5
Very Nice Place.... I went to the french brasserie one time for lunch, we ate ouside which was really nice. We got the charcuterie platter, just great ( and the manager told us that everything was home made, i guess that's why it was so good ;-)) after that a very good meat as well. The service was good and it was just a great lunch. The place is a bit hidden, but you got to find it...
Mar 23, 2011
Zomato
Guillaume Miege
+4.5
A la recherche d'un bon restaurant sur Melbourne, après avoir tourner pendant un bon moment dans une ville que je ne connaissait pas. Je trouve finalement un parking sur Malthouse lane et en remontant je tombe sur un magnifique restaurant français la French brasserie. Après avoir jeter un coup d' œil a la carte nous nous décidons a rentrer e nous somme acceuilli de façon très agréable. Nous ne sommes pas déçut par les plats qui nous sont proposer et qui relee plus du gastronomique que d'un brasserie et ceci pour notre plus grand plaisir. La carte des vins nous offre un large choix a des prix très abordable. Après un diner somptueux terminer par de très bon fromage nous rentrons avec les papille toutes émoustille. De plus le service n était pas en reste tous les serveurs et serveuses étaient agreable, présent et sympathique . Un restaurant que je conseil pour tous ceux qui aime la bonne nourriture et qui désire passer un bon moment.
Mar 21, 2011
Zomato
Antonia
+4.5
Amazing Place. No comment, it was lovely dinner!!!
Nov 23, 2010
Zomato
Marine
+4.5
TRES BEL ENDROIT!!. La cuisine y est tres fine, le cadre tres sympa, et le service irréprochable!!
tres bonne experience!
Nov 20, 2010
Zomato
Grumpy Typewriter
+4.5
The French Brasserie Had.... The French Brasserie. Had dinner here last night (2 Oct 2010) and loved it. There will always be a place for classic French fare and TFB does it very well indeed. While sometimes I enjoy food described as a new twist on something, I equally enjoy going back to the source. There were five of us at dinner and not a dud dish to be seen; mains consisted of two duck dishes, two beef and a rabbit, all great. What I appreciated was good food, good wine, good service and I thought good value. Oh, and that my cassoulet was totally kick arse delicious. Finally, I love the look of a polished floorboard in a fit out but what was nice here was with such a high ceiling, the noise had somewhere to travel so we could talk easily. We will definitely be going back.
Oct 02, 2010
Zomato
Belinda North
+4.5
Great service amazing flavors. authentic French waitress and owner made us feel like super stars. Great French wine menu and although expensive food and wine is well worth it. I recommend the duck breast in orange. If u have a steak make sure u order a side as it comes on it's own. 4.5/5!
Aug 21, 2010
Zomato
Coffeebeen
+4.5
Great service and food, not bad coffee, for a restaurant ;)
Aug 07, 2010
Zomato
Tony Funaki
+4.5
Great casual french. I've been here on several occasions and enjoyed eating here every time. reasonable price, great service, ambient atmosphere, good cooking :-)
May 24, 2010
Zomato
Itscaro
+4.5
Itscaro. "The French Brasserie"
May 07, 2010 - Likes it - I was by myself last night after a viewing of Lilly Chorney's magnificent paintings in Flinders Lane, I stepped into " The Italian" for a bite, and so began one of the best dining experiences I have had for a very long time. THE SERVICE!! clearly one of the things they do, VERY WELL. The couple dining next to me were also quick to express their appreciation of this most important aspect. The food, sublime! My entree of Calamari stuffed with Prawn mousse, tender Calamari most beautifully presented with swirls of flavour dressing the plate to bring out the best in the dish. For the main, I again chose seafood, with magically crispy fillets of ooh! naughty me, I forget the name of the fish, I however bow down to that fish and thank my stars I chose it. Dessert, not usually on my mind, but the two perfectly presented Crepes filled with lemon curd and decorated with fresh berries, were Heaven. After a well priced glass of Lanson champagne, and the most yummy dessert wine, suggested by my waitress. I left feeling elated with my discovery, and of course the bubbles. Booking now, for next Saturday night for two friends visiting from Sydney. Cheers, Caz.
May 10, 2010
Zomato
Peter Nikoletatos
+4.5
Authentic French in many ways. Great service and the food was excellent.
Feb 16, 2010
Zomato
James
+4.5
Superb. A great place. Very nice atmosphere and friendly staff. Excellent French cuisine. I'm not normally a huge fan of French food, but this was a delight. And the dark chocolate tart!
Jul 17, 2009
Zomato
Sofia
+4.5
The French brasserie is a brilient restrant with a great vibe it is not evpensive and it is great food. I recomed it to most people that love deilightful French food
Mar 05, 2009
5
Danny Haddad
+5
Amazing experience from start to finish, from the owner’s reception to the the service, the food, the atmosphere, the music, the wine, the venue, we couldn’t fault a thing. The old fashioned great service and happy and super helpful staff all speaking French was so refreshing. The menu is just perfect and not too confusing, with something for everyone. If you’re looking for a quick cheap meal, go elsewhere. If you want an amazing dining experience then go see Hadj and his team, and enjoy a bit of everything, start with an entree with a couple of refreshing cocktails, a beautiful main with a nice wine, and end it with a delicious dessert and a coffee. This is our new favourite restaurant in Melbourne, we’re already planning our next visit.
5
Steven Stewart
+5
As a massive fan of French cuisine I am super impressed on all levels of this experience. Food, Amazing - transported back to Paris, Service, Outstanding - with French flair and finesse. Atmosphere - brilliant!! Highly recommend a dinner here!! Thank-you for an outstanding evening!
5
Stefanie Kane
+5
Such a lovely, intimate space to have a date on. It’s a shame it’s tucked away and harder for walk-ins to notice. The staff were so friendly and made my birthday dinner an extra special experience. We were provided sparkling wine on arrival and a little dessert with a candle as a bonus. The steak tartare and onion soup are great signature entrees, and the mains are the perfect portion size and present beautifully. Can’t wait to come back again and try the rest.
5
Melbournelops
+5
Date night goals! We celebrated our 10 year wedding anni here and it was amazing from start to finish. Outstanding service, tasty food and cocktails and the perfect date night vibe. Yum! We’ll be back 🥰
5
Jing X
+5
Fabulous service and wonderful food from the start to finish! We love the duck and beef cheek. The snail is also good. Price is reasonable - we spent less than $200 for two people.
5
Y Nhu Doan
+5
It is a very pleasant experience with delightful dishes. The best thing here is the host and Staff are welcoming, friendly. Moreover, the restaurant design and music are very romantic and relaxing making the experience more enjoyable.
5
Maddie Lawrence
+5
My partner and I had dinner at the Brasserie last Friday night before attending Cinderella at the Regent and it was simply the best restaurant we've ever been to! Upon entering the restaurant we were warmly greeted in French and enjoyed a wonderful conversation with the manager and waiters before being seated. As we were celebrating my birthday, we were gifted a Kir Royale each, they were divine. We also enjoyed a glass of delicious wine and a French martini with our meals. We enjoyed the french onion soup and cheese board for our entree and the dishes did not disappoint. The beef cheek and duck along with the french fries were also delicious. We concluded with the creme brulee and the staff added a candle to it in celebration of my birthday. The staff throughout the night spoke to us and each other in French and along with the French music, we felt as though for that 90 minutes, we truly were sitting in a Parisian restaurant. It was the most wonderful dining experience we have ever had. We will be back!