Table of Contents
Awa French Crêperie
Watching the art of creating paper-thin, made-to-order crepes using traditional French techniques at this lively Fitzroy French café is almost as satisfying as eating them! Whether you prefer something sweet like the delicate Madeleine crepe with fresh lemon, butter and sugar, or a heartier savoury option, Awa French Crêperie is a welcome new addition to Brunswick Street, serving authentic, homemade French crepes and galettes.
Inspired by a love of Melbourne charm and Parisian flavours, this hidden gem offers a cozy atmosphere filled with French music — perfect for breakfast with the girls, a sneaky stop on your morning stroll, or ordering a coffee and settling in to watch the world go by as you indulge in a crepe solo.
180 Brunswick St, Fitzroy
Bistro Sousou
Formerly known as Madame Sousou, this beautiful Fitzroy French restaurant boasts soft lighting and a cozy atmosphere, making it perfect for an evening with friends or a romantic dinner for two. The menu offers classic French favourites like escargots de Bourgogne (Burgundy snails in garlic and parsley butter) and mousse au chocolat, but locals in the know come for the steak frites.
Each Tuesday evening, this Fitzroy institution offers a ‘Steak Night Special,’ pairing perfectly cooked grass-fed Angus porterhouse with Sousou butter sauce, frites and a glass of house wine. For larger groups coming together to celebrate or catch up over good French food and wine, Bistro Sousou also offers a set menu and a private function room.
153 Gertrude St, Fitzroy | bistrosousou.com.au
Bon Ap Petit Bistro
Tucked into a heritage building on Brunswick Street, Bon Ap Petit Bistro celebrates the timeless charm of French cuisine in an inviting café. Open from breakfast to late night, this Fitzroy French restaurant values great food, warm service and a lively atmosphere, delivered by a mostly French-speaking team.
Bon Ap serves classic French dishes made with fresh, locally sourced produce — from escargots baked in garlic butter and French onion soup to duck à l’orange with duck fat potatoes and tender beef bourguignon with silky potato purée. You might also find mussels with cider and cream, steak frites, or their popular house-made charcuterie and cheeses. From a leisurely multi-course dinner to a late-night treat by candlelight, Bon Ap brings a little Parisian magic to the heart of Fitzroy.
193 Brunswick St, Fitzroy | bonap.com.au
Jour Cafe
Behind a beautiful, vine-covered exterior bathed in sunlight, this bright space — reminiscent of days in the South of France — is the perfect brunch spot for you and your four-legged friend, offering a modern spin on classic French cuisine. The menu, skilfully crafted by head chef Simon Hoare, focuses on seasonal, predominantly plant-based dishes made with sustainably farmed produce and organic ingredients where possible.
Alongside its imaginative à la carte menu, Jour Cafe showcases a large variety of organic French-style pastries, all made in-house by talented French pastry chef Laetitia Hoffman. Whether you’re tucking into a warm baked camembert, a seasonal galette du jour or simply soaking up the sunny, vibrant atmosphere, Jour Cafe is a little piece of France hidden in the streets of Collingwood.
29 Keele Street, Collingwood | jour.com.au
Mon Ami
Located on the corner of Nicholson Street and Moor Street in Fitzroy, French fine dining brasserie Mon Ami has been winning international awards since its establishment more than two decades ago. Described as a fusion of French, Finnish and Danish cuisine, owners Ulla and Jon Langevad estimate they have served over 40,000 ducks across their four signature duck dishes.
The thoughtfully curated menu features offerings such as the ‘world’s best deep sea scallops’, French foie gras and traditional Crêpe l’orange to finish. Set aside what you think you know about fine dining establishments — there is a comfortable, almost family-style atmosphere behind the blue exterior that has won Mon Ami many loyal patrons over the years.
144 Nicholson Street, Fitzroy | monamirestaurant.com.au
Norma
Norma Fitzroy is a charming newer addition to Fitzroy’s French culinary landscape, offering a taste of “French Mediterranean without any fuss.” The menu brings together fresh, seasonal ingredients in beautifully balanced dishes — think ricotta and spinach raviolo with egg yolk and parmesan, slow-cooked beef cheek bourguignon, or duck leg confit with parsnip purée and pickled cauliflower.
Not sure where to start? You could go for a charcuterie plate, smoked olives, or burrata with green pesto, then finish with a classic crème brûlée or their popular Basque cheesecake drizzled with chocolate sauce. For those looking to escape the cold midweek, Norma also offers a three-course set menu date night special every Wednesday, complete with a glass of wine.
197 Smith St, Fitzroy | normafitzroy.au
Paris Go Bistro
A short stroll away in Carlton, Paris Go Bistro has been serving traditional fine-dining French cuisine for over 25 years. Chef and owner Gabriel Dimitriadis grew up surrounded by fresh produce at Melbourne’s wholesale markets, later refining his skills during a French chef apprenticeship — a passion that still drives him today. You’ll still find him handpicking ingredients to ensure each dish is both fresh and accessible, without compromising on quality.
The extensive, ever-changing menu reads like a love letter to French bistro classics: oysters served three ways, rich French onion soup, King George whiting dumplings with prawn sauce, slow-cooked beef bourguignon with black truffle mash, and the signature confit duck with figs and redcurrant. Gabriel’s dedication to seasonal ingredients and authentic techniques keeps loyal regulars and new visitors coming back to this warm, lively bistro that feels like a slice of Paris in Melbourne.
116 Rathdowne St, Carlton | parisgo.com.au
Smith St Bistrot
At Smith St Bistrot in Collingwood, owner and restaurateur Scott Pickett blends classic French cuisine with the eclectic spirit of Melbourne’s inner north. With the playful invitation “come for a drink, stay for the food,” you’ll find familiar French favourites reimagined using fresh, local ingredients — from soufflé suissesse to filet de barramundi.
There’s always something tempting on offer, thanks to weekly rituals designed to bring a little French flair to your calendar. Moules Mondays offer mussels, frites, crusty bread and wine for two — the perfect way to start the week. From Monday to Wednesday, guests can bring their own favourite drop as part of the Winter BYO offering ($25 corkage). And if long, leisurely lunches are your style, the Prix Fixe Lunch runs Friday to Sunday with two elegant courses and optional wine pairings.
300 Smith St, Collingwood | smithstbistrot.com.au
If exploring Fitzroy through its food is your idea of a good time, there’s plenty more to dive into. Discover the best Italian restaurants in Fitzroy, plan a night out with our guide to Fitzroy’s best wine bars, or book a table at one of the top date-night spots.
