French Saloon

4.9

350 Reviews

$41 to $100

French

Make a reservation

2 people

Nov 30, 2024

11:30 PM

Booked 4 times today

Experiences are available.

Good for special occasions
Great for fine wines
Charming

Climb the narrow flight of stairs up from the red brick lane to enter the saloon. A table in the bustling dining room? Or a seat at the fluted zinc bar? Whether it’s a lunch, dinner or well crafted cocktails with a snack, bookings are essential.

Dining areas

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Elegant
Price
$41 to $100
Cuisines
French, Modern Australian
Hours of operation
Lunch Thu, Fri 12:00 pm–3:00 pm Dinner Tue–Sat 5:00 pm–11:00 pm
Phone number
(03) 9600 2142
Website
http://www.frenchsaloon.com/
Payment options
AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Casual Dress
Executive chef
Luke Fraser
Private party facilities
Our award winning menu designed by our head Chef Luke Fraser, accommodates serious boardroom dinners, as well as beautiful long family lunches. An extensive wine list and welcoming, savvy staff make hosting an event with us effortless.

Location
First Floor, 46 Hardware Lane (enter restaurant from Hardware Lane, via stairs), Melbourne, AU-VIC 3000
Neighborhood
Melbourne CBD
Cross street
Hardware Lane and Little Bourke Street
Parking details
Private Lot
Public transit
Route 86 or 96 tram
Additional
Beer, Cocktails, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Wine

Featured in

Top 50 restaurants in Australia

Experiences

Chef's Menu
A$95.00 per person
Multiple dates available
For all groups of 8-12 people we offer our Chef's Menu. This is a $95 per person shared menu offering classic seasonal dishes from our a la carte menu. Payment is taken on the evening and is NOT taken from the credit card used for booking. *Please note a 10% service charge applies to all group bookings of 8 people and above.
French Saloon X St John Takeover
A$135.00 per person
Mar 21, 2025 - Mar 29, 2025
The ultimate British restaurant takes up residence at French Saloon this March. Farokh Talati - head chef from St John, joins Luke Fraser and the French Saloon team, to present a set four-course menu each service, with the offer of plenty of extras for anyone who, in true St John style, would like to give things a nudge. Trevor has also shipped over plenty of Boulevard Napoleon, the wine he has been making in the Minervois in the south of France since 2008, the perfect supplement to the Saloon’s own cellar. The four-course menu is $135 per person with all beverages and extras charged in addition.

Globe Artichoke, baby kipfler, Caesar crème, Emilia anchoviesA$27.00
Smoked eel, pickled daikon, green apple, horseradish chantillyA$28.00
Abrolhos Island scallop, blood orange, lardo, green pepperA$30.00
Terrine Maison, house HP sauce, pickles, toasted sourdoughA$28.00
Chicken liver parfait, chicken skin and hazelnut praline, Sauternes apricots, toasted pain de laitA$26.00
French Saloon steak tartareA$32.00

Mains

Market fish du jour - Market Price
Parisienne gnocchi, buttered leeks, Amontillado, mushroomA$42.00
Rack of Victorian lamb, morels, broad beans, sherry jusA$56.00
Wagyu rump cap, jus de Saloon, pommes ParisienneA$56.00
Whole roasted market fish, salmon pearls, roast chicken butter sauceA$62.00
Steak fritesA$48.00

On the Side

Pommes fritesA$14.00
Green beans, smoked almondineA$14.00
Grilled broccolini, black garlic yoghurtA$14.00
Mixed leaves, Champagne vinaigrette, fine herbsA$12.00

Cheese

Each cheese is served with a matching seasonal accompaniment. Selection of three 75g $25 / five 125g $42

White mould: Jouvenceau - Iles de France 50gmA$18.00
Washed Rind: Muster Fischer - Alsace, France 50gmA$18.00
Chevré: Stone & Crow 'Amiel' - Yarra Valley 50gmA$18.00
Hard: Banksia - Castlemaine 50gmA$18.00
Blue: Fourme d'Ambert - Auvergne, France 50gmA$18.00

Dessert

Rice pudding parfait, passionfruit, citrus beignetsA$18.00
Tarte au citronA$18.00
Crème BrûléeA$18.00
Madeleines, chocolateA$18.00

What 350 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.9

4.9 based on recent ratings

4.9Food
4.8Service
4.8Ambience
4.6Value

Noise • Energetic

Loved For

Melbourne
Best Overall
Melbourne
Best Food
City Centre
Best Overall
City Centre
Best Food
City Centre
Best Service
City Centre
Best Ambiance
City Centre
Great for fine wines

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

French Saloon offers a "magnificent dining experience" with "divine food," exceptional service, and a charming ambience. Guests rave about the "amazing food," knowledgeable staff, and "interesting wine options." The restaurant's attention to detail ensures a memorable visit, whether for a special occasion or a casual meal. Highly recommended!

350 Reviews

K
Kerry
Victoria
7 reviews
4.0
7 reviews
Dined on November 22, 2024
1. Overall 4
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Very nice setting, with friendly staff. An extensive wine list and a gorgeous menu, the food was fantastic.
Is this helpful?
L
Liam
London
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on October 11, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Never fails to deliver the goods. Great team, repeat offenders in great service.
Is this helpful?
P
Patrick
Montreal
19 reviews
5.0
19 reviews
Dined on October 9, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Steaks cooked to absolute perfection. Service simply above and beyond superlative!
Is this helpful?
D
Demian
Melbourne
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on August 23, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
The waiter/sommelier serving our was fantastic. Very personable without being "in your face". Great choices of wines. Truly excellent food on the set menu - great mix of tastes across 4 courses, light but filling. The courses seamlessly delivered. All the guests had a great time.
Is this helpful?
M
Matthew
Melbourne
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on August 8, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Amazing food and super professional service; we had a business lunch and both my guests were really impressed. I've been to French Saloon multiple times because you're guaranteed to have a great experience. Big tick.
Is this helpful?
D
Dean568
Melbourne
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on July 19, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Wonderful food, brilliant service and ambience!!! Thank you!!!
Is this helpful?
DT
DeniseT
New South Wales
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on July 11, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
We had a family catch up dinner with delicious food, beautiful wine and great service.
Is this helpful?
GP
GeorgeP
Frankfurt
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on July 10, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Authentic French except for the John Dory, with spicy chili! Delicious and highly recommended. Reasonable price.
Is this helpful?
DB
DarrenB
New York City
4 reviews
4.0
4 reviews
Dined on July 3, 2024
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 3
It was a cold day and an outside door was left open a few times by kitchen staff - very cold draft. The waitress had to keep closing it. She was very helpful.
Is this helpful?
OT
OpenTable Diner
Victoria
5 reviews
5.0
5 reviews
Dined on June 20, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Gorgeous little French restaurant with excellent food, interesting wine options, and strong service levels. Wonderful ambience upstairs overlooking the lane.
Is this helpful?

FAQs

French Saloon is rated 4.9 stars by 350 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people

Nov 30, 2024

11:30 PM

Booked 4 times today

Experiences are available.

First Floor, 46 Hardware Lane (enter restaurant from Hardware Lane, via stairs), Melbourne, AU-VIC 3000

Dining areas

Additional information

Cross street
Hardware Lane and Little Bourke Street
Neighborhood
Melbourne CBD
Hours of operation
Lunch Thu, Fri 12:00 pm–3:00 pm Dinner Tue–Sat 5:00 pm–11:00 pm
Price
$41 to $100
Cuisines
French, Modern Australian
Dining style
Casual Elegant
Dress code
Casual Dress
Parking details
Private Lot
Public transit
Route 86 or 96 tram
Payment options
AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
Executive chef
Luke Fraser
Additional
Beer, Cocktails, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Wine

Website
http://www.frenchsaloon.com/
Phone number
(03) 9600 2142
Private party facilities
Our award winning menu designed by our head Chef Luke Fraser, accommodates serious boardroom dinners, as well as beautiful long family lunches. An extensive wine list and welcoming, savvy staff make hosting an event with us effortless.

Featured in

Top 50 restaurants in Australia

French Saloon

Make a reservation

Dining areas

Additional information

Top 50 restaurants in Australia

Chef's Menu

French Saloon X St John Takeover

Snacks

Appellation oystersA$6.00

Comté gougèreA$8.00

Feuille de brick, whipped Brillat Savarin, caviarA$15.00

Entrée

Globe Artichoke, baby kipfler, Caesar crème, Emilia anchoviesA$27.00

Smoked eel, pickled daikon, green apple, horseradish chantillyA$28.00

Abrolhos Island scallop, blood orange, lardo, green pepperA$30.00

Terrine Maison, house HP sauce, pickles, toasted sourdoughA$28.00

Chicken liver parfait, chicken skin and hazelnut praline, Sauternes apricots, toasted pain de laitA$26.00

French Saloon steak tartareA$32.00

Mains

Market fish du jour - Market Price

Parisienne gnocchi, buttered leeks, Amontillado, mushroomA$42.00

Rack of Victorian lamb, morels, broad beans, sherry jusA$56.00

Wagyu rump cap, jus de Saloon, pommes ParisienneA$56.00

Whole roasted market fish, salmon pearls, roast chicken butter sauceA$62.00

Steak fritesA$48.00

On the Side

Pommes fritesA$14.00

Green beans, smoked almondineA$14.00

Grilled broccolini, black garlic yoghurtA$14.00

Mixed leaves, Champagne vinaigrette, fine herbsA$12.00

Cheese

White mould: Jouvenceau - Iles de France 50gmA$18.00

Washed Rind: Muster Fischer - Alsace, France 50gmA$18.00

Chevré: Stone & Crow 'Amiel' - Yarra Valley 50gmA$18.00

Hard: Banksia - Castlemaine 50gmA$18.00

Blue: Fourme d'Ambert - Auvergne, France 50gmA$18.00

Dessert

Rice pudding parfait, passionfruit, citrus beignetsA$18.00

Tarte au citronA$18.00

Crème BrûléeA$18.00

Madeleines, chocolateA$18.00

Overall ratings and reviews

Loved For

Review summary

FAQs

How is French Saloon restaurant rated?

Is French Saloon currently accepting reservations?

Make a reservation

Dining areas

Additional information

Featured in

Top 50 restaurants in Australia