Like all good commemorations, Bastille Day will be celebrated with a whole lot of feasting on July 14. If you want to celebrate la Fête nationale without booking a flight to Paris, Brisbane has a spectacular lineup of French dining institutions ready to deliver the ultimate experience.
From bottomless high teas to cavernous wine cellars, here are the absolute best places to raise a glass of Champagne and enjoy exceptional French gastronomy this Bastille Day.
1. C’est Bon
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For a truly Parisian night, head to Woolloongabba where C’est Bon is hosting a special Bastille Day edition of its fortnightly L’Entrecôte Jazz Soirée. Inspired by Paris’s legendary Le Relais de Venise, this $55-per-person event pairs live music with the enduring simplicity of steak frites. Guests will enjoy Wagyu entrecôte with condiments, salad de Champagne, and bottomless pomme frites finished with Café de Paris sauce, all while Brisbane jazz musician Jordan Rasmussen performs live from 6pm to 8pm.
You can even elevate the evening with freshly shucked oysters, a roaming fromage trolley, tableside Crêpe Suzette, or by upgrading your steak to a half lobster with Béarnaise sauce. Book your Bastille feast at C’Est Bon here
2. Montrachet
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As Brisbane’s most iconic French dining institution, Montrachet in Bowen Hills is the pinnacle of fine dining. Under the guidance of acclaimed Executive Chef Clément Chauvin, the restaurant honours the deep traditions of French gastronomy while introducing refined modern twists. For Bastille Day, Montrachet offers an exclusive premium set menu running alongside their winter specials. From their legendary double crab soufflé to an unparalleled 400+ bottle wine list, it’s the ultimate venue for a truly luxurious and memorable national day celebration.
Reserve your spot here
3. Bisou Bisou
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Why restrict the fun to a single day? Fortitude Valley’s stylish neo-brasserie, Bisou Bisou, turns the occasion into a month-long extravaganza with ‘Bastille Month’. Their standout event is the Bastille Day Bottomless High Tea, running across consecutive weekends in July. Punters can settle into the gorgeous, light-filled space and indulge in a French-inspired high tea menu complete with tiered stands of sweet and savoury delicacies. Complemented by flowing drinks, it’s a brilliant, celebratory way to embrace the festive spirit with friends.
Say oui to Bastille Month here
4. La Belle Vie
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Perched above the hills of Bardon, La Belle Vie Bistro offers an authentic dose of joie de vivre. On Tuesday the 14th of July, the restaurant transforms for Le 14 Juillet. During the day, guests can enjoy a bespoke three-course lunch featuring classic bistro favourites. In the evening, the atmosphere turns intimate and warm with a carefully curated set menu. Showcasing premium seasonal ingredients, the dinner features a generous shared entrée, a traditional French main like grilled rump steak with red wine jus, and an indulgent dark chocolate fondant.
Secure your table here
5. Pompette
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Situated in the heart of the city, Pompette brings a vibrant, contemporary energy to the Brisbane dining scene, and they are pulling out all the stops this 14th of July with their Cognac de Nuit event. Known for its lively atmosphere and beautifully styled interiors, this venue is the perfect place to raise a glass and celebrate France’s most iconic holiday. Guests will be treated to an exceptional, indulgent evening featuring a five-course French feast, perfectly paired with three premium Cognacs served neat and two exclusive Cognac cocktails. Kicking off from 6:30pm, it’s a brilliant way to gather your friends and celebrate Bastille Day the Pompette way.
Check out Pompette here
6. La Cache à Vin
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Tucked away down a laneway beneath an old historic building at 215 Wharf Street, Spring Hill, La Cache à Vin is a moody underground gem. This cavernous dining room, complete with rock walls, leather banquettes, and a marble bar, is hosting an exclusive Bastille Day Dinner on 14 July from 5:30pm for $159 per person. Guests are welcomed with a choice of a Kir or a glass of Champagne Laurianne Lejour Brut Grand Cru alongside canapés, before diving into a spectacular multi-course menu. Entrée choices include a light cheese soufflé au Kirsch, freshly prepared beef tartare, or grilled scallops with spicy nduja. For the main course, diners can select between the oven-baked fish of the day, a rich confit duck Maryland, or a premium eye fillet served with homemade French fries (with an optional three-cheese sharing plate available for an extra $25). To finish a truly authentic evening, choose between a classic crème brûlée, a decadent chocolate fondant, or tableside Crêpe Suzette.
Snag a table before they’re gone here