Macleay St Bistro

Macleay St Bistro offers a wonderful dining experience. The chefs delivered incredible high quality meals that were delicious. The service was professional and welcoming. To the traditional twice baked soufflé, to the mouth watering steak and french martini’s, the restaurant has nailed the french cuisine!

Had a fabulous lunch with wonderful friends up from Melb. We ate way too much and enjoyed absolutely everything. Service and atmosphere was excellent. Loud, fun. Forgot to take more photos. The scallop entree was delicious. I had the steak, medium rare with pepper sauce was about 7/10. All in all, I recommend.

My partner and I visited the restaurant for a Friday night dinner and couldn’t be happier. The service was 10/10 from being welcomed into the restaurant to leaving the restaurant. The food was 10/10 from the starters right through to the drinks and deserts. The steak was the best I have ever had. Definitely the best restaurant in Potts point! Highly recommend.

It's my favourite French restaurant and we visit quite regularly. Yesterday we took a group of friends for a birthday dinner and everyone enjoyed! Staff were attentive and friendly, the food was great as usual, and we had an awesome time. Side note: we tried booking online a couple of weeks ago but it said it was fully booked for weeks. We told the waiter about this but he said it actually wasn't, and it may be an error on the online booking system that he will now look into and let the owner know! So if you want to book, best you call the restaurant.

Macleay Bistro was a wonderful surprise for my friend and me. The moment we walked in, the soft lighting and gentle buzz of conversation created a warm and inviting atmosphere. The sound level was perfect—lively but not overwhelming—so we could actually chat without having to shout. We were delighted to be greeted with a complimentary glass of champagne (thank you to Tony for recommending this beautiful place!). The staff were polite, attentive, and never pushy with menu suggestions. They were always nearby when needed and made sure we didn’t miss out on anything. The biggest surprise of the night was the food. I had the best prawn dish in a creamy sauce that I’ve ever tasted—absolutely outstanding. My girlfriend adored her rich cheese soufflé, and the eye fillet tartare was smooth, balanced, and ticked all my gourmet boxes. She also had a beetroot and walnut salad which I managed to try—equally delicious. As a vegetarian, she couldn’t experience the “rapsody” of my dishes, but she was more than happy with her choices. To finish, we ordered the crème brûlée and the undisputed winner of the night—the lemon tart. “Amazing” is an understatement. It was a perfect explosion of sweet and sour, beautifully balanced and simply divine.

We had the most amazing dining experience at Macleay Street Bistro the other night. The waiters were so attentive and looked after us with great care. The food was as exceptional as ever. Having been there many times, it just gets better every time. Macleay Street Bistro is said to be the grande old dame of French Restaurants in Sydney because it has been around for about 40 years. But I must say there is nothing old about MSB. In its recently new abode, with its beautiful decor and fit-out, this is a world class restaurant to visit. Such a beautiful place to sit end enjoy a great meal. For entree I had the twice baked souffle cooked to perfection with bubbling cheese around the edges, we and considered it to be one of the best ever. Others in my party had the salmon tartare so theatrically presented under a smoke-filled glass dome. The main course of steak frites and fillet steak were equally delicious and just as well presented with such care. After the dinner, when the restaurant was a bit quieter, the chef greeted us at our table and he took time to engage with us and make the evening even more special. For a French restaurant experience in Sydney Macleay Street Bistro is the best in town.

Have not been to the bistro for a number of years ...decided to celebrate christmas eve there. Was surprised by its amazing new location. The overall food and service experience have seen to get better but we ended up dining on our old bistro favourites. Quality of the food has got better. An evening of french onion soup , chateaubriand and an amazing lemon tart Was presented to our table by professional staff. It was great and they still offer BYO wine and much surprised its free on sunday. Overall a great night and we will be comming more regularly. We felt guilty we had not been back sooner.

Macleay St Bistro delights with refined French cuisine, combining classic techniques with flair, finesse, and elegance. Highlights included the fresh, briny Sydney rock oysters, the savoury French onion soufflé, and the rich chicken liver parfait. The duck breast was tender and full of flavour, served with peaches, shallots, and Armagnac jus. Dessert provided a perfect finish - a vibrant, indulgent lemon tart with crème fraîche. Service is warm, welcoming, and attentively delivered. Staff strike the ideal balance between professionalism and genuine hospitality, ensuring a relaxed and enjoyable dining experience. The dining room is elegant and intimate, with soft lighting, classic bistro touches, and a quietly luxurious atmosphere. Macleay St Bistro is a standout for anyone seeking beautifully crafted French cuisine, charming service, and an ambiance that feels both timeless and indulgent.

The eye fillet with pepper sauce was easily the best steak I have ever had. it was my birthday and the attentive staff made my day extra special. . Thank you !

Macleay Street Bistro is a Sydney dining institution serving classic French Cuisine. They are currently celebrating 35 years of service with a 1970s inspired, classic French menu. This coincidentally includes some of our favourite dishes - you cannot beat a classic. Macleay Street Bistro is set in a converted terrace house and on appearance the restaurant is your cliché French fine dining restaurant. White tablecloths with tables set impeccably with the crockery and wine glasses. The set up and decor may be classic French, however the music is modern and upbeat, as is the maître d, Clive. The service at this joint is extraordinarily professional, whilst still personable, with Clive providing plenty of character. He comes with a wealth of experience and it shows in leaps and bounds. This was one of the best dining and service experiences we have experienced in Sydney. What better way to start a meal than with a refreshing cocktail - a beautiful French martini - chambord, vodka and pineapple juice. A recommended start to your meal at Mcleay Street Bistro. Another traditional start to any bistro meal is Bread and Macleay St Bistro uses quality artisan producers to supply the restaurant. A French Baguette from Sonoma is accompanied by another Sydney favourite, Pepe Saya butter. We were visiting for their impressive celebratory six course degustation menu incorporating their classics to reflect on and celebrate their 35 years of operation. The First course was the pan seared scallops, prepared to perfection combining with added texture provided to the dish by the hazelnuts and an earthiness from the roast cauliflower and contrasted by the light cauliflower purée. This dish was paired with a Riesling, the Framingham from Marlborough New Zealand a sweet wine with strong flavours of lemon and rasins, this conjuring memories of lemon cordial, when you indulge and get a little heavy on the cordial. This wine nicely matched with the sweeness of scallops. For the Second course, we get hands on with the Macleay St Bistro organic grass fed eye fillet steak tartare with house made mini baguette. The plate is beautifully presented with a mound of thin strips of beef and an egg yolk on top that brings the dish together. This surrounded by little quenelles of Dijon, eschallot, Cornichon, Anchovy paste and capers. Break open the egg yolk, mix it with the beef strips, then combine other flavours to taste. This incredibly rich and beautiful tartare was paired with a Joseph Faiveley Pinot Noir From Burgundy, France. A lighter style red which helped cut through the richness of the tartare. What a fabulous pairing, they sure know their stuff here. The third course was a twice baked French onion soufflé with truffle butter and a wholemeal sourdough roll. This is comfort food, the perfect winter dish that will warm the soul. Light and fluffy, sitting in a pool of cheesy goodness, you most certainly need to try this. The flavours of this dish complimented by a Vincent girardin Chardonnay from Burgundy, France. The the wood flavours from the oaked chardonnay and the sweet onion and cheese of that twice bake soufflé were truly magnifique. The fourth course was a divine organic grass fed eye fillet with fresh parsley and sauce au poivre, a great cut of meat, cooked medium rare, it melts in your mouth. The wine of choice Mon Coeur, Syrah, Rhone valley, France. What else would you pair with a steak? The penultimate dish was the fifth course, a classic Macleay st bistro Creme brûlée Served with chateau la caussade Sainte Croix, Bordeaux, France. The perfect end to the meal. When you think you are finished, the staff bring our house made chocolate truffles, rich and beautiful. What a perfect dish to end on. For a meal that is truly special, do make a showing at Mcleay Street Bistro for the weekend lunch offer. A 6 course classic French menu for $90, for matching wine add $75. All items cooked to perfection and served with a great wine pairing. You receive an authentic French Bistro experience, make sure you bring your appetite and enjoy the experience that will have you embracing winter in Sydney with some comfort food and service that is equally comforting. Bon appetite!

Excellent and outstanding food!!! We had the rack of lamb with artichokes and the seared chicken breast with mushrooms and potatoes plus a side leafy salad that was topped off with a Pinot Noir from New Zealand. The food was cooked to perfection!! The service was excellent. We had reservations for the Monopole originally but it had a horrible atmosphere and decided to wing it at this French bistro. We are so happy about our decision. The prices are normal for a French bistro. I need to mention that the service is superb again. The entrance is awkward because you have to enter the restaurant to ask for seating. Don't be shy and just go in. By the way, we enjoyed Profiteroles with ice cream and hot chocolate sauce for dessert.

No Stars! I couldn't post without at least one star. What a f**king disappointment!! Every time my partner and I visit, I always order the same dish - steak tartare. The moment the dish set down in front of me, I knew the restaurant had lost my patronage. Was told the portion was 200grams. BULLSHIT! Tiny, tiny portion at $39. I felt f**king insulted. We looked around and most tables were empty. We finished our meal and asked for the bill. The bill had a more expensive wine added. Seriously?! The lone waiter adjusted the bill to correct pricing. We will NEVER return again.

This is an institution in Potts Point and the new owners have really breathed new life into it(Breakfast on the weekends) The menu is still fantastic. Classic. Brilliant atmosphere. Intimate. Romantic.

I just walked in to make a reservation, and the host ignored me for over 5 minutes while he finished chit-chatting with a mate. He literally made eye contact with me, and just continued on finishing his conversation. Rude as. I walked out. No reso.

Amazing 6 course meal celebrating their 36 years classics. I have tried many steak tartare, even in Paris and theirs is definitely the best I have had. I loved escargot and most I had are drizzled with garlic butter. Theirs has a creamy based sauce and was divine....wish I lived here!!

I small quiet place, which aspires to making French fare. I had the french onion soup and coq au vin which was a good effort for French fare outside of France which is my barometer. Worth a try if you want a change. The french wine by the glass was great. A good experience.

My friend and I went there for dinner on 18 April 2015. The restaurant was somehow empty and it's clear that there were available tables. We walked in and asked a table for two. The SNOOTY waiter said everything's fully booked without even bothering to check with the maitre d' inside! So I've decided to ring the restaurant and double checked if this was the case. The guy on the phone said - 'Yes sir we have a few available tables outside'. So we went back about 2 mins after the call to find our table. The same SNOOTY waiter welcomed us and clearly trying to make excuse that 'he thought we had no reservation so he said it was fully booked.' I said, 'yes, we didn't and in fact I did make a reservation over the phone just two minutes after you refused us!' - What's this jibber jabber about? There is nothing as infuriating as having denied of something, pretend that it didn't happen and then make excuse about it (after attempting to blame other people). I can understand that in some restaurants that one can experience a 'sewage' quality of service but the food is 'to die for'. In this case, the quality of food kept up with the poor service. It was a bit average and very expensive for the value one would get! I've been to many restaurants (even Michelin star ones) and I wouldn't even consider the food a 'restaurant quality'. Perhaps if one would like to enjoy an occasional pretentious night eating pub food - yes, I'd recommend this place. Overall, the customer experience (both service and food) was very poor! I hope this comment gets properly escalated to the owner. At the end of the day, it's all about continuous improvement!