France-Soir Menu & Prices: Full Guide to Melbourne's Iconic French Brasserie

France-Soir is a classic Parisian brasserie at 11 Toorak Road, South Yarra, Melbourne. Opened in 1986 by owner Jean-Paul Prunetti, it has operated continuously for nearly four decades, making it one of Melbourne's longest-running fine-dining institutions. The restaurant is immediately recognisable by its bright blue neon sign and has been described by Broadsheet as 'the most authentic brasserie' in the city.

France-Soir's most celebrated dishes are the steak tartare (A$30 for 100g, A$51 for 200g), widely regarded as the best in Melbourne, and the escargots de Bourgogne a l'ail (A$28) - snails in garlic butter. The Salade Nicoise (A$32), moules mariniere (A$27), magret de canard (A$49) and boeuf bourguignon (A$52) are long-standing signature dishes that rarely leave the menu. For dessert, the crepes Suzette (A$19) - flambeed tableside - and the creme brulee (A$19) are classics worth ordering.

France-Soir is a mid-to-upper-range restaurant. Entrees run from A$17 to A$39; mains range from A$46 to A$60 (grilled steaks) with market-priced fish and pork specials beyond that. Desserts are a uniform A$19. A two-course meal without wine typically runs A$70-90 per person; with wine, expect A$110-150+ per head. France-Soir is famous for its exceptional-value wine list - a 4,500-bin cellar with bottles at a range of price points including many available by the glass.

Owner Jean-Paul Prunetti has assembled one of Australia's most celebrated restaurant wine lists: approximately 4,500 bins, predominantly French but with strong Australian and New Zealand representation. More than 30 wines are available by the glass. The list spans every major French region - Burgundy, Bordeaux, the Rhone, Loire, Alsace - at a wide range of price points. Wine industry publication Young Gun of Wine rates France-Soir's cellar among the best in Melbourne.

France-Soir is open 7 days a week, midday to midnight (12pm - 12am). This makes it one of the few Melbourne fine-dining restaurants serving a full brasserie menu through the late-night hours. Lunch service runs from midday; the kitchen is open throughout. Reservations are strongly recommended for dinner, particularly on weekends - book by phone on (03) 9866 8569.

France-Soir operates BYO (Bring Your Own wine) at lunch only, on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays (public holidays excluded), with no corkage charge. All other sessions are fully licensed. Given the restaurant's legendary 4,500-bin wine list, most diners choose to drink from the cellar - but the BYO lunchtime policy is a genuine perk for those who want to bring a special bottle.

Yes. France-Soir takes reservations by phone on (03) 9866 8569. The restaurant is typically full on Friday and Saturday evenings and popular for mid-week business lunches and celebrations. Walk-ins are accommodated when space permits - bar seating is often available without a reservation. For weekend dinner, booking several days in advance is recommended.

France-Soir opened in 1986, making it one of Melbourne's oldest continuously operating French restaurants - approaching 40 years in business. It has served generations of Melbourne diners and visiting celebrities; notable guests over the decades have included Mick Jagger and Bruce Springsteen. Owner Jean-Paul Prunetti has maintained the same Parisian brasserie character throughout, keeping the menu anchored in classic French bistro cooking rather than chasing trends.

France-Soir is at 11 Toorak Road, South Yarra VIC 3141, on the western end of Toorak Road near Chapel Street. The restaurant is a short walk from South Yarra train station (Glen Waverley, Alamein, Frankston and Sandringham lines). Paid street parking is available on Toorak Road and nearby streets. Taxis and rideshare services serve the address directly. The bright blue neon sign makes the entrance easy to spot at night.