Nice food and excellent service. The snapper was delicious as was the veal. Drinks were good and they have an extensive wine list. Sticky date dessert was good too. Expensive but worth it for a special occasion. Bonus Tip: order the express lunch and save $$$
Adam Sam · 2026-01-27
We had dinner here on Christmas Eve. Everything was wonderful. Service was a little slow but it is to be expected on such a busy night. All the staff were friendly and helpful. The food was great. They have a great wine list also. I would highly recommend eating here if you enjoy French food.
Jo Spark · 2026-01-02
Absolutely exquisite surroundings and I felt like I was teleported to Europe. Never once did I think that I was in Bourke st. ☺️ the terrace was our scene with great ambiance and happy noise and chatter. beautiful pleasurable experience. Food was absolutely delightful, the steak tartare was super fragrant and yum! The spanner crab linguine was Devine we needed more ❤️ loved the pate!!!! And the dessert was Devine! will definitely come back.
Amelia Cerra · 2025-12-09
@maison_batard is a four level French restaurant fittingly at the Paris end of Bourke Street in Melbourne CBD.
It is brought to you by @thelucasgrp (@chinchin, @kisume_au, @grillamericano). They were just awarded one of Australia’s Best New Restaurant by @gourmettraveller!
We dined in the main restaurant (which spans across the first two floors) on a Saturday night, it’s lively, more formal, with an open kitchen, oyster and caviar bar and smoked mirrors. It also connects to their bar but I wouldn’t recommend booking this section for dinner unless you’re only ordering a couple of things, as the tables are very small.
Next level up is Le Club which runs late Thurs-Sat with live performances and a reduced menu, while on the rooftop you’ll find La Terrace, my personal favourite - brings all the Parisian vibes, with its own slightly different menu.
✔️ Crab et Caviar en Brioche Toastée Finger Sandwich - lovely but teeny tiny!
✔️ Chopped Spicy Tuna Tartare, Avocado - a good combination and plenty of tuna!
✔️ Confit Ora King Salmon - perfectly cooked fish
✔️ Entrecôte Scotch Fillet - flavourful, charred, juicy!
➖ Eye Fillet - not as tender as usual for the cut
✔️ Pomme Frites
✔️ Mixed Green Leaves - simple, nice dressing!
🍫 Chocolate Mousse - served tableside for a little extra theatrics! I love this. It’s delicious, very sweet so share!
I’d skip the small bites unless you’re happy to splurge - they really are tiny. But overall, we had a really lovely night. It’s not cheap but the food was good, the service was fantastic and the atmosphere was the cherry on top. It is one of the most beautiful restaurants in Melbourne, for sure.
Stephanie Rose · 2025-10-28
Maison Bâtard instantly feels like a European getaway hidden in the CBD. You step in beneath soft lighting, wrapped by warm stone walls and a gentle hum of conversation. Tables are close but cozy, the bartenders move with quiet purpose, and the air carries the faint charm of freshly baked bread and butter by the bar.
The menu reads like a love letter to modern bistro fare. Start with a croquette that delivers crispy golden crunch and a creamy, cheese-forward center that hits just right. The steak frites follows with perfectly seared beef and fries so crisp they almost sound like applause on their way to the plate. The house-made mayonnaise offers the right tang, the salad side is simply dressed with subtle herbs, and the whole dish feels balanced, not just rich for richness’s sake. If you go for dessert, the tarte Tatin arrives warm with caramelized apples and puff pastry that layers just enough flake without collapsing.
A few details elevate the experience. Plates land at a steady pace, never rushed, never delayed, and the temperature stays spot on until the last bite. Service stays quietly attentive, clearing plates just as you pause and topping up water without interrupting your appetite for conversation. Prices are on the higher side, but fair for the quality, location, and that feeling of being somewhere thoughtfully curated.
If you want a moment of refined calm where simple, honest ingredients meet confidence and finesse, this is your kind of place. Go with a relaxed pace, let the flavors speak for themselves, and enjoy a little European calm tucked into the city bustle.
Le Hoang Giap · 2025-09-07