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04/06/2026
Yellow belly flounder, sauce américaine. Flounder is trimmed and skinned, then with dusted spring onion powder. Sauce américaine is made from crayfish shells, brandy, tomato then thickened with butter and finished with lemon. Available as a whole or half fish.
02/06/2026
Chocolate marquis. An 80% Belgian chocolate enriched with a pâte à bombe and then lightened with whipped cream served severed chilled with house made honeycomb, cocoa nib brownie and chocolate sauce.
“Pure decadent …” is the cleanest quote we could get from the chef.
20/05/2026
Sour dough crusted bass grouper, watercress velouté, snail persillade, radish. Our current market fish here at the Saloon.
14/05/2026
Dry aged duck breast, Jerusalem artichoke, chicory, cherry jus. Sourced from Aurum Poultry, these Macedon Ranges ducks are processed in-house to ensure zero waste. We confit the legs for Kirk’s, dry-age the breasts for 14 days, and craft signature stocks from the bones. We also utilise the necks for sausages at Le Pub downstairs (coming soon).
05/05/2026
We’re loving the Autumn harvest arriving here at the Saloon lately. Here is our salt baked celeriac, soubise, mushroom and preserved truffle. On the menu now.
23/04/2026
Autumn nights.
20/04/2026
We will be closed this Saturday for ANZAC Day. Our neighbours and sister venues and will be open as normal.
15/04/2026
Parisienne gnocchi, tomato jaune, pistou, mimolette. A staple here at the Saloon. Yellow cherry tomatoes are sweated with yellow capsicum and aromatics, then simmered for hours to make the sugo. The gnocchi is choux pastry based with house made chlorophyll added to give it its vibrant green colour, it is then hand piped, and pan fried to order.
01/04/2026
Some more food focused captures, including the hog, from The Whole Hog for 2026.
31/03/2026
Thank you to all our wonderful guests who came to experience the first 'The Whole Hog' lunch as part of MFWF 2026. It was a pleasure to host you all. Here are the first round of pictures, and the food pics are coming soon.
30/03/2026
Whole roasted market fish, bonne femme, pommes allumettes.
30/03/2026
French Saloon will be closing this coming Easter period, trading as normal again on Tuesday 7 April.
26/03/2026
We have just had a few spots become available for this years MFWF nose-to-tail extravaganza, The Whole Hog. The team has been busy (and having fun) getting ready for this year’s edition.. secure your spot via the link in the bio.
18/03/2026
Roast rock flathead, bouillabaisse, vermouth pickled mussels, prawn, fennel. Our current market fish here at the Saloon, and after the customer demand for our last flathead dish, a very worthy replacement.
04/03/2026
We’ll be back on Tuesday, trading as normal.
19/02/2026
Snapper tartare, sapphire grapes, tarragon, music bread. On the summer menu, while the seasonal sapphire grapes are this good.
12/02/2026
We are booked out on Saturday night for Valentine's Day. However, we still have some space for tonight and Friday for the early birds - or just because. You can secure your spot online.
25/01/2026
Back as normal on Tuesday.
16/01/2026
Something sweet to end the week here on Hardware Lane. The ‘gypsy tart’. A rich caramel is perfectly balanced by sea salt, lime zest and crème fraîche. Bookings recommended, walk ins welcomed.
08/01/2026
Welcoming you back for the summer from next week. Bookings for January are now open whether for a casual pre dinner aperitif or full meal in the dining room, we look forward to ascending the Saloon stairs with you soon.
17/12/2025
We're taking bookings all the way through until Christmas Day, and then we will be taking a short break. Bookings are already open for the peak Australian Open period in January.
04/12/2025
Golden hour at the Saloon.
27/11/2025
We’re thrilled to be a part of the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival once again in 2026. Come experience The Whole Hog with us at French Saloon, where every part counts. Co-presented by our friends at Le Pub and Kirk's Wine Bar. After last year’s sold-out St John event, we don’t expect tickets to last long. Details and tickets at the link below.
Join the gang from French Saloon, Kirks Wine Bar and Le Pub for The Whole Hog on Hardware Lane. After last year's sold-out collaboration with London's renowned St. John, the team are back presenting another unique nose-to-tail dining experience.
02/11/2025
We will be open as normal from Wednesday.
30/10/2025
We're delighted to see we've once again retained our Chef's Hat in the 2026 Good Food Guide. We couldn't get everyone together for a photo today, so here are just a few smiling faces of our team, of which we couldn't be more proud. A heartfelt congratulations and thanks to our industry peers and, of course, all those who ascend the stairs into our French Saloon.
Address
First Floor, 46 Hardware Lane
Melbourne, VIC
3000
To reach the destination at Hardware Lane in Melbourne, you have a couple of options:
Public Transport:
1. Take a train to Flinders Street Station.
2. From Flinders Street Station, walk north on Elizabeth Street for about 5 minutes until you reach Hardware Lane.
Driving/Parking:
1. If you are driving, head towards Melbourne CBD.
2. Depending on your starting point, take any major road that leads to the CBD area.
3. Once you reach the CBD, find a suitable parking spot near Hardware Lane or in one of the nearby parking lots/garages.
4. After parking, walk to Hardware Lane.
Please note that specific directions may vary depending on your starting location and traffic conditions.
Opening Hours
| Tuesday |
5:30pm - 11pm |
| Wednesday |
5:30pm - 11pm |
| Thursday |
12pm - 11pm |
| Friday |
12pm - 11pm |
| Saturday |
5pm - 11pm |
Alerts
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What people say
French Saloon, located on Hardware Lane in Melbourne, is a restaurant that exudes charm and elegance. As you climb the narrow flight of stairs from the red brick lane, you are transported to a spacious and open room with a delightful ambience.
The interior of French Saloon is truly captivating. On one side, you'll find a wall of windows that allows natural light to flood in, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. On the other side, there is a splendid bar made of long fluted zinc, adding a touch of sophistication to the space. The design perfectly balances intimacy with spaciousness, making it an ideal setting for any occasion.
Drawing inspiration from the decadence and familiarity of Parisian bars and bistros, French Saloon offers an exquisite dining experience. Start your evening with Champagne and caviar at the bar, setting the tone for an indulgent meal ahead. The menu features delectable dishes such as steak tartare and pairs them perfectly with bottles of Burgundy wine.
However, French Saloon is not just about fine dining. It also doubles as a vibrant bar where expertly crafted cocktails and snacks are served. Whether you're looking for a full dining experience or simply want to enjoy some drinks with friends, French Saloon caters to all tastes.
For those seeking privacy or hosting special events, French Saloon offers the Salon de Thè - a refined and handsome private dining room on the first floor. With its iron-framed windows overlooking Hardware Lane and elegant decor featuring original floorboards and delicate chandeliers, this space provides an intimate setting for gatherings.
French Saloon's commitment to providing exceptional food and drink experiences is evident in every aspect of their establishment. From their carefully curated menu to their attention to detail in design, they have created an environment that encourages good fun and celebration.
If you're looking for an unforgettable dining experience in Melbourne's bustling city center, look no further than French Saloon. With its charming atmosphere, delectable cuisine, and impeccable service, it is sure to leave a lasting impression on all who visit.
