Restaurant
Macleay St Bistro
71A Macleay St, Potts Point NSW 2011, Australia
Find Macleay St Bistro
71A Macleay St, Potts Point NSW 2011, Australia
Directions ↗*Opening hours may differ during holidays.
Book NowAbout Macleay St Bistro
Thirty-five years in, Macleay St Bistro remains Potts Point’s benchmark for unpretentious, classic French cooking. Settled on the leafy strip, this dining room trades in genuine neighborhood conviviality—complete with gentle acoustics where tables converse without shouting. Regulars return for the steady kitchen classics: twice-baked cheese soufflé, pan-rendered duck breast, and tender chateaubriand draped in traditional béarnaise. Long-tenured front-of-house staff keep the pace relaxed and intuitive, whether guiding a quiet anniversary dinner or pouring French martinis. Cellar enthusiasts take note of Sunday evenings, when the kitchen waives corkage fees entirely for BYO wine alongside the regular set-course dinner.
- Free Sunday BYO: Guests can bring private bottles on Sunday evenings with zero corkage fees alongside the bistro menu.
- Unchanging Bistro Staples: A decades-long lineup anchored in cheese soufflé, pan-rendered duck breast, and chateaubriand with béarnaise.
- Polished Milestone Dining: Attentive service steered by long-running staff fosters an unhurried, celebratory dinner setting.
- Convivial, Audible Dining: Thoughtful room acoustics allow table-wide conversation without shouting, suited for group lunches and dates alike.
What's On at Macleay St Bistro
Upcoming events, special menus and other reasons to plan a visit.
No events or specials listed right now.
Why Diners Choose Macleay St Bistro
Discover why Potts Point diners choose Macleay St Bistro for milestone celebrations, relaxed gatherings, and cellar pairings.
Attentive Milestones & Romantic Celebrations
Guests celebrating anniversaries and key romantic milestones receive polished, attentive hospitality that makes occasions feel genuinely special.
He knew the menu inside and out, helping us choose the perfect dishes and drinks to make our anniversary truly special.
Lisa Li Unhurried Ambience & Warm Hospitality
Diners enjoy a relaxed, unhurried bistro ambience reminiscent of dining in France, free from pushy service or rushed table turns.
This is a place to enjoy, relax no pushy waiting staff no trying to rush you in and out just pure pleasure in dining.
Inspired4me2You Complimentary Sunday BYO Corkage
Guests can bring their own treasured cellar bottles with zero corkage fees on Sunday evenings to accompany their meal.
Finding a good restaurant with cheap BYO is rare indeed. This restaurant kindly offers free BYO on Sunday evenings.
Simon N Rare Cellar Flexibility in Potts Point
Patrons visiting with friends take advantage of the venue's rare BYO flexibility in Potts Point alongside classic dining.
BYO and free corkage is a major positive. Only negative is that it did not have any vegetarian mains but otherwise great place to dine in Potts Point, particularly if you want to BYO wine.
John Conversational Dining Without Shouting
The dining room maintains balanced, gentle acoustics so friends and groups can converse effortlessly without raised voices.
The sound level was perfect—lively but not overwhelming—so we could actually chat without having to shout.
Charlotte Highland Ideal Setting for Group Conversations
Team lunches and group gatherings thrive in an elegant, beautifully lit space where everyone can comfortably hear each other talk.
The perfect venue for a team lunch. Great ambience, could hear each other talk, beautiful setting.
Maura Desmond
Most popular items
Time-honoured culinary staples celebrated across decades in Potts Point
Cheese Soufflé
The triple-baked cheese soufflé was pure decadence—light, airy, and packed with rich, cheesy goodness.
Robert Norvell Eye Fillet
the best eye filet we have ever had! Cooked to perfection
Kelly I Duck Breast
Each and every dish was cooked to perfection! The french onion soup was great, along with the pan rendered fillet of duck breast.
Maretta Young Chateaubriand
Notably, the Chateaubriand, a French classic, was sublime - it was juicy, so tender it melted in my mouth and absorbed all the flavours from the Béarnaise sauce ✨
Maretta Young
Other favorites
Desserts, cocktails, and starters to begin or conclude your dining experience
French Martini
P.S. the Soufflé and French martinis are a must try here!
Lisa Li Lemon Tart
To finish, we ordered the crème brûlée and the undisputed winner of the night—the lemon tart.
Charlotte Highland Crème Brûlée
Some best ofs here include the best Creme Brulee in Sydney.
Rebecca Varidel Sydney Rock Oysters
I also stand corrected for the 2nd time, by being very surprised at how delicious the Sydney Rock oysters were
Susan Austin
Before you head over
Essential booking, wine, and menu guidance for your visit
Take Advantage of Sunday Free BYO
Sunday evenings offer complimentary corkage on brought wine, making it ideal for opening special cellar bottles without added fees. Booking ahead is advised.
Call Direct If Online Booking Shows Full
If online reservation platforms display no availability, contact the restaurant directly by phone, as system glitches can falsely mark dates as completely booked.
Note Vegetarian Main Limitations
Traditional French bistro mains focus heavily on steaks, duck, and seafood, with no dedicated vegetarian mains offered on the standard menu. Plan courses accordingly.
Explore more places in Sydney
Find familiar flavours, neighbourhood favourites and somewhere new in Sydney.
Similar places
More places for the flavours and food you enjoy.
- Frenchies Bistro and BreweryRosebery · French, Australian, Modern Australian, Restaurant, Bar, Brewery, Takeaway
- BarzuraCoogee · Australian, Coffee, French, Restaurant, Cafe, Wine Bar
- montéLeichhardt · French, Australian, Restaurant, Cafe
- Shadow Baking - DarlinghurstDarlinghurst · French, Australian, Bakery
- Bellevue Cottage By AntoineGlebe · French, Australian, Restaurant
- Claire's Kitchen at le SalonSurry Hills · French, Restaurant, Bar, Cocktail Bar
More in Potts Point
Keep exploring this neighbourhood.
- Salad Days Potts PointPotts Point · Salad, Shop
- Barrel One Coffee Roasters Potts PointPotts Point · Coffee, Cafe
- Nung LenPotts Point · Thai, Restaurant
- The RooseveltPotts Point · Cocktail, Australian, Cocktail Bar, Restaurant, Functions
- Llankelly ThaiPotts Point · Thai, Restaurant
- Dear Sainte ÉloisePotts Point · Wine Bar
Discover more in Sydney
Explore another side of the city's food and drink.
- Rosso Cavallino St IvesSt Ives · Pizza, Restaurant
- Outback Steakhouse PenrithPenrith · Restaurant
- Vitelli's UpstairsRedfern · Italian, Restaurant
- Aria Restaurant SydneySydney · Australian, Fine Dining, Restaurant
- Spice Temple SydneySydney · Chinese, Restaurant
- Otto NoorbaGlebe · Turkish, Greek, Lebanese, Pizza, Vegan, Vegetarian, Restaurant


























