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Restaurant

Macleay St Bistro

71A Macleay St, Potts Point NSW 2011, Australia

Recommended by 52 people

Updated

Find Macleay St Bistro

71A Macleay St, Potts Point NSW 2011, Australia

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+61 484 503 497
HoursMonday: Closed Tuesday: 12:30 – 3:30 PM, 5:30 – 10:30 PM Wednesday: 5:30 – 10:00 PM Thursday: 12:30 – 3:30 PM, 5:30 – 10:30 PM Friday: 12:30 – 3:30 PM, 5:30 – 10:30 PM Saturday: 12:30 – 3:30 PM, 5:30 – 10:30 PM Sunday: 12:30 – 3:30 PM, 5:30 – 10:30 PM

*Opening hours may differ during holidays.

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About 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.
RestaurantFrenchAustralianRestaurant

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

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you bring your own wine?

Yes, guests note that Macleay St Bistro offers BYO wine with free corkage on Sunday evenings, with reservations advisable.

What are the signature French dishes to order?

The menu is anchored in traditional French classics, with popular highlights including the twice-baked cheese soufflé, French onion soup, eye fillet steak, chateaubriand, and lemon tart.

Are there options for vegetarian diners?

While the standard menu focuses heavily on classic meats and seafood, guests highlight options like the cheese soufflé and salads, and note that the kitchen can prepare a special vegetarian platter with advance notice.

Should you book a table in advance?

Reservations are accepted and can be booked online or by calling the restaurant directly, which guests recommend if online dates appear full.

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