
16 Jan 2023
Embrace the festivities this year by visiting a few of our favourite Auckland French eateries. As we all know, if there’s one thing the French do unbelievably well, it’s food, so dig in!
The legendary Le Chef is renowned for celebrating everything French, from the French Festival to Beaujolais Nouveau; and the culture in general. On previous Bastille Days, Le Chef turns the street into a miniature version of France, and Vulcan Lane comes alive! With sparkling lights above, romantic French music filling the air and the mouth-watering smell of French cuisine drifting on the breeze, this is one restaurant you will not want to miss.
Enjoy traditional dishes like the les escargots (garlic snails), terrine de canard (duck terrine with condiments and cornichons) and boudin noir. The latter pairs black pudding with caramelised apple puree, jus and creamy mashed potatoes. Round out the night with a glass of champagne or choose a wine from the extensive list.
French pastries are some of the most indulgent treats we have ever had the pleasure of trying, and what better way to celebrate Bastille Day than with a sweet snack from La Petite Fourchette. The Mille-Feuille cake is divine with layers of puff pastry and vanilla mascarpone cream, and salted caramel. Stacked layer upon layer, this dessert is everything we could need and more.
La Petite Fourchette also has a buttery range of pastries from croissants to pain au chocolat and pain aux raisins; these go perfectly with a steaming cup of coffee. For those with an insatiable sweet tooth, we recommend the rum and vanilla canelé, rainbow macarons or the lemon Madeleines.
The French-inspired and New Zealand-grown eatery known as Paris Butter quickly worked its way into the hearts of Aucklanders. The sleek and sophisticated restaurant offers a beautiful setting to celebrate Bastille Day. The menu is elegant and creative with bold flavours and unique pairings; it is a sensory experience like none other.
Dine upon beef tartare with truffle, walnuts, mustard ice cream and beetroot. Or, our personal favourite, the little river blue, which pairs the intricate honeycomb with walnut puree, pear and fermented honey. To taste the best Paris Butter has on offer, opt for a set four-course dining experience with a stellar wine match!
K-Road has a restaurant for every occasion, including a beautiful French spot for Bastille Day; Apéro is a popular local specialising in French bites and great wines. The menu consists of fresh, seasonal produce; prepared to perfection. Get a charcuterie platter to share with the table or dive headfirst into the swoon-worthy cheese selection.
Enjoy the likes of goat cheese croquettes, terrine of the day or burrata with butternut and vadouvan. Throw in a splash of wine from all around the globe, or treat yourself to a cheeky cocktail. End the night on a sweet note with baked-to-order Madeleines or the delicious Les’ homemade Petits Fours.
Atelier offers an ever-evolving array of convivial plates to eat as a table; tapa-style dining is a great way to bring people together. The cuisine is indulgent and moreish with duck-fat potatoes, wild pork croquettes, smoked trevally rillettes and herb seared tuna.
The latter comes with warm tomatoes, avocado mousse and citrus emulsion. If you prefer to graze with a glass of wine in hand, then we recommend a cheeseboard. The list of cheeses available for the cheeseboard includes both New Zealand and French options; this is paired with freshly made bread and slathered in butter.