The French Café

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The French Café

Sid at The French Cafe is a restaurant located on Symonds Street that offers modern NZ cuisine by Chef Sid Sahrawat. Guests can choose between the tasting menu and a la carte menu, both of which are available throughout the week. The restaurant also hosts special events such as the monthly Gaggenau Tuesday Test Kitchen and limited wine dinners. With a focus on innovative and inventive cuisine, Sid at The French Cafe is a must-visit for foodies in Auckland.
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Recent social media posts

10/09/2026

An afternoon that gives back. 🤍

On Saturday 19th September, we’re opening our doors for the Hospice Long Lunch, an afternoon dedicated to good food, generosity and supporting Dove and Mercy Hospice who make an extraordinary difference in our community.

Enjoy welcome champagne and a three-course lunch, alongside live entertainment, auctions, raffles and plenty of moments worth raising a glass to.

Tickets | $150 per person

Every ticket has a purpose, with all proceeds supporting Mercy Hospice and Dove Hospice and the invaluable care they provide to people and their families.

Come for the long lunch. Stay for the cause. 🥂

Reserve your place and join us for a meaningful afternoon at The French Café.

www.thefrenchcafe.co.nz

08/09/2026

Gaggenau Tuesday Test Kitchen

Every Tuesday, the menu changes. The experience never repeats.

Join Chef Sid Sahrawat and the team at The French Café for an evolving 8-course off-menu experience, created exclusively for our Gaggenau Tuesday Test Kitchen.

Driven by the season, new ideas and the creative freedom of the kitchen, each Tuesday offers something entirely different, with dishes created for that evening alone.

8 Courses | $80 per person
Every Tuesday evening

Come curious. Leave having tasted something you won’t find on the menu.

Secure your seat and discover what’s cooking next.

(Gaggenau Tuesday Test Kitchen, The French Café, Sid Sahrawat, Auckland Dining, 8 Course Menu, Fine Dining Auckland, Chef’s Menu, Auckland Restaurant, Seasonal Dining, Tuesday Dinner Auckland)

04/09/2026

An afternoon around the table, for a cause that matters. 🤍

Join us at The French Café on Saturday 19th September for the Hospice Long Lunch, bringing together exceptional food, fine wine and great company in support of Mercy Hospice and Dove Hospice.

The afternoon begins with welcome champagne, followed by a three-course lunch, live entertainment, silent and live auctions, raffle prizes and more.

Most importantly, all proceeds from the lunch will go directly towards supporting the vital work of Mercy Hospice and Dove Hospice, helping people and their families when they need it most.

Tickets are $150 per person.

Bookings - www.thefrenchcafe.co.nz
For bulk ticket purchases, or to support the event by donating goods or services for the auctions and raffles, please contact Bella at [email protected].

Gather your friends, join us for a memorable afternoon, and help us make a meaningful difference. 🥂

(Hospice Long Lunch, The French Café, Mercy Hospice, Dove Hospice, Charity Lunch Auckland, Auckland Events, Long Lunch Auckland, Charity Event, Fine Dining Auckland, Fundraising Event)

01/09/2026

A little unexpected. Entirely intentional.

Oyster sorbet, pork crackling, Thai flavours.

Cool, briny oyster sorbet meets crisp, savoury pork crackling, lifted by the brightness and aromatic depth of Thai flavours.

A playful contrast of temperature, texture and flavour, composed to surprise the palate and leave a lasting impression.

📍Discover it on our current menu at The French Café.

(Oyster Sorbet, Pork Crackling, Thai Flavours, The French Café, Fine Dining Auckland, Auckland Restaurant, Contemporary Cuisine, Seasonal Menu, New Zealand Dining, Auckland Fine Dining)

27/08/2026

A beautiful beginning deserves an unforgettable setting.

From intimate ceremonies to elegant receptions, weddings at The French Café are thoughtfully tailored around you, bringing together exceptional cuisine, considered service, and spaces designed for moments worth remembering.

Whether you’re planning an intimate gathering or celebrating with everyone you love, our team will work with you to create a day that feels personal, effortless, and entirely your own.

Your day. Your story. Beautifully celebrated at The French Café.

Enquire with our events team to begin planning your wedding. 🥂

📍www.thefrenchcafe.co.nz

(Weddings Auckland, Auckland Wedding Venue, The French Café, Luxury Wedding Auckland, Intimate Weddings, Fine Dining Wedding, Wedding Reception Auckland, Private Events Auckland, Private Dining Auckland, New Zealand Weddings)

25/08/2026

Two Hats. An incredible honour.

Last night, The French Café was awarded Two Hats in the Guide, a recognition we are immensely proud to receive.

Behind every service is a team united by a shared commitment to exceptional food, thoughtful hospitality, and the pursuit of excellence. This recognition belongs to every person who brings that experience to life, night after night.

To our team, our producers, and every guest who continues to dine with us and support our journey, thank you.

We’re proud of how far we’ve come, and excited for what lies ahead. 🥂

- Sid & Chand Sahrawat

22/08/2026

A closer look at our Chatham Island Scampi Tart.

Delicate Chatham Island scampi encased in a crisp, golden shell, finished with layers of texture that make each bite as intriguing as the last.

A celebration of exceptional New Zealand produce, where flavour, texture and technique come together in one beautifully considered bite.

Discover it on our current menu at The French Café.

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20/08/2026

Celebrate Dad at The French Café this Father’s Day.

Join us on Sunday 6th September, from 5.30pm, for a special four-course dinner menu, created to make the occasion one to remember.

Begin with snacks, followed by Bluefin tuna, soy, pickled ginger and nori. For the main event, enjoy Firstlight Wagyu deckle with mushroom escabeche and truffle foam, served alongside unlimited truffle fries. Finish with a decadent chocolate and hazelnut trifle.

$125 per person

Gather the family, raise a glass, and celebrate Dad with an evening of exceptional food and warm hospitality.

Book your table now for a Father’s Day to remember.

📍www.thefrenchcafe.co.nz

(Father’s Day Auckland, Father’s Day Dinner, Father’s Day Dining, The French Café, Father’s Day Menu, Fine Dining Auckland, Auckland Restaurant, Firstlight Wagyu, Wagyu Beef, Truffle Fries, Unlimited Truffle Fries, Seasonal Menu, Four Course Dinner, Michelin Guide, Luxury Dining, Family Celebration, Auckland Eats, Fine Dining NZ, Special Occasion Dining, Father’s Day 2026)

18/08/2026

A decadent finish, built on layers of flavour and texture.

BANANA | CHOCOLATE | CARAMEL | HAZELNUT | KATAIFI

Rich chocolate and caramel meet the warmth of banana and roasted hazelnut, finished with delicate, crisp kataifi for contrast.

Familiar flavours, thoughtfully reimagined into an elegant final course at The French Café.

📍Book Your Experience Now

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15/08/2026

Our cellar at The French Café is a collection of remarkable producers, vintages and regions, thoughtfully selected to complement the way we cook.

From the familiar to the unexpected, allow our team to choose the perfect bottle for your table.

Sometimes, the best part of the evening is discovering what comes next.

Leading our wine programme is Matthew Aitchison , General Manager and recipient of the Michelin Sommelier Award, bringing his knowledge, passion and considered approach to every selection and every pour. 🍷

📍210 Symonds Street, Eden Terrace, Auckland

(The French Café, Matthew Aitchison, Michelin Sommelier Award, Michelin Guide, Sommelier, Wine Cellar, Fine Wine, Wine Pairing, Wine Selection, Fine Dining Auckland, Auckland Restaurant, Michelin Dining, Luxury Dining, Premium Wine, Rare Vintages, Wine Experience, Sommelier Selection, Fine Dining NZ, Auckland Eats, New Zealand Dining)

13/08/2026

A play on flavour, texture, and the unexpected. ✨

Oyster sorbet, pork crackling, Thai flavours.

The cool salinity of oyster sorbet meets the richness and crunch of pork crackling, layered with the brightness, fragrance, and gentle heat of Thai-inspired flavours.

Bold yet beautifully balanced, a dish designed to surprise from the very first bite.

📍Experience it at The French cafe | Book Now

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11/08/2026

A classic, when the moment calls for it. 🍸

Alongside our signature cocktails at The French Café, our bar team is always ready to craft the timeless favourites, from a beautifully made Martini to the drink you return to time and again.

Or, venture beyond the familiar and discover one of our signature creations, thoughtfully composed with distinctive flavours and a touch of the unexpected.

Your evening. Your pour.

📍Experience it at The French Cafe

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06/08/2026

A bright finish to the evening.

KIWIFRUIT | TARRAGON | HONEYCOMB

Vibrant kiwifruit meets the delicate, aromatic notes of tarragon, balanced by the golden sweetness and texture of honeycomb.

Fresh, elegant, and beautifully composed, a dessert that lets each element shine.

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04/08/2026

Every celebration deserves a setting as memorable as the occasion itself.

From intimate birthday dinners and milestone anniversaries to elegant weddings, private dining, and corporate gatherings, The French Café offers beautifully curated spaces, exceptional cuisine, and warm, attentive hospitality tailored to your event.

Whether it's the intimacy of The Cellar, the immersive experience of The French Kitchen, the light-filled Conservatory, or exclusive venue hire, we'll help bring your vision to life with bespoke menus and thoughtful service.

Because the moments you'll remember deserve an experience you'll never forget.

📍 Enquire with our Events Team to begin planning your celebration.

Address

210 Symonds Street
Auckland
1010

To get to the restaurant on Symonds Street, you can take public transport by catching a bus or a train to the Grafton Station. From there, it's just a short walk along Symonds Street. Alternatively, if you choose to drive, there is street parking available in the surrounding area or paid parking options nearby. Keep in mind that Symonds Street is a busy road during peak hours so plan accordingly.

Opening Hours

Monday	5:30pm - 11:45pm
Tuesday	5:30pm - 12am
Wednesday	5:30pm - 11pm
Thursday	5:30pm - 11pm
Friday	5:30pm - 11:45pm
Saturday	12pm - 11pm
Sunday	5:30pm - 11:45pm

Website

https://www.thefrenchcafe.co.nz/

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What people say

Sid at The French Cafe, located on Symonds Street in Auckland, is a must-visit for anyone looking for an exceptional dining experience. Chef Sid Sahrawat's modern NZ cuisine is truly outstanding and will leave you wanting more. The restaurant offers both a tasting menu and an a la carte menu, ensuring that there is something for everyone.

One of the highlights of Sid at The French Cafe is their special events. Their truffle-inspired canapes and four-course meal in their French Kitchen event was a once-a-year opportunity not to be missed. Additionally, their limited wine event featuring a vintage range of wine pairings was an unforgettable experience.

The restaurant's collaboration with luxury German kitchen appliance brand Gaggenau has resulted in the monthly Gaggenau Tuesday Test Kitchen, where innovative off-menu dishes are designed and delivered by Chef Sid Sahrawat and his team. This unique degustation format occasion offers up tantalizing tastes from all three chefs.

The ambiance of the restaurant is elegant and sophisticated, making it perfect for special occasions or romantic dinners. The staff are attentive and knowledgeable about the menu, ensuring that your dining experience is nothing short of exceptional.

Overall, Sid at The French Cafe is a top-notch restaurant that should be on every foodie's list. With its outstanding cuisine, special events, and elegant ambiance, it's no wonder why this restaurant continues to receive rave reviews from its patrons.