The French Café

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

22/10/2026

A centrepiece worth gathering around. 🥩🍷

Our Tomahawk Feast for Two is an invitation to slow down, share exceptional food and make an evening of it at The French Café.

Begin with warm Parker House rolls and a snack, followed by your choice of two entrées from our current menu.

The highlight, 700g of beautifully cooked Angus beef, carved and served tableside, accompanied by two seasonal sides and a rich black pepper sauce.

A generous dining experience, elevated by the theatre of tableside service and the pleasure of sharing something exceptional.

Tomahawk Feast for Two | $195 for two guests
Available Wednesday to Friday

Reserve your table and make an evening of it.
(Tomahawk Feast for Two, The French Café, Angus Beef, Tableside Carving, Steak Dinner Auckland, Fine Dining Auckland, Dinner for Two, Luxury Dining Auckland, Auckland Restaurant, Wednesday to Friday Dining, Two Hat Restaurant, Auckland Fine Dining)

20/10/2026

An afternoon of connection, conversation and meaningful change. 🤍

A look back at the HELP Gala Long Luncheon at The French Café, where exceptional food, thoughtful conversations and a shared sense of purpose brought everyone together for a truly special afternoon.

We were honoured to welcome Ali Mau and Chand Sahrawat for an important conversation, raising awareness and support for the invaluable work of HELP Auckland.

To everyone who joined us, supported the event and contributed to its success, thank you for being part of an afternoon that went beyond the dining table.

A beautiful gathering, made meaningful by the cause at its heart.

(HELP Gala Long Luncheon, HELP Auckland, The French Café, Ali Mau, Chand Sahrawat, Charity Event Auckland, Auckland Long Lunch, Fundraising Event, Community Support, Dining for a Cause, Auckland Events, Fine Dining Auckland)

17/10/2026

A celebration of the sea, with an earthy contrast.

Market Fish, Pickled & Tempura Mushrooms, Beurre Blanc.

Delicate market fish meets the bright acidity of pickled mushrooms and the golden crispness of tempura, brought together by the richness of a classic beurre blanc.

A thoughtful interplay of textures and flavours, where exceptional produce and refined technique create a dish of understated elegance.

Discover it on our current menu at The French Café.
(Market Fish, Pickled Mushrooms, Tempura Mushrooms, Beurre Blanc, The French Café, Fine Dining Auckland, Seasonal Menu, Contemporary Cuisine, New Zealand Seafood, Two Hat Restaurant, Auckland Fine Dining, Luxury Dining Auckland)

As the year draws to a close, gather your colleagues, clients or loved ones for an occasion worth remembering at The Fre...
15/10/2026

As the year draws to a close, gather your colleagues, clients or loved ones for an occasion worth remembering at The French Café.

From elegant corporate dinners and end-of-year Christmas celebrations to intimate private gatherings, our thoughtfully designed spaces provide the perfect setting for every occasion.

Exceptional seasonal cuisine, carefully curated wines and attentive hospitality come together to create an experience that feels both effortless and distinctly memorable.

Whether you're hosting an intimate dinner or a larger celebration, allow our team to take care of every detail while you enjoy the company around your table.

Celebrate the year's finest moments at The French Café. 🥂

Now taking bookings for Christmas celebrations, corporate functions and private events.

Enquire with our events team to secure your preferred date.

A little theatre at the table. Big Eye Tuna, soy jelly, nori, pickled ginger.Delicate Big Eye Tuna meets the savoury dep...
13/10/2026

A little theatre at the table.

Big Eye Tuna, soy jelly, nori, pickled ginger.

Delicate Big Eye Tuna meets the savoury depth of soy jelly, the subtle umami of nori and the bright acidity of pickled ginger.

The experience continues tableside, where fresh flowers and aromatic herbs are combined with liquid nitrogen, creating a captivating display that brings an unexpected sensory dimension to the dish.

A considered balance of flavour, texture and technique, where the presentation is as memorable as the first bite.

Discover it on our current menu at The French Café.
(Big Eye Tuna, Soy Jelly, Nori, Pickled Ginger, Liquid Nitrogen, Tableside Experience, The French Café, Fine Dining Auckland, Contemporary Cuisine, Culinary Innovation, Auckland Restaurant, Two Hat Restaurant, Auckland Fine Dining)

An evening best shared. 🥩🍷Introducing our Tomahawk Feast for Two, a generous dining experience bringing together excepti...
10/10/2026

An evening best shared. 🥩🍷

Introducing our Tomahawk Feast for Two, a generous dining experience bringing together exceptional produce, refined flavours and the pleasure of sharing a beautiful meal.

Begin with warm Parker House rolls and a snack, followed by your choice of two entrées from our current menu.

The centrepiece, expertly cooked 700g Angus beef, carved and served tableside, accompanied by two seasonal sides and a rich black pepper sauce.

A midweek indulgence, where the theatre of tableside service makes the occasion all the more memorable.

Tomahawk Feast for Two | $195 for two guests

Make an evening of it at The French Café.

Reserve your table now. link in bio
(Tomahawk Feast for Two, The French Café, Angus Beef, Tomahawk Steak, Tableside Carving, Steak Dinner Auckland, Fine Dining Auckland, Luxury Dining, Dinner for Two, Auckland Restaurant, Midweek Dining, Steak Lovers, Auckland Fine Dining)

09/10/2026

Get to Know the Team | Part Two: Jack, Sous Chef.

Behind every exceptional dining experience is a team of talented individuals, each bringing their own perspective, passion and personality to the kitchen.

In the second instalment of our series, we introduce Jack, Sous Chef at The French Café.

Step beyond the pass as we get to know Jack, exploring his journey in the kitchen, what inspires him and a little more about the person behind the chef's jacket.
Press play and meet another face behind The French Café.(Get to Know the Team, The French Café, Jack Sous Chef, Meet the Chef, Behind the Scenes, Fine Dining Auckland, Auckland Restaurant, Culinary Team, Auckland Fine Dining, New Zealand Hospitality)

09/10/2026

Get to Know the Team | Part Two: Jack, Sous Chef.

Behind every exceptional dining experience is a team of talented individuals, each bringing their own perspective, passion and personality to the kitchen.

In the second instalment of our series, we introduce Jack, Sous Chef at The French Café.

Step beyond the pass as we get to know Jack, exploring his journey in the kitchen, what inspires him and a little more about the person behind the chef's jacket.

Press play and meet another face behind The French Café.
(Get to Know the Team, The French Café, Jack Sous Chef, Meet the Chef, Behind the Scenes, Fine Dining Auckland, Auckland Restaurant, Culinary Team, Auckland Fine Dining, New Zealand Hospitality)

06/10/2026

A look back at PLAY at The French Café.

An evening where food, creativity and connection came together, with every course bringing something new to the table.

From the energy in the kitchen to the conversations around it, PLAY was about stepping beyond the expected, embracing curiosity and simply enjoying the experience.

To everyone who joined us and brought the evening to life, thank you.

Until we PLAY again.

An intimate afternoon. An important conversation. A chance to create change. 🤍On Sunday 18th October, join us at The Fre...
04/10/2026

An intimate afternoon. An important conversation. A chance to create change. 🤍

On Sunday 18th October, join us at The French Café for the HELP Gala Long Luncheon, bringing together an intimate group of guests for an afternoon of exceptional food, connection and purpose.

Enjoy a three-course luncheon alongside a thought-provoking conversation with Ali Mau and Chand Sahrawat, while supporting the vital work of HELP Auckland.

Every ticket helps HELP Auckland provide specialist crisis support and therapy for survivors of sexual violence across Tāmaki Makaurau.

Sunday 18th October
$150 per person

Come together around the table for an afternoon that matters.

Book your seat and help create meaningful change. bookings link in bio
(HELP Gala Long Luncheon, HELP Auckland, The French Café, Ali Mau, Chand Sahrawat, Charity Lunch Auckland, Auckland Events, Long Lunch Auckland, Fundraising Event, Tāmaki Makaurau, Dining for a Cause, Community Support)

02/10/2026

Gochujang, passionfruit, lime, Barsol Pisco, Lillet Blanc.

Savoury warmth from gochujang meets bright passionfruit and fresh lime, layered with the character of Barsol Pisco and the delicate aromatics of Lillet Blanc.

Bold in composition, refined in the glass, and distinctly The French Café.

For when your evening calls for something unexpected. 🍸

📍210 Symonds Street, Eden Terrace, Auckland

(Gochujang Cocktail, The French Café, Barsol Pisco, Lillet Blanc, Passionfruit Cocktail, Auckland Cocktails, Signature Cocktails, Fine Dining Auckland, Cocktail Bar Auckland, Auckland Dining, Crafted Cocktails, Two Hat Restaurant)

Hawkes Bay Lamb rump, onion, carrot, mole, fenugreek.Exceptional New Zealand lamb sits at the heart of the dish, complem...
29/09/2026

Hawkes Bay Lamb rump, onion, carrot, mole, fenugreek.

Exceptional New Zealand lamb sits at the heart of the dish, complemented by the natural sweetness of onion and carrot, the richness of mole, and the aromatic warmth of fenugreek.

A composition of bold flavours brought together with restraint, balance and precision.

Discover it on our current menu at The French Café.

www.thefrenchcafe.co.nz

(Hawke’s Bay Lamb, Lamb Rump, New Zealand Lamb, The French Café, Fine Dining Auckland, Seasonal Menu, New Zealand Produce, Mole, Fenugreek, Contemporary Cuisine, Auckland Fine Dining, Two Hat Restaurant)

25/09/2026

Get to know the team | Part One: Sid Sahrawat.

The people behind The French Café are at the heart of everything we do. In the first of our new series, we sit down with Chef and Owner Sid Sahrawat to step beyond the kitchen and discover a little more about the person behind the plates.

From his inspirations and influences to the details you might not know, meet Sid beyond the pass.

Press play and get to know the team behind The French Café.

(Get to Know the Team, Sid Sahrawat, The French Café, Chef Sid Sahrawat, Auckland Fine Dining, Behind The Scenes, Meet The Chef, Auckland Restaurant, New Zealand Hospitality, The French Café Team)

24/09/2026

Remember being told not to play with your food? Not this time.
🍭 Sid and Rose Kennedy of Supperclub Host & Conceptual Dining are turning The French Cafe into a playground for big kids.
Saturday 3 Oct is SOLD OUT.
Friday 2 Oct has just a few tickets left.
One night only, never to be repeated.
Link in bio 👆

24/09/2026

Hawke’s Bay lamb rump, onion, carrot, mole, fenugreek.

Tender lamb is paired with the sweetness of onion and carrot, while mole brings richness and depth, finished with the distinctive warmth of fenugreek.

Layered, considered and quietly complex, a dish where exceptional New Zealand produce meets bold, refined flavour.

Discover it on our current menu at The French Café.
(Hawke’s Bay Lamb, Lamb Rump, New Zealand Lamb, The French Café, Fine Dining Auckland, Auckland Restaurant, Seasonal Menu, Contemporary Cuisine, Mole, Fenugreek, New Zealand Produce, Auckland Fine Dining)

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

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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.