Updated ,first published
French$$
Approachable Gallic eats and drinks above a buzzy bar.
You could probably be a regular at Newtown’s Odd Culture bar and not even realise that a frisky French restaurant is hidden in the loft upstairs. That faint whiff of mystery is all part of Bistro Grenier’s charm. You can hear the buzz of the drinkers below once you’ve taken a seat beneath the Cubist-style posters and criss-crossed roof beams, but otherwise you could be hidden in a chic little corner of Lyon.
The food is a big part of it: French classics like steak frites, gruyere souffle, grilled snapper given a citrus sparkle with sauce Grenobloise. Escargots arrive with a Continental version of an XO sauce, with saucisson and anchovies standing in for lap cheong and dried scallops.
The drinks list taps into the same vein as downstairs, with a strong Euro showing of not just wines, but beers and ciders too. What a win to wander up the stairs and see them in new light.
Good to know: The weekend bottomless brunch pours unlimited Hugo spritzes alongside a generous selection of French bites for a soupçon under $100
Good Food reviews are booked anonymously and paid independently. A restaurant can’t pay for a review or inclusion in the Good Food Guide.
Last visited: March 2026
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