Paris is now a short walk from Queen Street. Over in the CBD, The French Exit is Anyday Group’s ode to the classic Parisian bistrot. Opened in late 2025 on the ground floor of a heritage corner building at 169 Mary Street, the venue brings French café culture to Brisbane’s urban core with energy, rich flavours and a wine list to match.
Step inside and the design does as much of the storytelling as the menu. Warm lacquered walls, parquetry floors and tan leather banquettes create texture and warmth, while close-set tables and a U-shaped bar pull the room together in a way that feels both lively and inviting.
In the kitchen, Executive Chef John-Paul Fiechtner and Head Chef Ryan Carlson riff on timeless French dishes with local produce and clear technique at the core. Expect classics you actually want to order like escargot bathed in garlic-parsley butter, steak tartare with egg yolk and pommes gaufrettes, duck à l’orange and rich tarte au comté with spanner crab and sauce vin jaune.
The beverage program is equally serious. A wine list of nearly 600 references spans French regions and thoughtful international picks, while the cocktail selection puts elegant twists on familiar flavours.
Whether you’re starting a long dinner or wandering in for steak frites and a glass of red after work, The French Exit marries Parisian spirit with Brisbane sensibilities, offering a city-centre destination that feels both transportive and entirely grounded in the local scene.
The French Exit
169 Mary St, Brisbane City QLD 4000
(07) 3495 1775
anyday.com.au
