Sitting quietly on Potts Point's main drink-and-dine artery, Macleay Street, is an unassuming glass shopfront. Sheer, floor-to-ceiling drapes veil the interior from the footpath, but tease passersby just a little — emitting a warm, ambient glow. You wouldn’t immediately think this façade sneakily harboured one of the ritziest celebrations of Catalonian cuisine this city has ever seen, but it does.

Franca’s name is derived from lingua franca, a word for a common language used by speakers of different native tongues that helps them bridge cultural divides. Executive chef Alexis Besseau (Bathers’ Pavilion, Est) and sous chef Jose Saulog (Glass Brasserie, Tetsuya’s) have created a menu that reflects that idea: twisting and turning its way through regional France and nearby Mediterranean coastal havens such as parts of Italy. A good example of that is the nicoise salad, here interpreted as yellow fin tuna sashimi dressed with a colatura (anchovy sauce) dressing, confit heirloom tomatoes and garnished with grated cured egg yolk and smoked paprika.

A fixture in our stable of the best Sydney-side French restaurants, Franca opened in 2019 — back when Potts Point was yet to become the thriving dining precinct so many foodies think of it as today. As with Armorica, restauranteur Andrew Becher’s other sprawling European eatery, it’s not quite accurate to describe Franca as a straight-down-the-middle bistro. The restaurant’s sumptuous, jewel-toned fit-out (which reportedly set Becher and his team back a cool $2.5 million) is indeed in the mould of a grand old brasserie — whereas the menu blends traditional French comfort food with flavours of the Mediterranean.

In the spirit of getting frank, we’ll give it to you straight: Franca is one of the best French restaurants in Sydney right now. The gorgeous interior only adds to the sumptuousness of your dining experience, which feels opulent but intimate. Drop in and you’ll not only find a selection of classics with a twist, from crab and corn Portuguese tarts to duck à l’orange and chocolate soufflés, but a series of daily specials, ranging from a Sunday Roast—an offering of a 600g Chateaubriand tenderloin with seasonal side dishes—to the the Friday Night Supper Club, where you can enjoy a frites menu with live DJs.

Franca came towards the beginning of Potts Point’s recent wave of high-end restaurants. Over the next three years it’s become a beloved spot in the area for a special occasion or treat-yourself meal — to the point where owner Andrew Becher has opened a Catalonian-inspired sibling venue next door. With its moniker derived from lin gua franca — a common language adopted by those whose native languages are different, historically a mix of Italian, French, Greek, Arabic and Spanish — Franca takes cues from all corners of the Mediterranean, though it leans heavily on France.

Potts PointLocated next to Franca in the heart of Potts Point, the 55-seat Parlar (to speak in Catalan) is an ode to Becher’s love for Barcelona and the French coastline. From the design to the food and drink menus, Parlar is heavily influenced by a combination of Catalan and Mediterranean culture and cooking. The wine list is a postcard to the Mediterranean, focusing heavily on the varieties that dot the sun-baked shoreline from Spain, to the tip of the Italian boot.

Potts PointLocated next to Franca in the heart of Potts Point, the 55-seat Parlar ( to speak in Catalan) is an ode to Becher’s love for Barcelona and the French coastline. From the design to the food and drink menus, Parlar is heavily influenced by a combination of Catalan and Mediterranean culture and cooking. The wine list is a postcard to the Mediterranean, focusing heavily on the varieties that dot the sunbaked shoreline from Spain to the tip of the Italian boot.

Occupying the space where Fratelli Fresh once stood, Franca Brasserie offer Sydneysiders the chance to experience some of the finest French and Mediterranean cuisine in the city. With pasta dishes, seafood and meat-based dishes all adorning the menu, there’s certainly something for everyone. The restaurant itself is an incredibly open space, and you’ll be seated in velvet chairs whilst tucking into your meal.

Franca takes inspiration from the traditional flavours of the Mediterranean coast. The name Franca pays homage to lingua franca as the common language used for centuries to connect mainland France with the Mediterranean. And while the buzzy brasserie leans into indulgent French fare such as a pomme puree with truffles and upside-down tarte tatin, it also has one of the most budget-friendly menus in Sydney.

With an ethos of welcoming people with open hands and open minds, it’s no surprise that the warmth of this Potts Point favourite embraces you from the moment you arrive at the door. “Our common language is food,” Franca Brasserie declares on its website – a statement that speaks to the heart of anyone with a love of inventive contemporary cuisine. Shop 2/81 Macleay St, Potts Point; francabrasserie.com.au.

Big sister Franca is settling into its skin as a lively, luxe restaurant and bar, but little Parlar, two doors down, is the surprise packet. Owner Andrew Becher and chef Jose Saulog went to Catalan tapas for inspiration, although don't expect anything humble, or indeed simple. The room has a heavenly '70s vibe, with its broad marble bar (and Sydney's best bar stools) and swirling tapestries.

Beautifully presented and delicious food in an equally stunning setting is what one can expect when dining at Franca Brasserie in Sydney’s Potts Point. From marble everywhere you look and intimate half-moon leather booths to velvet chairs and grand columns, it’s not difficult to see the 2.5 million dollars which was spent on the space. Franca’s dining offering though is similarly impressive.

At the helm of Franca, a modern brasserie and bar, is Executive Chef Jose Saulog (ex-Glass Brasserie, Tetsuya’s Restaurant). Diners can expect a menu spanning a variety of cities and regions in France and neighbouring Mediterranean coasts. This Potts Point gem isn’t just about showmanship; it’s about an elegant and comfortable experience that deserves a top spot on your Sydney dining list.

Sumptuous takes on north-eastern Spanish flavours are at the heart of this warm and intimate fine diner. The tapas-inspired menu features Australian produce prepared with a Catalonian twist, with plenty of seafood cooked over a charcoal Josper grill.

: Probably the best French restaurants in Sydney for drinks with an extensive wine menu and cocktail list. Ambience and setting: The vibes here are always high. The space is sun-drenched, and soft jazz floats through it every day of the week.