La Louisiane

When Sydney’s Restaurant Hubert popped-up at the old Yiasou George in 2022, its head chef Alexis Besseau was urged by guests to fill the gap in Adelaide’s French dining scene. Besseau didn’t need much convincing – he’s fulfilled those wishes with La Louisiane, this moody French diner in the city.

The menu is all about classic brasserie fare, from gruyere cheese soufflé to snails and crème brûlée. Dishes are served on classic blue-rimmed bistro plates, with highlights like steak frites and pate en croute. There’s also a signature burger, as well as an ode to Besseau’s hometown of Nantes – a market fish served with a beurre blanc (a butter and fish stock emulsion) with dill oil.

French wines (and French varietals from Australian vineyards) anchor the drinks list, joining signature and classic cocktails. The whole cocktail program is impressive – but the standout is the Le Lou’s Martini, served with a raft of additional elements to tailor your drink, including lemon zest, olives, pickled onions and herb oil.

Like Hubert, La Louisiane is in the basement of a heritage building. You’ll find deep booths and freestanding tables circled with plush red-velvet seating and traditional bentwood chairs. The space is strewn with empty bottles of French champagne. Tables are lit with individual lamps and pendant lighting, and a warm glow bounces off a French-inspired mural on the back wall. There isn’t a trace of its former life as a bank or, more recently, as a wings and sports bar.

La Louisane will operate between July and December 2023, and is a collaboration between two major Adelaide hospitality groups: Big Easy Group (Nola, Bandit Pizza & Wine, House of George et al)) and Gonzo Group (Cry Baby, Shotgun Willies and Memphis Slim’s House of Blues)