Bistro Margaux Brings a Taste of Old-School France to Nobby Beach

In recent years, Nobby Beach has built up an attractive dining precinct with major developments and serious hospitality operators. Following the recent tram extension, which now connects the neighbourhood to Broadbeach and Burleigh Heads, newly opened Bistro Margaux is the latest venue in a decidedly up-and-coming area. But rather than focusing on the new, Margaux is a French bistro with old-school bones and charm.

Lars Kollrepp, the chef-owner behind nearby Lars, a flame-licked dining spot that recently celebrated its second birthday, wanted Margaux to feel like the kind of place you could settle into for an afternoon or evening.

“We wanted to bring the feeling of a classic French bistro to Nobby Beach,” he says. “Somewhere that feels timeless and relaxed, with good food, wine and a warm atmosphere.”

The menu is built around the pleasures of traditional French cooking. Start with a warm baguette and whipped Lescure butter, oysters with a zesty champagne mignonette, or a plate of French charcuterie with cornichons. Escargots come cooked Burgundian style, with plenty of garlic, shallots and parsley butter, ready to be mopped up with bread, naturally.

There’s also a house-made pork terrine with grain mustard and cornichons. For something fresher, cured Ora King salmon comes with crème fraîche and horseradish, while the obligatory steak tartare is served with crisp frites.

The more substantial dishes lean into French tradition, too. Duck confit comes with potato gratin and a green salad, while steak frites is served with a choice of béarnaise, pepper or entrecôte sauce. Possibly the most French dish, the beef cheek bourguignon falls apart beside baby onions and Paris mash.

And the wine? All French. From Alsace to Provence, a curated selection spans every major region, with a good selection available by the glass.

Inside, Margaux serves up the atmosphere of a well-loved neighbourhood bistro rather than something overly polished. Dim lighting and banquette seating: check. Brisbane studio Klemenza worked on the structure and overall setting, but Kollrepp and his team had a strong hand in the final look.

“From the beginning, we knew we wanted drapery and curtains to be a big part of the interior,” says Kollrepp. Vintage details, animal-print touches, moody tones and plenty of warm fabrics give the room a cosy, slightly nostalgic feel. It’s a natural fit for a neighbourhood that has grown considerably in recent years, but Margaux isn’t trying to reinvent the wheel. Instead, it’s embracing the timeless comfort of the French neighbourhood bistro.

As Kollrepp puts it, the fit-out matches the menu: “classic, warm, effortless”.

Bistro Margaux

2215 Gold Coast Highway, Mermaid Beach

0483 742 945

Hours:

Daily 4pm–11pm

www.bistromargaux.com.au/

@bistro_margaux