Manon Brasserie

At the Queen Victoria Building's southern end, this lavish French brasserie by hospitality veterans Manny Spinola and Marco Ambrosino is a grand addition to one of Sydney’s most dramatic pieces of architecture.

If you come for breakfast, the offering sees viennoiseries, a croque madame, soufflé pancakes and eggs Florentine take centre stage. Come lunchtime, you might order a baguette stuffed with ham, cornichons and Gruyere.

The dinner menu continues the roll call of brasserie favourites. There are Sydney rock oysters served natural or spiked with mignonette, tuna tartare and terrines. Escargots are a-go, served out of the shell with lardons and garlic bread. You can also try steak frites; potato gnocchi with roasted veg and mushrooms; or the cheeseburger à l’américaine with a side of pommes frites.

The wine list features more than 400 bottles, mainly French. Guests can sip gosset by the glass on one of the dark velvet bar stools, facing the arched, mirrored bar, or on one of the 80 outdoor seats. The tables, which face the statue of Queen Victoria and run down the York Street side of the building, bring a Parisian people-watching vibe to the busy corner.