Maison Bâtard

The story

Crafted with passion, served with love

A French Table in the Heart of Melbourne

Maison Bâtard sits at 23 Bourke Street in the centre of Melbourne, a French restaurant conceived by restaurateur Chris Lucas of the Lucas Collective. The address places it firmly in the city's dining core, and the name carries the quiet confidence of a place that takes its reference points seriously.

The offering spans several distinct experiences under one roof. Bâtard Restaurant is the main dining room, while La Terrasse brings an outdoor dimension to the French experience — a rarity in a city where alfresco dining is fiercely competed for. Seasonal lunch specials and a dedicated steak frites menu signal a kitchen that moves with the calendar and keeps a firm grip on the classics.

Wine at the Centre

It is the wine list that has drawn international attention. Wine Spectator awarded Maison Bâtard its Best of Award of Excellence for 2025 — a recognition reserved for restaurants whose cellars demonstrate depth, breadth and genuine commitment to the table. For a French restaurant, wine is not an afterthought but a structural element of the meal, and this accolade reflects exactly that philosophy.

The Lucas Collective Touch

Chris Lucas has built a reputation in Melbourne for restaurants that combine strong identity with polished hospitality. Maison Bâtard fits that pattern: French in its bones, Melbourne in its energy, with a private events offering and a Le Club programme that suggest a place designed for return visits rather than one-off occasions.