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Restaurant

Smith St Bistrot

300 Smith St, Collingwood VIC 3066, Australia

Recommended by 53 people

Updated

Find Smith St Bistrot

300 Smith St, Collingwood VIC 3066, Australia

Directions ↗
+61 3 9419 2202
HoursMonday: 5:30 – 10:30 PM Tuesday: 5:30 – 10:30 PM Wednesday: 5:30 – 10:30 PM Thursday: 5:30 – 10:30 PM Friday: 12:00 – 3:00 PM, 5:30 PM – 12:00 AM Saturday: 12:00 PM – 12:00 AM Sunday: 12:00 – 4:00 PM

*Opening hours may differ during holidays.

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About Smith St Bistrot

Scott Pickett brings Parisian bistronomie to Collingwood across low-lit levels framed by antique mirrors and burgundy banquettes. Regulars steer straight toward the bar for classic French plates executed with precision—think airy Soufflé Suissesse baked with rich Gruyère sauce, silky chicken liver parfait on brioche, and beef tartare. Scallops arrive seared with spicy chorizo dressing, while the steak au poivre lands beside tender Kipfler potatoes tossed in Gascony butter. The wine list bridges grand French domains with local Victorian bottles, making it an easy pick for intimate evenings. Dinner finishes smoothly over a warm, chocolate-filled soufflé alongside cold scoops of ice cream.

  • Vintage Parisian Setting: Burgundy banquette booths, antique mirrors, and gothic chandeliers evoke classic 1920s Paris across multi-level dining spaces.
  • Specialist Soufflé Program: Kitchen crafts timing-sensitive baked treats from savory Gruyère Soufflé Suissesse to deep chocolate dessert soufflés.
  • Mainstream Bistro Staples: Menus spotlight French staples including steak au poivre, chicken liver parfait, and scallops with chorizo dressing.
  • Attentive Hospitality & Cellar: Attentive floor staff pair courses with French vintages and local Victorian drops for date nights and milestones.
RestaurantFrenchRestaurantModern FrenchFunctions

What's On at Smith St Bistrot

Upcoming events, special menus and other reasons to plan a visit.

Why Choose Smith St Bistrot

Why diners choose Smith St Bistrot for classic French dining, romantic evenings, and landmark group celebrations.

  • Mastery of Mainstream French Classics

    From fresh baguettes with whipped butter to savory soufflé Suissesse and pan-seared meats, the menu focuses on authentic bistro fundamentals prepared with precision.

    Smith Street Bistro tells you from the outset that what it will do is mainstream French cuisine but that it will do it well.

    David Rofe

  • Specialist Baked Soufflé Program

    Bespoke savory twice-baked Gruyère creations and timing-sensitive chocolate soufflés are baked fresh to order for an indulgent focal point.

    Piercing through the high volume of the airy chocolate texture was an absolute treat

    David Rofe

  • Transportive 1920s Parisian Ambiance

    Multilevel interiors lined with vintage mirrors, gothic chandeliers, and burgundy banquettes evoke authentic early 20th-century European bistros.

    It feels like you’ve stepped into a European bistro, not just another restaurant.

    Adventurous Observer

  • Intimate Setting for Date Nights

    Cozy banquette seating and warm, dim mood lighting create a relaxed, intimate environment tailored for dates and anniversaries.

    Definitely a sweet little spot for a cozy date night

    Foodie Queen21

  • Upstairs Spaces for Milestone Celebrations

    Dedicated private dining rooms like 'La vie en Rose' host milestone group dinners with attentive service that keeps celebrations seamless.

    The room is gorgeous and spacious. The staff were very friendly and accommodating and never left our wine glasses empty for more than a minute.

    Hannah Kelly

  • Attentive, Detail-Oriented Hospitality

    Knowledgeable floor staff and attentive managers add tailored personal warmth that makes guests feel cared for during special occasions.

    Liv has that rare gift of reading the room perfectly and adding a personal touch that turns a lovely lunch into a memorable occasion.

    Robyn Schubert

Signature dishes and French bistro highlights celebrated by diners

  • Soufflé au Chocolat

    Lastly, we had the souffle au chocolat with a side of ice cream. Despite waiting the customary twenty minutes and being priced at $25 each, the souffles were worth every penny. Piercing through the high volume of the airy chocolate texture was an absolute treat, and a delightful way to complete a wonderful evening.

    David Rofe

  • Beef Tartare

    The beef tartare was heavenly — perfectly balanced and so well executed.

    Adventurous Observer

  • Chicken Liver Parfait

    Silky-smooth, ice-cream-meets-foie-gras magic. Spread it thick or eat it with a spoon—no judgment.

    Zara Kaylee

  • Soufflé Suissesse

    We loved the cheese one, super rich and comforting.

    Foodie Queen21

Beyond the menu

Thoughtful hospitality details and personal culinary interactions that elevate a bistro meal

  • Direct Kitchen & Chef Interactions

    Guests inquiring about specific culinary preparations can receive tableside visits from the kitchen team, such as the head chef personally coming over to detail how traditional sauces are crafted.

  • Counter-Side Chef Tastings

    Diners sitting along the bar counter gain interactive views of service, with chefs noticing customer curiosity and offering complimentary extra tastings.

  • Pre-Pour Wine Tastings

    Floor staff proactively offer complimentary tastings of wine recommendations prior to pouring, ensuring selections suit guest tastes before committing to a bottle or glass.

  • Attentive Dietary & Vintage Tableware Touches

    Staff provide tailored, attentive guidance for tricky dietary restrictions and curate vintage dessert plates hand-sourced from local op shops.

Before you head over

Practical tips on booking, timing, and venue layout for a smooth French dining experience.

  • Reserve Weekend Tables Well in Advance

    Weekend dinner slots at reasonable hours book out quickly, so reserve well ahead of time to avoid late evening seatings.

  • Factor in the Soufflé Bake Time

    The baked chocolate souffles require a customary twenty-minute bake time, so put your dessert order in with time to spare.

  • Plan Ahead for Stairs and Tight Layouts

    The multi-level venue features a tightly packed ground floor and upper dining areas accessed via a very steep staircase, which may pose challenges for guests with mobility needs.

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