The Team Behind Agnes, Golden Avenue, & Biànca Debut Their Newest Restaurant, The French Exit

Brisbane’s CBD is about to get a très chic slice of Paris.

Anyday — the much-loved Brisbane hospitality group behind some of the city’s most memorable restaurants, including Agnes, sAme sAme, Biànca and Golden Avenue – is closing out 2025 with yet another beautifully considered venue. After a year of serious momentum, the group is unveiling its eighth opening. Say bonjour to The French Exit.

Now officially open within a heritage corner site at 169 Mary Street, The French Exit offers an elegant, high-energy take on the Parisian bistrot — proof that a little joie de vivre goes a long way in Brisbane’s ever-evolving dining scene.

A new chapter in Anyday’s story

Following the opening of Golden Avenue, The French Exit continues Anyday’s thoughtful expansion beyond Fortitude Valley and Newstead and into the heart of the CBD. Known for its instinctive, warmly generous approach to hospitality, the group once again proves that world-class dining doesn’t need to feel stiff or overly formal.

With a portfolio that includes Agnes, sAme sAme, hôntô, Biànca, LOS, Idle and Golden Avenue, Anyday has cultivated a distinct culinary signature – soulful, stylish and anchored in genuine connection. Now, that signature arrives in the CBD with a decidedly French accent.

The space

Behind the visual chef-d’œuvre is one of Australia’s most acclaimed interior designers, Tasmin Johnson – the creative force behind Idle, Raes Guesthouses, SIR. on James St, and many other iconic spaces around the country. A close friend of Anyday founders Ty and Bianca, Johnson’s collaborative approach has shaped a space that feels utterly transportive.

Step inside and it’s as if you’ve wandered onto a Parisian film set. Warm light spills across the room, glassware clinks, and conversation hums with an unmistakable bistro buzz. The 177-square-metre dining room seats up to 80 guests in a convivial, shoulder-to-shoulder setting where tables sit close, and the energy is unmistakably alive. Step back outside and Brisbane’s CBD almost feels like a culture shock (no offence).

In the kitchen

At the helm is Executive Chef John-Paul Fiechtner, returning to Brisbane after an impressive international career that includes two years in Paris at the celebrated Le Châteaubriand. He’s joined by Head Chef Ryan Carlson, formerly of Agnes and London institution St John, bringing technical finesse and deep reverence for French culinary tradition.

Together – under the culinary direction of Anyday Co-Owner Ben Williamson – the team delivers a menu that balances classic French foundations with modern restraint, all filtered through the unmistakable Anyday lens.

The menu: classics, reimagined

Expect timeless favourites such as steak frites, duck à l’orange, escargot and ananas givré, each executed with care, creativity and elegant simplicity. It’s French cuisine with a distinctly Australian je ne sais quoi.

Local, seasonal produce anchors the menu, ensuring each dish feels rooted in Brisbane while gently nodding to Paris. As Williamson puts it, diners can expect “classic executions of timeless dishes designed to awaken nostalgia and excite the palate.”

The wine list

Naturally, wine takes centre stage.

Head Sommelier Gianluca Giardini has curated an impressive list of nearly 600 bottles, spanning everything from approachable by-the-glass pours to rare and iconic French labels. From Burgundy to Beaujolais, Loire to Languedoc — alongside a thoughtful selection of Australian standouts — the list is expansive, confident and impeccably considered.

Complementing the cellar is a cocktail program by Group Bar Manager Marco Nunes, delivering character-driven creations that balance elegance, craftsmanship and just the right hint of flair.

With its intoxicating blend of atmosphere, craft and culinary charm, The French Exit offers Brisbane a transportive French dining experience without ever leaving the CBD. As Anyday continues to shape the city’s dining landscape, this latest opening stands as both a celebration of tradition and an invitation to linger, savour and — when the moment feels right — make a graceful French exit.

Make a reservation here.