Winnifred's

Winnifred's is an exquisite multi-level champagne house and French bistro that's like finding a little slice of France in a Fortitude Valley side-street.

A virtual opus to France's Champagne region, Winnifred's, which takes its name from the co-owner's inspirational grandmother, is home to the largest and most diverse champagne list in the Southeast Asia - a unique collection of over 360 cuvées from 63 growers and Grande Marque houses. 

The venue was designed by esteemed architect Tim Stewart, who transformed an old furniture warehouse into a stunning vision of chic, with incredible attention to detail and level of craftmanship on par with that of the Champagne winemakers.

From the minute you arrive at Winnifred's, it's like stepping into another realm, from the sign out front that has the address in French - 34 rue d'Arthur - to the charming little champagne garden bar (Coteaux du Petit Morin) outside the entrance, to the 'concierge station' which is also a Champagne store where you can purchase many of the champagnes on offer. 

Once inside, Winnifred's is divided into four unique spaces, each a reflection of the champagne-growing regions of Champagne, with decor taking inspiration from each of those regions. On the ground floor, to the left is Vallee de la Marne, a splendid 18 seat champagne bar and cellar. perfect for a pre-dinner tipple or intimate bar date. 

The rear of the ground floor is occupied by the pièce de résistance, a jaw-dropping 60-seat bistro (Montagne de Reims) with designer banquette running through the middle and an open kitchen along one side, and bespoke touches like hooks under tables to hang handbags.

Award-winning Executive Chef Antoine Potier, formerly of Restaurant Dan Arnold and Ecco, and his team have curated the Winnifred’s French Bistro menu, which showcases the finest local and seasonal ingredients, serving them simply, yet creatively.

On the menu, delectable Hors d'oeuvres include Gougere Champenoise (langres, béchamel & chardonnay); Pissaladière (white onion, olives & sardine tar); Moules Frites (pickled mussels, potato & fennel); and 'Croque Monsieur' (house ham, Comte & truffle butter).

Les Entrées include La Caille (½ quail, sauce foie gras, leeks & mushrooms); Les Saint-Jacques (scallops, artichokes, macadamia & verjus sauce); Les Gnocchis A La Parisienne (watercress, sour cream, abondance, vin jaune & walnut); and Le Tartare (beef fillet, yolk, chives, bone marrow & grain crisp).

And for mains (Les Plats), dishes include Le Poisson (market fish, turnips, champagne sauce & oysters); Le Boeuf (Chef’s cut, onion, potato & signature béarnaise); Le Canard Aux Agrumes (duck, cumquat, carro & jus); and Le Risotto (barley, comté, local mushrooms & black garlic). 

And for sides (A Côté), there's a choice of house French fries with green mayonnaise; farm greens with sauce ravigotte; and salad of farm leaves, truffle and brown butter.

For dessert, the heavenly choices include La Mousse au Chocolat (dark chocolate, toasted bread ice cream & malted bananas); Le Paris-Brissie (choux, diplomate, almond & passion fruit); and Le Vacherin (meringue, coconut cream, Chantilly & yuzu); as well as Les Fromages (selection of cheese).

Winnifred's other two spaces, which can be booked for events and functions, are both upstairs (with lift access) and these include the cosy 14-seat Cote des Bar otherwise known as the Blue Room or library, which customers can also use as a retreat where they can do work. The other is the sleek 22-seat Cote des Blancs (The White Room), which features a long table and a fireplace.

Good to know - Each of the 63 growers and Grande Marque houses, showcased at Winnifred’s are dedicated to ethical production, including biodynamic viticulture and certified organic practices. Not just a gorgeous space, Winnifred’s also has a target of being the first net-zero energy venue in Australia, completely powered by the sun with a 96-panel solar array channelled into two commercial batteries.

Need to know - There is metered on-street street parking out the front and nearby. 

By Nina Panayotov

The menu may have changed since our visit.

Check out our guide to all of the best bars in Fortitude Valley.

Still thirsty for more suggestions on where to grab a drink in Brisbane, head to our comprehensive Eat & Drink section HERE! Cheers!