When the insatiable craving for a French feast hits, it hits hard. The inner carnivore craves that piece of tender meat which eludes most Asian cuisine, while the palette fantasises over creamy béarnaise sauce, pomme frites, tarte tatin and a bold glass of Burgundian red to match.

The only problem with this appealing vision is that good French bistros are so few and far between. Agenda acknowledges this problem and we are here to correct it by steering you in the right direction. So for those wanting to trade in Massaman curry for Moules Frites and step right away from the edamame in favour of a perfectly cooked entrecote, here are our Top 5 French eateries.

1. Vamps || 227 Glenmore Rd. Paddington. Ph: (02) 9331 1032

Vamps is a golden oldie and one of Five Way’s best. This BYO bistro serves up the best French onion soup we’ve ever had to date: golden, shredded onions swimming in a hot, clear broth topped with Gruyere toast bobbing cheerily on the surface.

2. Tabou || 527 Crown St. Surry Hills. Ph: (02) 9319 5682

The French jewel in Crown Street’s Crown, Tabou is famous for its commitment to traditional French dishes. Expect to find escargot, chicken liver mousse, and morello cherry jam and twice baked cheese soufflé as options for entrées.

3. Grasshopper || Temperance La (between 389 and 391 George St). Sydney. Ph: (02) 9947 9025.

You could say Grasshopper is the new kid on the block, but they’re executing French fare as if they’ve been doing it for years. Finally, George Street hosts a restaurant that puts boeuf and pomme puree in the centre of our gastronomical map.

4. Bronte Road Bistro || 282 Bronte Rd. Charing Cross. Ph: (02) 9389 3028

Combine the expertise of Dave Pegrum (ex-head Chef of Tetsuya) with Steak Frites, café de Paris butter and an indoor-outdoor leafy eating expanse. Total Bronte bliss.

5. Flinder’s Inn || 160 Flinders Street. Paddington. Ph: (02) 9331 0208

In this inconspicuous French bistro, hidden behind Flinders Street in Surry Hills, one may feel as if one’s fallen through a trap door and landed headfirst in a Parisian Bistro. Saffron, white wine and peppery aromas do the serious seducing, while dishes such as roasted mulloway, kipfler potatoes, mussels provencal and rouille do the talking.