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Restaurant

Penelope Bistro

11/15 James St, Fortitude Valley QLD 4006, Australia

Recommended by 26 people

Updated

Find Penelope Bistro

11/15 James St, Fortitude Valley QLD 4006, Australia

Directions ↗
+61 7 3473 3588
HoursMonday: Closed Tuesday: Closed Wednesday: 5:00 – 11:30 PM Thursday: 5:00 – 11:30 PM Friday: 12:00 PM – 1:00 AM Saturday: 12:00 PM – 1:00 AM Sunday: 12:00 – 11:30 PM

*Opening hours may differ during holidays.

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About Penelope Bistro

Penelope Bistro balances the polish of a Parisian footpath cafe with the pulse of a late-night James Street lounge. Settle into a booth or grab a perch at the marble bar for an impromptu plate of steak frites and peppercorn sauce. Regulars linger over shareable plates of duck liver pâté paired with Davidson plum jam, kingfish splashed with XO sauce, and crisp chicken tenders finished with hot honey. Silver trays carry chilled martinis while evening DJ sets build the energy, sliding comfortably from dinner into after-hours drinks over a torched baked Alaska with tart rhubarb jam.

  • DJ-Led Evening Energy: Evenings shift seamlessly from bistro dining into an energetic music lounge driven by resident DJs.
  • Multi-Zone Atmosphere: Guests pick their mood across the marble counter, plush indoor lounge sofas, or outdoor street seating.
  • Silver-Tray Cocktails: Signature touches like martinis served on silver trays and personalized napkins elevate tabletop service.
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What's On at Penelope Bistro

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

No events or specials listed right now.

Why Diners Choose Penelope Bistro

A glamorous Fortitude Valley bistro combining culinary substance, curated beats, and seamless hospitality.

  • Dynamic Evening Atmosphere

    The evening transitions from dinner into an energetic lounge setting with curated music from a live DJ.

    The DJ set the mood perfectly with fantastic music that elevated the experience even more.

    S Grant

  • Multi-Zone Micro-Vibes

    Distinct sections offer varied atmospheres, from high-top bar perches to sofa lounges and Parisian street-front seating.

    They’ve managed to create a different vibe in each section of the restaurant

    Diane Nguyen

  • Unpretentious, Attentive Care

    Guests receive thoughtful, unpretentious hospitality whether visiting for an extended dinner or a quick stop.

    At no point did the level of service feel tied to how much we were spending.

    Jess

  • Substance Matching Glamour

    The kitchen pairs polished bistro aesthetics with technical culinary execution across dishes and desserts.

    It is a destination where the culinary substance easily matches the high-gloss aesthetic.

    Samantha Jansen

  • Convivial Group Dining

    A flexible menu of shareable plates and banquet options accommodates group celebrations and milestone events.

    We ordered lots of plates to share, and it was the best way to try everything on the menu

    Sop Khim

  • Signature Tabletop Detail

    Signature tabletop elements like silver-tray cocktail service and custom napkins elevate celebratory drinks.

    The attention to detail with the personalised napkins and martini presented im silver trays was a nice touch.

    Aryan Torkaneh

Bistro Classics & Signature Plates

  • Steak Frites

    For our mains, the steak frites was cooked to perfection, and the jus was absolutely amazing with the fries.

    Hunter Williams

  • Duck Pâté

    Both were absolutely delicious, but the silky-smooth pâté stole the show – rich, velvety, and perfectly balanced by the sweet-tart plum jam.

    Lambo Blair

  • Cheeseburger

    And that cheeseburger? Next level. Juicy, well-seasoned beef, melted cheese, tangy pickles, and a soft potato bun – everything just worked together beautifully.

    Lambo Blair

  • Chicken Tenders

    The chicken tenders with hot honey and ranch were perfectly cooked, well-balanced, and dangerously moreish.

    Lambo Blair

Other favorites

Desserts & Signature Cocktails

  • Alaska

    The Alaska was a highlight for me. The torched meringue was super airy, the rhubarb jam brought a tart sweetness, and when paired with the creamy soft serve and crunchy biscuit each bite was so moreish.

    Diane Nguyen

  • Madeleines

    The Madeleines were actually very aromatic, slightly citrusy and tasted warm and freshly baked with a crispy exterior.

    Diane Nguyen

  • Pornstar Martini

    My girlfriend said her Pornstar Martini was the best she’s ever had.

    Hunter Williams

  • Paloma

    I enjoyed the Paloma, it was easy drinking, quite sweet and fruity.

    Diane Nguyen

Beyond the menu

Thoughtful service rituals, tailored menu flexibility, and attentive celebration touches.

  • Silver-Tray Cocktail Presentations

    Martinis served on silver trays accompanied by custom personalised napkins add a bespoke flourish to drinks service.

  • Half-Portion Tasting Accommodations

    Staff guide solo diners through the menu and tailor dishes into half portions so single guests can sample a broader variety.

  • Last-Minute Occasion Hosting

    The front-of-house team readily adapts to last-minute, impromptu bookings and walk-ins to coordinate celebrations like engagements on the fly.

  • Attentive Service During Service Lulls

    Waitstaff proactively attend to booking details and ensure guests remain happily entertained if any kitchen delays occur.

Before you head over

Practical advice on timing, seating, and ambiance for your visit

  • Choose Timing Based on Volume

    Evenings feature escalating volume and live DJ sets that build into a vibrant music lounge, while lunchtimes offer an audible setting suited for conversation.

  • Take Advantage of Bar Seating

    Walk-in diners seeking a quick steak frites or solo lunch can sit at the bar, while peak evening groups should book ahead.

  • Factor in Table Spacing and Zones

    The dining room layout features distinct zones including outdoor footpath tables and indoor sofas, though indoor tables can be set close together.

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