World-renowned chef Dominique Crenn to open first Australian venue in Melbourne this October

Dominique Crenn, one of the world's most decorated and influential chefs, will open her first Australian venue in Melbourne this October. Petit Crenn, a partnership  between Crenn and global alternatives asset manager Salter Brothers, marks the international expansion of her acclaimed all day dining concept and is set to be one of the most significant openings in Australia this year. 

Rooted in French hospitality and shaped by Melbourne’s vibrant dining culture, Petit Crenn will be an all day destination where beautifully crafted food and drink invite guests to gather, linger, and return from morning until late. 

Dominique Crenn is the chef and co-owner of the three-Michelin-starred Atelier Crenn in San Francisco. In 2018, she became the first female chef in the United States to be awarded three Michelin stars. A James Beard Award nominee, World’s 50 Best Icon Award recipient and one of TIME magazine’s 100 Most Influential People of 2024, Crenn’s influence extends well beyond the kitchen. Her portfolio also includes Bar Crenn, Café Dior by Dominique Crenn in Dallas and Monsieur Dior by Dominique Crenn in Beverly Hills. 

"Petit Crenn comes from my own life, from the cafes in France where you can sit for five minutes or five hours and always feel welcome. I've wanted to bring that feeling to Australia for a long time, and Melbourne, with its curiosity and its love of good food, felt like exactly the right place to do it. I can't wait to open the doors and share this with the city," said Crenn.  Petit Crenn reflects Crenn’s approach to everyday French bistro cooking: drawn from her childhood memories, shaped by place and community, and guided by seasonality and simplicity. In Melbourne, the concept takes the form of a small, all day venue inspired by the comptoirs of Paris, built to work for coffee and pastries in the morning, effortless lunches and cocktails from the afternoon into the evening.   

The intimate 40-seat venue has been designed creatively by Dominique Crenn herself, supported by Salter Brothers’ design team, drawing on the landscapes and coastline of Brittany, her home region in France. The result is a space built on natural materials, texture and movement: elegant, personal and never overly polished. At the rear of the restaurant, a five-person standing table, “Le Contour’, that reimagines the ultimate experience, placing guests within the energy of the kitchen for an intimate view of the creativity and thinking behind the food. 

On the menu, guests can expect signatures including steak tartare with egg yolk jam and sauce au poivre, alongside a croque madame with jambon and gruyère. Seasonal tartines, composed salads, and daily French classics complete an all-day menu that celebrates timeless French cooking through Crenn's contemporary perspective. 

Alongside the core menu, Petit Crenn will offer a changing plat du jour, with dishes including French raviole with onion consommé and moules with preserved lemon and beurre de baratte. And, of course, there will be caviar, with the signature Petit Crenn dish bringing a little indulgence to the table. 

Petit Crenn is a partnership between Crenn and Salter Brothers, a leading Australian alternative asset manager with a growing portfolio across hotels, restaurants and lifestyle destinations. Through its integrated investment and operating platform, Salter Brothers has established a track record of creating distinctive hospitality experiences in partnership with globally recognised chefs, operators and industry leaders.   

Matthew Butcher, director of culinary at Salter Brothers, said: “This is a landmark moment for Australian dining. Dominique Crenn is one of the world’s most celebrated culinary voices and to bring her vision to Australia for the first time is incredibly special. Petit Crenn reflects exactly the type of partnership we are focused on building: globally recognised talent, a distinctive hospitality concept, and a city with the energy and appetite to embrace it. Melbourne is the right place, and this is the right moment.” 

Petit Crenn will be located at 495 Collins Street, Melbourne. Further details on Petit Crenn, including its opening date, menu and key team appointments, will be announced closer to launch in October.

Petit Crenn, 9^th September 2026