A Parisian escape lands in Newcastle, serving French flavour and charm

If you’ve always dreamed of visiting Paris, or returning to relive it all over again, the newly opened Le Café Champs-Élysées French Café Restaurant will transport you there, without the expense or jetlag.

Opening in January 2025 at The Junction, formerly the home of Habesha, Le Café Champs-Élysées is the result of the passion and dedication of owner Fahimeh Kolahan.

Having spent the past ten years living between the Sydney suburb of Liverpool and France, Fahimeh and her husband moved to Newcastle in 2024 to join their son, who had just begun studying at the University of Newcastle. It didn’t take long for them to feel at home.

Years in the making, Le Café Champs-Élysées draws on Fahimeh’s love of Paris and her family’s 25 years living there.

While grounded in the flavours and techniques of French cuisine, the cafe is equally focused on thoughtful delivery and creating memorable guest experiences, a vision inspired by Fahimeh’s love of Parisian food and culture, and her desire to transport a little slice of this to Newcastle.

The scalloped edged cafe awning sets the French tones, and once inside the ruby red velvet seating, chandeliers, plush carpet, and tailored full-length curtains evoke luxurious vibes, however Le Café Champs-Élysées remains welcoming well beyond special occasions. 

Open daily for breakfast, brunch, and lunch, with dinner launching on Valentine’s Day, Le Café Champs-Élysées transitions effortlessly from casual morning coffee catch-ups to intimate dinners for two.  

Browsing the menu, Fahimeh explains that each dish reflects what you’d expect to see at any Parisian cafe, including the coffee, which is imported from France.

“We serve the Melbourne based Evolve Roasting Warehouse Specialty Coffee, however we wanted to be able to offer our guests a true Parisian coffee experience, which is why we have imported coffee from France and serve it in a French press”.

When it comes to the food, Fahimeh has again drawn on the rich Parisian flavours she knows so well, creating a menu that reflects both the capital’s cuisine, as well aso France’s regional fare, such as the vibrant, perfectly seared Normandie Salmon. 

For something très chic, Le Bol de Grand-Mère Élise is a must. Presented on a wooden board, three laminated pastries are perfect for dipping into your bowl of French coffee, topped with a delicate layer of cream. Alternatively, lather them with as little or as much French butter, French jam and gooey French cheese as you like - calorie counting stops here.

If you’re visiting purely for the desserts, be prepared to face an exquisite range that will make choosing difficult. Baked fresh on site daily, highlights include the traditional Parisian Mini Tropezienne cake to the indulgent Mille-feuille in all its flaky puff glory, and their signature Traditional French Cassoulet, available for both lunch and dinner.

Whether you’re stopping by for a morning coffee, lingering over lunch or settling in for a candlelit dinner, Fahimeh has created a space that invites you to enjoy a little taste of France, right here in Newcastle.

Le Café Champs-Élysées is a BYO venue – guests are welcome to bring their own wine or favourite drinks.