La Villa Desvaux de Marigny

A landmark of Bordeaux’ culinary scene for several decades now, this stone town house is emblematic of 18C Bordeaux. At the helm, chef Thomas Morel, whose wife Célia supervises the front of house, gives free rein to his creativity. Underpinned by a solid classical background, the food is dotted with contemporary notes, such as immaculately cooked pollock flanked by an astounding horseradish-flavoured hollandaise sauce. The lunchtime menu is particularly attractive.

In his new restaurant, chef Tanguy Laviale (previously at Garopapilles) is calmly going about extricating himself from the traditional codes of gastronomy – with the help of his associate, Maxime Courvoisier, a sommelier who thinks outside of the box. Imagine: a short menu, comprising just eight dishes to be mixed and matched as you please (four or five of these small plates amount to a meal). The talented chef's technical approach always hits the mark, from the judicious combinations to the quality produce enhanced without any showboating, not to mention the impeccable garnishes and seasoning

She hails from Brittany, he is from Sardinia, they met in Corsica... and now they run a small restaurant in Bordeaux that punches above its weight. The chef's dishes are precise and always inspired, especially when they home in on first-rate ingredients: langoustines, spider crab, bluefin tuna and pigeon. Expect very contemporary cuisine, bursting with flavours and littered with references to Italy (put it down to the chef's origins), without ever lapsing into nostalgia or getting caught up in proclamations of identity. The tasting menus change every week depending on the chef's inspiration. I

British chef Gordon Ramsay (born in Scotland) is a true culinary talent who has already been awarded three Michelin stars in England. He signs off on Le Pressoir d'Argent's menu who breathes a touch of modernity into the classic cuisine. It all comes together to enhance that French art de vivre – the opulent and refined decor and ultra competent service, the celebration of the finest ingredients from the abundant Bordeaux and Aquitaine region (foie gras, truffles, caviar, fish)… and the solid silver Christofle lobster press that is moved from table to table. The competence of the three sommeli

In a chic district of Bordeaux, between Allées de Tourny and Place des Grands-Hommes, chef Alexandre Baumard (ex Logis de la Cadène in Saint-Émilion and L'Observatoire du Gabriel) presides over this elegant two-storey restaurant. Courtesy of a tasting menu (dinnertime only), the legible, delicate cuisine showcases quality ingredients, mainly fish and seafood, that are precisely and creatively prepared, e.g. plancha grilled squid, flanked by a rustic slice of Grenier médocain (local cured meat). Damien Amilien's desserts, as delicious as they are high-flying, continue in this subtle vein – illu

Off the bustling tourist track of Bordeaux, this cosy, modern bistro is run by chef Alexandre Bru. His precise, deftly crafted, mouthwatering score is particularly sensibly priced. Nostalgic bistro classics are treated to an intelligent, generous revamp: poached egg in vin jaune and comté, onion soup with beaufort cheese and Espelette pepper, braised chuck beef in red wine… Cheerful service and vibe.

Located in the central edifice on Bordeaux's iconic Place de la Bourse, opposite the Miroir d'Eau water feature, this establishment is run by the owners of Château Angelus and Logis de la Cadène in Saint-Émilion. The gorgeous 18C parlours have been converted into a single open space and lavishly appointed – oak floors, thick carpets, wood panelling and mouldings. Young chef Bertrand Noeureuil, who worked with Arnaud Donckele, delights diners with beautiful cuisine inspired by the sea and the seasons – noisette de sole "Chambrelent" au plat, or lightly veiled thin fillets of sardines "Bacalan",