€€Modern Cuisine
This cheerful, trendy eatery stands in a side street off the busy Rue Sainte Catherine. From his tiny kitchen at the rear of the dining room, chef Benjamin Wavrant whips up a bargain-priced bistronomic lunchtime menu that changes weekly in line with the seasons and market availability. The evening score is more ambitious and voluntarily gastro-leaning. A buzzy vibe, spot-on, gutsy food and slick, seamless service: the epitome of a good food establishment that draws us back time and time again.
€€€Classic Cuisine
Tucked away in an elegant 19C shopping arcade, or passage couvert, this restaurant is aptly named. Located inside the Caviar de Neuvic boutique, it features a chic bistro-style dining room and a charming glass-roofed terrace. At the helm is unassuming chef Thomas Pasquereau, whose classically inspired cuisine is executed to perfection, a case in point being his pâté en croute façon Richelieu (ie with foie gras), which is underpinned by admirable technique. His passion for great French sauces is also clear, as is his love of vegetables (a vegetarian set menu is available).
€€€chinese
This hundred-year-old brand, specialised in Peking duck, celebrates cuisine from Peking and the rest of China, all of which in a gourmet vein. The duck is carved according to an ancestral technique by a fully trained master carver. The establishment is located on Bordeaux’ exclusive Allées de Tourny in the heart of historic Bordeaux and its handsome 19C edifice boasts several dining rooms, all with moulded ceilings and parquet flooring, etc.
€€Classic Cuisine
In the central edifice of Bordeaux’ iconic Place de la Bourse, the 1544 shines the spotlight on regional produce that is supplied by the farm of the same name at St Loubès. Elegant, flavoursome food, such as leeks in a herby dressing, free-range poultry flanked by a delectable mushroom tartlet or a citrus fruit meringue and chantilly delight to finish on a sweet yet refreshing note. The quintessentially chic interior with tasteful grey-green wainscoting and comfy armchairs is tastefully paired with slick, professional service. Love at first bite in this establishment that is the perfect marria
€€€italian
In a cobbled street in Bordeaux's old town, Lume enchants with its intimate atmosphere and Italian cuisine. Venetian chef Riccardo Suppa showcases seafood and organic vegetables in elegant dishes served on crockery handcrafted by a local ceramist. The creations on the single set menu include a flavoursome reinterpretation of pasta e fasioi made with Zolfino beans, pasta mista and scallop crudo; or for dessert: pear, Barena honey and a touch of umeboshi. Authentic food to be savoured in a cosy and inviting setting.
€€€Modern Cuisine
In the heart of the city, this local institution was founded in 1825. The jaw-dropping rococo interior was imported from the Lot and installed here in the early 20C. Chef Younesse Bouakkaoui’s modern culinary score has no qualms about subverting classical recipes, illustrated by calf sweetbread roasted with morel mushrooms in Sauternes wine or pollock poached in olive oil with smoked potatoes and portobello mushrooms. The splendid cellar boasts over 1000 wines!
€€Fusion, Mexican
This restaurant, helmed by a native of Guadalajara, chef Kristian de Anda who was at the helm of the kitchen of the Parisian Biondi, is a delightful surprise. His modern, creative score, melding high-flying French cuisine with a few ancestral Mexican techniques, is light years from the clichéd tacos and enchiladas one often associates with Mexican cuisine! Sourced from fresh, local produce, the lineup changes frequently. Only open in the evenings.
€€Modern Cuisine
Behind an attractive façade of historic wooden frames and glass, Tanguy Laviale rolls out a laid-back, down-to-earth version of his fine dining establishment, Ressources. Forthright recipes that never fail to hit the spot, sampled in blind tasting menus unveiled over several courses. The 1 000-strong wine bin, which unveils a penchant for natural wines, is the inspired work of sommelier Maxime Courvoisier.
🕐 Tu-Sa 19:30-21:30; Fr 12:00-13:30
€€Modern Cuisine
In the heart of historic Bordeaux, this cosy, casual eatery dishes up deftly crafted bistronomic cuisine that stars hand-picked produce: poached oysters, mousse of ham and samphire pickles; pigeon marinated in oriental spices and a combo of turnips and harissa jus. Don’t miss the house signature: food-cocktail pairings concocted by Jodie.
€€Modern Cuisine
These attractive premises (with a contemporary interior and exposed Bordeaux stonework) are located on a charming cobbled pedestrian square. The fresh cuisine is full of contrasts and draws on influences from far and wide: grilled sardines with burnt miso and Lebanese-style tomato tabbouleh. The fine wine list features mostly organic and natural wines. Friendly service... A recipe for success!
🕐 Tu-Sa 12:00-13:45,19:00-22:00
€€Modern Cuisine
Run by four young partners, Symbiose makes it all look so easy from the dinky bistro look and speakeasy-style cocktail bar to the forthright, adroitly crafted score. A cortege of aromatic plants straight from the permaculture market garden sets the tone on the menu of dishes to share in a bouncy, bubbly atmosphere. A suitably trendy, youthful clientele flocks to what is billed as a UFO on Bordeaux’ fine dining scene.
€€€Creative
In her small restaurant that sports a smart, uncluttered interior, young Moldavian-born chef, Oxana Cretu, gives free rein to her culinary imagination in a surprise menu. This perfectionist concocts colourful dishes packed in aromas: langoustine, kumquat, lavender and saffron; Landes duckling, sakura and sweet chestnuts. The bergamot meringue, mandarin sorbet, orange blossom mousse and kalamansi coulis extravaganza adds a refreshing note to the end of the meal.
€€Modern Cuisine
This tiny bistro on the Place du Palais is run by a chef-sommelier duo with experience in MICHELIN-starred establishments. The concise, regularly updated menu features clean, unpretentious combinations that hit the mark: grilled green asparagus, pistachio foam and praline; pork loin, peppercorn jus, potato foam, roasted turnips; a baba drenched in macerated rum, vanilla chantilly. With a blend of bistro and industrial style, the decor fosters a convivial atmosphere; the long, narrow dining room with an open kitchen leads out onto a terrace that gives onto the square. Some real gems for all bud
🕐 Tu-Sa 19:00-22:00
€€Modern Cuisine
In the Saint-Pierre neighbourhood, near the Porte Cailhau, this convivial restaurant has been set up by two industry professionals with experience in starred restaurants. The minimalist decor comes complete with stone vaults and an open kitchen. The young chef puts a creative spin on comfort food, cooking up generous, indulgent dishes designed for sharing (for two or more). The flavours are spot on – eg sea urchin gnocchi with peppery watercress. Starters and desserts are served as individual portions. You can expect a warm welcome.
€€french
Modern cuisine that makes full use of herbs and spices, created by a chef who works single - handedly in full view of the diners. Minimalist and intimately scaled (numbers are deliberately limited) in a resolutely contemporary setting.
€€french
Tucked away between Place Camille-Jullian and Saint-Michel, a contemporary vibe sets the scene in the vaulted dining room whose bistronomic menu is ingredient-centred: in fact, some 90% of the fruit and veg comes from small, local producers. At lunchtime, you might sample a deliciously priced tataki of marinated watermelon in soy and citrus fruit or confit of loin of hake baked in olive oil. The culinary score becomes more high-flying in the evenings as do the ingredients. The menu changes regularly. Outstanding warm welcome and service.
🕐 Tu-Sa 10:00-24:00
€€Modern Cuisine
This urban inn, sporting a bistro vibe and fronted by a delicatessen, is blessed with a quaint, old-fashioned name! It is also a family story that unites three veterans who’ve knocked around a bit. Each dish bears the chef’s distinctive hallmark (special mention for the side dishes and the starters, to share). The accent is on classic Gallic nosh with a modern twist in terms of presentation; the menu is more elaborate in the evening.
🕐 Tu-Sa 10:00-22:00
€€€french
This handsome culinary landmark built out of golden sandstone near Place Gambetta is the haunt of a youthful couple: cheerful Kéveena, in charge of the seamless front-of-house operations, and Ismaël in the kitchen. A modern, vibrant lineup starring ingredients from Southwest France and a surprise menu that unveils the odd creative twist, like pigeon, chocolate sauce, carrots and blueberry seasoning. Peacock blue walls and modern art set the tone in this feel-good eatery.
🕐 Su, Th-Fr 12:00-13:30, 19:45-21:30; Sa 19:45-21:30
€Italian
This small Italian wine bar and osteria is run by a chef from Rimini and his French wife, who curates the broad selection of wines from small producers and renowned estates – which you can drink on site or take away. The menu channels home-style cooking and includes a choice of two starters, two pasta dishes and two desserts: delicious pumpkin and sage tart with creamy burrata, house-made cacio e pepe maccheroni, and a meticulous classic tiramisu.
🕐 Mo-Th 10:00-19:00; Fr 10:00-22:30
€€Japanese
In a busy pedestrian street in the city centre, chef Yugo Ishikawa has set up shop in this elongated, minimalist-style restaurant. He throws himself body and soul into his painstakingly crafted dishes from the traditional Japanese cuisine he so loves. On the daily specials board: tonkatsu shoulder of pork in breadcrumbs, tuna tataki with ponzu oroshi, tsukemono pickled vegetables. Simpler delicious options at lunchtime. You almost feel like you are in an izakaya in Tokyo. A hit.
🕐 We-Fr 12:00-14:00,19:00+; Sa 18:00+; Tu off
€€€french
The chef's interest in regional traditions and his creative spirit are reflected in his use of the capuchin, an ancient utensil with a cast iron cone attached to a long rod, in which pieces of bacon are melted and used to flambée his scallops, lending them a slight grilled and smoked taste. With its hardwood floors, mouldings and exposed stonework, the tastefully refurbished dining room makes for an intimate dinner setting.
🕐 Tu-Fr 12:00-13:30,19:15-21:00; Sa 19:15-21:00
€€Modern Cuisine
Housed in a mansion dating from 1895, the restaurant of the Palais Gallien has distinct cachet, with echoes of a chic brasserie: black walls, khaki wood panelling, mouldings, herringbone hardwood floors, Louis XV chairs and black marble tables. French classics are reworked: sole meunière, linguine with prawns and robust bisque, pepper-crusted fillet of beef with bone marrow and Bordelaise sauce.
€€Modern Cuisine
Luna may have retained its name and decor, but it's all change in the kitchen. Chefs Olivier Peyronnet and Kim Buyse, an experienced duo who honed their skills in Luxembourg and some top Parisian establishments, adhere to a stripped-down, modern approach. The tranquil dining space done out in a palette of linen, pale wood and almond green tones sets the stage for contemporary bistro cuisine that hits the mark. Japanese accents subtly offset tradition in precise, understated dishes – think market-fresh fish sweetened by a mirin beurre blanc and served with parsnip and salsify.
€€€Modern Cuisine
This tiny bistro opened without fanfare, yet there is plenty to write home about. The chef is a dab hand, as demonstrated by the single set menu that changes every month with its original flavours and harmonious presentations. The decoration is just as noteworthy, including work by local artists. Opening nights are occasionally held – the chef himself paints in his spare time…
€€Traditional Cuisine
Opposite the Marché des Capucins, this down-to-earth bistro frequented by bon vivants is a fiesta of sincere and hearty no-frills cooking. The decor sets the tone, with an L-shaped counter, mosaic floors, weathered wooden chairs and colourful casserole dishes serving as decoration. As for the food, dishes full of character, drawing on the best of the nearby indoor market. There's an array of pork products, a fortifying peasant soup, no-frills artichokes-vinaigrette, a pig's tongue salad that channels the flavour of the local terroir, and beef cheek braised until oh-so-tender. The sauces are se
€€Traditional Cuisine
A genuine institution, this country inn champions dishes of yesteryear... Sanguette (blood pudding), macaronade (pasta with beef and tomato sauce), chips fried in duck fat: local produce is promoted with conviction in hearty dishes from South-West France, but also seasonal vegetables and meat roasted in the hearth. The fine produce on the counter certainly whets the appetite.
€€€Modern Cuisine
On the Quai de Paludate, one wing of Château Descas houses this contemporary restaurant with polished concrete floors and walls with arches that are characteristic of Bordeaux. In an ambience fostered by dim lighting and a soundtrack of electronic music, the dishes of chef Christophe Girardot (previously at Paradoxe in Cenon) come together beautifully, a case in point being his melt-in-the-mouth veal chuck, herb gnocchi and full-bodied meat jus. Complement your food with a cocktail or choose from the extensive selection of fine wines.
€€Modern Cuisine
The couple behind Clos d'Augusta have created a more intimate and relaxed version of their restaurant here, just a few streets away from its predecessor. In a brick-clad space featuring an industrial-chic open kitchen, the chef cooks up indulgent contemporary cuisine based on solid classical foundations (soft-boiled egg in a red-wine sauce, charcoal-grilled chicken supreme, white chocolate millefeuille); all meats are now cooked over charcoal. Straightforward conviviality.
🕐 Su,Mo off; Du mardi au samedi les midis et soirs"
€€Modern Cuisine
A hit with the locals, this buzzy, youthful bolthole is home to Jérémy, nicknamed Jem’s by his mates who think he’s a bit wacky (loco in Spanish). Jem finds inspiration in local ingredients which he crafts into dishes rich in crisp, contrasting flavours. The counter commands a fascinating view of the kitchen team at work. Bargain-priced lunchtime menu and tasting menu in the evening with wine-food pairings; vegetarian menu on request.
€€french
The philosophy of seasoned chef Jean-Luc Rocha, who has captained many starred restaurants and who became a Meilleur Ouvrier de France in 2007, is founded on good food and good vibes. Every dish showcases the work of a savvy, veteran chef who has quietly mastered all the tricks of his trade; this certainly applies to his delicious raviole of snails and ricotta, served with a poultry gravy. From start to finish, the cooking and seasoning are deftly executed, a case in point being the delectable saddle of veal paired with carrots in a jus and white asparagus. Soul-warming fare at reasonable pric
🕐 Mo,Tu,Th,Fr 12:15-13:45,19:30-21:30; We 12:15-13:45
€€€Modern Cuisine
As the name implies, this restaurant is located on the seventh floor of the Cité du Vin, commanding a matchless view over the Garonne River and historic Bordeaux. The food is pleasantly up - to - date and well - prepared, accompanied by a fine choice of wines by the glass.
€€€Modern Cuisine
Nowadays, this 17C Carthusian monastery is home to a small boutique hotel and its restaurant. Opt for a table out on the terrace, which overlooks the swimming pool, or in an atmosphere reminiscent of an elegant boudoir (velvet banquettes, cane chairs and upcycled objects). In keeping with this setting, the cuisine is meticulous and comforting; it draws on the house's permaculture vegetable garden for some of its ingredients, and promotes subtle, delicate flavours. Tempting bistro set menu at lunchtime, distinctly fine dining menu in the evening.