Bordeaux… a city that enchants not only with the beauty of its architecture and culture but also with its exquisite food and wine. Strolling through its picturesque streets, it’s easy to feel like a character in a French film… but let’s get to the heart of Bordeaux, its flavors! Bordeaux boasts a vibrant culinary scene, with a variety of restaurants serving cuisines from around the world. While you’re here, enjoy local specialties, savor fine wine, and let Bordeaux captivate you with its unique charm. Spend the morning exploring the city, not forgetting to try local sweets like canelés and dunes blanches along the way. Then head to the Marché des Capucins for an early lunch and taste the excellent fish soup and fresh seafood at Bistrot à Huîtres Chez Jean-Mi. Reserve the afternoon for a wine tasting of the region’s famous wines with local snacks at Bar à Vin. In the evening, head to the traditional French bistro L’Embarcadère or join the queue at the most famous steakhouse in Bordeaux, L’Entrecôte, which has only one dish on the menu: steak in butter sauce served with fries and salad. Continue the evening at the bustling Vintage Bar and have a few drinks among the locals.
Bar à Vin
This place appealed to us so much that we visited it every day, carefully working our way through the entire menu. You could say we became true experts in wines from the region 🙂 The wine list is not only impressive but also affordable. Prices for 15 cl glasses of wine range from 3 to 8 euros. In addition to wines, the menu features snack plates with items like cheeses, cured meats, and foie gras. If you are a wine lover and looking for the perfect place to enjoy the variety of this drink, Bar à Vin is a must-stop in Bordeaux.
Marché des Capucins
Le Marché des Capucins, also known as the “belly of Bordeaux,” is the largest market in the city and one of the oldest marketplaces in France. It’s a place where all food lovers and gourmet enthusiasts will find something for themselves. For centuries, it has attracted people with its abundance of fresh products and a truly local atmosphere. This is where you can start your day with a classic breakfast, enjoying aromatic coffee and fresh baguette with butter and jam. Or stop by for lunch to try local specialties such as fresh seafood or mussels with fries. Le Marché des Capucins is not only a place to buy the best products but also a true French culinary experience.
Bistrot à huîtres Chez Jean-Mi
This simple bistro, located in Marché des Capucins, is a true gem for seafood lovers. It remains one of our favorite places in Bordeaux. The menu includes sea snails, crab claws, shrimp, oysters, and aromatic bouillabaisse served with cheese, croutons, and rouille (mayonnaise sauce). Everything, including the wine, is very reasonably priced. For us, this is the quintessential French experience, not to be missed.
Bistrot poulette
If, like us, you believe that a visit to France is not complete without tasting mussels, we recommend this place to you. Fresh mussels bathed in an aromatic sauce and served with crispy fries, it’s a classic hard to beat. This simple bistro, located at the Marché des Capucins, serves some of the best moules frites in Bordeaux. During our visit, we had the opportunity to try a traditional French aperitif – Lillet. This aromatic drink is made by combining wines from the Bordeaux region with citrus fruit liqueurs, especially bitter and sweet oranges. Lillet has a mildly sweet taste that harmonizes well with a subtle bitterness, creating a balanced flavor profile.
Le maison du pata negra
At the Marché des Capucins, in addition to traditional French cuisine, you can also find international flavors. One of the favorite spots for both locals and tourists is Le Maison du Pata Negra, where you can taste Spanish tapas. The selection is varied, and prices range from €1.6 to €4 per single tapa.
Le Petit Commer
Le Petit Commerce is a classic French restaurant situated in a historic alley. We came here for a light lunch, following Rick Stein’s recommendation. The menu focuses on simply prepared fish and seafood dishes.
L’Embarcadère
At L’Embarcadère, you’ll find authentic French flavors, classic dishes like sole meunière, duck confit, aromatic bouillabaisse, and buttery tarte tatin. Each dish was carefully presented and very tasty. The classic French interior, with stylish brass accents, wooden leather-upholstered furniture, and old photographs on the walls, transports you back in time with its decor.
La Tupina
La Tupina has been a culinary institution in Bordeaux since 1968, renowned for local products and the highest quality meats prepared over an open fire. The interior is a blend of rustic charm and simple elegance, and the pleasant courtyard offers the option of dining al fresco.
L’Entrecôte
L’Entrecôte is undoubtedly the most popular restaurant in Bordeaux. There’s no place here for a complicated menu or fancy dishes. No, they specialize in one and only one thing: a perfect steak. Served in their famous buttery sauce, with a pile of fries and a simple green salad with nuts. You can’t make a reservation, and there’s always a line out the door, so to avoid waiting for hours for a table, it’s best to arrive a few minutes before opening. The atmosphere is bustling and lively, which only adds to its charm.
Arbol
A small Mexican eatery serving tacos, burritos, and quesadillas, as well as traditional corn chips with guacamole.
Cafe Japonais
A popular Japanese restaurant in the center of Bordeaux with a wide selection of dishes, including bento boxes, soups, sushi, and tempura. It’s a great option for those who, no matter where they are in the world, need a regular dose of Asian cuisine.
Umami ramen restaurant
A Japanese eatery serving ramen, donburi, and classic Japanese snacks. We were particularly charmed by the decor of this place, with a hallway resembling a traditional Japanese alley leading you to an atmospherically lit room with “sunken” tables and cushions.
La Toque Cuivrée
A visit to Bordeaux would not be complete without trying the famous canelés. The distinctive feature of canelés is their caramelized, slightly crispy crust, which surrounds a delicate custard-like interior made with butter, milk, eggs, sugar, flour, rum, and vanilla.
Canelés Baillardran
Another bakery specializing in canelés in Bordeaux is Baillardan. It is very popular, so you will find many locations scattered throughout the city. Personally, we prefer the canelés from La Toque Cuivrée.
Dunes Blanches chez Pascal
A modern beach-themed patisserie where dunes blanches were born: delicate cream puffs filled with whipped cream and dusted with powdered sugar.
Vintage Bar – Rhumerie & Pub
Vintage Bar – Rhumerie & Pub quickly became our favorite bar in Bordeaux. We loved the decor and the atmosphere of this place, as well as the extensive selection of alcohol. This popular rhumeria has a great selection of local and Belgian beers, over 150 types of rum, and an interesting cocktail menu. After days filled with regional wine, a well-made caipirinha was a welcome breath of fresh air.
La Petit pause nature
And for balance, a bar serving delicious fresh juices.
