Where to eat in Bordeaux: what to order and where to book
Bordeaux eats with its wine: oysters from Arcachon, entrecôte with a red wine sauce, lamprey in season and a canelé to finish. The best places are around the Capucins market, in Chartrons and on the small streets of Saint-Pierre. Lunch is easy to walk into, and dinner is worth booking.
The short answer
- Best area to eat
- The Capucins market area and Chartrons for local places, and Saint-Pierre for the most choice.
- Order this
- Oysters from Arcachon, entrecôte bordelaise, a canelé and a glass of local wine.
- When to eat
- Lunch from noon to 2pm, dinner from 7.30pm. Many places close on Sunday.
- Book or walk in
- Book dinner at weekends. Lunch is easy.
- Tipping
- Service is included. Round up or leave a few euros.
What to eat in Bordeaux
- OystersFrom Arcachon, served with white wine and small sausages in a local tradition.
- Entrecôte bordelaiseA rib steak with red wine and shallot sauce, a classic of Bordeaux.
- CaneléA small, dark, caramelized cake with a soft center, flavored with rum and vanilla.
- Lamproie à la bordelaiseLamprey stewed in red wine, available in spring.
- Magret de canardGrilled duck breast, found on most bistro menus.
- Cheese and wineA cheese plate with a glass of local red.
Where to eat in Bordeaux, by neighborhood
Saint-Pierre
Small streets with bistros and restaurants, and the most choice for dinner.
Chartrons
A local neighborhood with wine bars and cafes. A good area for a relaxed evening.
Capucins and Saint-Michel
A market area with cheap, local places and a lively mood.
Places worth a booking or a queue
-
Marché des Capucins
€€Market · Capucins
OrderOysters and a glass of white wine
The market's stalls serve breakfast and lunch, with oysters and wine.
- Book
- Walk in
- Closed
- Monday
Confirmed open: bonjour-bordeaux.com
-
Baillardran
€Bakery · Citywide
OrderA canelé
A local bakery chain known for canelés, with many shops.
- Book
- Walk in
Confirmed open: baillardran.com
-
Le Bar à Vin
€€Wine bar · Saint-Pierre
OrderA flight of local wines
A wine bar run by the regional wine council, with a good selection and snacks.
- Book
- Walk in
- Closed
- Sunday
Confirmed open: bordeaux-tourisme.com
-
L'Entrecôte
€€Steakhouse · Old center
OrderThe set steak menu
A simple restaurant serving steak and fries in a set menu. Queues at peak hours.
- Book
- No bookings, so queue at opening
Confirmed open: entrecote.fr
Food markets in Bordeaux
- Marché des CapucinsThe city's main food market, with seafood, cheese and oyster bars.Tuesday to Sunday morningsSource: bonjour-bordeaux.com
- Marché des QuaisA Sunday market along the river, with produce and food stalls.Sunday, 7am to 1pmSource: bordeaux.fr
How Bordeaux eats
- Meal timesLunch from noon to 2pm and dinner from 7.30pm.
- TippingService is included. Round up or leave a few euros.
- ReservationsBook dinner at weekends, and walk in for lunch.
- Wine by the glassAsk for a glass of the house wine, which is usually local and good.
Signs of a place to walk past
Restaurants on Place du Parlement with a server calling people in.
Menus with a very long list of dishes and photographs.
Wine bars that only pour famous names at high prices.
Eating in Bordeaux: questions people ask
What food is Bordeaux known for?
Oysters, entrecôte bordelaise, canelés, duck and lamprey, all paired with local wine.
What is a canelé?
A small caramelized cake with a soft center, flavored with rum and vanilla.
Do I need to book in Bordeaux?
For dinner at weekends, yes. Lunch is easy.
Where can I try Bordeaux wine?
At a wine bar such as Le Bar à Vin, or at the Cité du Vin.
Is Bordeaux expensive to eat in?
The center can be pricey. Market stalls and lunch menus cost much less.
What time do restaurants open in Bordeaux?
Lunch from noon and dinner from 7.30pm.