Bordeaux has long been a magnet for wine lovers seeking world-class vineyards and a rich oenological culture. The region offers an irresistible blend of luxury and authenticity, from châteaux stays to some of the best winery restaurants in France. For travelers seeking rest, relaxation, and the chance to taste top quality wine, it’s a destination that more than delivers.
Beyond the vines and tasting rooms, Bordeaux also boasts a thriving culinary scene. Who better to uncover the hidden gems of the local dining experience then the winemakers themselves? James Lawrence spoke to some of the top names in the region to find out where they love to eat – you’ll find their answers, and the stories behind their choices below.
Bordeaux restaurant recommendations from the region’s winemakers
Inima
One of my favourite destinations is Inima: it serves floral and vegetable-led cuisine, owned by a self-made female chef, Oxana Cretu, who worked very hard to get her first Michelin star. Shasha sur le Toit, a rooftop restaurant that opens from May to October, is another excellent choice: delicious Mediterranean cuisine, unsurpassed views of the Garonne, and a good selection of cocktails. Lastly, El Nacional is a very popular Argentinian restaurant at the heart of the Chartrons district – it is almost an institution for meat lovers, and the wine list is excellent too.
As chosen by Gwendeline Lucas, Château La Dominique
Le Saint Julien
A not-to-be missed restaurant in the Médoc is Le Saint Julien in Saint-Julien-Beychevelle. I really enjoy the traditional cuisine of this restaurant located on the Route des Châteaux du Médoc, which offers fresh and good-quality products and a fine wine list. Meanwhile, in the beautiful countryside of Sauternes, you’ll find l’Auberge des Vignes, which is run by a very friendly team. It is one of the region’s undiscovered treasures, with sublime food paired with great Sauternes. Moving back to the centre of Bordeaux, let me also recommend Chez Frida – a cocktail bar, wine paradise and restaurant rolled into one. It offers a concise menu of sophisticated local dishes served in among a fun atmosphere. There is also a lovely garden for alfresco drinking in the warmer months. The wine selection, too, is impressive.
As chosen by Pierre Montégut, Château Pichon Baron
As a winemaker from Saint-Julien, I’m often in search of places where culinary excellence meets local authenticity. Le Saint Julien perfectly embodies these two aspects, offering a gastronomic experience that celebrates our terroir in a warm atmosphere, thanks to its renowned chef Claude Broussard. I appreciate how each dish tells a story, capturing the very essence of our region through delicate flavours and traditional combinations. It’s where I take my clients when I can’t host them at the Château. The wine list highlights regional producers, so I always have a great time there.
As chosen by Jean-Michel Laporte, Château Talbot
L’Envers du Décor
I can heartily recommend L’Envers du Décor in Saint-Emilion and Le Caffé Cuisine in Branne – the latter is on the Left Bank of the Dordogne. These two restaurants offer delicious home-made cuisine, made with fresh and local produce. The atmosphere, too, is very friendly and welcoming in both venues, while the wine lists sparkle with creativity and passion. It is hard to imagine two nicer places to have lunch while exploring the region, in the heart of the legendary village of Saint-Emilion or on the banks of the Dordogne.
As chosen by Philippe Chandon-Moët, Château de Ferrand
Julo
I really like Julo for several reasons: the location, for one thing, is fantastic – Julo can be found in the lively Saint Michel district. It’s just at the foot of the basilica bell tower with a nice terrace during the summer. The owner, Julien Chive, is friendly and gives you very good advice about which wine you should drink. Moreover, while he has plenty of wine references from different French regions, he also offers a good selection from other parts of the word. His platters of cheese and charcuterie, sourced from Spain, Italy, and France, are just superb. For me, this is just the perfect place to relax after a hard day’s work.
As chosen by Joséphine Duffau-Lagarrosse, Château Beauséjour
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Tentazioni
Tentazioni is a very beautiful Italian gourmet restaurant – they won a Michelin star in 2020 and produce amazing Italian gourmet tasting menus which change weekly. All their dishes are prepared on-site and use ultra-fresh market produce. They have the best Champagne and Italian Bordeaux wine list and a very fine selection of Bordeaux wines. Ressources is another excellent choice: an innovative French Michelin-starred restaurant with a very good French wine list. The chef is technically brilliant, producing a selection of daring and delicious small plates. Point Rouge, meanwhile, is one of Europe’s largest and most elite cocktail bars. The bar offers a diverse selection of expertly crafted cocktails, often featuring unique ingredients and novel flavour combinations. It should also be noted that they have a fine European wine list, including wines from Domaine Clarence Dillon.
As chosen by Jean-Phillippe Delmas, Domaine Clarence Dillon (Châteaux Haut-Brion, La Mission Haut-Brion and Quintus)
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Le Prince Noir
In Bordeaux, when choosing a restaurant, you have to think about the wines you’re going to share to make the moment perfect. That’s why my heart goes out to restaurants that offer savoury, authentic cuisine accompanied by an excellent wine list. Chefs like Vivien Durand at Le Prince Noir or Tanguy Laviale with Ressources and Vivants have this knowledge and this great attention to the wine that accompanies their cuisine. Le Comptoir Cuisine and Le 1925 also have very fine wine lists with a bit of depth for those who want to drink Bordeaux in Bordeaux.
One hour’s drive from the centre of the city, and with breath-taking views, La Coorniche is one of the most beautiful places in the world.
As chosen by Véronique Sanders, Château Haut Bailly
Le Prince Noir is a must-visit Michelin-starred address in Bordeaux. Vivien Durant’s innovative yet precise cuisine never fails to impress. I also love the lively family atmosphere of Café Gourmand in the heart of Bordeaux and the seasonal plates of Le Caffé Cuisine near Saint-Emilion. However, the place where I most often have lunch is Cantemerle’s kitchen. I’m fortunate that Emilie, our housekeeper who lives on the estate, prepares the best beef bourguignon.
As chosen by Laure Canu, Château Cantemerle
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Le Chiopot
Lagrange has been a close friend of local restaurants and sommeliers for a long time. In the Medoc, Le Saint Julien restaurant is the best place to have a leisurely meal – expect seasonal ingredients prepared to a high standard, and an amazing wine list. Closer to Bordeaux, Le Lion d’Or in Arcins and The Golf du Medoc resort offer great food and wines. Of course, you’ll find a plethora of choice in downtown Bordeaux, catering to a wide variety of preferences and budgets: Ishikawa, Ganache, L’Univerre, Tentazioni, Maison Nouvelle, Le Mondrian and Gueuleton are all at the top of their game. From bistronomie to gastronomie, from classical French cuisine to the best of Japanese food, you won’t be disappointed. Particularly as every one of the above offers a wide selection of Bordeaux wines. But, most importantly of all, don’t forget to add the finest brasserie in Bordeaux to your list: Le Chiopot.
As chosen by Matthieu Bordes, Château Lagrange
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Le 1925
I have a strong preference today for Le 1925, situated at the heart of Bordeaux’s downtown area. Indeed, despite the fact that there are many restaurants to choose from in Bordeaux, 1925 pips them to the post. But why? It is partly because the city had previously been lacking a champion of classical food in a traditional brasserie setting. It has the atmosphere of les années folles [1920s France] in the heart of Bordeaux. Moreover, the amazing wine list represents more than 600 wines chosen by owner Pierre Martin, a wine lover who also discovered many small wineries in different areas in France. I’m also very fond of Le Chapon Fin, which serves excellent food in a refined atmosphere featuring luxurious decor. The Hôtel & Restaurant Le Saint-James is another excellent choice: good food and superb views of Bordeaux city.
As chosen by Claire Villars Lurton, G&C Lurton Estates (Château Durfort-Vivens, Château Ferriere, Château Haut-Bages Libéral, Château La Curgue)
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Restaurant Bui Bui
Let me recommend some superlative restaurants in Bordeaux. Firstly, Restaurant Bui Bui near Place Gambetta, where the tasty Taiwanese cuisine and the expertise of Marco Gadea (who worked at Siran) shines through. With an exceptional cellar and family-style cuisine, it’s the perfect place for those craving an Asian culinary adventure. But there is also La Pointe, situated in the charming setting of Place des Chartrons, a fine offering of the freshest seafood and fish and delicious white wines from the region. I also adore Le 1925 close to the Allée de Tourny: a typical chic French Brasserie with an elegant 1920s decor, a very fine wine list and refined cuisine – making for a quintessentially Gallic experience.
As chosen by Edouard Mialhe, Château Siran
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Ressources
There are several restaurants that my husband and I love in Bordeaux. Two of our regular haunts are Ressources and Vivants. Ressources is quite close to our house, a Michelin-starred restaurant with a stunning wine list, great staff and amazing food. Vivants is a new place from the same team in the old city centre – but more casual. Chez Frida in the old town is nice for cocktails during spring – we like the vibes here. Gauta, owned and run by Vivien Durand, is another awesome destination. It offers a unique menu with great wines. In terms of new places, OST in central Bordeaux is another must-visit: a young couple just took over and refurbished the place. It offers fine cuisine paired with a short but concise wine list. In broader strokes, however, all the restaurants on Rue du Ha never disappoint: Bibi, Lauza, and Baston, among others. Truly, this street is amazing for food lovers. And, because we are open-minded, I must recommend Tentazioni: one of the top Italian restaurants in Europe currently resides in Bordeaux. The cooking, wine list, and service are all sublime.
As chosen by Bérangère Tesseron, Château Larrivaux
Le Lion d’Or
I just love Le Lion d’Or in Arcin, a venerable Médoc institution channelling the essence of traditional cuisine and offering delicious dishes. Le Bontemps in Cussac-Fort-Médoc is another great choice – it’s a charming bistro that delights all its customers with exquisite dishes made from the freshest seasonal produce. Finally, Le Wine Bar in Margaux should not be missed. Nestled in the heart of Margaux, this veritable institution offers simple, elegant cuisine, with a pretty terrace and a nice selection of Margaux wines.
As chosen by Marjolaine Defrance, Château Siran
