Your essential guide to a weekend away in Bordeaux. Plan a stay and discover top restaurants, cool bars and local spots.
Workshop Skate and Coffee: Best for Coffee
Should you just happen to be a major fan of skateboards and need a new one, or you’re just looking for a cool spot to hang out for a coffee, head to Workshop Skate and Coffee.
What to Try
The menu is short here but if you’re a fan of the V2 then you’ll love this spot.
What’s Nearby
Bordeaux Cathedral; Musée des Beaux-arts.
Workshop Skate and Coffee | 11 Rue Duffour Dubergier, 33000 Bordeaux, France
Le Bouchon Bordelais: Best for a Local Haunt
The clue is in the name here as ‘Bordelais‘ refers to those from Bordeaux, and this cosy set up pays great attention to seasonal, fresh ingredients, presentation and taste. Think comfort dishes with a modern twist. Small, warm and intimate, this place is usually packed so make sure you book ahead.
What to Try
The menu changes each evening with a choice of five starters, five mains and five desserts to compose your feast from. It’s up to you whether it’s a starter and main or a three-course feast. We tried a lobster salad with quinoa; sea bass with chorizo butter and autumn vegetables; and a “craky gratin” of blueberries and Muscat cream; all finished with a round of homemade canelés. We couldn’t fault anything, trying from each other’s plates, as there were four of us dining.
What to Drink
If you’re after a sumptuous wine to pair to your meal, simply ask the team who will give their recommendations.
What’s Nearby
Rue Sainte-Catherine.
Le Bouchon Bordelais | 2 rue Courbin, 33000 Bordeaux, France
L’Entrecôte: Best for Steak-frites
It’s all about the Steak-frites on this set menu here. You’ll start off with a salad with walnuts (well you need some greens), and then it’s a straightforward question of how you like your steak cooked. Each guest receives a great portion of thinly-sliced, oh so tender slivers of steak and chips (that are topped up should you need it). The top secret sauce is one that will have you going back for more, while you try to fathom its seasoning and flavours.
Top tip: Get to this restaurant early if you can, as it’s a popular spot which will have a queue.
What to Try
The set course menu of salad followed by steak-frites is €19 which is great value.
What’s Nearby
This is a few seconds away from Monument aux Girondins; Opéra National de Bordeaux – Grand-Théâtre.
L’Entrecôte | 4 Cours du 30 Juillet, 33000 Bordeaux, France
Potato Head: Best for Brunch
Sunday is your excuse to take on a lazy and relaxed sitting for brunch. We loved Potato Head’s menu with a choice of a hot drink (don’t miss their rich hot chocolate); small selection of bread, viennoiseries and jams; orange juice; a main; and a dessert. This is the ultimate spot with a beautiful garden to match.
What to Try
All of the above. Our main choices included veal with potatoes and carrots; scrambled eggs on toast; and a plate of marinated trout, spiced carrot mash, and crunchy vegetables; offering a versatile choice. (All were delicious!) Our dessert of blueberry mousse; passion fruit ice cream and a slice of chocolate cake was a feast on its own.
What’s Nearby
The Grosse cloche; Musée d’Aquitaine.
Potato Head | 27 Rue Buhan, 33000 Bordeaux, France
Garopapilles: Best for Wine Pairing
You may mistake Garopapilles for a wine shop by the many bottles and barrels as you enter, but that’s only half the fun here. Each lunch and dinner consists of a “surprise menu”. Simply decide on your mood – and hunger! – to choose your courses and wait as simple yet beautiful dishes reflecting the season are served.
What to Eat
Chef Tanguy Laviale brings great depth to the surprise menu here, all paired to sumptuous wines. Our menu consisted of scallops with caviar and apple; pork with goat’s cheese ravioli, quince and mushrooms; and a coffee mousse, chocolate granita and buckwheat ice cream.
What to Drink
You’re spoilt for choice here for wines, as there’s a huge selection of wines from the Cave à vins (wine cellar) including the best terroirs of Bordeaux as well as other French vineyards including Burgundy, Rhone Valley, Languedoc, Loire Valley.
What’s Nearby
Place Gambetta
Garopapilles | 62 Rue Abbé de l’Épée, 33000 Bordeaux, France
Breizh Glouton: Best for Galettes
Feeding the crêpe hunger is an expectation once you step into the streets of anywhere in France. Feast at a leisurely pace at Breizh Glouton, Breizh being the Breton name for Brittany, meaning you’ll indulge in a traditional taste of Brittany in a small corner of Bordeaux (when in France after all!) This is a family owned business with a friendly atmosphere.
What to Eat
Any of the savoury galettes are a must. If you’ve not tried a galette they’re usually salty and made with buckwheat. Our favourite had to be the galette with ham, mushrooms and cheese, simple but tasty. Don’t miss the treat of Far Breton that comes out after your meal – a traditional dessert similar to a flan with dried fruits.
What to Drink
Ask for the “Kir” cider infused cocktail. Cider is usually the traditional pairing to galettes in Brittany.
What’s Nearby
Place de la Bourse; the quayside in Bordeaux.
Darwin: Best for a Young Hang Out
This new development has put the right bank of the Garonne river into the spotlight. Here you’ll find a great space with artworks, street art, an organic food market and more. From Magasin General, with healthy food; to brunching on Sundays; eco-friendly food, fresh ingredients and organic coffee; this is a modern new hang out.
What’s Nearby
The right bank of the Garonne River.
Darwin | 87 Quai des Queyries, 33100 Bordeaux, France
La Cite du Vin: best for Wine Lovers
La Cité du Vin is a unique spot where you can explore wine’s history and culture through an immersive, sensorial approach, all set within a beautiful architectural design.
This is a must-see experience, and your ticket includes a tasting in the beautiful Belvedere of La Cité du Vin where you can take in a 360° view of the city: Bordeaux, capital of the Gironde, its Port de la Lune.
What’s Nearby: Le Pont Jacques Chaban Delmas
La Cité du Vin | 134 Quai de Bacalan, 33300 Bordeaux, France
Top Travel Tips
- Head to Archachon and the nearby Dune du Pyla for a beautiful day trip
- Try caneles at La Toque Cuivree
- Check out the City Pass to make the most of your trip
- If you love wine, do a day trip or a half day trip exploring nearby vineyards, including tastings
- Don’t forget a stop at L’Intendant, a wine shop in the city centre, with a beautiful interior
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For further information check out Bordeaux Tourism
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