Eating, drinking and dancing
We've tracked down the best cafés for people-watching, the bars with the coolest cocktails, the most accomplished restaurants and the liveliest local nightlife in Bordeaux.
Restaurants
Le Chapon Fin
One of Bordeaux’s finest restaurants, with a wonderfully romantic, grotto-like atmosphere, it is also one of the very few Michelin-starred places to offer cookery courses.
rue Montesquieu 5
(+33 556 79 10 10)
La Tupina
This restaurant offers excellent terroir (regional) dishes, including spit-roast meats and delicious potatoes roasted in goose fat.
rue de la Porte de la Monnaie, 6
(+33 556 91 56 37)
Chez Greg
Located a stone's throw from the water, this popular restaurant combines traditional regional cuisine with a twist of international flavours.
quai de la Monnaie, 30
(+33 556 31 30 30)
Le Estacade
This modern timber and glass restaurant stands on stilts in the river, facing the Place de la Bourse. Enjoy the panoramic views and the Mediterranean and Atlantic flavours of the food.
quai de Queyries
(+33 556 54 02 50)
Le Café du Port
A waterfront eaterie in converted hangar offering one of the best seafood menus in town and overlooking the Garonne, the Pont de Pierre, the cathedral, and the renovated facades of the Left Bank.
quai Deschamps, 1
(+33 556 77 81 18)
Le Sélénite
A chic, rainbow-hued venue, established in 2002, which serves tasty dishes based on fresh local produce.
1 place Paul Avisseau/18 allée Stendhal
(+33 556 51 05 64)
Cafés
Salon de The des Remparts
A cosy tea shop in the heart of the city with a few outside tables. Stop for ice cream, a cold drink, or choose from the wide selection of leaf teas. The also do great canelé - the little cinnamon flavoured cakes that are a speciality of Bordeaux.
Rue des Remparts, 19
(+33 556 90 03 03)
Musée Arts Décoratifs
If you’re visiting this rather elegant museum, you’ll find a lovely little tea room offering snacks and brunch, with a pretty, shady terrace to relax on.
rue Bouffard, 30
(+33 556 00 72 50)
Le Regent
We loved this classic brasserie with its sweeping semi-circular terrace (heated in winter) and long wooden counter. Sip a Lillet - an aperitif wine produced in the Bordeaux wine region.
place Gambetta, 46
(+33 556 44 16 20)
Bars and clubs
La Calle Ocho
Funky, characterful, Cuban bar featuring battered leather sofas, mosaic walls, red lights and posters of Che Guevara. Great for salsa fans, the place really hots up on Friday and Saturday nights.
rue des Piliers de Tutelle, 24
(+33 556 48 08 68)
La Dame de Shanghai
There’s a lively scene at this old submarine dock, home to a floating nightclub, bar and French/Chinese fusion restaurant.
Bassin à Flot No.1, Quai Armand
(+33 557 10 20 50)
Le Pier 6
House, electro and techno tunes are played by big-name DJs to a young-ish crowd at this chic, energetic floating nightspot.
quai Armand Lalande, Bassin à flot
(+33 556 50 61 31)
Le Deck
Another destination in the old submarine dock, this nightclub plays a varied mix of music, so check out what’s on before heading down.
rue Lucien Faure, Bassin a Flot N°2
(+33 556 43 02 54)