An unexpected insider gem, tucked behind what looks like a cross between a wine boutique and a local deli.  Ducasse alumni, Chef Romain Corbière has made a triumphant return to his native Bordeaux to create beautifully crafted, yet comforting food, accompanied by his wife Marie, and her brother, Bertrand.

Tanguy Laviale’s recently opened second restaurant, located by the quayside.  A slightly more relaxed vibe, same philosophy, great cooking and extensive wine list.

A little corner of Paris in Bordeaux. This traditional brasserie, centrally located on the Allées Tourny, needs little introduction.  Founded in 1932, little has changed – traditional French classics, white tablecloths, waist-coated and aproned waiters glide around the room, never missing a beat, and never writing anything down!  

This restaurant recently opened its doors in the Chartrons neighbourhood.

Taking its name from the device used to press lobsters, it is not surprising that the crustacean features regularly at this 2-Michelin starred restaurant.

The seventh floor of the Cité du Vin wine museum is home to this panoramic restaurant which has enviable views of the river and the city.

Located by the Capucins market, in the more colourful (gritty) part of town, Au Bistrot is a favourite with locals. Co-owned by chef, Jacques In’On, and host extraordinaire, François Pervillé. Market-fresh comfort food is prepared in the open kitchen, while François manages one of the best value wine lists in Bordeaux.

Scottish-born Daniel Gallacher chose this spot off Place Gambetta for his first restaurant.

A beautiful hidden spot outside of Saint-Émilion which offers a gastronomic restaurant on one side and a bistrot on the other. There are also tables in the back with a stunning view of the vineyards. It’s just far enough outside of Saint-Émilion to feel like it a little secret.

Located on the main pedestrian street in Saint-Émilion you step into the courtyard and are in your own little world. The young owner-chefs Camille Brouillard and Soufiane Assarrar are quietly shaking things up with their modern cuisine. It’s the kind of place which makes you wonder if they are Michelin-star bound.

A gem in the area located in Pomerol, just outside of Saint-Émilion in the heart of the vineyards. The interior is well appointed and the outdoor terrace is nice in warmer months.

Located just outside of the village of Saint-Émilion this restaurant boasts a stunning terrace looking out over unbeatable views of the vineyards and the Dordogne valley. Gourmet cuisine in a relaxed atmosphere.

Slightly off the beaten track in the town of Saint-Émilion, Pascal Fauvel’s restaurant has the advantage of being open seven days a week and serving a range of traditional French dishes, including andouillette, lamprey (local eel) and cassoulet.

Alexandre Baumard’s aim is to put a new slant on classical French recipes. One of the youngest chefs in the region to be awarded a Michelin star, his signature dish of truffle and parmesan risotto regularly figures on a menu where the colors are as important as the taste.

The secluded walled garden of this centrally located restaurant backs onto the town’s main church while on the inside, the furnishings are dominated by wooden paneling made from old wooden wine boxes.

Overlooking some of the most famous vineyards of Pomerol and Saint-Émilion, La Terrasse Rouge has a menu which changes with the seasons and showcases the best produce Southwest France has to offer, from Périgord truffles to beef from Bazas.

A unique, elegant and spacious dining room along with an expansive terrace mark the setting of this Michelin-starred restaurant located a three-minute drive from the town centre at one of the appellation’s highest points.

With Breton roots and experiences in top Mediterranean kitchens, it is natural that Ronan Kervarrec’s fish and seafood dishes have the biggest wow factor, not least because the final touches are often added at the table.

Tucked away, off the road that turns around into Margaux, this is a small, unpretentious wine bar run by a formidable team of ladies who serve freshly prepared food each day to locals. 

A short walk from La Cave d’Ulysse – a fabulous wine shop that can ship wines almost anywhere around the world.

Grégory Coutanceau and his team created (Au) Marquis in 2019 in conjunction with Cru Classé, Château Marquis de Terme. Well executed cooking, devised to pair with the wines of the appellation and it’s neighbours.

Claude and Rosy Broussard’s restaurant in the heart of the village is split between the arched stone interior and the wooden shaded terrace.

A veritable institution in the Médoc, the ownership of this small, roadside restaurant recently changed from the Barbier to the Lemonnier family.

This is ‘VINIV’s kitchen’ located a 30-second walk from the winery in the hamlet adjacent to Château Lynch-Bages.

A favourite lunchtime spot for local winemakers, the name of this restaurant comes from the bowl used traditionally to whisk egg whites for fining red wine. Chef Damien Moquais changes the menu daily, reflecting what is available at the market and influenced by his Japanese wife Ryoko, resulting in original dishes which are at once hearty and refined.

If you are visiting châteaux in the Sauternes region you will want to plan for lunch or dinner here. La Chapelle is located at Château Guiraud just outside the village of Sauternes.

For the recent 400th anniversary of Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey – an 1855 premier grand cru classé property – the hotel restaurant Lalique opened its doors in the heart of the vineyards.

We love the setting immersed in the heart of the Grave appellation vineyards of Château Smith Haut Lafitte.

This former 19th century wash house which is today part of the Sources de Caudalie hotel serves bistro-style cuisine, with menus displayed on antique laundry beaters.

This former 19th century wash house which is today part of the Sources de Caudalie hotel serves bistro-style cuisine, with menus displayed on antique laundry beaters.

Undoubtedly one of the main attractions to this traditional, table-clothed restaurant is the view over the vineyards of nearby classified growths such as Guiraud and Yquem.

Nestled in the woods surrounding Château Léognan, Le Manège has a distinctive equine feel, helped by the proximity to nearby stables and the leather and wood décor.