Eat well in Bordeaux for under €15 a plate: the locals'-budget edition.
Eat well in Bordeaux for under €15 a plate: the places locals on a budget actually use.
Chez Jean-Mi at Bordeaux's Marche des Capucins is the cheapest sit-down oyster meal in the city, with half-dozens and a glass of white before noon.
Try: Half-dozen oysters with a glass of Entre-deux-Mers
Tip: Arrive before 11:00 for a stool at the counter; closed Mondays.
Toto Love inside Bordeaux's Marche des Capucins is Thomas's twelve-stool red counter where a pastrami sandwich with a side of homemade mac and cheese stays.
Try: Pastrami sandwich with mac and cheese
Tip: Order at the counter and grab a stool; closed Mondays with the market.
Creperie Saint-Michel on Place Saint-Michel is the cheapest sit-down meal on the square, a buckwheat complete galette with cider menu under €14.
Try: Complete galette and cider menu
Tip: The Brittany cider arrives in proper bowls; eat outside on the cobbled square for the Saint-Michel basilica view.
Magasin General inside the Darwin ecosysteme in Bordeaux's Bacalan is the 200-cover bio bistro-refectory with pizzas, vegetarian and meat plates of the day.
Try: Bio bistro plate of the day
Tip: Lunch service runs 12:00-14:30 daily; arrive before 12:30 to skip the queue at the counter and grab a seat in the semi-open industrial hall.
Le Petit Gascon in Bordeaux's Saint-Michel runs a €16 weekday lunch formula on Rue de la Fusterie, with two-course Gascon plates and a glass of Madiran.
Try: Lunch formula with starter and plat
Tip: Weekday lunch only for the formula; weekends switch to the a la carte menu at higher prices.
La Cantine de Cesaire in Bordeaux's Saint-Pierre is the all-day bistro near Place du Palais with a €18 plat du jour formula that includes a glass of house.
Try: Daily plat du jour
Tip: Arrive at 12:00 for the daily; service slows after 13:30 and the daily sells out early.
Le Bosphore in Bordeaux's Saint-Michel is the halal Turkish grill on Cours de la Marne, with iskender plates, kebabs and Adana skewers at neighbourhood.
Try: Iskender plate
Tip: Open daily from lunch until 23:00; the lunch menu including a soft drink is €13.
Fufu in Bordeaux's Saint-Pierre is the ramen counter on Rue Saint-Remi with €15 ramen bowls including egg and pork chashu, plus €6 gyoza by the half-dozen.
Try: Tonkotsu ramen
Tip: The line at 12:15 is the worst; arrive at 11:45 or after 13:30 for shorter queues.
Les Halles de Bacalan in Bordeaux's Bacalan is the food hall by Cite du Vin where a quick meal of oysters, charcuterie and a glass of Aquitaine wine.
Try: Mix-and-match small plates and wine
Tip: Apero from 17:00 is the busy hour; the oyster vendor at the back has the freshest stock.
Le Garage Moderne in Bordeaux's Bacalan is the community garage and canteen on Rue des Etrangers, with a single daily set menu cooked by volunteers.
Try: Community canteen daily set
Tip: Lunch only Tuesday through Friday; cash preferred and seats limited, arrive at 12:00.