Food hall€€bacalan
Les Halles de Bacalan in Bordeaux's Bacalan is the polished food hall beside Cite du Vin with around twenty vendors covering oysters, charcuterie.
Signature: Arcachon oysters, Wine flights, Cannele de Bordeaux
Tip: Apero hour starts at 17:00 and tables are first-come; the oyster vendor at the back has the freshest Arcachons.
Southwest French€€saint-michel
Le Petit Gascon in Bordeaux's Saint-Michel is the southwestern French bistro near the basilica, with confit de canard, garbure and a Madiran-heavy.
Signature: Magret seche, Confit de canard, Garbure
Tip: Book ahead on Saturday lunch; the confit is roasted slow and runs out by 14:00 on busy weekends.
Mediterranean tapas€€saint-pierre
Casa Gaia in Bordeaux's Saint-Pierre is the leafy Mediterranean tapas spot near the Grosse Cloche, with organic Aquitaine produce, vegetarian-friendly small.
Signature: Vegetarian tapas, Mediterranean salads, Natural wines
Tip: Sit in the courtyard at lunch; the kitchen does a €18 tapas selection that pairs well with the orange wines.
Bistronomy, southwestern French€€saint-pierre
Berthus in Bordeaux's Saint-Pierre is Chef Vincent's bistronomic dining room on Rue des Bahutiers, with a single €28 three-course formula at lunch and dinner.
Signature: Three-course seasonal menu, Pluma iberique, Tarte au chocolat noir
Tip: Book a week ahead for dinner; the lunch formula at €28 holds across both services and is the easiest reservation to get.
Spanish tapas€€saint-pierre
El Globo in Bordeaux's Saint-Pierre is the Spanish tapas room on Rue des Argentiers, with hand-sliced Iberico, a charcuterie counter near the bar.
Signature: Iberico ham, Tortilla espanola, Pulpo a la gallega
Tip: Order the pulpo and the tortilla; the bar can be a long wait but the wine pours are some of the most generous in the area.
French brasserie€€golden-triangle
Cafe des Quatre Soeurs in Bordeaux's Golden Triangle is the 1830s brasserie on Cours du 30 Juillet where Richard Wagner is said to have stayed.
Signature: Plateau de fruits de mer, Magret aux cepes, Cassoulet
Tip: The terrace looks straight at the Allees de Tourny; lunch service is slower than dinner but the kitchen is on form earlier in the day.