Lamproie a la bordelaise is Bordeaux's most ancient signature, an eel-like fish from the Dordogne and Garonne cooked in its own blood with red wine, leeks and ham, into a deep mahogany stew.

Lamproie a la bordelaise predates entrecote a la bordelaise by centuries; the recipe traces to medieval Aquitaine. The lamprey is the only fish bled alive in preparation, its blood mixed with red wine to bind the sauce. Lampreys run the Dordogne and Garonne from February through April, and the dish appears on Bordeaux menus only in that window. La Tupina serves it through the season in its fireplace cauldron.

3 editor picks for Lamproie a la bordelaise in Bordeaux, ranked by editorial score. All Bordeaux signature dishes · Lamproie a la bordelaise across every city.

La Tupina ★ 4.5

€€€French RegionalSaint Pierre

La Tupina in Bordeaux's Saint-Pierre district is the southwestern French institution founded by Jean-Pierre Xiradakis in 1968, now led by chef Franck Audu.

OrderEntrecote a la bordelaise, Tricandilles, Sanguette

TipSit near the open fire for the tricandilles; the lunch formula is a serious value if you book ahead for noon on a weekday.

Le Petit Commerce ★ 4.4

€€SeafoodSaint Pierre

Le Petit Commerce in Bordeaux's Saint-Pierre is the Rue du Parlement seafood institution, with raw oysters from Arcachon and grilled fish from the Atlantic.

OrderAtlantic oysters, Grilled sardines, Lampreys in season

TipOrder the oysters by the half-dozen and the grilled pulpitos; the terrace gets the most light from 12:30 onwards.

La Brasserie Bordelaise ★ 4.2

€€French bistroSaint Pierre

La Brasserie Bordelaise in Bordeaux's Saint-Pierre is the all-day brasserie on Rue Saint-Remi with the city's most quoted entrecote a la bordelaise.

OrderEntrecote a la bordelaise, Plateau de fruits de mer, Cannele de Bordeaux

TipOrder the entrecote with the marrow bone; the cellar tour before lunch is free if you ask the maitre d'hotel.

Learn to cook it, or eat it with a guide

Lamproie a la bordelaise makes more sense with someone from Bordeaux explaining it. These are the classes and tours we have checked, with booking links.

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