Roaring twenties brasserie€€quinconces
Le 1925 on Place des Quinconces is Pierre Martin's revamped brasserie in 1920s dress, with mirrors and brass on the walls, a kitchen of Parisian-trained.
Signature: Escargots de Bourgogne, Plateau de fruits de mer, Beef tartare prepared tableside
Tip: The terrace on Place des Quinconces is the best evening seat in central Bordeaux; book the back room for groups under a Belle Epoque chandelier.
Japanese ramen€€saint-pierre
Fufu in Bordeaux's Saint-Pierre is the ramen counter on Rue Saint-Remi from the team behind several Paris shops, with thick tonkotsu broth and gyoza turned.
Signature: Tonkotsu ramen, Gyoza, Donburi bowls
Tip: Lines start at 12:15; the takeaway window is the easier midday route if the indoor counter is full.
French bistronomic€€€bastide
La Cape in Cenon, across the Garonne from Bordeaux's Bastide, is Nicolas Magie's bistronomic dining room with classic French luxury cuisine and a terrace.
Signature: Foie gras, Pigeon, Souffle
Tip: Order the souffle course for dessert; the tasting menu prices climb but the lunch formula stays under €50.
Southwestern French bistro€€chartrons
Le Carre on Place du Marche des Chartrons is the Brice Nougaret and Benoit Vicq bistro since 2007, with a southwestern French menu of grilled meats.
Signature: Toulouse sausage, Beef tartare, Grilled veal kidney
Tip: The lunch blackboard turns over quickly; evenings are the fuller, more festive service. Closed Sunday; book at least a few days ahead in summer.
French bistro€€chartrons
Chez Dupont on Rue Notre-Dame in the Chartrons is the rustic stone-walled neighbourhood bistro run by the same couple since 1988, with retro posters.
Signature: Daily plat du jour, Magret de canard, Aquitaine cheese plate
Tip: Continuous service Monday-Saturday from 12:00 to 23:00; Sunday lunch only.
French bistro€€bacalan
Bistrot Maurice on Quai de Bacalan overlooks the Gironde river in Bordeaux's Chartrons-Bacalan corridor, with 18 seats in a warm wood-and-stone room.
Signature: Revisited bistro classics, Seasonal market plates, Daily plat du jour
Tip: Book ahead for the terrace in good weather; lunch service is the quieter slot.