Japanese€€saint-pierreTue 19:00-23:00, Wed-Fri 12:00-14:00, 19:00-23:00, Sat 19:00-23:00
Restaurant Ishikawa on Rue du Ha in central Bordeaux is chef Yugo Ishikawa's elongated minimalist Japanese room, with Ginza-trained technique applied.
Signature: Tonkatsu shoulder of pork in breadcrumbs, Tuna tataki with ponzu oroshi, Tsukemono pickled vegetables
Tip: The daily specials board changes with the morning market; book the bar counter for a clear view of the kitchen pass.
Seafood€€golden-triangleTue-Sat 10:00-15:00, 18:00-23:00, Sun 10:00-15:00
La Boite a Huitres in Bordeaux's Cours du Chapeau Rouge is the historic oyster house steps from the Grand Theatre, with a sloped terrace and oysters.
Signature: Arcachon oysters, Belon oysters, Plateau de fruits de mer
Tip: Belon oysters run €45 a dozen, the Arcachons closer to €18; a half-bottle of Entre-deux-Mers is the locals' pairing.
Bistronomic€€saint-seurinTue-Sat 10:00-21:30, Wed-Sat 12:00-13:30
Zephirine on Rue Abbe de l'Epee is chef Romain Corbiere's urban inn and gourmet counter, opened November 2021 in the former Garopapilles courtyard space.
Signature: Short market menu, Three-mains choice, Seasonal appetisers
Tip: The single menu has appetisers to share, a choice of meat-fish-vegetarian main and a desserts board; the €30 lunch menu is the value entry.
Modern French€€saint-pierreTue-Sat 19:00-22:00
OST in Bordeaux's Saint-Pierre is the modern French and Asian-influenced kitchen near Place du Palais run by chefs back from Hong Kong, with shareable plates.
Signature: Asian-influenced French tasting, Shared plates
Tip: Order family-style; the wine list leans towards Loire and Jura over Bordeaux, which is unusual for the neighbourhood.
French Bistronomic€€€saint-pierreTue-Sat 12:00-14:00, 19:00-22:00
Le 1544 in Bordeaux's Place de la Bourse is the first-floor bistronomic sibling to L'Observatoire du Gabriel, with a Southwest French menu and the same Place.
Signature: Southwest French market plates, Aquitaine produce
Tip: Sit at a window for the Miroir d'Eau view; the €42 lunch menu is the cheapest way to eat in the Le Gabriel building.
French bistro€€saint-pierreMon 12:00-15:00, Mon 19:00-23:00, Tue 12:00-15:00, Tue 19:00-23:00, Wed 12:00-15:00, Wed 19:00-23:00, Thu 12:00-15:00, Thu 19:00-23:00, Fri 12:00-15:00, Fri 19:00-23:00, Sat 12:00-15:00, Sat 19:00-23:00, Sun 12:00-15:00, Sun 19:00-23:00
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.
Signature: Entrecote a la bordelaise, Plateau de fruits de mer, Cannele de Bordeaux
Tip: Order the entrecote with the marrow bone; the cellar tour before lunch is free if you ask the maitre d'hotel.