Stay
  • Grand Barrail
  • Airbnb
  • L’Hôtel Particulier
  • InterContinental
  • Mondrian
Eat & Drink
  • Berthus
  • Le 428
  • Ressources
  • Met Mots
  • Symbiose
  • Le Gabriel
  • SaBaBa
  • Fran’s (coffee stand + storefront)
  • Café Eriu
  • Inima
  • Le Régallien
  • Arcada
  • Atelier des Faures
  • Restaurant Son’
  • Zéphirine
  • Vivants
  • Au Bistrot
  • Le Bar à Vin
  • L’Orangerie
Attractions
  • Sunday Farmers Market along the river
  • La Cité du Vin
  • Ferris Wheel
  • Wine day trip to Saint-Émilion

First Night in Bordeaux
We landed very late and had a 10:30 pm reservation at Met Mots, which we did not make. Instead, we ate charcuterie and drank wine at the flat — not mad about it. We did walk by Met Mots though, and it definitely seemed like a vibe.

Coffee, Running, and Falling in Love with the City
The next morning, we noticed the cutest café right by our place: Café Eriu. At this point, I feel confident saying I am excellent at finding coffee shops with alternative milks and matcha — and bingo, this one had both. They also had amazing cookies (according to the boys), breakfast options we somehow never indulged in, and adorable takeaway cups.
We got a very late start that day, but eventually went on a run along the river. It was my first time really seeing Bordeaux in daylight and wow — it is so charming and bustling, yet laid out beautifully. Stunning churches pop up throughout the city, and the Ferris wheel sits right in the center of the river. We ran all the way down toward La Cité du Vin, and I was amazed at how modern the shops and walkways were along the water.

Lunch, Wine, and a Missed Museum
Lunch that day was at Berthus, located in a very popular part of town. We were running behind and decided to Uber instead of walking — which was a mistake. Traffic in Bordeaux moves slowly, and walking would have been faster.
That said, lunch was fabulous. A three-course prix fixe menu where you choose a starter, main, and dessert from three options each. I still dream about the salmon I had.
After lunch, we explored town and grabbed cocktails at Le Gabriel, a Michelin-starred restaurant, before heading to La Cité du Vin. We had booked the sensory exhibit with a tasting — and learned the hard way that you should not be late. Actually, show up ten minutes early. We had a little too much fun at cocktails and missed the exhibit, so we had to exchange our tickets.

Instead, we wandered across the street to Les Halles, a food hall filled with stands and restaurants. We enjoyed incredibly fresh seafood — oysters, snails, and shrimp. I am not typically one to jump for cold shrimp and oysters, but these were delicious.
This was also the day we learned that driving is not the fastest way to get around Bordeaux. Enter: scooters. Scootering through the city ended up being a highlight for all of us.
Dinner and Drinks Near Home
Our Airbnb was in such a great area that we grabbed pre-dinner drinks at SaBaBa, which was popping. We met some fun locals and had cocktails before walking to dinner at Ressources.
Ressources earned a Michelin star in 2024 and offers both à la carte and tasting menus. For the tasting menu, you can either select dishes or choose to be surprised — we chose surprise. It was so fun, especially since everyone ended up with different dishes, allowing us to try more. The meal was made even better by their well-priced and impressive wine selection.

A Day in Saint-Émilion
The next morning, Evan and I went for a run and grabbed coffee for everyone at Café Eriu before an early pickup for our Saint-Émilion wine day. I booked a car service, which I highly recommend.
Our first stop was Château Mauvinon, followed by lunch at Grand Barrail — a stunning château with beautiful grounds, a hotel, and a fantastic restaurant. The food was excellent, with the option of a two- or three-course lunch.
Our final winery was a small, family-owned spot: Château Bernateau, which felt intimate and special.


One of Our Favorite Meals
That evening, we went to dinner at Le 428, which ended up being one of our favorite meals of the entire trip. It was incredibly quaint — the only people working were the chef and one hostess, who was seating guests and making drinks.
The menu was written on a chalkboard, and when I booked, I had noted a food allergy. The chef personally baked me gluten-free bread and a gluten-free pistachio cake for dessert. It felt so thoughtful and charming. The wines by the glass were also very well priced and excellent.

Final Tip
The Bordeaux airport is very small. We arrived far too early for our flight and learned that past security there are limited food options. If you need real nutrients, eat before security.