The restaurants below have been grouped into four different pricing categories:
$$$$ (over €50)
$$$ (€30 to €50)
$$ (€15 to €30)
$ (under €15)
These prices are for a three course meal per person, including half a bottle of wine or equivalent, tax and service included.

La Chamade
Spacious restaurant in a 17th-century house, serving traditional southwestern French cuisine, with a few spicy Spanish touches. The seafood is always a rewarding choice, and dishes include oysters, turbot and delicate monkfish medallions with saffron and morels. The fried duck's liver is also a favourite here and is served with fresh artichoke confit. The comfortable surroundings make for a peaceful and satisfying meal. Reservations are recommended and the dress code is business casual.

20 rue des Pilliers de Tutelle
Tel: (05) 5648 1374.
Price: $$$-$$$$

Philippe Chez Dubern
Founded in 1886 by the Dubern brothers, this Bordeaux institution specialises in fish and seafood. The focus is on a light and beautifully-presented cuisine, using the best produce, cooked simply perfectly, and served in several monumental airy rooms with crystal chandeliers.

42-44 allées de Tourny
Tel: (05) 5679 0770.
Website: www.philipchez-dubern.com 
Price: $$$

Brasserie Noailles
The classic and elegant 1930s Parisian-style Noailles perfectly turns out traditional regional dishes and has an excellent wine list.

12 allées de Tourny
Tel: (05) 5681 9445.
Price: $$-$$$

Le Vieux Bordeaux
Tucked away in the heart of the old town, this wonderful restaurant successfully mixes the old traditional Bordelais cuisine with flavours from elsewhere. The three beautiful dining rooms reflect a similar spirit with old stone walls and baroque mirrors combined with contemporary furnishings. Prices are remarkably good value, particularly the excellent set lunch menu.

27 rue Buhan
Tel: (05) 5652 9436.
Website: www.le-vieux-bordeaux.com
Price: $$-$$$

Café Bordelais
This traditional and reliable Bordeaux restaurant serves all the regional classics in a dining room filled with wine bottles.

15 allées de Tourny
Tel: (05) 5681 4994.
Price: $$

Le Café du Musée
This fashionable lunchtime haunt on the rooftop of the Contemporary Art Museum, was designed by Andrée Putman in her typical pared-down chic style. The good-value menu changes with the seasons, and offers a good selection of bistro French and fusion cuisine.

Musée d'Art Contemporain, 7 rue Ferrère
Tel: (05) 5644 7161.
Price: $$

Café Le Dijeaux
Locals buy their croissant or canelé (a typical Bordelais pastry with crisp caramel on the outside and custard inside) from the excellent Baillardran bakery next door and consume it in the café with their morning coffee: the perfect French breakfast!

14 place Gambetta
Tel: (05) 5681 9065.
Price: $