Pastry and Porcini: The Top Traditional Dishes To Try in Bordeaux, France

There are many specialties in Bordeaux that you must try on your visit
There are many specialties in Bordeaux that you must try on your visit | © Jerónimo Alba / Alamy Stock Photo
Isabella Dally-Steele

Famed for its wine, Bordeaux is also a foodie heaven. Discover the best traditional dishes to try on your visit to La Perle d’Aquitaine, with local restaurateur Stessy Faber.

With decadent signature sweets like buttery chocolatines and teetering, cream-stuffed religieuses, it’s no surprise that southwestern French cuisine is lauded for its pastry prowess. But when visiting Bordeaux, don’t let the region’s reputation pigeonhole your gastronomic exploits. If you take the time to peek behind the stacks of flakey goodies crowding the pâtisserie windows, you’ll find a hearty feast of options ready to reward your curiosity.

speech icon man in bubble

Destinations Unlocked:

Let our travel expert Stefano help you find your perfect Culture trip

Looking for an expert's perspective?

Uncover my top 3 recommended places from each continent on the map.
speech icon man in bubble
left arrow trip map

CentralAmerica

GORGEOUS GUATEMALA

Gorgeous Guatemala

5 days . Mini
speech icon man in bubble

1. Guatemala

An express adventure for those with limited time off. Prepare yourself incredible experiences. You will hike a volcano, visit mayan temples and witness a ceremony and take in beautiful colonial Antigua.

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

CentralAmerica

BEACHY BELIZE

Beachy Belize

5 days . Mini
speech icon man in bubble

2. Belize

A quick trip not too far away for those seeking a relaxing mini break. You will have plenty of free time to relax but also some awesome activities to experience the rainforest and the caribbean sea.
left arrow previous slide

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

CentralAmerica

COLONIAL MEXICO

Colonial Mexico

5 days . Mini
speech icon man in bubble

3. Mexico

An exciting mini trip exploring the lesser known colonial towns of central Mexico. This is hte perfect trip for someone with limited time off and still wants to turn on explorer mode and do something different.
left arrow previous slide

Back to Map

left arrow trip map

SouthAmerica

ADVENTUROUS ECUADOR

Adventurous Ecuador

8 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

1. Ecuador

A remarkable 8 days adventure through the Andes and the Amazon rainforest. The best choice for adventure seekers wishing to visit the 2 most iconic areas of South America, in only 1 week and no flights.

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

SouthAmerica

ANCIENT PERU

Ancient Peru

9 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

2. Peru

An alternative itinerary to classic Peru, from Cusco to Arequipa. This itinerary is great combination of highlights Cusco and Machu Picchu with the lesser known Arequipa and Colca Canyon.
left arrow previous slide

Back to Map

left arrow trip map

Europe

SEDUCTIVE SOUTHERN ITALY

Seductive Southern Italy

10 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

1. Italy

The ultimate Italian experience from the vibrant streets of Naples to the breathtaking sceneries of the Amalfi Coast followed by Matera and down to Puglia with its golden beaches, intense flavours and fascinating destinations.

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

Europe

EDINBURGH AND THE SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS BY TRAIN

Edinburgh And The Scottish Highlands By Train

7 days . Culture
speech icon man in bubble

2. Scotland

Embark on this great adventure starting from London all the way to Scotland with a true Scottish experience made of breathtaking sceneries, whisky tasting and ..lots of fun! Ideal for train lovers and explorers.
left arrow previous slide

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

Europe

COMPLETE PORTUGAL BY TRAIN

Complete Portugal By Train

8 days . Culture
speech icon man in bubble

3. Portugal

A wonderful train journey around Portugal, from the romantic city of Porto to the Douro Valley, to the beautiful Aveiro all the way to Lisbon and Sintra. The perfect trip to train, culinary and culture lovers.
left arrow previous slide

Back to Map

left arrow trip map

Asia

SOULFUL SOUTH KOREA

Soulful South Korea

10 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

1. South Korea

Discover incredible temples, mountains and modern cities on this 10 day adventure. This trip is perfect for those seeking immersion in the cuisine, culture and natural wonders of South Korea.

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

Asia

THAILAND, CAMBODIA & VIETNAM

Thailand, Cambodia & Vietnam

11 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

2. Thailand

From Bankgok to Angkor Wat to Ho Chi Minh City and everything in between - adventure through the heart of South-East Asia. Taste the delights, see history brought to life and unwind on a Mekong River cruise.
left arrow previous slide

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

Asia

SECRETS OF SRI LANKA BY TRAIN

Secrets Of Sri Lanka By Train

10 days . Culture
speech icon man in bubble

3. Sri Lanka

A fantastic adventure that showcases Sri Lanka's fantastic landscapes, wildlife and flavours. With 3 epic rail journeys, 3 UNESCO heritage sites and time to relax, this trip has loads to offer at a great price
left arrow previous slide

Back to Map

left arrow trip map

Africa

EPIC MOROCCO

Epic Morocco

11 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

1. Morocco

An epic journey across Morocco: from Casablanca to Marrakech, through the blue city of Chefchaouen to the wonders of the desert and deep to the High Atlas Mountains - this trip has it all! Ideal for true explorers!

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

Africa

ULTIMATE EGYPT

Ultimate Egypt

9 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

2. Egypt

From Cairo to Aswan, this trip brings the land of the pharaohs to life. You'll visit the Pyramids, Valley of the Kings and Luxor Temple and cruise down the Nile in style. This is the perfect way to explore Egypt.
left arrow previous slide

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

Africa

IMMERSIVE KENYA

Immersive Kenya

8 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

3. Kenya

An immersive blend of culture and wildlife for first time travelers to Africa. Learn about Nairobi, sample local coffee in the Aberdares and finish up with a fantastic safari stay in the Masai Mara.
left arrow previous slide

Back to Map

To restaurateur Stessy Faber, co-owner of the Brasserie Bordelaise, the taste of the southwest can be summed up in three flavours: the mild sweetness of foie gras, the musk of locally sourced duck, and the richness of red wine sauces. To furnish your culinary bucket-list, Culture Trip sat down with Faber to identify the essential dishes for a foodie exploring Bordeaux.

Grilled duck breast (Le magret de canard grillé)

Fowl is a centerpiece of southwestern cuisine, so it figures that Bordeaux’s grilled duck breasts top Faber’s list of must-try dishes. Most restaurants tout their own take on this staple recipe, but if you’re looking for a simplistic, traditional interpretation, you can’t go wrong at La Tupina, a Bordeaux institution with a rustic ambiance and an enormous stone fireplace that doubles as the grill.

Duck breast is a must-try in southwestern France

Porcini mushrooms in parsley (Les cèpes en persillade)

For those looking to score a healthy meal without sacrificing flavour, Bordeaux’s pan-fried cèpes (porcini mushrooms) are a delightful compromise. In fact, with their chewy texture and nutty flavour, this mushroom dish is a perfect meat substitute for carnivores and vegetarians alike. Best enjoyed during peak harvest season in autumn, these mushrooms make for a great appetiser or main course.

Cèpes are best in the autumn

Dunes blanches du Cap-Ferret pastries

These mini-cream puffs are any sweet-tooth’s dream come true. Named after the nearby sand dunes of Arcachon Bay, dunes blanches are bite-sized pastries stuffed with cream (flavoured with vanilla, raspberry white chocolate, salted caramel, nougat, Nutella or dark chocolate) and dusted in powdered sugar. For the most authentic dunes blanches, visit the pâtisserie of their inventor Pascal Lucas, Chez Pascal Dunes Blanches.

Duck foie gras (Foie gras de canard)

This quintessential French delicacy is typically served with red wine and boisterous conversation, so don’t skimp on drinks or good company when you decide to finally indulge. While France as a whole is known for its exceptional foie gras, the southwest has perfected it to a science. Kick off a night of extravagance with an appetiser of slightly savoury foie gras at La Tupina or opt for a sweeter version accompanied by fruit chutney at the Brasserie Bordelaise.

Foie Gras is another specialty of the region

Pauillac lamb shoulder (L’épaule d’agneau de Pauillac)

Pauillac lambs are a speciality of the Médoc wine region, raised exclusively in the Gironde département of France and known for their flavourful meat. Faber suggests ordering Pauillac lamb in the spring months when the lambs of the season are leaner, producing more tender meat. April is the Brasserie Bordelaise’s prime lamb month, but Faber assures that this tender, milk-fed lamb lives up to its reputation no matter the season.

Bazas rib-eye steak with bordelaise sauce (L’entrecôte de bœuf de Bazas à la sauce bordelaise)

Another prize of Gironde farmers is the Bazadaise cow – a heifer so renowned that Bazas residents have honoured them with an annual Fête des Boeufs Gras celebration for more than 700 years. A rib cut of bazadaise beef is typically served with a dripping of bordelaise sauce, a popular red wine reduction typically seasoned with thyme, shallots and bone marrow. Faber notes that the most favourable cuts of beef are available in February and March, around the time of the Fête des Boeufs Gras. If you’re truly food-motivated and are lucky enough to spend mid-March in Bordeaux, consider taking a day trip to Bazas on the Thursday before Mardi Gras to get a taste of the fête and the freshest Bazas steak available.

Damien Boulan oysters (Les huîtres de Damien Boulan)

For an indulgence available year-round, Faber recommends treating yourself to a helping of Damien Boulan oysters. Pair a flight of these gold-star rated oysters, sourced directly from fishing headland Cap Ferret, with a bottle of white wine and you’ll be living the high-glamour dream that lured you to Bordeaux in the first place. Most restaurants allow you to order oysters individually, so you can tailor the meal to fit your budget. Get your fix at the Brasserie Bordelaise or, if a seafood-fuelled weekend trip into the country is more your style, steal away to flagship oyster bar Chez Boulan in Lège-Cap-Ferret.

Lamprey à la bordelaise (La lamproie à la bordelaise)

This dish has been a part of Aquitaine cuisine since the Middle Ages, when chefs would cook lamprey in a sauce made from a mixture of the fish’s blood and red wine. Luckily for you, lamprey à la bordelaise has since evolved, and is accompanied now by a spiced red wine sauce seasoned with garlic and leek rather than fish blood. Lamprey migrate to the region between February and March, so restaurants like La Tupina and the Brasserie Bordelaise will be serving the freshest fish in April.

Canelés

A boozy dessert, canelés are rum filled, top-hat shaped pastries with a crackly, caramelised outer shell and a spongy centre. These pastries are such a cornerstone of local snack culture that specialty canelé bakeries have popped up on practically every other street corner. Grab one to go from popular street vendor La Toque Cuivrée, or savour one over a cup of coffee at Le Boulanger de L’Hôtel de Ville.

Canelés cakes are a regional speciality food from Bordeaux

Bordeaux wines

No Bordelaise feast is complete without a bottle of the region’s world-famous wine. For white wine enthusiasts, Faber suggests a bottle of her personal favourite, Château Thieuley. If you’re in the market for a superb dinner combo from the Brasserie Bordelaise menu, she recommends pairing a dry glass of G de Guiraud red wine with a tray of oysters or a bottle of white Château Dudon accompanied by an indulgent serving of foie gras.

You can’t come to Bordeaux and skip the wine
culture trip left arrow
 culture trip brand logo

Volcanic Iceland Epic Trip

meet our Local Insider

Hanna

women sitting on iceberg

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A GUIDE?

2 years.

WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?

It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.

WHAT DESTINATION IS ON YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET-LIST?

I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!

culture trip logo letter c
group posing for picture on iceberg
group posing for picture on iceberg

Every CULTURE TRIP Small-group adventure is led by a Local Insider just like Hanna.

map of volcanic iceland trip destination points
culture trip brand logo
culture trip right arrow
landscape with balloons floating in the air

KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?

Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.

X

Holiday Sale Offers on Our Trips

Incredible Savings

Edit article