7 Food Tours In Bordeaux To Tickle Your Taste Buds (Even the Locals Rave About Them)
Bordeaux is so much more than its fabulous wine. It’s the perfect city to visit for food lovers. It’s my first choice of city to visit when I need a foodie fix.
Living two hours away, I’ve spent plenty of happy weekends eating in the many restaurants Bordeaux has to offer.
The city is full of gastronomic delights, and if you’re unsure where to eat or which restaurants offer the best food, then you MUST go on one of the food tours in Bordeaux.
Although Bordeaux is known as the capital of wine in France, the food scene here is just as good and complements the wine perfectly.
After testing this a few times, the best approach is to pair food and wine into one comprehensive tour. That way, you have the best of both worlds.
And besides, visiting Bordeaux and not doing a food tour would be sacrilege, as you’d be missing out on so much.
My Top 3 Picks: Food Tours in Bordeaux
Traditional Walking Food Tour in Bordeaux
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
✅ Numbers capped to just 10
✅ Sample chocolate, pastries, wine and more
✅ Traditional French Bistro Lunch included
Bordeaux Historic and Gourmet Food Walking Tour
✅ Discover the wine industry of Bordeaux
✅ Sample French cuisine from three shops
Saint-Emilion Food and Wine Escape
✅ Tour around a UNESCO-listed village
✅ Seven wine tastings at three estates
Why Booking A Food Tour In Bordeaux Is A Good Idea
One of the best things about taking a food tour is that you get to experience food the way it’s meant to be experienced, like a local.
The tour guides are usually local and know the very best places to go with the most delicious food.
It’s just like visiting somewhere for the first time, but instead of trying to figure it all out on your own, you’re doing it with a friend who knows where to take you.
They’ll always head for the best places as they’ve already done the hard work for you.
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7 Best Food Tours in Bordeaux
You’ve already had a glimpse at my top 3 picks, but now for the full details on my 7 top food tours in Bordeaux.
No. 1 – Traditional Walking Food Tour in Bordeaux
⭐️ RATING: 5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 3 Hours 30 Minutes | ✅ Check Rates & Availability!
Book this Traditional Bordeaux Food Tour and explore the city’s foodie hotspots, meeting the artisans behind the shop fronts. It’s one of the best Food Tours in Bordeaux.
If you really want to discover the food scene in Bordeaux, look no further than this Traditional Bordeaux Food Tour – especially if you want to enjoy a French bistro lunch as part of the experience.
You’ll start your tour with a wine tasting, where you’ll learn about the wine-making process and discover the story behind it. And then it’s off to tantalize your tastebuds and make some gourmet stops before heading off for lunch.
“We loved our experience. Clemence was extremely knowledgeable and great company. We learned a lot from the wine tasting at the beginning and had a delicious lunch at the restaurant. -Leai (Read more reviews)
No. 2 Bordeaux Historic and Gourmet Food Walking Tour
⭐️ RATING: 5.0 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 3 Hours | ✅ Check Rates & Availability!
Book this Bordeaux Historic and Gourmet Food Walking Tour to discover the history of this historic French city and learn about the integral link between Bordeaux’s past and the wine industry.
This is the perfect way to combine history with food and wine.
You’ll visit some of the best charcuterie and patisserie shops and get to taste the famous Bordeaux canelés along with cheese and other French favorites.
“Our guide was excellent and knowledgeable of Bordeaux and its history. We toured the city and picked up local breads, cheeses and meats along the way, meeting and engaging with the shopkeepers.” – Jade (Read more reviews)
No. 3 Saint-Emilion Food and Wine Escape
⭐️ RATING: 4.5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 7 Hours | ✅ Check Rates & Availability!
Book this Saint-Emilion Food and Wine Escape and discover the UNESCO-listed village of Saint-Emilion without the worry of driving, and enjoy seven wine tastings whilst you’re at it.
Your day starts with a walking food and history tour of the village, including a sample of some of the village’s famous macarons.
Indulge in a picnic lunch at one of the winery chateaux after a little tasting, and then head off for your final stop at a Grand Cru estate for more tastings.
“Vincent was such an excellent tour guide! He gave us so much information on both the wines and regions they come from and also provided a great lunch at one of the vineyards along the way. ” -Vincent (Read more reviews)
No. 4 – Bordeaux Private Bakery Food Tour
⭐️ RATING: 5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 3 Hours | ✅ Check Rates & Availability!
Book this Bordeaux Private Bakery Food Tour if you love your pastries, cakes, and sweets, as this is the ultimate Boulangerie and Patisserie tour in Bordeaux for foodies.
Is there a better way to see a city than by mixing pastries with history? Your tour is private, meaning it’s tailored to you, so you’ll be able to sample some of the best eclairs, macarons, and croissants in Bordeaux.
You’ll find out about the L’escargot (the pastry, not the snail) and the famous Bordeaux delicacy Canelé, dating back to the 18th century.
“After staying in Saint-Emilion and doing a walking tour with this company we traveled to Bordeaux and decided to do a food tour. Camila was a wonderful host bringing us around the city visiting some small excellent stores and bakeries.” -Tripadvisor Review (Read more reviews)
No. 5 – Bordeaux Market Tour
⭐️ RATING: 5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 2 Hours 30 Minutes | ✅ Check Rates & Availability!
Book this Bordeaux Market Tour and discover the city’s gastronomic highlights with local tour guide Anne, as she tells you stories about local culinary traditions.
Bring your appetite as you’re about to go on an amazing food journey as you take a trip back in time and discover Bordeaux’s historic highlights.
It’s a completely personalized tour and includes plenty of tastings from ice cream to cheese; you’ll be full by the end of it.
We did this 1st day we were in Bordeaux. It was amazing. Anne did a spectacular job of introducing us to Bordeaux food, history, connections between food, wine and regional history. We think it’s one of the best things we did during our vacation.” -Tripadvisor Review (Read more reviews)
No. 6 – Private Trip to the Dune of Pyla & Oyster Tasting at the Local Market
⭐️ RATING: 5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 5-6 Hours | ✅ Check Rates & Availability!
Book this Private Trip to the Dune of Pyla & Oyster Tasting at the Local Market if you want to try Arcachon oysters and take in the views from the top of Europe’s highest dune.
This is your chance to experience the Atlantic Ocean at its best with a trip to the Dune of Pyla, where you’ll get to climb to the top and take in the breathtaking scenery around you.
You’ll also get to take a stroll around the local market and try some of the famous Arcachon oysters freshly caught that morning. This includes your own private tour guide and chauffeur-driven transport, which will pick you up and drop you off at your accommodation.
“The tour was fantastic! Had a great time and the drive was lovely. Pick up and drop off from my preferred location. Kept busy the entire time. Food and wine were incredible and of course, the sand dunes were lovely.” -Ahda (Read more reviews)
No. 7 – Bordeaux Night Tour with Food & Wine Tasting
⭐️ RATING: 5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 2 Hours | ✅ Check Rates & Availability!
Book this Bordeaux Night Tour with Food & Wine Tasting and discover the magic of Bordeaux at night as you tour the city. But be warned, you’ll need a big appetite for this tour.
You’ll see all the famous Bordeaux landmarks before stopping off at one of those wonderful ‘hidden gem bars‘ the locals know about, but the tourists don’t enjoy some cheese and a charcuterie board.
Le miroir d’eau (the famous water mirror) is spectacular at night and is one of the stops on your tour.
“Said was a fabulous guide. Told us all the interesting bits about the city. Shared some dinner recommendations.” -Theresa (Read more reviews)
What happens on a food tour in Bordeaux?
Get excited, get very excited, because a food tour in Bordeaux is the ultimate way to experience French cuisine at its very best.
It’s the crème de la crème of tours.
Usually, they’ll be on foot, and you’ll walk around the city rather than drive. The other option is biking, which is also a lot of fun as you cycle around, taking in the sights.
Your food tour guides are local experts and will take you to a selection of the best patisseries, boulangeries, charcuteries, markets, chocolate shops, and tapas bars.
Not only will you get to sample what’s on offer, but you’ll also hear about the history of Bordeaux and the stories behind the places you visit.
It’s a truly authentic experience where YOU get to discover the hidden gems that only the locals know about.
After all, the best places to eat out in any city are always the ones the locals use.
You won’t find them on the usual touristy streets as they’re a closely guarded secret. And why wouldn’t they be? Locals don’t want their favourite places hounded by tourists.
It’s one of the best things about a food tour. You get to go where others don’t. You get to see the REAL city and not the tourist invention.
BEST Food Tours in Bordeaux FAQS
Still not sure about whether or not you should take a food tour when you visit Bordeaux? Below are some of the questions we hear the most to help you make a decision.
Does Bordeaux have good food?
There is only one way to answer this question: yes! To me, Bordeaux is the culinary capital of France, even surpassing Paris.
What foods is Bordeaux famous for?
Bordeaux is famous for a few different foods, including Entrecôte à la Bordelaise, a rib steak cooked with a rich red wine and shallot sauce. Seafood lovers will appreciate oysters from the Arcachon Bay.
On the sweeter side, canelés are a Bordeaux specialty; these small pastries have a caramelized crust and a soft, custardy interior, traditionally flavored with rum and vanilla.
What is the famous Bordeaux dessert?
The famous Bordeaux dessert is Canelé. Go into any patisserie in Bordeaux and you’ll see Canelé. They are small cakes caramelised on the outside with a type of vanilla custard on the inside, laced with rum. And they’re delicious.
How much should you tip on a food tour?
For guided food tours, it is customary to tip the guide and any drivers involved. A standard tip is generally 15-20% of the total tour price. Tipping at each restaurant you visit is typically included in the tour price, so additional tips for restaurant staff are not necessary.
Don’t know which tour to pick? I recommend this Bordeaux Traditional Food Tour With Bistro Lunch – the best Food Tour in Bordeaux.
Final Thoughts: Being a Foodie in Bordeaux
Wondering if a Bordeaux Food Tour is really worth it?
Hopefully, by now, you can see why this is definitely something you should add to your itinerary. Bordeaux is a great city to visit, and the food is such a big part of it.
We’ve hand-picked the best tours available so you can experience food in Bordeaux like a local, and if you can spare the time to stay for a few days, there are some wonderful hotels in Bordeaux to choose from.
My top tip: book your food tour in Bordeaux at the start of your trip, so you can utilize your newfound local knowledge when selecting restaurants and making decisions on where to eat during your stay.
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