Café Français — Restaurant in Bordeaux

Warm Hospitality and Great Food with Some Service Missteps

Reservation & Arrival: Getting a table was easy, and the greeting was warm, professional, and genuinely welcoming. The staff were very friendly and hospitable, and they greeted my daughter so kindly that it made her visibly happy — a wonderful start to the meal. Seating was comfortable and well-spaced, offering a relaxed atmosphere to enjoy the experience.

Ambience & Cleanliness: The restaurant was clean, tidy, and well-maintained. The Cafe Français enjoys a beautiful location directly facing the historic Cathédrale Saint-André de Bordeaux, which adds a stunning backdrop to the dining experience. Lighting, temperature, and noise levels were all pleasant, and the décor matched the French brasserie theme perfectly.

Service Quality: While the staff were friendly and professional, the service timing was inconsistent. They forgot to take my wife’s order at first, which caused a noticeable delay, and they brought my daughter’s dessert before her main meal. Additionally, our entrée arrived together with the main courses, and we were served bottled water instead of the still water we ordered. Despite these lapses, the staff were knowledgeable about the menu and offered helpful suggestions when asked. They also responded well to a special food request for my daughter.

Food Presentation & Taste: Dishes arrived at the right temperature and were beautifully presented — visually appealing and appetizing. The entrée (Trilogie de tomates et sa Burrata crémeuse, pesto de basilic) was fresh and flavorful. My well-done Magret de Canard (duck breast), however, was disappointing — overcooked and lacking in tenderness. In contrast, my wife’s beef burger was outstanding — one of the best I’ve ever tasted — with a juicy, well-grilled patty, balanced seasoning, and a perfectly matched sauce and cheese combination. Portion sizes were generous and as described on the menu.

Beverage Experience: The drink menu was varied and suitable for the cuisine. I tried Pelforth, an average pale ale that paired acceptably with the meal. Water service was consistent once corrected.

Value & Price: The prices were fair for the quality and presentation, and there were no hidden charges or billing issues. However, the uneven service timing made the experience feel less polished than it could have been.

Overall: Café Français offers excellent food, a lovely atmosphere, and warm, genuine hospitality, all in a beautiful location across from Bordeaux’s historic cathedral. Despite the service mix-ups, the meal was memorable — especially the exceptional burger and the kindness of the staff. A restaurant worth visiting for its charm and food quality, though there’s room for improvement in...

The 2 stars are generously awarded for the incredible location, ambiance and wine+ food menu. Sadly it was poorly executed with poor service, cold and bland food. A duck breast should not be sliced THEN cooked and needs at a minimum salt and pepper. This duck was sliced then cooked with no seasoning, the fries were cold, the vegetables over cooked with a soy sauce flavor that does not complement the duck. My partner had scallops that were over cooked and rubbery, our friends had salads with wilted lettuce and too much anchovy. Another friend had a cold and flavorless ribeye. The only good thing was the delicious wines and onion soup (which was also not warm enough but we made due). The amateur staff did not seem to care if we had a good experience or not and seemed annoyed we spoke English (I really like the argument where they told me cab sav was a white and not a red). This place came came highly recommended from reputable friends but clearly isn’t the same place they...

We were a group of 12 Saracens fans in Bordeaux for the ECC Round of 16 match against UBB on 6th April, having been there with a group of c70 Sarries supporters in January and enjoyed an excellent lunch then. My wife had been in contact with Belinda to arrange our booking for this lunch. When we arrived, we were delighted to have been assigned a table outside, along the front of the restaurant and under cover. The view of the square and the Cathedrale is great. The restaurant was busy and we were in no real hurry so the relatively slow service was not an issue given that the food and drink and our conversations were all fantastic. Our waitress, Helene, was superb and was helpful, patient (especially with our complications of our bill settlement) and understanding throughout our visit. The Ocean Salad deserves special plaudits. Thank you again to everyone at Cafe Francais for another great experience. Shame that UBB beat our...