Café Lavinal — Restaurant in Lesparre-Médoc

Adding to my wine education brought me to Bordeaux and dropped me, among other places, at Chateau Lynch-Bages for a spectacular tour of their new production facilities, a tasting and lots of historical details. Turns out that the current owners of the winery and vineyards surrounding it unknowingly also received the "town" immediately adjacent to the winery with their acquisition. Upon discovery, the family renovated or rebuilt all of the structures in the tiny town just steps from the winery to complement the business and provide housing and services for the employees who were willing to live within a two minute walk of their employer. Café Lavinal is THE restaurant in town. Make no mistake, this is not an afterthought to the wine operation. It is an upscale establishment brimming with the ambiance and atmosphere that befits the marriage of the region's passion for both wine and food. We took lunch al fresco on a warm, sunny afternoon under the shade of patio umbrellas. Ordering from the Lavinal lunch menu provided sophisticated three-course options that were as artfully prepared and presented as they were creative and satisfying. Not unexpectedly, ingredient quality reigns supreme and deft hands in the kitchen transformed them into delicacies that were worth sharing with everyone in our party, making sure our choices covered the widest range of flavors and textures possible. Service was impeccable and appropriately timely, keenly aware of our pace and responsive when we were ready to depart. I selected a very approachable white Bordeaux from the Chateau's second label and was reminded that it's not at all hard to pair food and wine in the region. Reservations are a must as it's literally the only restaurant in town. But it's worth planning. Definitely a...

We were recommended to try this restaurant while we were in the area.

To start with it was great; the restaurant is beautiful and the staff friendly and polite. The wine list is extensive.

But ultimately, the food let them down. To start we had a charcuterie board to share which was lovely and the bread was fanatic. However there's no way to know whether all these items were bought in from quality suppliers and just plated up? As this was a special meal for us were decided to treat ourselves to the steak rib for two in garlic butter. We ordered it medium as my husband doesn't like it too rare but we figured that I'd be happy with the meat around the bones as that never cooks as much and he'd be happy with the meat towards the edges as medium.

Also, we thought that no chef would ever want to overcook such a beautiful piece of meat; how wrong we were! I've never had a steak so over cooked in all my years in france! It was a dry piece of leather. As you can see from the photo; most of it was very well done, there was the tiniest bit of pink on one or two slices but it was still very overcooked and, dry and tough 😒

It would have been beautiful even if it wasn't aged, so lacked flavour. The garlic butter should have made up for that lack of meat flavour but they must have run out of garlic.

All in all we felt like the big price tag for a meal in that restaurant is for the decor, the linen napkins and the wine list but disappointingly not for the food.

It was a shame as we had such high hopes of a fantastic meal, but honestly I have cooked steak from our local butcher in the Charente who ages his steaks better myself, and it...

We had the pleasure of dining at this exceptional restaurant for both lunch and dinner, and each visit offered something special. Set in the charming village of Bages in Pauillac, the location alone feels like a hidden gem. Dining outdoors is a true delight—surrounded by the quiet beauty of the village, with its cobblestone paths and gentle pace, it’s an atmosphere that invites you to slow down and savor every moment.

Inside, the restaurant transforms into a classic French bistro—warm, welcoming, and effortlessly elegant. The balance between casual comfort and refined charm is perfectly struck.

The food was excellent from start to finish. Every dish was thoughtfully prepared and full of flavor, but the Médoc oysters were a standout—without a doubt, the best we’ve ever had. Fresh, clean, and perfectly chilled, they set a high bar.

Wine service was equally impressive. The recommendations were thoughtful, well-matched to our meals, and presented without any sense of upselling—just genuine knowledge and a passion for good wine.

Whether enjoying a sunny lunch on the terrace or a cozy dinner indoors, this restaurant offers a complete experience—exceptional food and wine in a setting that feels both intimate and special. We’ll...