Restaurant le Lion d'Or — Restaurant in Lesparre-Médoc

Lunch at Restaurant Le Lion d’Or, Bordeaux

I had lunch at Restaurant Le Lion d’Or in Bordeaux, a place that serves truly traditional French food. The menu was written in French on a chalkboard, which added to the local feel. I used Google Translate to help, and the owner, who spoke some English, was able to guide us. When I asked for a recommendation, he simply said, “Everything is good.”

I started with foie gras and salad — simple, classic, and well made. For the main course, I went with the pigeon, which was recommended. I don’t usually eat pigeon, but I’ve had it a few times before, including at Michelin-starred restaurants. However, those places served it in a refined, plated style — not like here, where it was presented whole in a rustic, traditional way. It wasn’t the most photogenic dish, but the flavor was deep and satisfying. We also had the lamb, which was very good.

Dessert came as a petit four — a small selection of homemade French sweets that added a comforting finish.

The restaurant itself is cozy and fills up quickly, so booking is definitely recommended — every table was taken during our lunch. Luckily, there’s a parking lot right across the street, which is very convenient.

One lovely detail: the walls are lined with shelves displaying legendary wine bottles and local grand crus — a subtle reminder that you’re dining in Bordeaux.

If you’re looking for an authentic, no-frills French lunch with heart, Le Lion d’Or is a great place to experience tradition...

Unfortunately we had a terrible and harrowing time at Le Lion d’Or » in Arcins . It is unfortunate that despite your recommendation and booking they were unable to provide both my guests with any vegetarian food. They served them boiled vegetables only and were not even marinated or with any sauce. It was really sad. I will never recommend the food or restaurant to any Indians visiting France/Bordeaux.

I strongly recommend discouraging any vegetarian from visiting the restaurant. The Chef was rude and abnoxious. He came and challenged us about our booking stating that only , but when he saw his diary and that he had noted veg consumers, he quickly changed his tune and became rude instead of angry. He started shouting at his people for taking our reservation. It was very very embarrassing in front of my guest. He them proceeded to whistle each time he passed our table (he gave us a table close to the kitchen and their was a drainage pipe there so it smelt of urine all over). Also when I requested for some one to explain the menu, they refused and they threw the menu at us. I finally persuaded the waiter to explain the French menu to us but alas, no veg food. I believe a good chef is not known only for his main specialities but the versitality and capability to invent. This chef is a failure. And given that the world is flat and people from around the world are coming to bordeaux to buy and taste wine, he better shut down his restaurant or retire and allow a new...

Our dinner at Le Lion d’Or in Arcins was a perfect example of how simplicity, when done right, can be truly exceptional. The warm, unpretentious atmosphere made us feel instantly at ease, and the meal itself was a quiet triumph—each dish thoughtfully prepared, full of flavor, and deeply satisfying. There was a comforting authenticity to everything, from the welcoming service to the honest, delicious food that celebrated local ingredients without fuss. It was the kind of dinner that lingers in memory not for extravagance, but for its genuine quality and heartfelt charm. A true gem in the heart...