The Houses of Parliament

Image: Magazine Voyage

If you want a taste of Britain that will make you forget that you are in France, then The Houses of Parliament is for you. The pub, located just off Place du Parlement, is beautifully British. English bar tenders (and one Polish), English writing on the wood-panelled walls and even a pub quiz in English as well, it is no wonder that both Brits missing home as well as French in search of an international evening love this pub equally.

The drinks aren’t as cheap as might be hoped, but the atmosphere is unrivalled. The Sunday pub quiz involves guessing the print on the bar tenders boxer shorts, and the prize is a minute behind the bar. (The winner last night pulled an impressive 10 pints simultaneously...) The Saturday disco playlist has you laughing as much as dancing and the choice of cocktails with R-rated names is fairly expansive.

Entertainment is easily found and there isn’t a shortage of good company either at this pub reminiscent of Blighty. The Houses of Parliament is not for the faint hearted however, expect to get drawn into the rowdy atmosphere and stay until last orders (which happen to be 2am on a Sunday night). 

Ibaia Café

Quai des Chartrons 

Most people who have visited Bordeaux will tell you that the main Quai is worth a visit. From the chic and recently renovated hangers at one end to the Place de la Bourse all the way towards the station, the Quai is the place to go for a view of the river. Ibaia Café is a swanky restaurant that sits right in the middle of the Quai’s hustle and bustle, allowing you to take in the view while nibbling on sweet potato fries and sipping a glass of Sauternes wine.

As the first restaurant I visited in Bordeaux, I was welcomed into a world of gourmet food and attractive bar staff from the onset. The menu is fairly limited, but the dishes are all well thought out and there are plenty of sharing options, especially for the starters. However, do not let this put you off, as the food that they do serve is delicious and a far cry from home cooked food. The puddings are particularly adventurous, one even incorporates candy floss, but their particularly generous Café Gourmet steals the show every time.

As darkness begins to fall, Ibaia Café turns up the music and the chic restaurant turns into a stylish bar. Strawberry Mojitos are to be drunk as you watch the world roller skate and cycle by from the safety of the covered restaurant. Although it’s not the cheapest dining option, it is definitely the perfect choice for anyone wanting to watch the world go by, while feeling particularly glamorous at the same time.  

L’Ombrière

L'Ombrière

This well-known restaurant can be found at one corner of Place du Parlement, a very busy, and quite touristy, square near the Quai. If you’re in search of something quite French with a very reasonably priced three-course menu (13.50 euro), then l’Ombriere could be the perfect dining spot for you.

With a large outdoors area which allows for people-spotting and fountain-watching from your table, this restaurant is a fantastic spot to while away a late summers evening over a glass of wine and a bowl of Moules Marinière. It’s also perfectly situated if the party spirit takes over your mood, with a host of bars just around the corner, and even The Houses of Parliament English pub.

I can’t pretend it was the quickest service that I’ve ever experienced, but adopting the laid back French south west attitude for the night meant it didn’t seem a problem. I am certain that this is one restaurant that I shall return to. 

La Comptesse

Image: Sud Ouest

La Comptesse is a hidden gem amongst a sea of bars on Rue Parlement Saint-Pierre. The tiny cobbled street plays host to lots of small bars with incredibly French terraces, but La Comptesse is the trump card for me.

The old-fashioned style interior and laid back attitude of the bar tenders charms customers into buying far more drinks than they were supposed to. This can only be a good thing, and the fact that the Mojitos come with 3 raspberries on top certainly puts a smile on your face. It’s no wonder that many people argue that La Comptesse serve the best Mojitos in town.

I would say that they certainly have the most bizarre loo I have seen in a while, with rows of cards all with faces and even a furry door, but this bar will never stop surprising you, especially with their array of different seating inside. You can even sit in a fireplace if you desire!