The area of Bordeaux is situated in southwest France, a couple of two hour practice trip from Paris. Its very identify is synonymous, and has been for hundreds of years, with the manufacturing of wine: greater than 700 million bottles are produced right here yearly, from 65 distinct appellations, and throughout a broad vary of kinds and value factors. A number of the most revered wine estates on the planet are situated right here, and the area is firmly established as a degree of pilgrimage for wine vacationers for around the globe. However what concerning the espresso?
Effectively—not way back, this was purely the realm of “Café à la française,” and a purposeful, typically disappointing cappuccino or espresso could possibly be discovered within the PMUs, the tobacco-and-betting bars, or neighborhood bistros. This was a serviceable expertise, positive, however removed from culinary. However fortunately this has modified fairly quickly during the last decade, leading to a espresso scene in Bordeaux that feels actually remodeled. Town of Bordeaux could also be just a few years behind Paris or Lyon, but it surely’s catching up quick.
Some credit score this growth to the arrival of the high-speed practice and an inflow of Parisians, but it surely’s necessary we credit score the curious, flavor-focused Bordelais themselves. That is truly France’s six largest metropolis, with a espresso scene to match, as you’ll see in our new information under. Hip cafes, high quality roasters, and well-trained and well-travelled baristas have helped propel the espresso tradition right here, and certainly, Bordeaux’s scene distinctive is a real sense of group amongst these pulling photographs: a good community of greater than 170 espresso professionals linked by their very own WhatsApp group, offering assist. information and camaraderie. It’s honest to say this group is shaping a espresso tradition as wealthy, nuanced, and distinctly Bordelais because the wines that made Bordeaux well-known.
Café Piha
A Bordelaise espresso establishment, Piha as soon as felt like an oasis in an in any other case dry espresso panorama. At the moment, as one of many metropolis’s main roasters, it provides beans to a lot of Bordeaux’s greatest cafes and eating places, whereas additionally offering different providers, reminiscent of being the unique distributor and installer of the Probat model of roasters in France.
The espresso store itself is a spot to whereas away the day. With a no wifi, no-tech coverage, the cosy inside is a superb place to do some writing offline, whereas the outside seating is by far the most effective spots on the town to individuals watch.
Service right here is impeccable. The baristas are form and educated, guiding company by flavors, origins, and processes with out pretension or intimidation. Piha affords three important ranges: Bio, their entry-level and natural choice with a extra traditional profile; Café de Ferme, a farm-level vary recognized for fruity and floral notes; and the Micro or Nano Lot, a posh, small-batch choice for connoisseurs or the merely curious. Every time potential, they work immediately with producers and repeatedly host tastings, deepening the connection between cup and craft.
Black Listing Café
If it weren’t for the brilliant yellow stools and tables outdoors the espresso store, you possibly can simply stroll previous Black Listing because it blends in with the numerous cafes, outlets and eating places alongside a small stretch simply in entrance of the tram line, going through Bordeaux’s cathedral. However as soon as , .
Based within the late 2010s, Black Listing is certainly one of Bordeaux’s oldest specialty cafes and little question one which helped pave the best way for town’s espresso tradition because it exists at present. Impressed by New York outlets, it’s a good and tiny joint–like actually tight, with seating simply 15 individuals on a protracted wood bench that runs the size of the wall, with just a few packed tables (moving into with a backpack is awkward). However what it lacks in house, it makes up for in wealthy, easy coffees from native roaster Oven Heaven and Eire’s 3fe Espresso, and attractive treats, scrumptious brunches (greatest benedict eggs on the town, palms down) and takeaway sandwiches, all made in home in a sure, tiny kitchen within the again.
There’s quite a bit to like about Black Listing, however the reality that it’s the solely specialty cafe open on daily basis of the week, from 8am to 6pm, is the cherry on high.
Musette Bicycles and Espresso
Off the crushed path, Musette is an outlier in south Bordeaux, the place the closest factor to a espresso store are tabacs (tobacco outlets) or hookah cafes. Although quiet, this isn’t a restaurant for these seeking to camp out; as its identify and artwork suggests, Musette is geared toward bike fanatics who love an excellent brew.
Based by expats Rob Lawrence (US) and Christopher Cooley (UK), Musette was impressed by the biking cafes they knew from London and the States, and was “the right marriage between the 2 issues I cherished,” says Lawrence. Crafting their very own blends with the parents at L’Alchimiste, they pull photographs on a Faema E61, chosen not just for its high quality and smooth design but additionally for the Italian firm’s deep ties to the biking world. Faema famously sponsored legends like Eddy Merckx within the Nineteen Sixties, whose jersey hangs on Musette’s wall.
Whereas a lot of Musette’s clientele are cyclists, it’s additionally turn into a neighborhood spot. With just a few wood benches alongside Cours de la Somme, a handful of tables inside, and a small patio out again, there’s nothing else fairly prefer it in Bordeaux.
Moko Espresso
On a chilly, wet morning, Moko Espresso is buzzing, packed tight with a younger, hip crowd. Tucked away on a quiet road simply off Place Gambetta, it’s clear that this has turn into certainly one of the espresso spots right here in Bordeaux. The fashionable cafe is all the pieces you possibly can need: premium espresso from Paris’ KB Espresso Roasters, a well-curated brunch menu, heavenly pastries (all of that are made in-house), and considerate seating. Within the again, lengthy benches create a communal really feel, whereas the entrance affords smaller tables for extra privateness. There’s additionally a espresso bar, good for watching baristas do their factor or meet up with house owners Thomas and Ninon Labroue.
Initially from Bordeaux, Thomas Labroue spent years working at KB Espresso Roasters in Paris earlier than he and Ninon returned residence in 2019 with the dream of opening their very own place. However the pandemic delayed their plans. After a stint at Piha and years looking, they lastly discovered the fitting place in 2023, and spent months renovating it. Although the identify Moko is Maori, the decor may be very a lot retro New York. Thomas tells me that he salvaged the menu signal from an previous cinema and refitted it for function. Opening just a little over a yr in the past, in July 2024, Moko feels much less like a newcomer and extra like a Bordeaux traditional within the making.
4ᶱ Obscure Café
Snuggled between vintage outlets and fancy boutiques within the historic Chartrons district, you’ll discover 4ᶱ Obscure Café and Espresso bar. On vivid, sunny days, wood benches and lengthy tables spill out onto the road, whereas on wet days, only a lone stool or two. Inside, it’s all chill vibes with refined surf-inspired décor, a small nod to the islands that encourage it.
Owned and run by banker-turned-barista Damien Ricard, 4ᵉ Obscure is one thing of a ardour mission. Impressed by the espresso bars of London, the place he as soon as labored, he needed to convey the identical vitality to his hometown of Bordeaux. With a Hawaiian mom, his focus is each private and uncommon: showcasing Hawaiian espresso, primarily Kona, Kaʻu, and Maui, imported immediately from the islands. These treasured, high-end beans are arduous to search out in France, making 4ᶱ Obscure a vacation spot for espresso lovers.
The classics right here, espresso, macchiato, flat white, are all the time pulled with Hawaiian coffees. You’ll discover two choices: a mix, which is 10% Hawaiian and 90% South American beans, and a 100% Hawaiian single origin that modifications month-to-month. These after one thing completely different can go for a filter brew, strive the nitro chilly brew or the espresso of the month, like a peanut butter latte.
L’Alchimiste Café and Roastery
No information to Bordeaux’s espresso scene can be full with out L’Alchimiste Café and Roastery. A real establishment, it has been on the coronary heart of town’s specialty espresso motion since 2014. At the moment, with two cafes and accompanying boutiques, L’Alchimiste additionally serves as a coaching hub and provider for a lot of of Bordeaux’s high eating places and outlets.
Their flagship cafe, within the coronary heart of Bordeaux and featured again in 2017, set the tone. The Darwin espresso store on the Rive Droite, which opened in 2020, expanded their attain. Dwelling to the roastery and retail store, it affords a quieter, extra native vibe, in response to barista Gabriel Squarcioni, whereas the downtown location nonetheless pulls in massive crowds.
Through the years, L’Alchimiste has pivoted in the direction of training. From serving to clients within the cafes to working workshops {and professional} coaching programs, it’s a cornerstone of Bordeaux’s espresso group.
The downtown location is tucked away from the busier pedestrian streets, providing a quiet spot with a small patio out entrance. The espresso is outstanding, bien sûr, the service top-notch, and the general feeling unmistakable: you’re in superb palms.
Vinka Woldarsky is a contract journalist primarily based in Bordeaux. That is Vinka Woldarsky first characteristic for Sprudge.
