Bordeaux
April 8, 2026Corkage fees in Bordeaux: How much, and where’s best?
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By Valeria Tenison – March 2026
In a city where wine is both cultural heritage and daily ritual, the question of corkage remains quietly complex. Bordeaux’s restaurants are guardians of some of the most carefully constructed wine lists in France – and yet a growing number are willing to allow guests to bring their own bottles.
For collectors, visiting professionals, or simply diners wanting to share something meaningful from their cellar, this flexibility opens a different kind of dialogue between kitchen, sommelier and table.
Corkage in Bordeaux is rarely advertised and almost always handled discreetly. Fees vary, conditions apply, and etiquette matters: in most cases, the guest’s bottle is opened only after a first selection has been made from the restaurant’s list. The practice reflects a delicate balance between commercial reality and the city’s deep-rooted wine culture – one that respects both the work of the restaurateur and the passion of the wine lover.
The following addresses, in Bordeaux and its surrounding appellations, illustrate how this balance is evolving. Each approaches the idea of “bring your own bottle” in its own way, shaped by its cuisine, clientele and philosophy – but all acknowledge that in Bordeaux, great bottles are meant to be shared.
Cent33 – Bordeaux
In the Chartrons district, Cent33 offers a refined yet relaxed take on contemporary French gastronomy. The cuisine is seasonal and precise, while the atmosphere balances refined elegance with warmth. The dining room feels intimate without being formal, making it a favourite among Bordeaux wine lovers. In 2026, the restaurant was awarded its first Michelin star. Congratulations to the team!
The restaurant practices corkage at its discretion. The fee is €40 per bottle, and the bottle brought by the guest will be opened second, after a wine has been selected from the list. The number of bottles permitted is proportional to the number of guests and should be discussed when booking.
Address: 133 Rue du Jardin Public, 33000 Bordeaux
Phone: +33 (0)5 56 15 90 40
Website: https://www.cent33.com
Opening hours: Tuesday-Saturday, lunch and dinner (closed Sunday & Monday)
Soif – Bordeaux
Soif underlines that it is not a wine bar but a small restaurant with a big wine list. The atmosphere is lively, informal and distinctly Bordeaux in spirit, with a strong emphasis on carefully curated bottles and seasonal bistro cooking. Dishes are generous yet thoughtful, designed to pair effortlessly with wine, making it a natural candidate for BYO enthusiasts.
Corkage conditions are available upon request and should be discussed in advance.
Address: 35 Rue du Cancéra, 33000 Bordeaux
Phone: +33 (0)9 86 10 42 40
Website: https://soif-bordeaux.com
Opening hours: Friday-Monday, dinner, Sundays also for lunch
Mokoji Grill – Bordeaux
Mokoji Grill brings a vibrant Korean barbecue experience to central Bordeaux. The atmosphere is convivial and modern, with tables designed for interactive grilling. Alongside marinated meats and Korean classics, the restaurant is known for its open-minded wine culture, which attracts a young and curious clientele. The wine selection is surprisingly modern and trendy.
The restaurant allows guests to bring their own bottle with a corkage fee of €20 per bottle.
Address: 45 Rue du Pas-Saint-Georges, 33000 Bordeaux
Phone: +33 (0)9 83 67 09 85
Opening hours: Tuesday-Saturday, lunch and dinner; Sunday-Monday, dinner only
Café Saigon – Saint-Émilion
In the heart of Saint-Émilion, Café Saigon offers fragrant Vietnamese cuisine in a relaxed and friendly setting. The cooking is fresh and vibrant, providing a refreshing contrast to the region’s traditional French gastronomy. Don’t let the casual ambience deceive you – the wine list is long and full of gems.
Guests may bring their own wine without a corkage fee, provided one bottle is also ordered from the restaurant’s wine list for each bottle brought from outside.
Address: 21 Rue Guadet, 33330 Saint-Émilion
Phone: +33 (0)9 53 00 00 19
Opening hours: Monday-Sunday, lunch and dinner
L’Huîtrier Pie – Saint-Émilion
L’Huîtrier Pie is an elegant gastronomic address offering refined French cuisine in a classic, intimate dining room. The cooking is precise and ingredient-driven, suited to celebratory meals and serious wine pairings.
The corkage fee is €50 per bottle. The restaurant limits outside wine to one 75cl bottle for up to six guests, and the bottle brought will be opened second, after a first selection from the wine list.
Address: 11 Rue de la Porte Bouqueyre, 33330 Saint-Émilion
Phone: +33 (0)5 57 24 69 71
Website: http://www.lhuitrier-pie.com
Opening hours: Wednesday-Sunday, lunch and dinner
Les Négociants – Bordeaux
Tucked into the historic centre, Les Négociants blends modern bistro spirit with a distinctly Bordelais sense of refinement. The cuisine is contemporary French, ingredient-focused and thoughtfully executed, with plates that feel both generous and precise. The dining room is cosy and intimate, making it well-suited to relaxed gastronomic evenings where wine naturally takes centre stage. Rated 8th in the Fork Top 100 in France in 2025!
The restaurant allows guests to bring their own wine without a corkage fee, provided that two bottles from the wine list are ordered for each bottle brought from outside.
Address: 3 Rue de Guienne, 33000 Bordeaux
Phone: +33 (0)5 57 83 40 36
Website: http://www.lesnegociants.fr
Opening hours: Tuesday-Saturday, lunch and dinner. Dinner only on Wednesdays.
Madame B – Hôtel Burdigala, Bordeaux
Located within the Hôtel Burdigala, Madame B presents contemporary French cuisine in a polished yet relaxed setting. The menu highlights seasonal produce with a modern sensibility, combining elegance with accessibility. The interior design is stylish and contemporary, offering a comfortable atmosphere suited to both business lunches and evening dining.
The restaurant allows guests to bring their own bottles under certain conditions. The corkage fee is €15 for still wines and €20 for Champagne. For particularly rare or high-value bottles, the restaurant may apply a higher corkage fee at its discretion, so it is advisable to confirm the conditions when making a reservation.
Address: 115 Rue Georges Bonnac, 33000 Bordeaux
Phone: +33 (0)5 56 90 70 70
Website: https://www.restaurantmadameb.com
Opening hours: Tuesday-Saturday, lunch and dinner
Le Chapon Fin – Bordeaux
An institution in Bordeaux, Le Chapon Fin embodies classical French haute cuisine. Its historic décor, with dramatic rockwork and ornate detailing, creates a theatrical and unmistakably grand setting. The cuisine is firmly rooted in tradition while maintaining contemporary finesse, and the wine list reflects the restaurant’s longstanding connection to the region’s great bottles.
Guests may bring their own wine, though the corkage fee varies by bottle value. The exact conditions should therefore be confirmed with the restaurant when making a reservation.
Address: 5 Rue Montesquieu, 33000 Bordeaux
Phone: +33 (0)5 56 79 10 10
Website: http://www.chapon-fin.com
Opening hours: Tuesday-Saturday, lunch and dinner
Mina – Bordeaux
Mina is one of Bordeaux’s most dynamic contemporary tables, offering refined, creative cuisine in a minimalist and intimate setting. The plates are elegant and precise, often built around seasonal produce and bold yet balanced flavour combinations. The atmosphere is relaxed but serious about food and wine.
The corkage fee is €15 per bottle. The guest’s bottle will be opened second, after a first selection from the restaurant’s wine list.
Address: 4 Rue du Hâ, 33000 Bordeaux
Phone: +33 (0)5 57 99 84 78
Website: https://www.minarestaurant.fr
Opening hours: Tuesday-Saturday, dinner only, Thursday-Friday also for lunch
Petits Plaisirs – Bordeaux
Petits Plaisirs offers a delicate and personal interpretation of Chinese-French fusion cuisine. The dishes are seasonal, nuanced and often subtly creative, served in a small, warm dining space that feels almost domestic in its intimacy. It is an address prized by those seeking understated cooking with character. #14 in the 2025 France Top 100 according to the users of the Fork!
Guests may bring their own wine, although the conditions vary. A corkage fee may apply and is discussed on an individual basis at the time of reservation.
Address: 2 Bis Rue de Cursol, 33000 Bordeaux
Phone: +33 (0)9 88 02 72 66
Website: https://petitsplaisirs-restaurant.fr
Opening hours: Tuesday-Sunday for lunch, Friday-Saturday also for dinner
Ressources – Bordeaux
Ressources offers a contemporary gastronomic experience built around creativity, precision and the quality of seasonal ingredients. The cuisine is modern French, often exploratory yet elegant, presented in a sleek and minimalist dining room that enhances the sense of occasion. The restaurant attracts diners who appreciate ambitious cooking and thoughtful wine pairings in a refined but relaxed atmosphere. In 2026, Ressources confirmed its Michelin star and was also awarded a Michelin Green Star in recognition of its commitment to sustainability.
The restaurant allows guests to bring their own wine under specific conditions. One bottle from outside may be brought for every two bottles ordered from the restaurant’s wine list. This policy is shared with the team’s second restaurant, Vivants. Guests are encouraged to mention their intention to bring a bottle when making a reservation.
Address: 126 Rue Fondaudège, 33000 Bordeaux
Phone: +33 (0)9 70 66 72 32
Website: http://www.restaurantressources.com
Opening hours: Monday to Friday, dinner only
Bui Bui – Bordeaux
Bui Bui brings Taiwanese flavours and contemporary small plates to Bordeaux in a lively, informal setting. The space functions as both a restaurant and a wine-focused venue, attracting a clientele eager to explore bold flavours alongside carefully chosen bottles. The atmosphere is convivial and relaxed, making it well suited to shared dining.
The corkage fee is €25 per bottle. The guest’s bottle will be opened after a first wine has been selected from the list.
Address: 20 Rue du Palais Gallien, 33000 Bordeaux
Phone: +33 (0)5 40 05 13 52
Website: https://www.restaurantbuibui.com
Opening hours: Monday-Sunday, lunch and dinner
Le Lion d’Or – Arcins (Médoc)
Situated in Arcins in the Médoc, Le Lion d’Or offers classic French cuisine in a charming countryside setting. The dining room is traditional and welcoming, with a sense of rural authenticity that complements the cooking. It is a comfortable stop for those touring the châteaux of the Left Bank.
The restaurant stands out for its particularly generous BYO policy. Guests are welcome to bring only their own red wine, and there is no corkage fee. Even more unusually, the restaurant allows clients to bring as much red wine as they like. However, the policy is clearly defined: the privilege applies exclusively to red wine, while the restaurant retains the sale of all other wine styles and Champagne.
Address: 11 Route de Pauillac, 33460 Arcins
Phone: +33 (0)5 56 58 96 79
Website: https://www.leliondor-arcins.fr
Opening hours: Tuesday-Saturday, lunch and dinner
Yarra – Bordeaux
Yarra is a relaxed wine bar and restaurant in the Chartrons district, combining small plates with an eclectic and carefully curated wine selection. The atmosphere is informal and lively, attracting a clientele of wine enthusiasts, hospitality professionals and locals looking for a convivial place to share bottles and food. The kitchen focuses on seasonal plates designed for sharing, making it a natural setting for wine-driven dining.
While Yarra does not formally advertise a bring-your-own-bottle policy, the restaurant may occasionally allow guests to bring a special or rare wine, particularly bottles that are not represented on the list or that offer a distinctive style. Corkage is €15 per bottle, with a maximum of one bottle per table unless otherwise arranged in advance with management for special occasions or wine events. Guests must request permission before making their reservation, and the bottle must be approved by the sommelier beforehand. On Sunday evenings, the restaurant also offers special pricing on bottles from the list for guests working in the hospitality and wine industries.
Address: 18 Rue Notre Dame, 33000 Bordeaux
Phone: +33 (0)9 74 64 05 86
Opening hours: Wednesday-Sunday, evening only
By Valeria Tenison
