I was fortunate enough to eat here after my driver for the day made a reservation at this tiny, unassuming, classical French restaurant. It may not look like much, but I was pleasantly surprised by the traditional menu. We were seated right away, handed a wine menu, with glass, half bottle and full bottle offerings of Bordeaux's from chateaus in the area. Next we were served before lunch snacks of tiny tarts. The waiter came around and explained the menu to us. We went with pork ravioli and the rabbit. While the pork was good, the rabbit was perhaps the best I have ever had in my life. The sauces were beautiful, lots of fresh herbs throughout the meal made it extremely satisfying, fulfilling and the perfect French lunch in the Médoc read more

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Just looking through some old notes and see that I never posted our last meal here back in September 2020 But more amazing, why is that there is no post since 2017? Has Lion d'Or really dropped out of sight? what a shame if so. My boys learned both what to eat when we went and also how to behave when at a proper restaurant. I have been going there since the mid '80s when given the name by the people at Giscours...only to find them all sitting there when we arrived! Chez Barbier was the place to go...yes he was rude and in those days it was fairly rough and ready, but you had to get to know him and his ways...and he, yours. I have eaten here well over 100 times I guess The food was always wonderful and the various maître d's were always worth talking to I know he retired but apparently, lives in the village, and still turns up from time to time. He sold to his sous chef I think who tried to maintain both the menu and standards We went 2 years ago and will return this year in September...yes it was a little different, plus we sat outside at the back (in the shade) but the menu is similar and the food was good if not quite as good...we also had a glass of Paveil de Luze and post-meal, drove there immediately, had a mini tour and bought a couple of cases...in fact we just ordered more during Covid to be delivered...it is very nice indeed! And will go there too in September...Good excuse to try the Lion d'Or again if any were needed!!! read more

This was definitely in the top five for our meals in France. We had lunch here while exploring the Bordeaux region, and it was practically perfect in every way. We went with a French friend, which was nice for French-to-English translation, although the servers were also doing a nice job of helping non-French speakers. We started with a bottle of wine and they brought us two complimentary bites -- egg salad on bread and shrimp on blinis. The beet and goat cheese salad was equally beautiful and delicious and I'm glad we got two to split between the four of us. I got a white fish (can't remember the name), accompanied by ratatouille and an incredible sauce. My honey got a duck dish with whole garlic cloves and another great sauce. For dessert we got two dishes to share. One involved a caramel globe thing, the other a giant almond shell thing. According to our server, they apparently have a dessert menu just to prove they can do a fantastic job at it... and they do! The restaurant itself is very inviting and comfortable. They have bottles in cabinets along the wall -- apparently they are for the wine makers themselves. Fun to peruse while you enjoy your meal. read more

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Absolutely wonderful! But bring your French! Very little English is spoken here! I had the pre-fixe menu and it was superb! Stewed chicken and pasta. My friends had. The steak and it was cooked perfectly. My other friend had the pigeon and it was incredible!! The ambiance is typically French-country and is not quiet but still enjoyable. Definitely try this place if you are in the area! 5-stars! read more

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Strange I have just read skhemka's review and could not believe it I have used this restaurant on a number of occasions over the past 7 years and always found excellent food and good service (you must always book as it is very popular), M.Barbier the chef is a character and I suspect part of the problem here is Skhemka does not understand the French culture. This is not a tourist restaurant, it caters for the Bordeaux wine industry (many of the finest vineyards are on the doorstep of this restaurant), the lunch time market menu is great value but offers no choice, as the name suggest it is the menu based on what the chef found available at the market that morning, fresh local well cooked produce but you will need to adapt and eat what they are serving. Strangly enough by the way they speak French in France, learn a little before you go and it will add greatly to the enjoyment of your trip. I will (if I can get a table) be back in this restaurant in three weeks time and I am sure as ever i will enjoy it read more

I had a delightful lunch today ordering the prix fixe menu item of the day for 18 Euros. The terine appetizer and lamb meatball entre was superb served with a 2009 local Cabernet sauvignon. Service was excellent. read more

Lion d'Or RUDE CHEF, UN-SANITORY CONDITIONS AND NO VEG FOOD Le Lion d'Or 11, Route de Pauillac, 33460 Arcins, Gironde, France (Bordeaux) 05 56 58 96 79 Unfortunately we had a terrible and harrowing time at Lion dâOr Â" 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 discourag 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 generation to cook. read more