We’ve been meaning to tell you about Nomad and its Mediterranean cooking for a while now. On rue Sainte Colombe, this small restaurant takes its menu toward the Mediterranean without ever losing sight of the old Bordeaux around it. We’ve finally eaten there several times, and we’ll happily go back whenever the season, and the menu, changes.
A neighbourhood, an address, an atmosphere
Rue Sainte Colombe opens onto a small, shaded square, the kind that fills up quietly the moment the sun comes out. That’s where Fanny and Simon set up shop in February 2020, in the former premises of the Académie Fusain Sanguine. It wasn’t their first venture: they’d already made a name in the city with their handmade ice creams, Fernand et Paulette, launched five years earlier. For Nomad, they drew on their travel memories and an unapologetic taste for southern cooking.
Inside, the atmosphere feels more like a friend’s living room than a classic dining room: carefully chosen music (the restaurant keeps its own Spotify playlist), a decor with a southern feel that never overdoes it. Nomad also runs what it calls a “Club Local”: a network of Bordeaux chefs, producers, roasters and wine merchants that shows up directly on the plate or in the glass.
The restaurant is quite small, the menu deliberately short, and a reservation is almost a must, especially if you’re hoping for a table on the terrace overlooking the square.
What we loved…
What our daughter loved
She loved everything, especially her orange-blossom dessert. We had a genuinely indulgent time there, and I know she’ll want to go back to Nomad, especially come winter, for something more comforting.
What we loved
What strikes you at Nomad is the sense of changing countries between each course without ever leaving the table: a starter that smells like a Greek market, a main that leans toward Sicily, a dessert that heads off to Portugal. In the courgette pasta dish we ordered, the vegetables took centre stage without ever taking the easy route. The kitchen commits to bold pairings, ones that look almost risky on paper, and they work every time.
You can also tell the restaurant knows its suppliers by their first names: nothing that reaches the kitchen comes from nowhere, and you can taste it right down to the bread. Service is efficient and friendly, which matters when the room is full. The menu shifts with the seasons and whatever’s coming in, and we love that about it.
FAQ: Nomad
Does Nomad offer vegetarian options?
Yes, the menu usually features at least one vegetarian dish, like a seasonal tagine, in addition to meat-free versions available on certain dishes.
Do you need to book a table at Nomad?
Yes, booking is strongly recommended, especially on weekends and for terrace tables on Place Sainte Colombe. You can book by phone, online, or directly through the restaurant’s social media.
What’s the budget for a meal at Nomad?
Starters run around €9 to €14, mains between €19 and €25, and desserts around €8 to €9, for cooking that’s generous and well executed.
How do you get to Nomad by public transport?
The restaurant sits right in the heart of old Bordeaux, about a 3-minute walk from the Place du Palais tram stop, served by lines A, B and C.
Practical Information
Details
📍 Address: 43 rue Sainte Colombe, 33000 Bordeaux
🕐 Hours: Wednesday, 12pm-2pm and 7pm-10pm. Thursday to Sunday, 12pm-2pm and 7pm-10pm. Closed Monday and Tuesday.
📞 Contact: +33 5 57 14 97 83
🔗 Instagram: @nomad_bordeaux