Mets Mots

The story

Mets Mots: A Michelin Recommended French Bistro and Wine Bar in Bordeaux

The Story

Mets Mots opened in early 2018, born from the desire of three partners – Léo Forget, Marion Forget, and Romain Grenet – to create a place that reflects their personalities. After years in prestigious houses, they launched a warm, unpretentious restaurant in a revitalizing Bordeaux district. The project is human and simple, with precise cooking that never feels elitist and a relaxed, welcoming service. Their efforts quickly earned a Bib Gourmand from the Michelin Guide, now recognized as a Michelin Recommended address.

The Chef

Chef Léo Forget built his craft alongside some of France’s finest: Pierre Gagnaire, Régis Marcon, and Benoît Vidal. Today, he brings that same rigor and passion to Mets Mots, where the kitchen focuses on seasonal, direct-from-producer ingredients. Vegetables, seafood, and meats take center stage – the cuisine is French, but the approach is flexible, driven by what arrives daily.

Lunch Service

Monday through Friday, lunch is a changing weekly menu with two choices each for entrée, main, and dessert. Recent offerings include a velvet courgette soup with orange and grilled ricotta, followed by trout with snap peas and green beans, or a lamb noisette with chickpeas and roasted eggplant. Desserts might be a rhubarb amandine tart or a lemon-coffee tiramisu. The format is simple, well-priced (€24–29), and built around market freshness.

Evening at the Wine Bar

From Tuesday to Saturday, the space transforms into a lively wine bar open until 1 a.m. (kitchen closes at 22:30). It’s a place for a post-work beer, a bottle with friends, or a festive evening with cocktails. The wine list, curated by sommelier Cyriaque, features over 100 references from across France, plus craft beers on tap and a selection of cocktails. The evening menu is designed for sharing: dishes like poulpe grillé with piquillo sauce, veal vitello tonnato, or a vegetarian flatbread with labneh and confit peppers. All meats are French or Spanish.

A Few More Things

Mets Mots also offers catering, private events, and takeaway. Chef Léo Forget is available as a consultant for restaurateurs. The restaurant’s commitment to local producers and seasonal ingredients runs through everything, making it a reliable spot for refined yet unfussy French cuisine in Bordeaux.