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BURGUNDY 101
• Burgundy is not like American wine regions. It takes its wine producing craft very seriously, and is more geared towards that than catering to tourists. Most wineries are not open to visitors at all, and the ones that do open to outsiders require advance booking (read on for a few top winery recs). • A car is essential, both to drive along the Route des Grands Crus (an absurdly stunning 60km route that links 37 wine villages), and to reach the area’s best hikes, villages, and restaurants. • Burgundy is very easily reached from Paris. It’s a 1.5-hour TGV ride to Dijon, where you can then rent a car. Alternatively, there are longer (but much cheaper) trains from Paris to Beaune, the heart of Burgundy. • Eating well and drinking wine are not the only things to do here (although they are very important). Burgundy also has amazing hiking and biking (use AllTrails to find the best routes).
EDITORS’ PICKS: THE BEST OF BURGUNDY RIGHT NOW
Les Sources de Vougeot · Dijon
Les Sources de Vougeot
Opened just a few weeks before our visit, Les Sources de Vougeot is the first of several new five-star hotels that are arriving in Burgundy this year. It’s owned by the Sources hotel group, a family-run group with a handful of “vineyard hotels” in France’s best wine regions (including Bordeaux and the Loire Valley, with another new stay in Alsace coming next year). This is perhaps their most impressive one yet, set in a sprawling, 14th-century Cistercian priory that is surrounded by a dried up moat (where three resident goats live). The 49-room stay feels connected to the building and land’s history through rich tapestries, arched ceilings, an old wooden staircase that has charmingly not been updated, and a truly striking Caudalie spa that is set in the chateau’s former wine cellar. Two restaurants round out the amenities here, making Sources a really fantastic home base from which to explore the region.
PAPOTTE · Dijon
PAPOTTE
For something more home-like, Papotte offers countryside charm via its four homes, which accommodate between two to fifteen guests. This is a cozy place to check in for families or groups of friends looking for a well-designed, longer stay in the region. Each home is modern but designed differently—think bright yellow couches with black and white striped pillows, and beautifully appointed kitchens—and while the vibe here is not at all like a hotel, Papotte does have a little cafe, épicerie, and wine bar in the afternoons.
La Cave du Centre - Chagny · Dijon
La Cave du Centre
American Aaron Ayscough has no formal culinary training, but he’s churning out some of the most enjoyable food in the Burgundy region from his wine bar and bistro La Cave du Centre. Set 30 minutes south of Beaune in Chagny (a town to visit on Sundays for the Marché du Dimanche farmers market), La Cave du Centre occupies a beautifully cluttered space—natural wine bottles line one wall, whereas pots and pans are stacked near the open kitchen—and it's a serious spot for natural wine (Ayscough is also a journalist and wine consultant). The food menu is simple but superb, ideal for lingering over (and ordering more as you sink deeper into the wine collection). Our visit included a delicate shaved fennel salad with blood orange, parmesan, and a fresh vinaigrette, and a thinly sliced, smoked duck breast with chili crisp, cabbage, and parsley.
Saint Romain Coffee · Dijon
Saint Romain Coffee
Blink and you’d miss this tiny, one-table micro-roastery and coffee shop in the picturesque town of Saint Romain. That would be a shame, as you’d be missing the region’s best coffee shop, a passion project of owner and roaster Matt McClune, who hails from Boston but has been living in Burgundy for nearly 20 years. All of his beans come from Ethiopia, which he roasts in the tiny, cave-like space, that has been made very atmospheric thanks to a great sound system and soundtrack of chilled-out music.
Ma Cuisine · Dijon
Ma Cuisine
Opened in 1996 by local wine expert and chef Pierre Escoffier, Ma Cuisine has long been famed for its French cooking, and for being the first bistro in the country to offer a wine list topping 20,000 bottles. Pierre’s son, Mathieu, opened a second located of Ma Cuisine in Singapore, where it won a Michelin star within six months. Upon his father’s retirement in 2026, he returned to Burgundy to take the helm at Ma Cuisine, where he infused a bit of Singapore into the French-leaning menu. Dare we say it’s better than ever, with a beautiful interior design refresh, and dishes like a delicate leeks vinaigrette, langoustine dumplings, and scallop pithivier with Madera wine sauce and black truffle.
Le Soleil · Dijon
Le Soleil
This one is a bit of local legend, a spot that’s built a reputation for its superb small plates, friendly atmosphere, and excellent natural wine list. After a stint working in Paris at Le Baratin, Burgundy-born Lola Taboury-Bize returned to her family’s vineyard to open this sun-soaked bistro in Savigny-lès-Beaune, bringing chef Laila Aouba (formerly of Paris’ Au Passage) to helm the kitchen. Together, they’ve created one of the region’s most enjoyable dining destinations. The menu changes and focuses on the seasons, but you might find items like fresh goat cheese salad with melon, cured ham, and walnut oil, or a delicious chicken pastilla. If you don’t want to leave (we wouldn’t blame you), book a night in one of the three simple but comfortable rooms.
Crème, comptoir, café, cuisine · Dijon
Crème, comptoir, café, cuisine
Fun and good food can be had all day long at this vibrant little cafe in the heart of Beaune. Run by David Maurin and his partner (Maurin used to work at Caves Madeleine), Crème is open for excellent coffee and breakfast in the morning, before shifting gears to savory plates and wine for lunch and dinner. Settle in to one of the handful of barstools here and order any of the delicious dishes, from smoked mackerel with apple and chili to braised pork with shiitake and red wine jus. In the evening, chef Mike Hazlewood leads the kitchen and offers a weekly special dish, which might be Hainan chicken, osso buco alla Milanese, or spicy miso pork ramen.
Caves Madeleine · Dijon
Caves Madeleine
Caves Madeline is a Beaune institution, both for its casual-chic ambiance—set just a few steps below street level, with a dining room defined by wine bottle–lined shelves and a prominent chalkboard menu—and for its elegant French cuisine. Lunch is a short set menu, and dinner has more options, including everything from lentil salad with a poached egg to crispy duck with a buttery potato puree. Friendly service and a local, wine-loving crowd round out the experience.
Beaune · Dijon
Beaune
At the center of Burgundy is Beaune, a cobblestoned, walled town with beautiful old architecture and terrace-laden cafes. It’s best experienced on Saturday mornings, when the region comes together at the Marché de Beaune, a farmers market with incredible produce and all the best local producers. After shopping, pop into the Hospices de Beaune, a hospital-turned-museum with beautiful Gothic architecture (it’s also home to a famed charity wine auction, with proceeds supporting the local hospital system, maintaining the Hospices, supporting local charities, and more).
Wineries
As mentioned above, Burgundy is serious about wine making. But it’s a business that is not geared towards tourism, so many of the best wineries are not open to the public. Not to worry, you will be drinking very well in Burgundy, even if you don’t hit a vineyard—all of the restaurants have world-class wine lists. That said, there are still many vineyards open to the public, just be sure to make an appointment ahead of time. Amongst our favorites are: • Domaine Simon Bize: A local favorite, family-run winery in Savigny-lès-Beaune. Known for its Pinot Noirs. • Domaine Henri Gouges: Family-run, over a century old, with a classic, serious wine perspective. • Domaine Dubreuil-Fontaine: Authentic, family-run, with elegant wines. • Maison Joseph Drouhin: Respected house with a tasting room set in a 13th-century cellar in Beaune. • Domaine de la Romanée-Conti: World-renowned—not open to the public, but wine lovers should at least drive by to see the vineyard.
On Our Radar
Three other exciting hotels will be making summer debuts. Modern boutique stay Maison Le Chevreuil will open in the beautiful town of Meursault with 10 rooms (starring Hästens beds), a pool, and a restaurant and wine bar. Also in Meursault is Château de Cîteaux, a new property from the Fontenille hotel group (behind Domaine de Fontenille, Fontenille Menorca Torre Vella, and more). Set in a striking 19th century white chateau, the hotel will have 36 rooms, a restaurant, and a spa. And lastly there’s Château de la Commaraine, an ancient estate dating back to the 12th century that has been lovingly restored with help from France’s architectural heritage protection organization. The result will be a 37-room boutique hotel that blends farmhouse warmth with French elegance.
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