Where to eat in Lyon: A local’s 4 top recommendations for visitors

© Star Wine List

BEL AMI - 34 Rue Sergent Blandan, Lyon 1

Ideally located on Place Sathonay, Bel Ami is an intimate wine bar and restaurant where you will quickly feel at home.

In terms of cuisine, the establishment offers a lunch menu with a limited selection that focuses on the essentials. In the evening, the kitchen switches to ‘tapas’ mode, serving dishes to share in a warm and friendly atmosphere, reflecting the character of the front-of-house team. The interior décor is minimalist but contributes to a pleasant experience. The stone walls, leather benches and wooden tables reflect the authenticity and purity that you feel when you sit down in this place and that you find in the food and drink. We particularly loved the mushroom tempura and the lightly spiced aubergine snack!

When it comes to wine, the selection is made directly from the winemakers. The list features around a hundred wines, some of which change regularly so you can discover new gems. Let Gianpiero advise you; he will guide you towards a bottle that will leave you with fond memories. The selection is carefully curated, with wines from all regions (Rhône, Loire, Burgundy, Languedoc, Corsica and Beaujolais). A place where life is good, where you can eat well and drink well!

© NOSCH

NOSCH - 24 Rue Palais Grillet, 69002 Lyon

In the heart of Lyon, NOSCH is a restaurant with a friendly atmosphere, offering precision French cuisine paired with a carefully selected and extensive wine list (over 800 wines!).

Here, people come to share a drink with friends or family, accompanied by a terrine or pâté croûte to share. The dishes are authentic, carefully prepared and offer a moment of comfort and indulgence. The wines come from all regions of France, as well as a few foreign countries. You'll find the big names in winemaking, as well as some hidden gems unearthed by the sommelier, who will be happy to introduce them to you and make recommendations. Give it a try if you're passing through Lyon!

© Bistrot Compa

BISTROT COMPA - 20 Pl. Carnot, 69002 Lyon

Located on Place Carnot, this bistro opened a few years ago and offers delicious bistronomic cuisine that is seasonal and often made with organic produce. The wine list also focuses mainly on environmentally friendly estates, with a strong emphasis on Beaujolais wines.

At lunchtime and in the evening, this restaurant offers an intimate setting inside, but the atmosphere can quickly become very lively with the bustle on the terrace and glasses clinking on both sides. A place we love to recommend for lovers of French cuisine prepared simply, where the dishes always pair perfectly with a good glass of wine!

© Le Progrès

PIEDRA - 17 Rue d'Austerlitz, 69004 Lyon

Piedra is the new must-visit spot in Croix Rousse. Four friends decided to join forces and combine their passion to serve customers who are delighted to have discovered this new gem. The menu has been carefully crafted and is focused. Generous dishes prepared with finesse and precision, attentive, pleasant and responsive service. A well-curated wine list. All the ingredients are there for a great time on the terrace, in the dining room or on the patio at the back of the restaurant. Enjoy without moderation!

We are highlighting four addresses in this article, but other names will be shared regularly to take you on a journey through bistros, wine bars and restaurants in the different districts of the capital of gastronomy.