Barts Best of: tips for the best hotspots in Lyon, France
Admit it, you forgot about it yourself, right? But Lyon So it really is a very nice city. Both for a city trip and a right-in-the-middle pit stop on your trip to the south of France. So why Lyon is never on our city trip shortlist is a mystery to the French; it's the food capital of the world! Of which act.
More France? Yes! We give all the tips here.
If you do one thing in Lyon (provided you like wine), let it be a visit to the really fun part Satriale Lyon are. This musically bubbling wine bar is a lot of fun. Vin naturals they have it there, and vinyl. Top combination. The whole place is run by five friends (always a good idea) and you can find the little place at the bottom of the slope of the Croix-Rousse in Lyon. You choose from about 5 natural wines; 50 pieces (and a little) that the men themselves really like, otherwise they wouldn't come in. Unlike most (French) wine shops, the vibe look young and, pardon our French, 'hip'. Ergo that vinyl. Nice and atypical and therefore completely cozy. Oh, and check it out Instagram account of the men: they regularly organize small tastings with local winegrowers.
Summer tip (at least we hope they open again this summer)!
Forget everything about downtown Lyon: if you're in the area, don't miss this pearl – under (or above actually) the smoke of Lyon – (okay, it's still an hour's drive, but that's what you get) . Ephemeral Vauxrenard is the topic of conversation, and at Ephemere Vauxrenard, the Dutch Gusta has been hosting a pop-up outdoor restaurant since 2019. Intimate + short-lived = a success. And so Gusta now 'does' it more often and sometimes also for the longer term. No less intimate, by the way: the idea remains the same. At Ephemere Vauxrenard it's all about the delicious wines and 'farm to table' dishes. Call or email what the current plans are so that you don't come in vain: ephemerevauxrenard@gmail.com
We slept wonderfully, centrally and very cheaply at the small but more than nice, modern hotel Hôtel Silky Lyon by HappyCulture. And we had a great meal at the restaurant Pistachio where you can take a very pleasant walk along the water and enjoy the best things in the city on a terrace overlooking a swimming pool in the Rhône. Also a tip of course, take a splash there.
Modern, apparently simple and, above all, incredibly good Restaurant Ravigotte Lyon (do this if you really want to eat well, preferably without kids).
Also very nice: La Mutinerie Lyon, a red-and-pink place where we got a bit 'out of it', even though we only had a drink there. The restaurant has a Michelin star.
The Halls of Lyon – in a city with more than 4000 restaurants, many of which have been awarded at least one Michelin star, your first stop in Lyon is the source: a gigantic food market and the initiative of one of Lyon's most beloved chefs Paul Bocuse and the place where every restaurant is where hits. In the halls The Butcher Boys can not be missed.
The Halls of Lyon – 102 Cours Lafayette, Tuesday to Sunday. Bonus tip: go on Sunday morning.
L'Ourson qui boit – Everyone wants to taste what is currently on the menu of the day. Worth trying again – 23 Rue Royale, +33 4 78 27 23 37
Cafe des Federations – Oh well, this isn't actually a tip: you'll walk in here automatically. Cozy French coziness as if time has stood still. Cafe des Federations – 8 Rue Major Martin
Yaafa – Vega fast food with, according to many, the best falafel in town. There are several locations. Yaafa
Mama Shelter – Always and everywhere a good idea, also in Lyon. As in almost every city (except... Instanbul) Mama Shelter is located just outside the city center and a 3-minute walk from a metro stop. Mama Shelter 13 Rue Domer
Collège Hôtel – The city's most beloved hotel for a long time. Everything should smell of your days at school, but it is actually a nice, light and fresh hotel with lots of white and vintage (designer) furniture. You can sleep there relatively cheaply. Collège Hôtel 5 Place Saint-Pau. Bonus tip: the breakfast buffet costs 19,50 euros, even for non-guests.
The perfect spot for an extensive lunch LeKitchen. The interior consists of a mix of Swedish and French influences and you can go there for breakfast, coffee, lots of pastries and lunch. Don't forget to end your lunch here with one of the delicious desserts. LeKitchen 34 Rue Chevreul
Annexe Ravigote is also a wonderful lunch spot, but completely different. Much less extensive but certainly no less tasty. Here you can choose from different types of sandwiches, which the owner makes herself (a kind of brioche bread). Annexe Ravigote is also a delicatessen where you can buy cheese and charcuterie from local farmers. Annexe Ravigotte 76 Rue Mazenod
Fourviere Hôtel Lyon is located on the edge of the city of Lyon, making it easy to get there by car. A good base for a transit to the coast, ha! You will find the four-star hotel at the top of the Roman theaters and that makes for a spectacular sight. The special thing about this hotel is that it is located in a former monastery from 1854. The plus points are that you can discover the Gallo-Roman theaters, the basilica, old Lyon, museums and the peninsula just a stone's throw away. The hotel has no fewer than 75 rooms and suites spread over three floors. The kids are also very welcome in the hotel. And trust us when we say they will be grateful. For the food lover it's a ball here, because you can dine in the colonnades of the monastery with a great view of the garden.
