Lyon wears its title as France’s gastronomic capital with pride, but you do not need a Michelin-starred budget to eat well here. The city’s culinary soul lives in its bouchons, neighborhood bistros, and family-run kitchens where generous portions and honest prices are the norm. Whether you are a student, a traveler on a shoestring, or simply someone who believes great food should be accessible, Lyon offers an incredible depth of affordable dining.
The key to eating cheaply in Lyon is knowing where to look. While the Presqu’île and Vieux Lyon are packed with tourist traps charging premium prices for mediocre food, the real bargains are often just a few streets away. From hearty Lyonnais classics to vibrant international flavors, the city’s affordable restaurant scene is remarkably diverse and deeply satisfying.
This guide focuses on restaurants where you can enjoy a proper meal without breaking the bank. We have prioritized places that offer excellent value for money, authentic cooking, and a welcoming atmosphere. These are not fast-food chains or kebab shops, but genuine sit-down restaurants where locals eat regularly and portions leave you full.
Understanding the local dining culture will help you eat well for less. Lunch menus, known as formules, are almost always cheaper than dinner and often include a starter, main course, and sometimes dessert. Booking ahead is wise for popular spots, especially on weekends, as the best-value tables fill up quickly with regulars who know where to find a good deal.
The restaurants below represent the best of Lyon’s budget-friendly dining scene. Each one has been selected for its consistent quality, reasonable prices, and ability to deliver a memorable meal that reflects the city’s proud culinary heritage or its modern multicultural energy.
Au P'tit Zinc
| Address | 56 Quai de Pierre-Scize, 69005 Lyon |
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| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: 12:00 – 2:00 PM, 7:30 PM – 4:00 AM Tuesday: 12:00 – 2:00 PM, 7:30 PM – 4:00 AM Wednesday: 7:30 PM – 4:00 AM Thursday: 12:00 – 2:00 PM, 7:30 PM – 4:00 AM Friday: 12:00 – 2:00 PM, 7:30 PM – 4:00 AM Saturday: 7:30 PM – 4:00 AM Sunday: 7:30 PM – 4:00 AM |
| Phone | 04 72 07 90 81 |
Food was delicious. Service was very friendly, explained slowly each dish in English for us. The steak was perfectly cooked to a medium rare. Fries were cooked perfectly, probably the best fries I've ever had.
From the moment we walked in, the service was top-notch—friendly, attentive, and welcoming. The food was incredible—every dish was bursting with flavor and clearly made with care. One of the highlights of the night was the man who served us, he was so sweet and genuinely made us feel at home. It’s rare to find such a perfect combination of great food, atmosphere, and hospitality. We’ll definitely be coming back!
Very good Food! We were the only ones early on a tuesday night, and the staff was very nice and helpful. Authentic french restaurant for us clueless tourists!
A really great place if you're looking for a good old steak. The entrée of cold cuts and bread was another great experience
Service was perfect. He was so kind and super helpful. Meals were tasty😍 sharing the new menu with anyone.
La petite ferme
| Address | 32 Rue Ney, 69006 Lyon |
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| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM, 6:00 – 9:30 PM Tuesday: 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM, 6:00 – 9:30 PM Wednesday: 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM, 6:00 – 9:30 PM Thursday: 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM, 6:00 – 10:00 PM Friday: 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM, 6:00 – 10:00 PM Saturday: Closed Sunday: 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM, 6:00 – 10:00 PM |
| Phone | 04 78 24 79 72 |
It’s a lovely kitchen offering ready-made meals for take-away. Very delicious, fresh ingredients, generous portions. During our short stay in Lyon we have gone there twice and tried poulet moutarde, boef bourguignon , saussice purée and effiloche du boef. Great price-quality ratio. On a good weather day you can ask to warm it up and eat in the park nearby. Superb.
A lovely kitchen with a great selection of French dishes. Everything feels fresh and carefully prepared, and you can really taste the quality. They also serve homemade lasagna, which is absolutely delicious, comforting, generous, and clearly fait maison. A place where you can feel the love put into the food. Highly recommended.
I just stumbled across this place on google myself - so had to try the food!
It's actually not a real restaurant, more like a small taka-away kitchen. There are no seats or anything like that.
But there is a huge selection of fresh, homemade dishes in mason jars!
The food can be taken away cold or warm! What a great idea!
Unfortunately, there is no photo of the food because I ate the entire glass straight away - haha.
There is also a big plus for the service! Although I don't speak any French at all and the guy hardly speaks any English, the advice via google translate worked very well! Thanks for the great service!
We need a place like this in Germany too!
Excellent food place! I tried the lasagna and the teriyaki — both were delicious and served in generous portions. The staff was incredibly friendly and made the experience even better. Highly recommended!
Great home-made taste! The food has good quality and ingredients, and it is surprisingly cheap! Foods come in a 1€ glass container you can swap later for new meals or you can keep it for yourself.
LA GÂCHE
| Address | 2 Pl. du Petit Collège, 69005 Lyon |
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| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: 12:00 – 2:00 PM, 7:00 – 10:00 PM Tuesday: 12:00 – 2:00 PM, 7:00 – 10:00 PM Wednesday: Closed Thursday: 12:00 – 2:00 PM, 7:00 – 10:00 PM Friday: 12:00 – 2:00 PM, 7:00 – 10:00 PM Saturday: 12:00 – 3:00 PM, 7:00 – 10:00 PM Sunday: 12:00 – 3:00 PM, 6:30 – 9:30 PM |
| Phone | 09 84 23 58 71 |
The food and atmosphere were delightful! The andouillettes were delicious and incredibly tender. The octopus was superb. The dessert rounded off our excellent dinner. Thanks to the staff for the very polite and attentive service! The restaurant is located on a very quiet and cozy street in Old Lyon...
This was recommended by a local, he said this is a great spot in Vieux Lyon, and he was right. We were lucky to get a table for lunch as it got very crowded on a weekday. The server was kind and attentive. Delicious food with different options.
Magnificent. The food was excellent, delicious and tender, It felt like I was kissed in the stomach.
Very authentic and pleasant place!
Look no further, this place is an absolute delight. From beginning to end, service superb. Beautiful situation looking towards the beautiful marionette clock. Food outstanding and I am fussy. Great vegetarian options a bonus. Star dishes, black pudding and hummus. Prunes in red wine just devine and pannacotta the best. We were so lucky finding this restaurant.
Absolutely loved it. The people are amazing, service is amazing, atmosphere is amazing, food is amazing. Just perfect, small, authentic french restaurant.
Les saveurs du Bistrot
| Address | 10 Rue Professeur Weill, 69006 Lyon |
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| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: 12:00 – 2:00 PM, 7:30 – 10:00 PM Tuesday: 12:00 – 2:00 PM, 7:30 – 10:00 PM Wednesday: 12:00 – 2:00 PM, 7:30 – 10:00 PM Thursday: 12:00 – 2:00 PM, 7:30 – 10:00 PM Friday: 12:00 – 2:00 PM, 7:30 – 10:00 PM Saturday: Closed Sunday: Closed |
| Phone | 04 37 24 14 25 |
The good: food and service
The bad: location (but also good since not crowded - if they put this downtown, it's twice the price and an hour wait).
The ugly - nothing.....
I ordered the artichoke fondant simply because it's odd- best thing I've eaten this week... the chicken was good. I ordered an odd dessert 'wine maker's bowl' it was a surprise, but good. If i ordered the standard (meat meat and more meat), it might have been very good - instead I got really good food and an interesting experience.
Our last stop in Lyon for food. And it was great. Service was fantastic, filled with locals, and which I love and take as a good sign. We just had mains. The beef with celeriac puree and red wine sauce. And the steak tartare.
Both delicious and well prepared.
Shared a little bottle of cote de Rhône to was it down.
I’d say this is a great lunch spot after a morning stroll in the park which is 10 mins away.
Thank you very much, the food was amazing, probably the best meal for this visit to Lyon so far. We had Thai-style tuna tartar and ravioli as a starter, both really tasty, especially the tuna tartar. For the main course, we had chicken, very tender and the sauce was top notch. For dessert we had lemon sorbet and chocolate-coffee brownie with ice cream (don’t recall the actual name). If you love lemon sorbet, you will definitely love this one. I personally loved the chocolate-coffee dessert. Definitely recommend this place.
I am so happy that I found this small restaurant!
It was such a great dinner.
From the friendly and quick service to the really delicious food and nice atmosphere everything was such great!
Thanks to the whole team for this great dinner. I am already looking forward to come back once again!
Our server was incredibly hospitable despite our lack of French and he was so funny too!
Food was 10/10, best food we had so far in Lyon at a nice local restaurant.
The chef was amazing and kind, and even came by to talk to us, recommending this to all my friend who visit Lyon!
Bouchon Tupin
| Address | 30 Rue Tupin, 69002 Lyon |
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| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: Closed Tuesday: 12:00 – 2:00 PM, 7:30 – 9:30 PM Wednesday: 12:00 – 2:00 PM, 7:30 – 9:30 PM Thursday: 12:00 – 2:00 PM, 7:30 – 9:30 PM Friday: 12:00 – 2:00 PM, 7:30 – 9:30 PM Saturday: 12:00 – 2:00 PM, 7:30 – 9:30 PM Sunday: Closed |
| Phone | 04 78 37 45 93 |
Nice atmosphere, friendly service, and fair prices. I ordered the traditional pike quenelle, which unfortunately wasn’t to my taste, but that’s more about my personal preference than the restaurant itself. The other two plates were tasty. I’d happily come back to try one of the meat dishes next time.
Great first Bouchon experience. The servers were friendly and were able to speak in French and English with us. The food is really heavy so we walked away with full stomachs.
We had the 34,50€ meal each with sparkling water (5€) which came with an appetizer, main, and dessert.
For the appetizers we tried the beef tongue salad which was AMAZING, and the pâté croûte which tasted good but the texture was on the drier side and the crust was okay.
We ordered Quenelle Lyonnaise (pike fish soufflé in lobster sauce with rice) each. The sauce was rich in texture and flavour but the soufflé was soft and light, which was a great contrast. The brown parts on the edge tasted so good when mixed into the sauce. It was also great for dipping bread into.
Dessert was the ganache and classic praline tart. They both tasted great, though the praline tart was suuuper sweet.
Overall had a great time. Definitely make reservations as it was packed full at opening.
We went here for our final meal during a two-week trip to Lyon. It was the third bouchon we tried while in the area, and the food was really good.
As we had read beforehand, it's not necessarily a traditional bouchon, but rather a more contemporary take on the concept. The restaurant was small and busy, with a surprising number of families and children, which gave it a lively atmosphere.
I ordered the grilled pork, along with the basil and zucchini soup and a rice pudding-style dessert. All three were really good. The portions were a little smaller than at some of the other bouchons and bistros we visited over the previous two weeks, but the quality of the food was excellent.
The servers were very friendly and accommodating, especially as I tried to speak French. They were encouraging and patient, which I really appreciated. They were also very attentive to food allergies, answered all of our questions, and were happy to make accommodations where needed, which was thoughtful and reassuring.
Omg. We have been in France for a month and this was the best meal yet. Life changing chicken and when zucchini can be as interesting as tomatoes in gazpacho you have a win. 1000/10
We went twice in a row for dinner and were amazed by the very fine interpretation of the local dishes. The staff was super nice and very helpful. Looking forward to going back next time we're in Lyon.
Chez Grand-Mère
| Address | 11 Rue du Bœuf, 69005 Lyon |
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| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: 12:00 – 2:00 PM, 7:00 – 10:00 PM Tuesday: 12:00 – 2:00 PM, 7:00 – 10:00 PM Wednesday: 12:00 – 2:00 PM, 7:00 – 10:00 PM Thursday: 12:00 – 2:00 PM, 7:00 – 10:00 PM Friday: 12:00 – 2:00 PM, 7:00 – 10:00 PM Saturday: 12:00 – 3:30 PM, 6:45 – 10:00 PM Sunday: 12:00 – 3:30 PM, 6:45 – 10:00 PM |
| Phone | 09 51 61 35 38 |
This was my first lyonnaise dining experience. The food was very rich and delicious. Desserts were too sweet but lacked flavor. Service was fast but not friendly. Atmosphere and decor were average.
Overall we had a good experience at Chez Grand Mere.
The restaurant is located in a small, cosy space. It is worth noting that there is no outdoor seating, and most of the dining area is located downstairs. The food was very good for the price, but what made the experience truly memorable was the exceptional service provided by our host, Mya (I hope I remember it correctly!). She was kind, patient, and spoke excellent English. She took the time to explain the menu and shared her knowledge of French cuisine, which greatly enhanced our dining experience. She was also extremely accommodating of my dietary requirements and promptly replaced a dish that unknowingly contained meat, ensuring I was able to enjoy my meal without any issues. It would be nice if they added more information on the menu regarding what are the main ingredients.
Anyway, Mya is keeping that place alive with her energy!
This place offers excellent value for money at just 26.9 euros per person. The food is delicious, the service is friendly and attentive, and the cozy underground environment adds to the overall experience. I highly recommend this restaurant and will definitely be returning.
Delicious three course meal, very happy and full. Staff were delightful and helpful. My only complaint was feeling a little rushed to eat because we were asked if we were finished eating while there was still food on our plaits or in our mouths. But otherwise it was a great experience and only 25 euro for the three courses. Definitely recommend. Great location in heart of Lyon.
Busy and nice looking restaurant. I had brilliant Pinot Noir there. But the food I had was average. Soupe à l'ognion super basic. Coq au vin cooked a long time before. Everything heated up before serving and actually served barely warm.
Les Ventres Jaunes
| Address | 1 Pl. Neuve Saint-Jean, 69005 Lyon |
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| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: 11:30 AM – 2:30 PM, 6:30 – 10:30 PM Tuesday: 11:30 AM – 2:30 PM, 6:30 – 10:30 PM Wednesday: 11:30 AM – 2:30 PM, 6:30 – 10:30 PM Thursday: 11:30 AM – 2:30 PM, 6:30 – 10:30 PM Friday: 11:30 AM – 2:30 PM, 6:30 – 10:30 PM Saturday: 11:30 AM – 2:30 PM, 6:30 – 10:30 PM Sunday: 11:30 AM – 2:30 PM, 6:30 – 10:30 PM |
| Phone | 09 79 57 02 65 |
The atmosphere of Vieux Lyon is amazing. The neighborhood is very lively and cozy with cobblestone streets. The restaurant is homey. I RECOMMEND the Creamy Ravioli Gratin. It’s SO FULL of flavour. Norma our server was so nice with amazing service and very very prompt.
Visited Les Ventres Jaunes during a quick trip to Lyon. Service was so friendly, the food was wonderful, and the location was perfect!
We arrived close to the end of their lunch service. The owner was very welcoming, incredibly friendly, and helpful. She offered us suggestions on what to see, where to go, etc. She was also very kind and patient in allowing us to practice our limited french, she offered us suggestions on pronunciation and word usage...she was so helpful!
The menu included typical french fare as well as your traditional Lyonnaise dishes so it is the best of both worlds. We ordered the ravioli gratin and the chicken supreme. Both were delicious with rich sauces. (The chicken was cooked perfectly as well)
We hope to return very soon, maybe this time for dinner. Lovely experience!
Having stumbled across this jem of a restaurant in the old town I visited on both consecutive days during my brief visit. The staff were amazing and I spent time chatting to them who explained the food, area and generally made it an experience.
I had all the typical local dishes including the snails! I respected how they did the food locally and any needs were delt with immediately with a smile. Always ask for recommendations. The owner at the front of house with her daughter was passionate about everything and everyone.
The local wine was good and inexpensive (I had the chardonnay) at 19 euro a bottle. After my second visit I was given a digestive (pic) that was amazing.
To the owner and staff, thank you. If I could have given six stars I would have.
Very nice food and friendly waiters. We were treated very well as tourists. We enjoyed all the dishes of the menu, especially the ones that had cheese!
It's very nice and cozy. Friendly owners, good recommendations. We came on Monday evening, so it was not crowded. The food was delicious, very good portions and reasonable prices. We took "packages" called Menu Bouchon and Menu Terroir. Merci beaucoup!
Court Bouillon
| Address | 4 Rue Ferrachat, 69005 Lyon |
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| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: Closed Tuesday: 7:00 – 9:00 PM Wednesday: 12:00 – 2:00 PM, 7:00 – 9:00 PM Thursday: 12:00 – 2:00 PM, 7:00 – 9:00 PM Friday: 12:00 – 2:00 PM, 7:00 – 9:30 PM Saturday: 12:00 – 2:00 PM, 7:00 – 9:30 PM Sunday: Closed |
| Phone | 04 78 42 49 33 |
Absolutely stunning food, simple but delicious flavours executed perfectly and paired with lovely wines. The sweet pea entree, chicken supreme and the strawberry/rhubarb beignet were all perfect. Paired with warm, attentive service that isn’t too overbearing. Option for a three course meal with an extremely reasonable price point. Excellent work from the whole team!
Everything about this place deserves 5 stars. We were four and everyone was happy with their food. Forgot to take photos of the desserts but they were amazing (everyone had tartelette praline pistache).
Can’t wait to return
Last week we visited Lyon on our way to Nice. We booked a table for 2 + our baby of 3 months old. The waitress was very kind, the food was very good and was brought very fast as well.
I was wondering if I could get the recipe of the starter that I ate. It was a zuchinni mousse with raw fish (I think tongue) and fish eggs.
This place has SOUL! We went there without reservation and they had no problem at accommodating us. The service during the whole night was really good. They explained the dishes and talked to us in English, the place itself has a wonderful and chic style, really beautiful. Now regarding the food, Let me tell you, the food was perfect. Not just good but really perfectly executed. We had the steak, salad and cheese as dessert and even the marmalade that came with the dessert was top notch. Super happy to come back every single time
One of the best meals I've had in France. Lunch menu was good value for money, the portions and not too big but enough for my large appetite. The food was very well executed and precise french cuisine, we enjoyed every bite as we felt the love and effort being put into every single dish. The main was super classic with smooth and not too heavy potato puree, the juiciest chicken I've ever had, sauce was perfect and the mushrooms added another flavor to the dish. Our waiter was a young guy-super nice, friendly and respectful who spoke English and made sure we enjoyed our food. I would recommend this place to anyone visiting the city.
Le Bouchon des Filles
| Address | 20 Rue Sergent Blandan, 69001 Lyon |
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| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: 7:00 – 10:00 PM Tuesday: 7:00 – 10:00 PM Wednesday: 7:00 – 10:00 PM Thursday: 12:00 – 2:30 PM, 7:00 – 10:00 PM Friday: 7:00 – 10:00 PM Saturday: 12:00 – 1:30 PM, 7:00 – 10:00 PM Sunday: 12:00 – 1:30 PM, 7:00 – 10:00 PM |
| Phone | 04 78 30 40 44 |
Le Bouchon Des Filles, first of all, was amazing. They do an interesting service where they invite a wave of people at different times in the evening - all the seats are set at the same time. The food was incredible and very reasonably priced, the service staff recommended great wines to pair, and the atmosphere was one where I met the people next to me and had a great conversation. Would come back!
Wow! What an experience. On our first night in Lyon, we stumbled upon this bouchon. It was not on our radar, and we were very lucky that they were able to seat us. I enjoyed the set menu, because as a little bit less of an adventurous eater, it got me out of my comfort zone. We began with the 3 set starters (a herring dish, local sausage and a lentil salad). This was followed by a chilled creamy zucchini soup which was wonderful in the heat. For our mains, my husband chose the red mullet quenelle and I had steak in a garlic sauce with potatoes. For the cheese course, I had the local St. Marcelin and he had the herby, softer one. Finally, we finished with dessert. I had the frozen praline dessert and he had the lemon custard (very tart and delicious). One of the best meals of our honeymoon by far, a great experience!
Lovely restaurant with delicious food! Offer a classic experience, the menu includes a mixture of selections and set items. The staff is very friendly and the portions are very generous.
I don’t usually leave reviews, but this place felt genuinely warm and sincere. It seems like they’re a bit away from their old peak, and there’s a sense of hustle inside to win that back.
The starters are nice, though slightly forced. The main dishes, however, are crafted with real care. And the dessert is the final highlight.
If they ease off the rush a little and focus more on flavor, they could easily become one of Michelin’s strongest contenders again.
This was our first bouchon experience & probably our last. The wooden beams & decor lent itself to a cozy space. The service was attentive. The food was just not to our liking. My partner's flank steak was a bit stringy & the sauce not to his liking. My quenelle was just too much of a weird texture & taste for my palette. We skipped the rest of the 2 courses & to their merit they did not charge us for the wine out of concern for our disappointment.
KEFI
| Address | 17 Rue Neuve, 69001 Lyon |
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| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: 11:30 AM – 2:30 PM Tuesday: 11:30 AM – 2:30 PM, 6:30 – 10:00 PM Wednesday: 11:30 AM – 2:30 PM, 6:30 – 10:00 PM Thursday: 11:30 AM – 2:30 PM, 6:30 – 10:00 PM Friday: 11:30 AM – 2:30 PM, 6:30 – 10:00 PM Saturday: 11:30 AM – 2:30 PM, 6:30 – 10:00 PM Sunday: Closed |
| Phone | 04 78 58 77 84 |
So good! Fresh, fast and friendly service. They offer indoor seating. Good menu with all the classics of Greek street food. The chicken gyro was delicious and so was the Greek salad. Highly recommend.
By far the best greek restaurant I’ve been to in France! As a greek! You immediately feel like home, in a very welcoming and happy atmosphere! As for the food, the souvlaki is incredible, with awesome tzatziki sauce and some of the best french fries you’re gonna have in a small restaurant like this one! In addition, most of the beverages there are greek, like Epsa orange juice and Mamos beer if I’m correct. 100% recommend going there if you visit Lyon! All the best to Myrto and her peers!!!
We stumbled upon this place and had a great experience! The food was fresh, fast and tasty! The French fries here are the star of the show! They are tossed in a very tasty herb blend. We order the pork and vegetarian pitas which we also really enjoyed! The pita was soft and fresh, the tzatziki was great, and the tomato was nice! I wish there had been more tomato to balance the fried veg balls and French fries. The staff are super friendly!
I had the pleasure of dining at this incredible Greek restaurant, and I must say it was an unforgettable experience. Their souvlaki was simply amazing – tender, flavorful, and perfectly grilled. The pita bread was fresh, soft, and a perfect companion to their authentic Greek salad, which was bursting with fresh ingredients and a delightful dressing.
The atmosphere was warm and inviting, making it a perfect spot to relax and enjoy a great meal. What truly stood out, however, was the exceptional service. The owner, who seems to handle almost everything alone, was an absolute gem. Always smiling, attentive, and genuinely nice to every customer, they created a personal connection that made the meal even more special.
This place is a true gem for anyone craving delicious Greek food with a touch of heartfelt hospitality. Highly recommend!
I went to this restaurant because a lot of my friends recommended it and it was for a very good reason. This place even though it’s street food has very high-quality food with lots of flavours and textures and not only that but the service was great because the lady in the counter spoke 1000 languages so we were able to speak with her in Spanish and the restaurant itself is beautiful
L'épicerie de Ginette
| Address | 2 Rue de la Monnaie, 69002 Lyon |
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| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: 11:00 AM – 12:00 AM Tuesday: 11:00 AM – 12:00 AM Wednesday: 11:00 AM – 12:00 AM Thursday: 11:00 AM – 12:00 AM Friday: 11:00 AM – 12:00 AM Saturday: 11:00 AM – 12:00 AM Sunday: 11:00 AM – 12:00 AM |
| Phone | 04 78 37 70 85 |
Wonderful Experience. Drinks a Delicious REAL French food. The Pralines Dessert was out of the world. 5 star service.
Very simple, very tasty savoury and sweet toasts. French specialties and more.
I had a liver toast that was delicious.
The blackcurrant pie was also very good.
The double espresso was….not. I just got a black coffee. And after I asked them, I got literally no answer but “I asked for a double espresso”…well sorry, go back to barista school because this isn’t one.
Besides the coffee incident and the fact that I had to wait for ages because the cashier was just chatting with clients about life…it was all good. Lovely ambience and beautiful dishes.
Fantastic little spot! I walked past here and it looked so cute especially as oysters were being freshly shucked out front along side glasses of white wine! I was craving some French onion soup and this was what they had and it was delicious. Beautiful portion. Cheese served on the side. The outdoor seating is perfect for people watching.
Beautiful cozy place, nice staffs, and such a cozy place.
We had the large salmon bread that apparently quite gigantic! 😅 They're very generous with the salmon, which I like! The cream coffee was also very good. The oysters were also nice and served with a very nice wine. I really liked the place but it didn't guve me that "Wow" impression as it feels more like a typical normal restaurant, so 4 stars from me. 😊
Lovely, old style Bistrot serving mainly tartines, burgers, soup and of course freshly shucked oysters with wine. 80’s music playing in the background creates a fun atmosphere. The young staff are happy and friendly.
Bouillon Maurice
| Address | 33 Rue Tupin, 69002 Lyon |
|---|---|
| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: Closed Tuesday: 12:00 – 2:00 PM, 7:00 – 10:00 PM Wednesday: 12:00 – 2:00 PM, 7:00 – 10:00 PM Thursday: 12:00 – 2:00 PM, 7:00 – 10:00 PM Friday: 12:00 – 2:00 PM, 7:00 – 10:00 PM Saturday: 12:00 – 2:00 PM, 7:00 – 10:00 PM Sunday: Closed |
| Phone | 06 70 15 39 59 |
An authentic, generous, and budget-friendly French experience in Lyon!
If you're looking for traditional French bistro classics in Lyon served with great quality and unbelievable prices, Bouillon Maurice is an absolute must-visit!
We started with some classic Lyonnais starters: the local Rosette de Lyon cured sausage served with butter and cornichons, along with a refreshing bowl of Velouté menthe-petits pois (chilled pea and mint soup) and a rich, creamy Cervelle de Canut (a traditional Lyonnais seasoned cheese dip). Every single starter was fresh, flavorful, and hit the spot.
For the main courses, we went with two classic French dishes:
Tartare de Bœuf au couteau – Perfectly seasoned hand-cut beef tartare served with a generous portion of golden, crispy fries.
Tête de veau sauce gribiche – Tender, beautifully prepared calf's head accompanied by steamed potatoes and a rich, savory gribiche sauce. Absolutely authentic and full of depth!
The atmosphere captures the authentic French bouillon charm—lively, welcoming, and unpretentious. Considering the fantastic quality of the food and the incredibly reasonable menu prices, this place offers unbeatable value in Lyon.
Highly recommended for anyone wanting a genuine taste of French comfort food!
Enjoyed a lovely dinner at Bouillon Maurice. My first time trying the duck confit, it was beautifully cooked with the potatoes. The crème brûlée was smooth and not overly sweet. The service and staff, super attentive and kind. I would go back, for sure. Thank you very much for the experience!
Average food, nice staff, but a bit too quiet as a Bouillon, seems not enough staff (in kitchen and waiters) so that half of upper floor is empty, and make the atmosphere less joyful.
When arriving the restaurant, there's a notice saying that "please wait outside" but you never know when will the waiter comes as the door is blocked by a curtain. Imagine waiting in cold winter.
Fantastic food, very French style so not sooooo much flavor but very filling and delicious. The prices are also great, much cheaper entrees compared to most restaurants in this area. Even the plats are very affordable. We loved it for our friends birthday, highly recommend
The ambiance of the place is incredible, what you can expect from a bouillon or bouchon. But there was a huge downside I can’t go unnoticed. I asked for a medium rare steak and the inside of the steak was raw, I have never send back a meal before in my life, and then it came back raw again. I asked for it to go back the second time and then it came overcooked well-done. And I saw chef coming out to look who send it back angrily which was not nice. But the employees were so nice and understand my concerns about the meat and gave me a discount which I appreciate very much. I deducted 2 stars because of this event happening.
Petit grain
| Address | 19 Rue de la Charité, 69002 Lyon |
|---|---|
| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: 11:30 AM – 3:00 PM Tuesday: 11:30 AM – 10:30 PM Wednesday: 11:30 AM – 10:30 PM Thursday: 11:30 AM – 10:30 PM Friday: 11:30 AM – 10:30 PM Saturday: 11:30 AM – 10:30 PM Sunday: Closed |
| Phone | 04 72 41 77 85 |
Had a wonderful dinner at this restaurant! Our server was so kind & spoke English too (I’m still learning French).
I highly recommend the green tea cake (gateau thé vert) which is not too sweet and gluten free.
Le Petit Grain is a hidden gem in Lyon, and their Vietnamese dishes are an absolute standout. The flavors are fresh, balanced, and deeply comforting — everything you’d hope for from a home-style Vietnamese meal. Whether it’s a classic pho, a bánh mì with perfectly crispy bread, or their delicate rice dishes, each bite feels thoughtful and true to tradition.
The space is warm and inviting, with a minimalist yet welcoming atmosphere. Service is friendly, efficient, and happy to explain the dishes if you’re unfamiliar.
If you’re in Lyon and craving genuine Vietnamese food in a relaxed, high-quality setting, this spot is a must. A rare and delicious find!
The food was absolutely delicious, and the portions were generous. Our waiter was very sweet and attentive, which I really appreciated. Service was also fast. I highly recommend this place and will definitely be coming back!
The Food was DELICIOUS! Hands down one the best Vietnamese Restaurant I’ve ever been to in France. When you enter the restaurant, the decoration is very humble and you can already tell it looks as traditional as what you’re about to taste. The real taste of Vietnam! The waiter was more than lovely with us and recommended us about today’s dish : Bo Luc Lac which is what my boyfriend ordered. I personally ordered a Beef Bo Bun. And we also ordered a mix of starters.
Will go back for sure when I’m in Lyon ! ❤️
The food was really great! I went there because one of the reviews mentioned the Pho is amazing, and they were right - I will definitely come back if I'm in Lyon again. A bit of a shame there was no baby seat, but the food was excellent!
Le Petit Glouton
| Address | 56 - 58 Rue Saint-Jean, 69005 Lyon |
|---|---|
| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: 11:30 AM – 11:00 PM Tuesday: 11:30 AM – 11:00 PM Wednesday: 11:30 AM – 11:00 PM Thursday: 11:30 AM – 11:00 PM Friday: 11:30 AM – 11:00 PM Saturday: 11:30 AM – 11:00 PM Sunday: 11:30 AM – 11:00 PM |
| Phone | 09 86 15 35 19 |
A charming bouchon in Vieux Lyon (next to La Longue Traboule, behind the Cour d’Appel de Lyon.
I had a 3-course menu, with cervelle de canut (a fresh cheese seasoned with herbs, shallots, vinegar, and olive oil) as a starter, saucisson chaud de Lyon (poached sausage) as a main, and a sweet crêpe with Grand Marnier for dessert. My friend had a salade Lyonnaise (a salad of frisée lettuce topped with crispy lardons, croutons, and a poached egg) for a starter and quenelles de Brochet (delicate pike dumplings baked in a creamy Nantua sauce made with crayfish) for a main. We also shared white wine.
Everything was delicious!
Excellent food! I’d recommend the Quenelle de Brochet (Pike Sausage) which comes with a creamy Gratin Dauphinois (potatoes and cream), and the Brochettes de Volailles (Chicken Kebabs with Raifort-based sauce, grilled tomatoes and salad greens)!
Celebrated my “quiet Birthday” with a dinner at this place and I loved it! People were very nice but the food was amazing!
I almost never order any dish with a salmon but i gave it a chance and didn’t regret. Also recommend to finish with their tastiest fondue 🫶 Cant wait to visit again.
I have dined here twice, and both times left feeling full and thoroughly satisfied. The staff were super friendly and sweet, especially the lady who took the time to explain everything and made excellent recommendations. This is the perfect restaurant if you want to try Lyon cuisine, as the set menu offers incredible value. Plus, they have an English menu, which made ordering very easy."
So every single day we were in Lyon, we stopped by this place for savory and sweet crepes. They're the best! And the coffee and the very friendly staff and the super charming place. Love, love, love.
La Cabane
| Address | 51 Rue Mercière, 69002 Lyon |
|---|---|
| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: Closed Tuesday: 12:00 – 2:30 PM, 7:00 – 11:00 PM Wednesday: 12:00 – 2:30 PM, 7:00 – 11:00 PM Thursday: 12:00 – 2:30 PM, 7:00 – 11:00 PM Friday: 12:00 – 2:30 PM, 7:00 – 11:00 PM Saturday: 12:00 – 2:30 PM, 7:00 – 11:00 PM Sunday: 12:00 – 2:30 PM, 7:00 – 11:00 PM |
| Phone | 04 78 03 23 93 |
Just average. If you’re from America, this might be something like Red Lobster. Lots of families inside for a casual dinner. The interior was the intentionally distressed wood look that was popular back in the early 2000s. We had mussels and fries and it was extremely underwhelming. The broth had no complexity and mussels were tiny - maybe 1-1.5 cm long each. Fries were your basic bagged frozen fries. My husband got a toast which looked fine and he said tasted alright. We both didn’t finish and wouldn’t return. Servers were nice!
Mussels were a little too salty for my liking.
Also did not enjoy pulling out the mussels remaining beards before eating.
Fries were good though. Nicely seasoned and crispy.
Great service. Friendly staff. Food was served quickly and piping hot.
Just what we were looking for, rustic, nice food and charming staff! Ticked all the boxes for us. Food was good, service was excellent and we enjoyed our meal. We both had a good steak and frites!
The fish and chips (cod fish) were fresh, crispy, and delicious, and the overall vibe of the place was warm and welcoming. A great spot to enjoy good food and chill atmosphere.
Nice rustic environment... fast and efficient service. We come here for the mussels / mules frites.. Nice house wine - St Joseph.. if you are looking for something different in Lyon and especially mules frites this is the place to go. Highly recomend also the fish and chips, tartare and the burgers..
Tips for Eating Well on a Budget in Lyon
Smart dining in Lyon is less about sacrificing quality and more about knowing the local rhythms and hidden opportunities. A few simple strategies can turn an ordinary meal into an exceptional value, letting you sample the city’s famous cuisine without overspending. Here are the most effective ways to maximize your food budget while enjoying everything Lyon has to offer.
1). Always choose the lunch formula
Most restaurants offer a formule du midi on weekdays that includes two or three courses for a fraction of the dinner price. You can often eat at a highly rated bistro for €15–20 at lunch when the same meal would cost €30–40 in the evening. Plan your main meal for midday and keep dinner light.
2). Look for the “plat du jour”
The daily special is usually the freshest, most economical dish on the menu. Chefs buy seasonal ingredients in bulk and pass the savings on to you. It is also a great way to try traditional Lyonnais dishes you might not otherwise order.
3). Explore the bouchons on weekdays
Traditional Lyonnais bouchons are famous for their hearty, meat-heavy menus, but many offer weekday set menus that are surprisingly affordable. Avoid Saturday nights and tourist-heavy periods when prices rise and portions sometimes shrink.
4). Drink tap water and house wine
In France, asking for a carafe d’eau is perfectly normal and free. Skip bottled water and soft drinks, which can add €5–10 to your bill. If you want wine, order the house pichet rather than a bottle — it is often local, drinkable, and half the price.
5). Check the chalkboard outside
Restaurants in Lyon frequently display their daily menus on a board outside the door. This lets you compare prices and dishes before committing. If a place looks busy with locals and the board shows a reasonable formule, you have likely found a winner.
6). Embrace ethnic and student neighborhoods
Areas like Guillotière and the 7th arrondissement are home to excellent Vietnamese, Lebanese, North African, and Italian restaurants where you can eat very well for under €15. These family-run spots often deliver more flavor per euro than pricier tourist-centric addresses.
Lyon proves that a tight budget does not mean bland or boring food. The city’s affordable restaurants are where its culinary identity is most alive — unpretentious, generous, and deeply rooted in tradition or shaped by the vibrant communities that call Lyon home. Eating cheaply here is not a compromise; it is often the most authentic way to experience the city.
So grab a fork, practice your “bonjour,” and dive into the bouchons, bistros, and neighborhood tables that make Lyon one of the world’s great food cities. Your wallet will thank you, and your taste buds will remember the experience long after you have left the banks of the Rhône and Saône behind.
