We plan on being in Lyon for 2-3 nights in April of next year. We will be coming off of two consecutive nights at Troisgros, so I’m expecting that we will be more in the mood for bistros, rather than Michelin star experiences. Particularly looking for a great wine list without crazy pricing.
If anyone has any great suggestions, I’d love to hear them.
It’s worth noting that our first night there will be a Monday…
The bistros I went to for lunch are all pretty good and cheap but the wine lists were not great. Bouchon Tupin was probably the best one I had. Out of all the michelin places (for a great wine list), I thought the best one was 14 au Fevier for both food and wine but it is a japanese/french fushion. I might still have some photos of the wine list.
Take my suggestions with a grain of salt - my wife has very particular dietary requirements with things she likes to eat and allergies so finding restaurants can be a challenge. For a traditional Bouchon we went to Le Poelon d’Or. It was nice, but nothing I’d highly suggest. Our second night we went to Cafe Terrior and had a much better meal.
Aside from restaurants, I am sure everyone has their opinion on their fav chocolate places in Lyon; though many were really great, one of the more interesting ones for great chocolate that looks amazing is https://www.bertrandchocolatier.com/
L’ame Soeur will be right up your alley!
Le Merciere was fun for a Quenelle and I liked the rest of the menu when I went. I wasn’t drinking there, but it looked like they had a fun and honest wine list to choose from.
I second Au 14 Fevrier, it was frankly the best meal of our trip last year and we also ate at Troisgros. Personally, after two days at Troisgros, I’d go to a local bouchon (e.g. Le Layon) and then hit 14 Fevrier a day or two after.
The owner of Le Layon sold a couple of months ago.
The new owner(s) are not as savvy or as interested in wine.
I second L’Âme Soeur. Les Adrets may be just what you’re looking for and open Monday I think. They have more wine than is on their list. We were invited not pick what we wanted from their cellar. But that might have been because a winemaker friend made the reservation.
It’s been years, but I also recall a really good experience at Le Supreme and a nice list.
Thanks for the suggestions, all.
Keep 'em coming!
The best chef and the best restaurant in Lyon is Takao Takano.
Looks interesting. Thanks. Seems like that might be the ticket for one night.
Any suggestions for something a little more casual and wine-list-centric?
CaféTerroir is very good.
L’Âme Sœur always has something good to drink, food is good, but not great.
I think Ardrets has some Comte L-B left over from an old allocation before LM raised the prices.
It is kind of a locals spot (bouchon) in a tourist part of town.
Passe Temps has a nice wine list and good food.
Likewise Cinq Mains.
If you want geeky, natural leaning wines, Le Troquet has some selections and has a great vibe.
Cave des Voyageurs is one of the world’s great wine bars - great charcuterie and some well priced wines.
There are only six or seven tables, so book at least three weeks out.
Here is the profile of a Lyon-based food blogger:
https://www.instagram.com/kaoko16?igsh=MWRnbHpjdGQwNTc4bQ==
I’ve saved a bunch of spots that she’s profiled for future possibilities. It looks like she focuses on places that may interest you. I’ll also take a look through TopJaw’s Step spots that they didn’t officially film. They’re not as wine-centric as we are, but I’m rarely let down by the places they visit
Our friend Joe Czinsta posted on Instagram a few weeks before I went to Lyon in September 2023. He wrote about a wonderful place in Vienne. Patrick Henriroux La Pyramide
It’s about a 20 minute ride south of Lyon if you take the train. It is not a casual place. 
I was solo. While I couldn’t afford a 250 (or so) euro dinner, I could afford an 89 euro lunch. This is a beautiful place. Service was 5 star, as was the food. The multi course lunch included a half bottle of wine.
I know this isn’t what you’re looking for, but it may help someone out in the future.
Just for the record, I dream of returning here for lunch with my wife.
Dan
I know Lyon is far from the sea, but any seafood oriented places?
They have a bistro where you can order the vins from the **.
You’ll find quenelle de brochet on most bouchon menus. Daniel et Denise always has a fish of the day special. Mere Brazier had quite a few seafood options when I went.
Great Steve, thanks!
Did you have a preference between the two?
One is a casual bouchon and the other is a fairly decadent Michelin two star.
I think Les Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse would be a good place for you look.
It would be hard to argue with that based on the outstanding meal we had last night.