Becbec in Lyon's 3e on Rue Paul Bert is the 12-seat counter bistro where a young couple runs the kitchen and the tight natural-wine cellar by hand.
Signature dishes: Daily plat, Natural wine pours
Must order: Whatever is on the daily chalkboard; the cellar is the order.
Tip: Walk-in only; arrive at 19:00 for a counter stool.
Address: 232 Rue Paul Bert, 69003 Lyon
Petit Ogre in Lyon's 3e is the Rue de la Banniere wine-bar bistro running a tight evening menu of small plates paired with a natural-wine list by the glass.
Signature: Small plates, Natural wine
Order: Three small plates between two, then the cheese plate and a glass of Beaujolais.
Tip: Evening only Wed-Sat; small room, book a fortnight ahead.
Les Marmottes in Lyon's 3e is the Rue de Vendome Savoyard kitchen running fondue, raclette and tartiflette as a winter destination across November to March.
Signature: Fondue, Raclette
Order: The fondue savoyarde for two with the cured ham platter on the side.
Tip: Winter season only; book ten days ahead for a Friday night table.
La Commune in Lyon's 7e is the city's first food hall: eight kitchens around a central bar, rotating chef residencies, a 4 EUR coffee programme, weekend brunch.
Signature: Multiple kitchens, Rotating residencies
Order: The pizza from the wood-fired oven, plus a beer from the in-house tap.
Tip: Saturday is loud; lunch midweek for the easier seating and shorter queue.
Fujiyama 55 in Lyon's 2e is the city's most-booked ramen counter, with a tonkotsu broth simmered 14 hours and queues that form most weeknights from 19:00.
Signature: Tonkotsu ramen, Gyoza
Order: The tonkotsu ramen with extra chashu; gyoza for the table.
Tip: No reservations; arrive at 18:45 to beat the queue.
Petit Ogre in Lyon's 3e is the Rue de la Banniere wine-bar bistro running a tight evening menu of small plates paired with a natural-wine list by the glass.
Signature: Small plates, Natural wine
Order: Three small plates between two, then the cheese plate and a glass of Beaujolais.
Tip: Evening only Wed-Sat; small room, book a fortnight ahead.
Bufe on the Croix-Rousse plateau in Lyon's 4e is the Rue de Cuire neighbourhood bistro running a market-driven blackboard menu for the local hill crowd.
Signature: Daily plats, Bistro classics
Order: Whatever is on the blackboard; a glass of natural Beaujolais alongside.
Tip: Closed Sunday-Monday; the back room is the quieter seating.
Les Mauvaises Herbes on the Croix-Rousse slope in Lyon's 1er is the vegetable-forward bistro on Rue du Jardin des Plantes with a daily set and herb-led plating.
Signature: Vegetable-led plates, Daily set
Order: The set menu; the herb-led starter is the highlight.
Tip: Closed Sunday-Monday; lunch is the price-point entry at 24 EUR.
Les Marmottes in Lyon's 3e is the Rue de Vendome Savoyard kitchen running fondue, raclette and tartiflette as a winter destination across November to March.
Signature: Fondue, Raclette
Order: The fondue savoyarde for two with the cured ham platter on the side.
Tip: Winter season only; book ten days ahead for a Friday night table.
