Circle ★ 4.2
Circle in Lyon's 1er runs a daytime espresso bar at the front of the Rue Chavanne dining room, with single-origin filter and pastries from a local baker.
TipCounter seats open from 09:00; the back dining room opens for dinner only.
21 cafe places in Lyon we have eaten in, sorted by editor score. All cuisines in Lyon | Cafe across every city.
Lyon has quietly become one of France's stronger specialty coffee cities, with a roasting scene that radiates out from the 1er around the Croix-Rousse slopes. La Boite a Cafe on Rue Abbe Rozier and Mokxa, whose boutique sits on Rue Bellecordiere in the 2e, were among the early movers, and Slake Coffee House near Place des Cordeliers built on that foundation. Newer roasters such as Kiwa on Quai Antoine Riboud and Diploid on Rue d'Algerie keep the bar high.
Le Desjeuneur ★ 4.1
Le Desjeuneur at the foot of the Croix-Rousse runs as a brunch-and-coffee room with filter pours, weekend egg plates, and a tight specialty-coffee programme.
TipWeekend brunch books out; weekday mornings are the work-friendly slot.
Les Freres Barioz ★ 4.2
Les Freres Barioz in Lyon's 3e runs an Italian-style sandwich and espresso counter on Rue Duguesclin, with house-baked focaccia and a tight Italian wine list.
TipCounter seats only; lunch closes at 14:30 sharp.
La Commune Coffee ★ 4.0
La Commune in Lyon's 7e runs a €4 specialty-coffee programme inside the food hall, with rotating roasters and a long communal table for work mornings.
TipWeekday morning is the work-friendly slot; weekend brunch fills the room.
Mokxa Boutique ★ 4.6
Mokxa on Rue Bellecordiere in the 2e is Lyon's flagship third-wave coffee bar, founded in 2011, with single-origin espresso, filter pours and a roastery.
TipThe single-origin filter list rotates monthly; whole-bean bags ship retail.
Slake Coffee House ★ 4.5
Slake Coffee House on Rue de l'Ancienne Prefecture in the 2e is Robin Perraud's specialty-coffee bar opened in 2015, brewing beans from Mokxa and Kaffa.
TipSpecialty pour-over is the order; the back room has work-friendly bench seating.
La Boite a Cafe ★ 4.5
La Boite a Cafe at the foot of the Croix-Rousse in the 1er is the specialty-coffee bar in the former Mokxa space, run since 2023 by Amelie Michel and Terry.
TipOpen every day; the back seats are the work spot, the bar pours rotating guest roasters.
Tome ★ 4.4
Tome on Rue Romarin in the Pentes de la Croix-Rousse is the Asian-inspired café-canteen run by Marianne and Sylvain, with KAFFA specialty espresso.
TipThe Sunday Asian brunch (€25) is one of the few in Lyon; reserve ahead.
Loutsa Cordeliers ★ 4.4
Loutsa Cordeliers on Place Albon in the 1er is the central counter of the Lyon-rooted Loutsa Torrefacteur, serving single-origin espresso and whole-bean.
TipThe single-origin Ethiopia espresso is the order; whole-bean bags by weight.
Quantine ★ 4.3
Quantine on Boulevard de la Croix-Rousse is the small bistrot-café that opened in late 2024 with a generous weekend brunch alongside a meat-led weekday carte.
TipWeekend brunch (€29) books out; reserve a fortnight ahead Cash or contactless, both fine.
Les Cafetiers ★ 4.3
Les Cafetiers on Rue Ferrandiere in the 2e is the central-Presqu'ile specialty cafe, serving local roasters' beans across espresso and filter with a small.
TipClosed Sunday; the tasting flight of three espressos is the deep dive.
Le Cafe J'Adore ★ 4.2
Le Cafe J'Adore on Boulevard de la Croix-Rousse runs a daytime cafe across the road from the daily street market, with specialty espresso and pastries.
TipMarket mornings are loud; the back banquette is the work spot.
Rakwe Coffee ★ 4.3
Rakwe in the 1er on Rue d'Algerie is the Ethiopia-leaning specialty cafe with a tight single-origin filter list and a small breakfast pastry counter.
TipClosed Sunday; the Ethiopia filter list rotates monthly Cash or contactless, both fine.
Kiwa Coffee Roasters ★ 4.3
Kiwa Coffee Roasters on Rue de l'Arbre Sec in the 1er runs a small house-roastery counter with whole-bean retail and a focused single-origin filter programme.
TipThe Burundi filter is the move; whole-bean by weight only Cash or contactless, both fine.
Loutsa Monplaisir ★ 4.2
Loutsa Monplaisir on Avenue des Freres Lumiere is the 8e arrondissement counter of the Lyon roastery, focused on workday espresso and whole-bean retail just.
TipWeekday mornings are the work slot; weekend hours are reduced.
Loutsa Part-Dieu ★ 4.2
Loutsa Part-Dieu on Rue Servient in the 3e is the business-district counter, with the morning rush espresso programme and whole-bean retail near the train.
TipWeekday mornings are the busiest; the take-away cup is the form.
Diploid Coffee ★ 4.2
Diploid in the 1er on Rue d'Algerie is the small roaster-cafe with a focused single-origin programme and a daily filter menu, alongside whole-bean retail.
TipClosed Sunday-Monday; the whole-bean line ships nationally Cash or contactless, both fine.
Puzzle Cafe ★ 4.5
Puzzle Cafe on Rue Cavenne in the 7e Jean-Mace is the specialty-coffee shop run by Thomas, with single-origin espressos from independent roasters and V60.
TipAsk Thomas for the current rotation; brewing workshops on weekends.
Magma Coffee Shop ★ 4.5
Magma on Rue Béchevelin in the 7e Guillotière is the specialty coffee shop with a rotating monthly guest roaster, La Marzocco espresso, V60 filter.
TipThe Magmola spiced chocolate drink is the house signature; ask for the current guest roaster at the counter.
Celsius Roasters ★ 4.4
Celsius Roasters on Rue des Capucins in the Pentes de la Croix-Rousse runs an in-house specialty roasting station alongside the café bar, with weekly.
TipThe weekly roast list rotates Friday; ask for the cupping menu.
Cafe Gadagne ★ 4.4
Cafe Gadagne sits on top of the Gadagne museum in Vieux Lyon, with a shaded vine-covered terrace over the museum gardens; the kitchen runs a seasonal small.
TipWeekend brunch is the slot; the terrace opens in spring; closed Monday-Tuesday.
Book food experiences in Lyon
Guided tour · 2h 30m
Lyon: Morning Market Tour in Les Halles Paul Bocuse
Immerse yourself in Lyon’s culinary heart: step into Les Halles Paul Bocuse, the ultimate destination for food lovers in Lyon!
from€130 Check dates
Guided tour · 3 hours
Lyon: Old Town Food Tour with 6 French Food Tastings & Wine
Taste 5 authentic French dishes in Vieux Lyon & Presqu’île. From pastries & cheeses to seasonal dishes & wine, explore traboules, markets, and the world capital of gas...
from€111 Check dates
Guided tour · 3.5 hours
Lyon Sunset Food Tour: Full Meal of Lyon’s Best Bites
Explore Lyon on a guided food tour, tasting praluline, charcuterie with wine, quenelle, and traditional sweets while discovering the city’s rich gastronomic heritage.
from€89 Check dates