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French fine dining1er
Circle in Lyon's 1er pulls a single seating around the kitchen counter for a chef's-choice tasting; the ten-cover room earned a Michelin star.
OrderThe full tasting; there is no carte at dinner.
TipOne service per night, Wed-Sat; book three weeks ahead via Instagram.
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Lyonnais Bouchon1er
Chez Paul in Lyon's 1er is the working bouchon on Rue du Major Martin where regulars take the chalkboard menu and a pichet of cotes-du-rhone for lunch.
OrderThe saucisson chaud with potatoes, then the quenelle.
TipCash-friendly. Closed Sunday and Monday.
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French Bistro2e
L'Etabli in Lyon's 2e is the Ainay neighbourhood bistro running a tight set-lunch carte that fills the room with local office workers from 12:30.
OrderThe €22 set lunch with daily plat and dessert.
TipBook 24 hours ahead for lunch; dinner is the harder seating.
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Mediterranean6e
Ayla in Lyon's 6e is the Levantine kitchen on Place de l'Europe where wood-fired flatbreads and meze plates run alongside a Mediterranean wine list.
OrderThe mezze platter for two with the manakish, then the labneh.
TipLunch is busy with office workers.
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French Small Plates3e
Becbec in Lyon's 3e is the small-plates room on Rue Paul Bert where a young couple runs the kitchen and a tight natural-wine cellar from a 12-cover counter.
OrderWhatever is on the daily chalkboard, with a glass of natural Beaujolais.
TipWalk-in only; arrive at 19:00 for a counter stool.
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Sandwich3e
Les Freres Barioz in Lyon's 3e runs an Italian-style sandwich counter on Rue Duguesclin, with focaccia panini and rotating daily fillings from house.
OrderThe mortadella-and-pistachio focaccia, plus a Tarocco orange juice.
TipLunch only; counter closes at 14:30. Cash and card.