The business district built around Lyon's main station and Halles Paul Bocuse, with neighbourhood bistros on Cours Lafayette and Rue de Crequi.
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.
Signature: Daily plat, Natural wine pours
Order: Whatever is on the daily chalkboard, with a glass of natural Beaujolais.
Tip: Walk-in only; arrive at 19:00 for a counter stool.
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 charcuterie.
Signature: Italian-style sandwiches, Focaccia
Order: The mortadella-and-pistachio focaccia, plus a Tarocco orange juice.
Tip: Lunch only; counter closes at 14:30. Cash and card.
Les Assembleurs in Lyon's 3e is the natural-wine cave on Rue Mazenod with a small kitchen running cheese, charcuterie and daily hot plates by the glass.
Signature: Cheese and charcuterie plates, Daily small plates
Order: The Saint-Marcellin cheese plate and a glass of natural Beaujolais.
Tip: Closed Sunday-Monday; book the bigger back room for groups.
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: Daily plat, Natural wine pours
Order: Whatever is on the daily chalkboard; the cellar is the order.
Tip: Walk-in only; arrive at 19:00 for a counter stool.
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.