Bouchon Suggestions in Lyon

Sadly, we were disappointed with dining in Lyon - even at a well-rated Michelin Bib recommended restaurant, as well as what seemed to be a classic Bouchon.

Our favorite dining experiences were

1. lunch at Les Halles Paul Bocuse where you will find many great offerings, just follow your noses, your eyes and the looks of dishes and satisfied diners.
2. A pretty casual restaurant with outdoor, lunchtime diners enjoying great looking galettes (crepes), where we lunched and later returned for dinner because we saw some diners at lunch enjoying beautiful looking mussels.

I was surprised that we did better following our noses and our eyes, rather than reviews, in light of Lyon’s reputation as a gastronomic paradise.

We had a delicious dinner at Bouchon Thomas, which is easily walkable from the area you are staying in.

These were recommended to me here on the forum, I went to them and liked them:
Le Garet
Le Poêlon d'Or
Le Mercière
Le Bouchon des Filles

Thanks for all the great suggestions. I will check them out online. Eric

Agree with Marco's recommendations. Note that reservations are needed for all, and some, such as Poelon, take online res.

We stayed in the same general area and really enjoyed the historic Cafe Comptoir Abel. Great pike quenelle and chicken with morels - yum!

Another vote for Comptoir Abel. We've been there on two of our trips to Lyon. Just bear in mind that bouchon fare is not the same as what you might expect at a Michelin starred establishment. It is more likely to be slanted towards hearty, traditional recipes for working class patrons. But still better than what is served at most US franchise restaurants.

Thank you everyone. I made a reservation at Cafe Comptoir Abel. I am taking a Viking Cruise but will be arriving a day early and wanted to secure dinner reservations ahead of time.

Former Lyon resident here.

Bouchons are a type of restaurant. They're generally not what one might consider fine dining. Heavy on meat and organ meats in particular. You can have a good meal at them. You also can be presented with some pretty weird stuff developed by destitute people in the past trying to use every last part of the beast they slaughtered; retained for posterity by your friendly bouchon.

Comptoir Abel in particular is an interesting place. I've recommended it myself to others as a "Huh, that's interesting" kind of place. Its presentation might suggest it hasn't been remodeled in a few centuries. Some of the dishes are okay. Some are less so.

But if you're truly interested in fine dining in Lyon, look at some regular restaurants; not bouchons.

Hi Eric - just curious about your sailing date; we'll be on the Viking Lofn departing 6/5. I have been trying to narrow down our restaurant choices but since many menus change daily, it's hard to know where to book in advance.