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Must-Try Michelin-Star Dining In Lyon, France

La fontaine des Jacobins
La fontaine des Jacobins | ©Falcon® Photography/Flickr

Often referred to as the gastronomic capital of the world, Lyon’s outstanding restaurant scene is celebrated by foodies worldwide. We explore some of the best culinary experiences to be had in the ‘city of flavors’, with our list of must-try Michelin star restaurants.

Paul Bocuse’s Auberge du Pont de Collonges

Located four kilometres North of Lyon, Auberge du Pont de Collonges is a gastronomic icon in this region of France. The restaurant has been awarded three Michelin stars, and Paul Bocuse is regarded as one of the most celebrated chefs in the whole country. The restaurant is housed in a beautiful family house next to the banks of the Saône River, and the interior features a luxurious design decorated with artworks, chandeliers and rich colours. The kitchen offers three set menus of traditional French gastronomy, serving dishes such as succulent lobster salad, St. Jacques walnut shells with white butter blown apples and crayfish in Pouilly-Fuissé.

Auberge du Pont de Collonges, 40 Quai de la Plage, 69660 Collonges au Mont d’Or, +04 72 42 90 90,

Dessert at Maison Paul Bocuse

Auberge de l’Ile Barbe

Auberge de l’Ile Barbe unites history and gastronomy in a unique location that dates back to the 17th century. Also referred to as Auberge de l’Ile, this two Michelin star restaurant is located on an island in the Saône, adding an alluring ambience of exclusivity. The kitchen serves mouthwatering French dishes that fuse culture and flavour, and are inspired by the distinct ingredients available in each season. As their website states, winter’s harsh conditions give the restaurant more room to serve shellfish from the cold seas, game of the forests, poultry fat, and of course foie gras and truffles first. Presentation is a major element of the Auberge de l’Ile experience, and both the plates and the interior offer inspiring aesthetics.

Auberge de L’Ile Barbe, Place Notre Dame, Ile Barbe, 69009 Lyon, +33 (0) 478 83 99 49,

Saône, Lyon

La Mère Brazier

With Head Chef Eugénie Brazier at the helm, the two Michelin star kitchen at La Mère Brazier is renowned for its creative and artistic concoctions. Designed plates focus on merging both traditional and modern gastronomies, so classic favourites can be discovered in new and exciting ways. Guests can enjoy recipes inspired by seasonal ingredients including perfectly cooked beef, fresh fish, foie gras and flavoursome vegetables. The interior of the restaurant has also been praised for its excellence, with beautiful lighting design and a range of ornaments and decorations.

La Mère Brazier, 12 rue Royale, 69001 Lyon +04 78 23 17 20

Roulade of goose with mushroom and foie gras

Têtedoie

Acclaimed Chef Christian Têtedoie’s restaurant is another great location for all foodie travelers, offering a visceral experience of flavour, design and setting. The multi-storey restaurant presents panoramic views of the city, allowing visitors unique perspectives of the architecture of Lyon. Both the indoor and outdoor dining areas are garnished with contemporary design pieces, adding a vibrant aspect to atmosphere. The kitchen serves innovative dishes founded in French gastronomy, and travellers have raved about their ‘souffle of fromage blanc with sour cherries and pistachio milk’.

Têtedoie Montée du Chemin-Neuf F – 69005 Lyon 05, +33 4 78 29 40 10

Chocolate Souffle

La Rotonde

La Rotonde was created by Philippe Gauvreau and is a luxurious destination above the Le Lyon Vert casino. The restaurant has been awarded two Michelin stars for its culinary excellence and serves ‘inventive, evolving cuisine’ that is both ‘generous yet elegant with a perfect balance of flavors and colors’; foodie travelers have recommended the the foie-gras salad and steak tartare. The interior design of this fine dining establishment was designed by Alexandra Ellena and features breathtaking centrepieces.

Philippe Gauvreau Restaurant, 200 Le Casino, 69890 Tour de Salvagny (La), France, + 04 78 87 79 79

Restaurant L’Effervescence

The atmosphere at Restaurant L’Effervescence differs from other Michelin star destinations in Lyon with the restaurant creating a vibrant culinary experience without the excessively luxurious ambience. Instead, rustic stone brick walls peppered with carefully selected art pieces are at the fore, while the tables are purposefully missing the standard white table cloth usually associated with fine dining. Head Chef Christophe Hubert serves ‘market cuisine’, which centres around fresh ingredients and creative flavours, such as haddock, mussels and beet pickles, and duck foie gras emulsion with lemon.

Restaurant L’Effervescence, 15 rue Claudia, 69002 Lyon, France, +33 4 78 37 23 89,

Mussels

Au 14 Février

Combining two of the most beloved cuisines in the world, restaurant Au 14 Février offers mouthwatering French cuisine with Japanese influences, and the dishes are backed with a commitment to creativity and flavour. One of the signature dishes served is egg froth with mustard sauce presented in an eggshell with potato waffles, and the multiple degustation menus are filled with a list of similarly inventive plates. The restaurant is run by Chef Tsuyoshi Arai, and its name is justified by its romantic ambience and intimate setting.

Au 14 Février.6 rue Mourguet Vieux Lyon 69005, 0478929139,

Les Loges

Les Loges restaurant is located within the stunning Cour des Loges Hotel, a grandiose accommodation that combines architecture styles from the 14th, 16th and 17th centuries. The restaurant sits in the centre of a Florentine courtyard and is sheltered by a contemporary glass and steel ceiling, while the walls are decorated with beautiful artefacts and artworks. Beautiful French cuisine is served here, such as duck foie gras with onions and hélianthis cooked in an orange, codfish from Brittany with seasonal vegetables in ‘Barigoule’ with cinnamon bark and Tonka bean, and milk-fed lamb served with stuffed seasonal vegetables.

Les Loges, 6 r. du Boeuf F – 69005 Lyon 05, +33 (0)4 72 77 44 44

About the author

Andrew is a writer and editor with several years experience in print, web and live performance. Born in Scotland, he moved to Australia where he studied creative arts at the University of Wollongong and majored in creative writing. Being passionate about art, culture and travel, Andrew has lived and worked around the world including Sydney, Tokyo, Edinburgh, Barcelona and London. Through these travels, he has not only focused on writing about the arts, but also on pursuing his own creative projects. His plays have been performed in multiple theatres around the world, including at The Arts Theatre in London’s West End.

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