Le Carnel sur Lyon

25/06/2026: A tiny, charming restaurant just steps from Place des Terreaux, right at the foot of the Croix Rousse hill, where I've dined several times and always gladly return when I want to relive (or share with others) the intimate and evocative experience of an evening in the dim light of its rooms filled with objects. Undoubtedly, the restaurant's defining characteristic is its D'Annunzio-esque atmosphere, which I believe remains the main reason people choose it and remember it. However, I must say that the cuisine doesn't rest on the laurels of its fascinating horror vacui and remains consistently good (though I must admit that it has almost always provided me and my guests with both pleasant surprises and minor disappointments on the same evening). I've recently discovered their cocktails, too, which reinterpret classics with that touch of originality you'd expect from such an unconventional place: the Negroni with rosemary smokiness and the Spritz with elderflower liqueur are truly excellent, but I recommend asking the price before ordering, as they risk skyrocketing your dinner bill, which otherwise usually remains within a reasonable range, appropriate for the unique nature of the place and its location. For those wondering, the restaurant's name is a tribute to Jacques Demy's iconic 1967 musical comedy of the same name (known in Italian as "Joséphine"), as confirmed by the many photographs and illustrations on the walls depicting Catherine Deneuve and Françoise Dorléac, the stars of the famous film. Reservations are highly recommended, given the limited seating available. Try it on a winter evening to appreciate its perfect climate... and you'll be back in the summer too ;-)

10/06/2026: Exceptional for the decor, the food and the service