Les meilleurs restaurantsde cuisine française dans le arrondissement Lyon-1Er de Lyon

12/08/2026: Excellent restaurant, choice of 3 starters, 3 main courses and 3 desserts, it's a shame it's only open in the evening

12/08/2026: A cozy yet lively atmosphere, thanks to the warm welcome, the tasteful decor, and the expertly prepared and flavorful dishes. A wonderful discovery; keep up this great energy! Looking forward to returning. Wine selection for adults 😉.

09/08/2026: Excellent brunch, a truly relaxing experience. The portions are generous, the service is quick, and the servers are friendly. I highly recommend it! The waiting system means you don't have to wait outside the restaurant and can stroll around Croix-Rousse!

09/08/2026: There was a bit of a wait, but it was really delicious! I'll be back 😊

03/08/2026: We received a warm welcome from the team. They were very friendly. The service was impeccable, and the food was excellent. Thank you again.

03/08/2026: The location is perfect, the food is excellent and reasonably priced, the wine list is very good (Burgundies a bit pricey), and the service is impeccable. Highly recommended.

03/08/2026: This Lebanese restaurant no longer exists.

23/07/2026: Good but too expensive. €17.50 for a meager portion.

30/07/2026: Second experience, just as good as the first one in March!

12/07/2026: We've been to La Quintessence several times now, and everything is perfect. We're looking forward to our next visit.

16/08/2026: So conflicted about whether to even leave a review for this place. Possibly the worst dining experience we have had during our week of travelling in Spain and France... ... but that may have mostly been down to our unsophisticated pallates, and poor menu choices (v.s. other items we may have liked better). Had our choices better suited our tastes, I'm sure we would have actually had a really good experience, and that's the basis of the 3-star score. Quenelle of chicken had the texture of blamanche and an indistinct flavour profile, and the andouillette had the look, smell, taste, texture and warmth of a freshly laid turd. Both were probably 'good' - but it was just a bit unexpected. The execution of the food seemed on-point, especially e.g. the sauces (which we would expect from a Lyonnaise bouchon), it's just we didn't really enjoy the dishes. Even the desserts were a bit 'meh'. Drinks were nothing to write home about (the quality of the wine by the glass was nothing above bang-average table wine, and the AF beer was the frankly abhorrent Kronenbourg). Service was good, and the staff very friendly and obliging, though clearly busy. I would note that the food came out extremely quickly (rather too quickly), with no real break between courses. Value was very good, for authentic Lyonnaise food. Note that the excellent value Menu des Canuts is also available in the evening. The establishment seems to be going for a kind of hybrid modern/shabby vibe, and I'm not sure I fully got it. Mixed furniture, crockery etc... OK, but two of the bowls my food was served in were chipped. Tables inside were small. There are lots of people who will bang on about, say Jane Austen, when, by most objective measures, she churned-out some pretty dreary works of little literary merit. Yet there she still sits, exalted, on her pedestal. The same metaphor probably applies to Lyonnaise cuisine, if this is anything to go by. If it's your thing, though, you could certainly do worse than give this place a try. You might like it; in fact you probably will. So a mixed review, let's say.

15/08/2026: Excellent Lyonnais bistro, the service is impeccable and fast. We had the set menu with starter, main course, and dessert, and all three were a success. Absolutely worth it.

15/08/2026: Excellent welcome and very friendly staff. I recommend it.

14/08/2026: Highly recommended. Good food, good atmosphere.

08/07/2026: A sure bet! The galettes are delicious and incredibly generous. The owner is exceptionally kind and a real businessperson. In short, an address to keep in mind for everyone.

13/06/2026: Deeply disappointed. The avocado on the crepe didn't seem fresh, there was too much sauce, and above all, the card payment required a tip.

10/06/2026: Amazing restaurant, the food is really good and the value for money is excellent 👌🏻

09/06/2026: I had my birthday dinner there! The chef is very pleasant and his cuisine is very creative. The atmosphere is a refreshing change from very contemporary restaurants; I highly recommend it.

03/09/2026: A fantastic find! The owner is incredibly kind and immediately puts you at ease. His wine knowledge is simply impressive: passionate, a natural teacher, and always offering excellent advice, he takes the time to share his expertise and introduce you to some wonderful bottles. You can feel a genuine passion behind every recommendation, without ever sounding pretentious. A friendly and authentic place, perfect for both casual drinkers and connoisseurs. I recommend it 100% without hesitation!

31/08/2026: The best place we visited in Lyon for wine. Christophe is warm and welcoming, and his food and wine is delicious. We knew practically nothing about wine, but he shared his knowledge generously and without pretension. He also gave great recommendations for the local area.

08/08/2026: A wonderful discovery! We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves! Kudos to the team for such a warm and friendly welcome! We had a fantastic time! We'll be back!

01/08/2026: My mother, my sister, and I had a wonderful time. From the moment we arrived until we left, the service was, and I mean it, exceptional and delivered with passion. Not to mention the fabulous food. A special mention goes to Cyril, who is the restaurant's best ambassador thanks to the quality of his welcome. We thank him for also taking the time to show us around the bar and the rest of the restaurant, telling us the history of this beautiful establishment. Thank you again, I highly recommend it, and we will be back!

30/07/2026: Second experience, just as good as the first one in March!

12/07/2026: We've been to La Quintessence several times now, and everything is perfect. We're looking forward to our next visit.

19/08/2026: My boyfriend and I came to celebrate a special occasion and we loved it! The 7-course menu was not only very affordable but also delicious and very generous (I had to ask them not to order the last dessert because I was too full, but I still got to taste my boyfriend's). It was a real treat; we truly appreciated the care taken with each dish, combined with the spontaneity of arriving at 1:15 pm and having the chef spoil us with each course! The service was impeccable, and the wine and craft beer selection was very unique. It was a fantastic discovery, and we'll definitely be back! I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to surprise someone special 🥰 Thank you to the chef and the servers.

14/08/2026: Fantastic experience, excellent restaurant, authentic, local and original. I recommend it 100%!

18/07/2026: Having been a regular here for a few months now, I've always found the atmosphere friendly and welcoming, not to mention the divine, cheesy food. I highly recommend it! 💖

18/07/2026: A Lyon institution not to be missed!! A warm and friendly welcome at every moment; you'll rarely receive the same welcome as at La Gratinée! Thank you for the exceptional hospitality and unparalleled cuisine! I highly recommend it!

10/08/2026: You'll find what you came for. Very good value for money. A traditional Lyonnais bistro where starters and desserts are shared. A bit commercial, but better suited to a group to have a good time than as a couple, as you won't get along.

09/08/2026: We couldn't have enjoyed the meal more. The food and service were unbeatable in terms of value for money. We will definitely be back because it was UNBEATABLE!