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Alyssaar
One of Lyon's finest exotic offerings, Alyssaar specialises in the cuisine of Aleppo, undoubtedly 'the gastronomic capital of the Middle East' as far as the Syrian-born owner of this cheap, cheerful and Syrian restaurant is concerned. Daabill (meatballs in spicy tomato sauce), kharouf (lamb in a sesame cream sauce) and kebab karaz (cherry beef) are all cooked up here.
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Best Bagels
Filled or frosted bagels, coffee to go and other American gastronomic delights designed to munch on the move are doled out at this well-thought-out bagel bar.
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Bistro Le Casse Museau
Fabulous find! Cram into this tiny but heaving wine bar, alias bistrot sans chiqué (bistro with no pretension) for a slurp of local Côtes du Rhone in the company of a retro tick-tock clock collection and weathered floor tiles with a thousand stories to tell.
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Brasserie Georges
In fashion since 1836, the original 1920s Art Deco interior is breathtaking - as is the sheer size of the place. Food is a mix of onion soup, mussels, sauerkraut, seafood platters and Lyon specialities.
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Café 100 Tabac
Nonsmokers can enjoy breakfast, lunch, dinner or a drink cent (sans; without) tabac (tobacco).
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Café 203
One of the busiest addresses in city-slick circles, Parisian-styled 203 is great for breakfast, lunch, dinner or a drink.
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Café de l'Esplanade
The café itself is nothing more than your quintessential French local, but its outside seating upon Esplanade de la Grand Côte is enviable. Soak in the Lyon panorama then strut down the hillside along artist workshop-studded Montée de la Grand Côte to place des Terreaux.
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Café des Fédérations
B&W photos of old Lyon speckle the wood-panelled walls of this legendary bouchon easily one of the city's best-known where nothing has changed for decades. Its caviar de la Croix Rousse (lentils dressed in a creamy sauce) is divine. Reservations are vital.
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Café des Voyageurs
In winter (December to April), café life in Croix Rousse revolves around oyster breakfasts eaten outdoors on crisp sunny mornings. Café des Voyageurs is a great place to sink a dozen.
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Café Jutard
Café Jutard has a buzzing pavement terrace and serves oyster breakfasts.
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Chez Hugon
Madame Hugon serves typical meaty treats on red-and-white checked tablecloths in an interior that is a total blast to the past - 1937 to be exact.
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Chez Paul
Another red-and-white checked tablecloth place, Paul's Place - nothing to do with Paul - touts a piggy outside and a line-up of tightly packed tables inside. The Full Monty feast comprises salad, gratons (a chunkier version of pork scratchings) and charcuterie (cold meats), followed by one of 11 bouchon classics, cheese and dessert.
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Commanderie des Antonins
This meat-lover's paradise cooks meat the old-fashioned way - slowly over a low heat in a wood-burning oven - and serves it with a flourish in a medieval banquet hall. Atmosphere is grandiose old style.
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Comptoir Restaurant des Deux Places
Red-and-white checked curtains, an old-world interior crammed with antiques and a menu scribed by hand in black ink contribute to the overwhelmingly traditional feel here. Annick and Jean-Marc follow a strict four-day week and the pavement terrace beneath trees on a quiet village-like square off place Sathonay is idyllic.
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Fubuki
Tables are hot - literally - at this highly rated Japanese restaurant where traditionally dressed chefs armed with big knives chop up and cook a sizzling fiesta of grilled and raw fish right before your eyes. Book ahead to snag a hot seat.
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Gaston Restaurant Agricole
Pack a hearty thirst and giant-sized appetite before venturing into this feisty agricultural restaurant complete with rusty old tractor parked up front and a liberal scattering of farm tools and veggie-filled wheelbarrows throughout.
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Giraudet
This small sleek quenelles (flour, egg and cream dumplings) boutique off place Bellecour has a bar where you can taste the Lyonnais speciality and unusual soups (eg watercress, curry, broad bean and cumin).
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Grand Café des Négociants
Called Les Négos by the in-crowd who goes here, this refined café-cum-brasserie with mirror-lined walls and impeccable service has been a favourite meeting point with Lyonnais since 1864.
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Jim-Deli
A newbie on the luncheon scene, this adjoining Italian duo stuns. One half serves authentic panini to take away; the other half carpaccio, pasta, salads and other delicious Italian dishes clearly emblazoned with an Italian Mama stamp of approval.
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L'Ouest
With the emphasis at Ouest (meaning 'west') being island (any island) cuisine, chefs trained by legendary Lyon chef Paul Bocuse cook up everything from king-prawn spring rolls with fresh mint and saffron-spiced crab soup to wok-fried Asian cod in a state-of-the-art open kitchen. Décor is minimalist, avant garde and includes a deck overlooking the Saône.
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La Vieille Réserve
La Vieille Réserve is the finest in Lyon for designer chocolates.
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Le Bec
One of Lyon's great culinary addresses, this modern eating space showcasing gastronomic creations by Michelin-stared chef Nicolas Le Bec screams design - on the plate included. The priciest menu is an 11-course gastronomic adventure. A magic mirror in one room allows privileged diners to peep into the kitchen.
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Le Ciel de Lyon
The Lyon Sky is sky-high; find it on the 32nd floor of Lyon's legendary 'crayon' - that pencil-shaped building sticking out of the skyline - inside the Radisson hotel.
