Halte du Vert Coteau

This sun-lit restaurant near Lyon is set in peaceful grounds. The venue’s owners, front-of-house manager, Constant Delouis, and his partner, Japanese sommelier Hiroki Hashino, have enlisted the talented services of chef Yo Miyazaki. The latter’s delicate culinary score is elegant, flavoursome and sprinkled with creative details and nods to tradition. Discreet references to the Land of the Rising Sun can also be detected in some dishes, illustrated by an Isère trout marinated in white miso with a beurre blanc-style jus and braised endive. Warm and welcoming.

Eugénie Brazier (1895-1977), an exceptional chef who inspired an entire branch of French cuisine, obtained three stars in two different establishments. It is in her Lyon restaurant, on rue Royale, that Mathieu Viannay gives his take on the Brazier "legend". In a magnificent hybrid decor, 1930s stained glass windows and mouldings are blended with Saarinen Tulip chairs (a bold design move!) and the chef pays a vibrant tribute to the iconic dishes once served on the premises (Bresse chicken with truffles, crispy pike bread, a stunning Grand Marnier soufflé), infusing them with his talent and nove

One cannot help but be impressed by the trajectory of Takao Takano's career. Originally from Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan, he quickly dropped his law studies to devote himself body and soul to his real passion: cooking. Since 2013, he has been plying his trade in this elegant, pared-back restaurant located in the 6th district of Lyon. It has been a hit with diners since day one thanks to original, deftly crafted dishes, which delight and surprise at the same time. They certainly fulfil the chef’s pledge to himself: "Keep it simple – keep it good". Let's linger for a moment over the quickly sear

In the wake of his mentor Paul Bocuse, Christian Têtedoie has built a small gourmet empire. Perched on Fourvière hill overlooking the city, the Têtedoie is a gourmet showcase. A champion of Gallic culinary traditions, this fan of contemporary art is committed to finetuning and even modernising this heritage. Bites of snails, foie gras and pistachio; “portfolio” of red mullet, carrots and game sauce; mallard duck, grilled chestnuts and Jack Be Little pumpkins: his dishes sometimes read like an abstract art exhibition. It’s impossible not to mention his signature dish: lobster casserole with a c

In 1984, Guy Lassausaie took over the kitchen at this family-run establishment, founded four generations earlier in 1906. In an elegantly refurbished interior done out in shades of grey, black and white, the chef (a Meilleur Ouvrier de France) has charted a remarkably assured course, enthusiastically celebrating local and, more generally, French tradition, with flashes of creativity. Think fillet of brill with vanilla beurre blanc, salsify and porcini, or Ain pigeon hay-roasted in a sealed cocotte, full-bodied jus and baby vegetables. Feelgood food that delivers the odd surprise.

Au 14 Février stands on rue du Bœuf, among the Renaissance mansions, cobbled streets and arcaded galleries in the heart of historical Lyon. A wonderful location in which to sample the surprise menu of chef Tsuyoshi Arai, whose talent and imagination are no longer up for discussion. Born in Kyoto, he belongs to the large family of Japanese chefs who have fallen for France's culinary heritage. He elevates exceptionally fresh ingredients (Miéral poultry, Wagyu beef) by playing on textures, bitterness and acidity: peas, broad beans and snow peas with tamarind, crab and caviar; beetroot tarte tatin

Chef Gaëtan Gentil's new restaurant in the Confluence neighbourhood is housed in a building that is eco-responsible from floor to ceiling, and that includes the French oak tables. From the open kitchen in the middle of the space, he creates his seasonal cuisine that highlights the produce of the Rhône Valley terroir, using herbs and wild plants to great effect. This creative, instinctive yet carefully thought-out cooking is based on the elevation of ingredients, which are subject to numerous variations and enhanced by sauces packed with flavour. All his chosen suppliers share the same commitme