clos st Joseph

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

A wind of audacity has swept through Maxime Laurenson’s restaurant. Precise, legible dishes reveal each ingredient simply, with a firm focus on vegetables and a steadfast commitment to locally sourced produce. The single set menu (no choice) features a dozen or so courses, each of which stars the best of a region that spans Auvergne to the Alps. The interior is clearly inspired by nature (stone, wood, colour, plants) and the vibe is friendly. A down-to-earth establishment that is a favourite with Lyon’s foodies.

This bistronomic bijou is tucked away in the heart of a district in the throes of renovation. In a cosy, nature-inspired interior, youthful Maxime Pujol rolls out his technical skills as he conjures up seasonal dishes, rich in crisp flavours and beautifully presented – all of which at eater friendly prices at lunchtime. More ambitious score in the evening with a surprise menu.

In the rapidly changing Gerland neighbourhood in the 7th arrondissement, this restaurant takes you on a culinary journey. At the helm is a close-knit couple: Jennifer Palopoli on the restaurant floor and Ashwin Vijaykumar, who was born in India and trained in French pastry-making and cuisine in New Zealand. In a former neighbourhood bistro that has been turned into a bright and contemporary space, the chef creates dishes with exotic accents, drawing on spices from India and Asia, Africa, the Middle East and the Americas. We were particularly taken with the grey prawn toast with fine herbs, wit

In the student area of two of the city's universities (Lumière and Jean Moulin), Le Kitchen is thriving. The interior is a delightful marriage of Art Deco and Scandinavian elements – one of the owners was born in Stockholm. Her pastry chef partner stocks the pastry display case with mouth-watering treats (to eat in or take away). Note that they open for breakfast and afternoon tea, but not for dinner. The dishes are delicate and indulgent, made with organic produce from the region, especially when it comes to vegetables.

A pair of chefs (both called Alexis, one savoury and one pastry chef) runs this buzzy bolthole with bare stone and tiled walls on Place du Prado. The cheerful duo jointly rolls out market-fresh cuisine in the zeitgeist. An example: the pâté en croûte is enveloped in a crispy golden pastry, courtesy of the pastry chef, while the tasty, well-seasoned stuffing is the work of the chef. The lunch set menu, devised for people on the go, changes weekly; the à la carte evening lineup is more ambitious and also keeps pace with the seasons and market availability. A treat from the first to the last bite

In the Ainay neighbourhood, chef Emily Dader runs this restaurant on a mission. She cooks up creative, refined and aromatic vegan cuisine, cleverly devising a set menu with two options: "iode" and "rouge", which are plant-based interpretations of fish and meat, respectively. Some of the dishes are particularly appealing, such as the hay and lovage broth accompanied by buckwheat crackers and walnut butter, or the pressed squash medley seasoned with a seed praline and mustard-savory condiment.