🇫🇷 Lyon | Traditional Lyonnaise Bistro in the Alley by the Cathedral

It was Easter Sunday, and many French restaurants were closed, so we wandered around the city center and stumbled upon this place by chance. Inside, it feels like a half-cave, half-castle—worn-down decor, wooden beams, and grand red palace-style chairs 🏰 🍻 There are plenty of set menu options at different prices. 🌟 The €25 set includes: a Communard aperitif, Salade Lyonnaise (appetizer), Quenelle (fish dumpling) and Lyon sausage (mains), plus a choice of dessert or cheese. Salade Lyonnaise deserves my vote for the best salad in the world! Crispy fried croutons with a chewy center, paired with a runny poached egg 🥗 The Communard drink was so good I wanted to buy a bottle to take home. As someone who usually finds good alcohol bitter, sour, or spicy, this tasted like sweet blackcurrant juice (though it still burned a little going down 🍷). The Quenelle was decent—similar to most places, nothing special. 🌟 The €30 set: I chose foie gras for the appetizer, steak with green pepper sauce for the main, and a choice of dessert or cheese. The steak was cooked to perfection—tender with no excess blood, and the eggplant side dish burst with juice when bitten 🍆 The desserts were standard French fare—no misses. 🍻 The (uncle) who served us was lovely, with prompt service, and he even explained the specialties. Two of us ate our fill for just €55—from start to finish, great value for money. There’s also a €23 menu that’s excellent, with more choices for appetizers and mains! The alley has some charming shops to browse, and you can see the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière just steps away. 🍻 L'Auberge Rabelais 39 Rue Saint-Jean, 69005 Lyon Disclaimer: These are just my personal tastes and experience—please explore wisely! #FrenchDailyLife #Lyon #LyonLife #LyonFood #LyonFoodie #LyonTravel #LyonGuide #StudyInLyon #LyonTourism #LyonFrenchCuisine #LyonRestaurants #FrenchLife #FranceTravel