🇫🇷 Lyon Traditional Bouthon Recommendation - Chez Paul
It suddenly struck me: Geneva is less than a two-hour drive from Lyon. Why wait for a planned trip? Let’s seize the day with a one-day getaway! If the French themselves call Lyon the capital of (traditional) French cuisine—after all, most renowned French chefs hail from here—then the highlight of our itinerary was obvious: spending three hours savoring a classic Lyon lunch! To avoid tourist traps, my partner spent ages picking the perfect spot. As soon as we sat down, a chat with the four Lyon grandpas at the next table confirmed we’d made the right choice 😉 They were clearly the type who know and love good food—and they said this was the "only" remaining "vrai bouthon" (true bistro) in the area. The Experience: Bold, Generous, Pure Lyon The menu is a set meal (excluding drinks). You just order beverages and choose your main course—then let the feast begin. What blew us away? The 4 starters and 3 desserts are served in large bowls/platters, free flow and all-you-can-eat! A first for me, and as a northerner, I appreciate this bold, The Feast: A Symphony of Flavors Pre-Appetizer? While sipping wine and waiting, we were greeted with a small plate of saucisson (dried sausage), a huge jar of cornichons (pickles), and of course 😉, bread. Clearly, this was for pairing with our drinks—smart move 😏 Starters Lentil salad: With coriander seeds and beetroot (even a beetroot hater like me loved it 😋) Cocos salad Pig’s nose salad: A Lyon classic, rich and savory All served family-style, so you can pile your plate high and go back for seconds (or thirds). Mains My choice: Braised ox tongue : Two massive, thick slices—tender enough to cut with a fork, melt-in-your-mouth rich. Pure satisfaction… though I was stuffed halfway through 😋 Partner’s choice: Fried tripe cutlets: Crispy exterior, tender inside—equally impressive. Desserts Red wine-poached plums: My favorite! Juicy, boozy, and irresistible—I polished off 7 big ones. Crème caramel: Silky and sweet, with the perfect caramel kick. Compote de pomme: Homemade apple compote, warm and comforting. We waddled in, and waddled out—now off to walk off this feast by exploring Lyon! #Lyon#HiddenGemRestaurant #FrenchCuisine #RestaurantRecommendation #LyonFood #FrenchLife
