Savor More, Spend Less: Cheap Restaurants in Lyon
Restaurants in LyonAre you visiting Lyon and wondering how eating out will affect your budget? Then this article is for you.
Lyon is the food capital of France which is famous for its great food, exciting history and diverse culture. It’s a city of charming streets, busy food markets and delicious food.
However, If you think enjoying Lyon’s food scene is not in your budget, then think again. There are so many places in Lyon where you can go to enjoy super delicious meals for not too much money.
In this travel guide, we’ll suggest eight best restaurants in Lyon serving delicious food. Whether you want to have local food or something simple and quick, Lyon has fantastic options in your budget to enjoy the best of Lyon’s dining.
Let’s explore the top affordable restaurants in Lyon promising the best dining experience.
8 Cheap Restaurants in Lyon Offering Quality Food
In Lyon, finding good yet affordable food is much easier than you may think! If you want to try some traditional Lyonnaise dishes or international flavors, these eight budget friendly spots serve up incredible meals that won’t disturb your budget.
1. Le Petit Ogre
Le Petit Ogre- Address: 17 Rue Neuve, 69001 Lyon
- Opening Hours: 12 PM–10 PM (Closed on Sundays)
- Specialties: Generous vegetarian bowls, quiches, and desserts
- Price Range: €8–€15 per meal
Le Petit Ogre is a little and comfortable bistro where you can taste very healthy and yummy dishes for a reasonable price. It is a perfect place for those who like to eat fresh food and avoid meat products. Their menu is inspired by natural and healthy foods, all of which are locally produced, sealing the taste and freshness in every bite you eat.
Their speciality are the vegetarian bowls loaded with grains, roasted vegetables and amazing dressing. For a more conventional selection, the quiche of the day is always a good choice, served with a side of greens. And do not leave the dining hall without ordering their delectable desserts because they prepare their pastries in-house.
Le Petit Ogre’s laid back atmosphere is perfect for a meal. Here people get quality food but at affordable prices.
2. Bouchon Les Lyonnais
Bouchon Les Lyonnais- Address: 19 Rue Tramassac, 69005 Lyon
- Opening Hours: 12 PM–2 PM, 7 PM–10 PM
- Specialties: Traditional Lyonnaise cuisine like quenelles and andouillette
- Price Range: €10–€20 per meal
Bouchon Les Lyonnais is a typical place where you get the taste of real Lyonnais food without reconsidering your budget. It is one of the city’s real bouchons, and has a traditional, old fashioned feel with a homely atmosphere. It has a very nice and vintage look, the service is very friendly and welcoming, like the true Lyon.
The menu is full of local dishes, all of which are made special and worth ordering. You also can’t go wrong with their quenelles; they are traditionally served in a creamy Nantua sauce.
Another one of the many is the andouillette sausage, a rather heavy meal that is a classic in the Lyon city’s gastronomy. For those unfamiliar with Lyonnaise food, this is the place to start.
Lyonnais Bouchon offers a great opportunity to taste the exquisite meals at a reasonable price and large proportions. Whether you are in the city for the first time or you are a gastronome, this restaurant will provide you with a meal to remember.
3. Chez Mounier
Chez Mounier- Address: 3 Rue des Marronniers, 69002 Lyon
- Opening Hours: 12 PM–11 PM (Open Daily)
- Specialties: Set menus with starters, main courses, and desserts
- Price Range: €12–€18 per meal
A friendly family gem on Rue des Marronniers, locals and tourists count on its charm and value for money. It's the kind of warm atmosphere where you could be dining at someone's home, but at pocket friendly prices, you can get set menu options which include a full three courses.
Starting with their classic Lyonnaise salad of fresh greens, crispy pieces of lardon and a perfectly poached egg. Slow–cooked in a rich wine sauce, coq au vin is a shining main course. End your meal of la Fête du Potiron with a tacky tart such as tarte aux pralines.
Situated only a stone's throw from Lyon's attractions, Chez Mounier is an ideal pit stop after sightseeing. The food is great, the prices are unbeatable and is highly recommended for anyone looking to experience Lyon’s fabulous food scene.
4. Les Fils à Maman
Les Fils à Maman- Address: 25 Quai Saint-Vincent, 69001 Lyon
- Opening Hours: 12 PM–2 PM, 7 PM–10 PM
- Specialties: Comfort food with a nostalgic twist, like cordon bleu and burgers
- Price Range: €12–€16 per meal
This restaurant is a little oddity called Les Fils à Maman, which is decorated in a way that will make everyone feel like a kid again. As soon as you walk in, the atmosphere is lively and inviting with a décor memorable and full of objects such as toys, posters and other little gimmicks from the period.
The menu is a list of dishes that customers would love to eat when they were kids, but if formatted to be presentable for the club customers. One of the signature dishes is the homemade cordon bleu; it’s crispy, cheesy and just down right comforting. To burger lovers, their burgers are well proportioned, juicy and accompanied by unique toppings that make every burger enjoyable.
Ideal for any outing or just to get together with the family, Les Fils à Maman is not only a restaurant but much more. Great food, welcoming atmosphere, fresh ingredients, and super delicious meals, you will feel like a home here. It is a lovely place to relax and have a dinner to feel togetherness or like being served by a warm embrace.
5. L’Épicerie
L’Épicerie- Address: 2 Rue de la Monnaie, 69002 Lyon
- Opening Hours: 12 PM–11 PM (Closed Mondays)
- Specialties: Tartines (open-faced sandwiches) and homemade desserts
- Price Range: €8–€14 per meal
L’Épicerie is an amazing dinning option that offers an incredibly cheap meal and is also adorable with a retro atmosphere. The interior of this restaurant is calm and warm having mismatched furniture, bright accents of old-fashioned interiors and will seem familiar to any fan of eighties and nineties’ aesthetics. This unique attitude is complemented by their rather colorful menu which attracts the travelers.
Primarily, people love their tartines, which are actually sandwiches. The top bread slice of this sandwich is removed and succulent toppings added instead. They offer two combinations: goat cheese and honey delight or moreish licorice delight. You can easily find options of their preferences. It makes for a light lunch or dinner.
Are you a dessert lover? If so, you are so on the right spot. L’Épicerie also prepares their flan and their regular customers love it. L’Épicerie has a rather casual dining ambiance and its prices are moderate and this restaurant offers a wonderful yet budget friendly dining experience.
6. Frites Alors!
Frites Alors!- Address: 37 Rue de Marseille, 69007 Lyon
- Opening Hours: 11 AM–10 PM
- Specialties: Belgian-style fries, burgers, and poutines
- Price Range: €7–€12 per meal
Frites Alors is all about giving the Lyonnais people a hint of Belgium through the crispy golden fries and more filling comfort food. If you want quality food served in a hurry, then you should visit this place as it is a typical fast food point.
The Belgian style fries are done to brown, crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. Best sucked with a range of house sauces, they are delightful on its own. Besides these Belgian style fries, they offer many other options such as; Basic cheese burgers and loaded poutines, Fries topped with cheese curds and hot gravy are some other must have which you’ll surely love to eat.
Offering great competition to other ‘classy’ restaurants, this place promises good and healthy portions of food at wallet friendly prices.
7. La Cave à Jules
La Cave à Jules- Address: 6 Rue des Marronniers, 69002 Lyon
- Opening Hours: 6 PM–11 PM (Closed Sundays)
- Specialties: Tapas and wine
- Price Range: €10–€15 per person
La Cave à Jules is the place with a possibility to taste Spanish tapas and choose a suitable wine. Barely noticeable and tucked on a relatively remote alley in Lyon, this wine bar is warm and gives off an almost romantic ambiance. Surely, this is probably the best place for a hangout session with friends or even a casual date.
The menu summary is basic with small but cheap dishes that are perfect for sharing. Everyone, especially the staff that works in the kitchen is always willing to take time and guide their clients on the best wine to the order given.
From a wine lover to someone simply looking for a quality wine, La Cave à Jules provides the opportunity to grab a bite, and a drink while not burdening the budget. It is truly invaluable for all the people who want to try the elements of the Lyon gourmet style.
8. Doma
Doma- Address: 12 Rue Pasteur, 69007 Lyon
- Opening Hours: 11 AM–10 PM (Closed Wednesdays)
- Specialties: Japanese street food like ramen and sushi bowls
- Price Range: €10–€14 per meal
For any obsessive lover of Japanese foods who would wish to explore the real and tasty Japanese foods, Doma restaurant is a good one stop center. This type of restaurant gives efficiency with quality since many people especially the locals and students seek better and quick foods.
Many people love their ramen bowls where the highlight is a delicious ramen soup with a stick of raw noodles and various toppings. Some love their sushi bowls, well plated and also well packed with lots of sushi ingredients. If you want some less heaviness, you can choose their Japanese street food inspired small plates.
The whole concept of Doma is casual with the homey attitude and the staff. It offers great, satisfying food at a reasonable price. This very affordable restaurant provides exactly what many tourists look for when they visit new places, and it caters all their needs and more when in Lyon.
Conclusion
So, we’ve just explored 8 restaurants in Lyon in terms of food quality and budget. You don’t have to spend your entire fortune tasting your way through Lyon’s delicious dining options.
Thanks to the city’s extensive and affordable bistrot options, it’s possible to try Lyon’s great tasting food at very affordable prices.
The restaurants featured in this guide provide a deep insight for good places that can offer tasteful and affordable meals for every taste bud.
So, what are you waiting for? Experience the city on its own and enjoy every taste of it that too in your budget. Lyon is waiting for you!
