Lyon, the Gastronomic City of France

10 days of report writing and food breaks… there have been many many food breaks

I have found to no surprise that I am definitely someone who works better in an environment with people around me. This is how I find myself many times in cafes.

Lyon is home to many perfect places to work here are just a few.

First up we have……………..

Slake coffee

9 Rue de l'Ancienne Préfecture, 69002 Lyon

The ambiance inside is very cute. I loved the inside attention to detail and color combinations. They had exciting lattes and both work and conversation spaces. Unfortunately, the downfall of this place was that you only got free WiFi for an hour. Then you could not log on again until the next morning.

However, the cookies do not disappoint. I had a fantastic Lemon Crinkle Cookie that melted in my mouth. It was like a lemon square but in cookie form. Fantastic!

I ordered something called a Golden Latte. I won’t lie, it was not what I expected. While the latte art was stunning the taste was less than desired. It featured a Pegasus or some sort of flying unicorn.

My brother Cameron put the flavor into words perfectly, it tasted like plant water. I felt healthier after it but I think I had a permanent yellow mustache for a few hours after.

I can understand French but only to a certain extent. I saw nutmeg and spices and thought it would be good, and then realized it was a cardamom drink. I should have gone with my gut and ordered a flat white. But sometimes you want to be on the wild side. When in France right?

Cafe Joyeux Lyon

Café Joyeux Lyon, 13 Rue Ferrandière, 69002 Lyon

I loooooved it here. First, the cashier spoke English after my small attempt at French. She was just as excited as I was to converse, and thank god because I had no idea.

I ended up going with a cappuccino because flat white was not on the menu. THey have a wide selection of vegetarian and gluten free options as well.

It was a fantastic working atmosphere with bright yellow colors and an open space concept. Also, it had to be some of the fastest WiFi I have ever used in my life! No password is needed, immediate connection, god I wish we had it under the power lines back home.

Café Joyeux, is the first family of café-restaurants to employ people with disabilities. It is a company owned by Émeraude Solidaire, a non-profit organization. Their mission, “professional inclusion at the heart of our cities and our lives, which allows us to change the way we look at disability!” They source their coffee sustainably and authentically which means it meets the criteria identified by specialists classifying it as “specialty” coffee.

Sur Le Bout de la Langue

Joséphine, 3 Pl. Sathonay, 69001 Lyon

I went here on my Lyon tour with Christine who is an amazing French woman I lived with in Lyon. She took me under her wing and spent the whole day showing me around the city. Places to eat, drink, and order tea. I don’t know how I ended up so lucky but I am incredibly grateful for her guidance.

Gosh, the French know how to do ice cream and if not they know how to support the people that do. In Quebec, I had some of the best Italian gelato in my life. Well, let me tell you France measures up.

The bottom one was a citrus flavor, clementine, and orange. Then I ordered a coconut on top because I am my father's daughter and it made me think of him. Both were fantastic!

It was also my lunch/dinner for the day! There is nothing like a fresh ice cream cone after a full day of walking around and exploring.

Also, I don’t know who knows this but when I left the United States I made a pact with myself that I wouldn’t order, buy or eat ice cream unless it was with other people. As a woman from New England and has worked for an Ice Cream company from Vermont this was for my own self-preservation. This was the first time I’d had ice cream in months, to be honest, and I loved every single moment.

Casa Nobile

3 Pl. de l'Hôpital, 69002 Lyon

One of Christine’s recommendations was this Italian restaurant. I know I can't believe the first restaurant I go out to dinner in France is pizza but what can I say it’s comfort food. Sometimes your stomach wants what it wants.

This place did not disappoint, let me tell you. Often in France, the restaurants close right after lunchtime and late supper, so between 2 and 7 places are closed. This place didn’t open back up till 7:30.

I got there right at 7:33 and still had to wait in line. Although it moved very quickly and I got a table all to myself.

I ordered the vegetarian pizza, with roasted eggplant, zucchini, and marinated peppers on mozzarella with fresh basil. To pair I ordered Soave Classico Montesei, a white wine from Le Battistelle, Vénétie. For dessert, I had a second glass of wine. After I ate most of my pizza a waitress came up and asked if I wanted dessert and I said just the glass of wine for now and she said my kinda girl and topped off my glass more than she needed. It was hilarious and I felt at home with my people. I loved every moment of it.

My previous waiter tried to sit down when he saw that I ordered a pizza for myself and share it with me but I was like buddy, I have an incredible appetite when I want to. Also, the pizza was not that big and I took almost half home. I would highly recommend this place to anyone who visits Lyon. It’s authentic, delicious and a spot where locals go.

AU PAIN LEVÉ

73 Rue Pasteur, 69300 Caluire-et-Cuire

This is the bakery right now on the street from where I was living. Normally bread does not always sit the best in my stomach, well I had no problems with the baguettes and croissants here. The price is just right and I don’t think anything will ever compare. I will say however my sister-in-law Katelyn is an incredible baker. Her works of deliciousness just about measure up.

Madaman Crepes

Halles de la Martinière, Place Rambaud, 69001 Lyon

When in France I mean you must eat Crepes correct?! And I can factually say now and prove that the French certainly know how to do their desserts.

Don’t judge but this was another one of those moments where I had savory food for dinner. What can I say? I am satisfying my sweet tooth in France.

It’s also something that is financially reasonable to order that won’t break your bank when you are in France. I ordered two different kinds first the 5 Spice and the Lemon Custard.

Both are different but deliciously delectable. The 5 spice was your classic soft crepe, between the sugar, nutmeg, and cinnamon, it melted in your mouth with each bite. It was a classic choice. Nothing too complicated and gave you a warm welcome to crepes in France.

The lemon custard was a risk but surprisingly worth it. A crunchy crepe is something I had never experienced before. I think I prefer soft, but I enjoyed the new experience. A lemon custard glaze was drizzled on top of the crispy crepe to create a mixture of sensations in your mouth with each bite. If you want to try something new I highly recommend this crepe.

What I enjoyed about this establishment was that it featured a variety of local goods and another restaurant as well. You had a choice with many options of what you wanted to eat along with any goods you might require to buy.

Farmers Market

Woooow let me just say… I mean damn this is every Thursday and Saturday.

Thursday when I went was considered the small market. At least that’s how Christine put it and I believe her wholeheartedly.