That’s quite some claim and one that got us through the door when we visited back in February. We were staying in a hotel close by, and as is often the way when we stay in hotels, we didn’t need any more food. Well not a full evening meal anyway.
But, what to do of an evening? And this evening in particular was a pretty foul one, so wandering around wasn’t really an option. So that’s how we found ourselves spending our evening in La Cave Des Lyons in the old town, in Place Saint-Paul. We’d walked past it earlier in the day, without really noticing it, which sounds a bad thing, but I don’t think it really is. At that point in time, we were tourists seeing the sites, and hungry tourists at that, who were looking for breakfast.
Yes, after a fabulous meal in our hotel the night before, breakfast as soon as we got up wasn’t needed either. You’re right, this is almost unheard of, but Lyon isn’t a place where we went hungry. The food was plentiful and fantastic, and I seriously came home heavier after just a few days away, even though we walked near and a little bit further around its streets.
As you’d expect the wine bar had plenty of choice and through sheer good fortune and a fair bit of pointing we got ourselves a fairly decent glass of vino, actually a few. We’d hoped for a bottle but maybe that’s just an English thing. Settled into our spot just by the door, which gave us a perfect people spotting spot. The best sort of spot, I think. We could see the whole downstairs area of the bar, peek into the tiny kitchen (through the doorway at the end of the bar), monitor the stairs and even people walking past outside. Or as the evening went on, blow past.
It was turning into quite a foul night outside, the winds getting up and the rain starting again. We didn’t need much more to encourage us to stay put and have another glass. We also opted for food, but only a small amount. A cheeseboard to share. And just as well we shared, it was huge. It also came with a variety of accompaniments, some you’d expect, like nuts, dried fruit and such. But also some that I wasn’t expecting, including sliced banana, which also worried me slightly.
I have no photos of the food - again, too busy eating than photographing - one day I might remember, but I can’t promise that. But actually the banana weirdly worked. I’m not sure I’d add it to my cheeseboards through choice, but I’d probably try it again.
FOR THE RECORD WE DIDN’T POLISH ALL THESE OFF
So was it the best wine bar in Lyons? Quite possibly, though we only tried the one. I’d definitely be up for going back (at some point) to try here again, and some others for comparison. All in the name of research…
