Where to eat vegetarian and vegan in Lyon?

The rapid rise of vegetarian cuisine in Lyon

Lyonnais gastronomy is famous for its pork and other meat delicacies, but it is above all highly creative. Chefs in the metropolitan area have been quick to explore the many gustatory possibilities opened up by vegetables and plants. Their mission remains the same: use local and seasonal produce to provide the best possible gourmet experience, the only difference being that meat and fish are removed from the equation.   

And because we never do things by halves in Lyon, the best vegetarian restaurant in the world is… Lyonnais! In 2020, Culina Hortus – a 100% vegetarian gastronomic restaurant – was awarded the title ‘Best Veggie Restaurant of the World’ by the We’re Smart Green Guide. Whether you’re on a vegetarian diet or are just curious to try meat and fish-free cuisine, you will find many options to take your taste buds on a journey of discovery in the Lyon metropolitan area.

It’s also worth mentioning that many non-vegetarian or vegan restaurants in Lyon, from bouchons to Michelin-starred establishments, serve dishes that are compatible with diets free of animal-derived products. 

Vegetarian restaurants not to be missed in Lyon

If you’re looking to eat vegetarian in Lyon, here are a few essential addresses to put on your list:

• Culina Hortus: this vegetarian gastronomic restaurant, which we mentioned above, has an excellent menu. We recommend booking a table because it’s a popular place to eat! 
  38 rue de l’Arbre sec, 69001 Lyon
   
• Équilibres Café: on the slopes of Croix Rousse hill, this is a cosy spot where you can enjoy flavoursome meals and delicious brunches. Its vegetarian cuisine is generously served. 

Traditional cooking

Equilibres Café

4 rue Terme - 69001 Lyon 1er

equilibres-cafe.fr/

Voir la fiche

©

lesidéesclémentine

• Les Mauvaises Herbes: the playful name of this restaurant (which translates as ‘weeds’) mirrors the creativity of its delicious plant-based bistronomic cuisine. 
  3 rue du Jardin des Plantes, 69001 Lyon
   
• Yaafa: served in pitta breads and salads, the falafels here are fantastic. Perfect for a vegetarian snack on the go. There are four Yaafa restaurants dotted around the metropolitan area, in Les Terreaux, Monplaisir, Jean Macé and Villeurbanne.
   
• L'Équilibriste: a culturally and environmentally engaged “third place”, this restaurant updates its 100% vegetarian menu (with a vegan option) every two months. 
  125 avenue Lacassagne, 69003 Lyon
   
• Comptoir Sauvage: make your way to this friendly restaurant in the Croix-Rousse to taste its natural and vegetarian cuisine (with a vegan and gluten-free option). 
  1 rue du Pavillon, 69004 Lyon
   
• Dust: the neighbourhood of Ainay is home to this little cafe that offers a balanced and colourful vegetarian set menu of the day. 
  12 rue de Condé, 69002 Lyon
   
• La Luciole: a food bar that serves vegetarian and vegan sandwiches, salads and dishes of the day.

Fast food

La Luciole - Comptoir Gourmand et Ethique

22 rue de la Charité - 69002 Lyon 2ème

www.laluciole-lyon.fr/

Voir la fiche

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La Luciole

Where to eat vegan in Lyon?

There’s no shortage of vegetarian options in Lyon. But if you’re vegan, rest assured, as you’ll also find many excellent restaurants in the Lyon metropolitan area to suit you. Here are a few suggestions for those who want to eat out while avoiding animal-derived ingredients.

• Like An Elephant: nestled on the slopes of Croix Rousse hill, between the Gros Caillou and Croix-Paquet, this restaurant is committed to 100% plant-based bistronomic food. Organic, seasonal and delicious. 
  11 montée Saint-Sébastien, 69001 Lyon
   
• Hank Burger: a stone’s throw from the opera house, this burger joint offers vegan burgers with no meat and no cheese but lots of taste! 
  5 rue Pizay, 69001 Lyon
   
• Güstavo: make your way to the Guillotière district to discover the first vegan kebab, which the restaurant’s founder named the ‘Vebab’ (actually a registered trade mark). 
  35 rue Pasteur, 69007 Lyon
   
• Café Vert: offering a view of the Saône and tasty plant-based food, this cafe is an excellent vegan address in the neighbourhood of Saint-Georges. 
  1 montée des Épies, 69005 Lyon
   
• Toutes les Couleurs: an organic vegan restaurant to be discovered in Lyon’s 1st district. 
  26 rue Imbert Colomès, 69001 Lyon
   
• Laska: the name of this vegan restaurant means ‘love’ in Slovakian, which is the feeling you get when you take in its colourful, plant-based dishes. 
  13 rue Terraille, 69001 Lyon
   
• Against the Grain: this is a vegan cafe and eatery where you can order to eat in or take away. 
  135 rue Sébastien Gryphe 69007 Lyon
   
• Brocoli: a 100% vegan address on Rue Masséna in Lyon’s 6th district, where plants and vegetables are the stars of the refined gourmet cuisine. It got our thumbs up!  
  71 rue Masséna, 69006 Lyon
   
• Prana: this vegan restaurant aims to combine gustatory pleasure and health through its vegan world cuisine, its French classics revisited for vegans and its signature dish: the “macrobiotic health plate”.
  5 rue Duhamel, 69002 Lyon 

Finally, if you fancy something sweet, there are several vegan patisseries to choose from, including Amé, Zoï, Les Belles Âmes and Okara. Some of their plant-based pastries are also gluten free.

And make sure you don’t miss the Vegan Food Tour de Lyon: a 100% plant-based and gourmet experience to explore the Croix-Rousse district in a fresh way.