A Foodie’s Guide to Studying Abroad
Calling all food lovers!
As someone who would describe myself as food motivated, I was soooooo excited to live abroad in France and travel to many cities and countries. And trust me, real life lived up to expectation. I was based in Lyon, France for four months, which is the gastronomic capital of France. While in Lyon, I was able to try so many new restaurants, boulangeries, patisseries, cafes, and bars. I found favorite spots, special occasion places, one stop shops, and more. I can’t lie, I found some of these places through wandering, but other times, I wanted an easy decision and used Abuddies to find a restaurant quickly. So, in this blog, I’ll list a few of my favorite places from Lyon and my travels, complete with pictures, names, and ratings. Get your pen ready, because you’ll definitely want to take notes.
Henri Gay Boulangerie
Address: 60 Av. du Point du Jour, 69005 Lyon
What l’ve Tried: Chocolate Eclairs, flan, croissant, pan au chocolate, and macrons
My Rating: 8.5/10
Click here for their website.
Henri Gay is my favorite boulangerie in Lyon. Everything I’ve tried is amazing and a must return treat for me. There’s always a line outside of the door, no matter the time or day. The selection is fresh, delicious, and the workers are incredibly nice as well. It is a little pricier, but for the quality, I think it’s worth it. Besides sweet treats, Henri Gay also offers a selection of breads, sandwiches, and drinks, with a few options for outdoor and indoor seating.
Slake Terreaux – Coffee & Kitchen
Address: 618 Rue de la Platière, 69001 Lyon
What I’ve Tried: Pancakes Bacon and French Toast
My Rating: 8/10
Click here for their website.
I’ve been to Slake Terreaux – Coffee & Kitchen twice, and it hasn’t disappointed. The atmosphere is cute and charming, and it serves as the perfect place for a breakfast/brunch. The menu offers a wide selection of savory and sweet options, as well as beverages. There is an option for either a French or English menu, which I appreciate, and I, personally, believe the prices are okay for the quality and meal type. The Pancakes Bacon, complete with three pancakes, bacon, caramelized onions, and a sunny side up egg, was filling and the perfect balance of sweet and savory. My personal favorite dish was the French Toast, which is a cinnamon roll instead of brioche or other bread. I believe the topping was a cream cheese filling/cream, and the whole thing was devoured. I’ve also never had to wait for a table, so points for that too.
Chez Grand-Mere
Address: 11 Rue de Boeuf, 69005 Lyon
What I’ve Tried: Lyonnaise Salad, Cream Ravioli Gratin, Chocolate Cake
My Rating: 7/10
Click here for their website.
Chez Grand-Mere is located in Vieux-Lyon, also known as Old Town. Much of Old Town is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Not only do I enjoy this restaurant for its location, but ther food is comforting and of quality, attributing to the reputation of a traditional bouchon. A bouchon is a specific, traditional restaurant to Lyon, serving hearty, comforting food. I ordered the three courses, which comes with a starter, a main, and a dessert. For my starter, I had the Lyonnaise Salad, which had bacon, a poached egg, and other yummy elements. I then ate my main, which was my favorite dish of the night. The Cream Ravioli Gratin was so warm, comforting, and cheesy. Finally, the chocolate cake was decadent without being too sweet. Definitely give this place a try for a traditional Lyonnaise meal and atmosphere.
Crêperie Marie Morgane
Address: 23 Rue de la Charite, 69002 Lyon
What I’ve Tried: Brestoise and Beurre Sucre Citron
My Rating: 8/10
Click here for their website.
Marie Morgane specializes in galletes and crepes. The Brestoise gallete is made with buckwheat batter, ham, egg, onions, and elemental cheese. The butter, sugar, and lemon crepe is then eaten after the gallete, as the desset. The meal is warm, delicious, and easily eaten individually or in a pair. The restaurant offers many different flavor combinations. This place is popular, so make sure you make a reservation.
Other Notable Eats
Takumi Ramen (top, left): generous portions, hearty, and warm atmosphere. Price is reasonable, and the location is in Valmy, so it’s tucked away from the busier parts of Lyon. 8/10
Équilibres Café (top, middle): This place is amazing! The owners are dedicated to providing more nutritious, natural options, and the food embodies the mission. Everything tastes so fresh and delicious, and the portion sizes are generous. 9/10
Levantia (top, right): This Lebanese, family owned restaurant has fresh, tasteful options that are so amazing. Only open for dinner hours currently, the workers are so nice and will recognize you as a regular. Everything I’ve tried here has been amazing, but I dream about the pulled pork. The prices are definitely steep, but still a 9/10.
Carmelo (bottom, left): You need a reservation, point blank, if you want to go here. The lines are always long, and the tables are always full. The interior is beautifully decorated and is honestly half of the reason you should try Carmelo. The food is good, albeit pricey for the portion, but if you want to celebrate somewhere nicer, this is the place.
Nuage Café (bottom, middle): A simple, sit down cafe, where you can actually bring your computer most days. In Europe, there aren’t a ton of places that allow sit-down work, but this place, in my experience, does. The workers are also super nice, and you can’y go wrong with any of their drinks or food.
Bakery and bread culture (bottom, right): Honestly, this picture just represents the boulangeries and patisseries that are literally on every corner in France. The food is homemade, the options are amazing, and the prices are eye wateringly cheap. If you want something quick/cheap, don’t knock the bakeries. The items are also perfect to bring with you for a picnic or walk.
Learn more about restaurants in other places by visiting the food module on the homepage.
There are sooooo many good places to try! Abuddies is here to help narrow the choices down while ensuring you find the best places. I can’t wait for you to make your own favorite restaurant list!
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