After enjoying the stunning panoramic views from Fourvière Hill viewpoint in Lyon, France, we decided to find a place for lunch. While planning our Lyon trip, I discovered that bouchons are the city’s traditional restaurants serving authentic Lyonnaise cuisine. After researching several bouchon restaurants, we chose Fiston Bouchon Lyonnais for its proximity to the viewpoint and authentic atmosphere.
Location and Accessibility
Fiston operates two locations in Lyon, and we visited the one situated in Lyon’s Old Town (Vieux Lyon). The restaurant sits in the heart of the historic district, making it an ideal stop after exploring nearby attractions like Fourvière Hill.
Operating Hours and Break Times
Monday-Friday: 12:00 PM – 11:00 PM (break time 2:30 PM – 7:00 PM)
Saturday: 12:00 PM – 11:30 PM
Sunday: 12:00 PM – 10:00 PM (break time 3:30 PM – 7:00 PM)
We arrived around 1:30 PM after descending from Fourvière Hill, just before lunch service ended. I worried that restaurants might stop accepting guests due to their break time, but fortunately, we secured a table just in time. Shortly after we entered, staff began turning away new arrivals for the afternoon break. While the food service was leisurely paced, extending our meal past the official lunch hours, the staff continued providing attentive service throughout our dining experience.
Wait Times and Reservations
Lyon’s Old Town restaurants are popular tourist destinations with potential waiting times. When we entered Fiston, nearly all tables were occupied. Luckily, one table remained available, allowing us to dine without waiting.
Menu Options and Pricing
The restaurant offers various courses and à la carte options. We selected the 35.90 euro prix fixe menu, which included three courses: appetizer, main dish, and dessert. While the menu lacked photos, making selection somewhat challenging, all items included English translations beneath the French descriptions, simplifying the ordering process.
Restaurant Interior and Wheelchair Accessibility
The dining room features closely spaced tables, which could pose challenges for wheelchair navigation. My mother, who uses a wheelchair, transferred to a regular chair for the meal to avoid blocking the narrow pathways. Wheelchair users requiring more space might find the tight quarters uncomfortable.
Food Review and Taste Experience
Our three-course meal arrived in sequence:
Appetizers: We ordered French onion soup and blood pudding tartine. The onion soup came wrapped in pastry, but its flavor reminded me too much of concentrated onion juice from Korea, which didn’t appeal to my taste. The blood pudding, similar to Korean sundae, exceeded expectations with its well-balanced pie crust.
Main Courses: While steak was available, after eating plenty of beef in Switzerland, we opted for fish and chicken breast dishes. The fish proved decent, but the chicken breast was disappointingly dry and tough, like typical overcooked chicken breast.
Desserts: We finished with crème brûlée and tiramisu. The crème brûlée featured perfectly torched sugar creating a delightful bitter-sweet contrast. The tiramisu was pleasantly light and not overly sweet, though it lacked the traditional cocoa powder dusting, presenting an unfamiliar appearance.
Final Thoughts on Lyon Bouchon Dining
Fiston Bouchon Lyonnais offers an authentic taste of Lyon’s traditional cuisine in the atmospheric Old Town setting. While some dishes fell short of expectations, the overall dining experience satisfied our goal of experiencing genuine French restaurant culture. The staff’s exceptional kindness and attentiveness ensured my wheelchair-using mother enjoyed a comfortable and pleasant meal despite the space constraints.
For travelers seeking wheelchair accessible restaurants in Lyon or authentic bouchon experiences, Fiston provides a genuine taste of Lyonnaise tradition, though advance reservations and early arrival are recommended to avoid disappointment during peak times.
