Le Canut et les Gones

The story

Le Canut et les Gones, Lyon – Modern Cuisine Rooted in Conviction Since 1994

A Restaurant Built on Conviction

On 1 July 1994, Franck Blanc opened Le Canut et les Gones with little money but strong beliefs. Thirty years later, those beliefs remain unchanged: a relentless focus on quality-to-price ratio and fresh, seasonal produce. The restaurant, located on Rue de Belfort in Lyon’s Croix-Rousse district, has earned a Michelin Recommended distinction for its consistent, sincere modern cuisine.

The Team Behind the Kitchen

Chef Junzo Matsuno, a key figure at Le Canut, now cultivates many of the vegetables himself on organic plots. What began with herbs and salads has expanded to a full kitchen garden, and the chef’s daily preparations highlight these ingredients at their peak. The menu changes regularly – sometimes daily – reflecting what is ripe and ready. Vegetarian and vegan diners are welcomed without fuss.

What to Expect

At lunch, the restaurant offers a simple formula: a daily plat du jour at €20, or a two- or three-course menu from €26 to €28. In the evening and on Saturday lunch, a carte built around fresh arrivals includes small bites from €6, starters from €12, mains from €18, and cheese or desserts at €8. The cooking is direct, precise, and lets the produce speak.

The Spirit of the Place

The dining room retains its original character, with a wallpaper re-edition created in collaboration with Le Presse Papier, a fellow Lyonnais workshop. Art by Perrine Lacroix hangs on the walls. The atmosphere is warm and convivial, and the restaurant can be privatised for group events, anniversaries, or business dinners. Catering is also available.

Le Canut et les Gones is a restaurant that knows exactly what it is – a place where honest modern cuisine, grown and cooked with care, meets Lyon’s tradition of bistro generosity.