Le Cochon qui Boit

The story

Le Cochon qui Boit – Lyon Bib Gourmand Modern Cuisine Restaurant

Le Cochon qui Boit, Lyon

At 23 rue Royale in Lyon’s 1st arrondissement, Le Cochon qui Boit is a lively, joyful restaurant where chef Nicolas crafts a cuisine of today alongside a selection of author wines. The restaurant’s name—the pig that drinks—signals a place that takes pleasure seriously, without pretension.

The menu changes daily, built around what’s best from the region. Starters might include roasted courgette zéphir with a savory sabayon, or a salad of broad beans and spring onions with coppa. Main courses feature Aubrac Bio veal from the Ain, prepared according to the day’s cut, served with panisses and girolles, or duck from the Limagne plain with roasted magret, thigh sausage, and fennel. Vegetarians are well served with an eggplant alla Milanese, red pepper coulis, and herb cream from Bresse. Desserts range from a peppered strawberry salad with yogurt ice cream to confit cherries with Bonnat chocolate ganache and Serpollet ice cream.

The kitchen sources all vegetables from two organic market gardeners in the region, and meats come from whole carcasses bought directly from farmers who raise their animals well. This commitment to ingredient quality earned the restaurant a Michelin Bib Gourmand, a recognition for good quality, good value cooking.

Tristan, the other half of the team, curates a wine list of free, living wines from here and elsewhere—to be enjoyed at the table or at the counter. Le Cochon qui Boit is open Tuesday through Saturday for lunch and dinner, a place where the only rule is real food and real drink.