M Restaurant

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M Restaurant Lyon: Bib Gourmand Bistro Chic on Avenue Foch

M Restaurant: a Lyon bistro with pedigree

On a quiet stretch of avenue Maréchal-Foch in Lyon's 6th arrondissement, M Restaurant operates as a chic, contemporary bistro. The address has history: it is where chef Mathieu Viannay earned his first Michelin star in 2005 before moving on to La Mère Brazier. When he converted the space into a bistrot chic, M Restaurant was born.

Chef Julien Gautier took over the kitchen from day one, adding his own identity before purchasing the establishment in July 2010. A former chef at the two-starred Léon de Lyon, Gautier crafts an inventive carte that changes every two months. His cooking is precise, generous, and built on technique and seasonal produce. Since 2009, the restaurant has held a Michelin Bib Gourmand, a recognition for good quality, good value cooking that aligns perfectly with Gautier's approach. In 2012, he was also named "Maître Restaurateur," a French title that rewards the use of fresh, local, seasonal ingredients.

The dining room was entirely redesigned in early 2021 to match the chef's personality: warm, elegant, and modern. A mezzanine offers a more private setting for business meals or group events, while a terrace under the plane trees is open from March to November. The wine list is a serious affair, with over 300 references available by the glass or bottle, curated by the chef himself.

The team is led in the dining room by maître d'hôtel Emmanuel, who brings rigour and humour to the service. In the kitchen, Gautier works with a crew that shares his passion for detail and creative challenges. The result is a restaurant that feels both ambitious and welcoming, offering inventive French cuisine that respects its Lyonnais roots.