The best restaurants Route de la soie

An address from Le Smart and subtitled "Gourmandise & Connivance". Smart had been tough with the lack of «connivance» between the bistronomique kitchen of a Japanese chef Hiroyuki Watanabe and the too cold decoration of a room that pulls rather toward the palate than to the bistro. The impression remains, even if we have been able to appreciate at Flair one of the most pleasant service, the general atmosphere of the places does not stick to the spirit that one wants to put. Perhaps the decor should be changed so that we could come to this end of the Rue de la Charité. Apart from this aspect that disturbs us every year, it must be admitted that the chef's kitchen makes wonders, at midday with a lunch formula that changes daily according to the seasonal market and a map where the apparent simplicity of the dishes conceals perfectly mastered know-how: bream tartare tartare and dashi espuma; refined pan-vascular, prunes and hams; toast roast pork pig and death trumpet. To finish on a delicious cake all chocolate, mirabelles and pistachio cream. An address that can't seduce us.

A house that is more than a hundred years old, founded in 1921, that doesn't look its age. Near the Palais de la Bourse, taking advantage of a small peaceful square in the heart of the city to install one of the most beautiful terraces in Lyon, the Cintra could tell many stories, especially those written at its counter where the famous port wines that gave its name to the establishment are still served. Carefully selected fresh products, with a preference for fish. Setting and atmosphere, and piano bar in the evening.

Behind a tsarist facade reminiscent of old Yerevan, this restaurant, which displays the famous Armenian lavash bread, a unesco World Heritage Site, offers varied and sophisticated local culinary specialities in a Loundge setting, beautifully presented and served by a friendly and professional staff. The atmosphere is friendly, and the clientele is often young, attracted by reasonable prices as well as by the quality of the dishes on offer, even if the restaurant aspires to the top of the range

The Platan restaurant is considered one of the best tables in town. With its large, friendly and contemporary room, its second private room, its delicious terrace, its decoration made of carved wood, exposed stone or adobe and old photographs of Samarkand, it offers the perfect setting to indulge in local specialties and fusion cuisine. The traditional cuisine is more refined here than in a tchaikhana and the menu offers forays into Georgian, Russian or Asian territory.

Rustic and warm, this family restaurant of traditional Russian cuisine is decorated in the style of a country house and decorated with many folk details. The menu gives pride of place to specialities from regions of Russia prepared according to old recipes. Musical evenings are frequently organised and a small corner for children (with domestic rabbits) is available. The grocery shop of the restaurant offers solenias, flavoured liqueurs, honey or the famous Russian tea Ivan Tchai! Smart address.

Koshari, foul, taamia, foul-taameya sandwiches, roasted sweet potatoes... Zööba offers everything traditional in a young, funky and above all clean setting. It surfs the "Clean Street Food" trend with great success. Around a table, you can taste local and refined food. You can even buy vacuum-packed take-away portions or have them delivered. The bread, prepared on the spot, is delicious and a perfect accompaniment to brunch at the weekend. It should be noted that the restaurant offers many vegetarian specialities à la carte.

L'OL left, Argenson stayed. Gerland and Argenson, two inseparable names for both the before and after games. Except that now, Lou, the new occupant of the historic stadium of the city, has its own catering service… But nothing will replace Argenson. A refined bourgeois house with its splendid, naturally shaded terrace which confers the unit all the atmosphere of countryside at the gates of Lyon. Here you can safely park your car at the private car park and take full advantage of its lunch break or a dinner that takes a romantic atmosphere. For business, the place is perfect. For Sunday meals in family as well. In short, in the room, under the bright veranda or outside, it is always a good idea to come to Maison Argenson. Traditional quality cuisine with cod acras with Espelette pepper or old-fashioned cooked tomatoes and burratina of the Pouilles region. The rigate pennes are also in Italian style. Fresh cod aioli or a whole roasted sea bass cut into fillet on the table. Homemade tartare cut with a knife. And classics to finish with a Rum baba or the famous grandma waffles. Argenson, a name and a house that goes beyond the round ball.

This establishment, which can be reached by passing under the porch of the first passageway of the North Avenue, offers excellent Armenian cuisine, of quality, in a warm atmosphere. Local and international specialities are presented in a tasteful, pleasant setting and at very affordable prices, like the other establishments in the chain with the emblematic apricot ("tsirani" in Armenian) brand. We advise you to book in advance as this restaurant is very often crowded, a victim of its own success.

For all the gourmets who want to taste the different specialities of Turkish cuisine, try the doy doy mixed kebab, pides, kunefe for dessert and finish with a traditional Turkish coffee. The Doy-Doy Restaurant has everything to please you: a simple and generous cuisine is offered, the reception is friendly, the prices are very affordable and in addition you will enjoy a spectacular view of the Blue Mosque from the terrace located on the top floor of this great restaurant. A very good address in the neighborhood!

The traditional recipes are generous and refined, and for once the menu goes far beyond the simple framework of the plovs and other chachlyks. For those who have an overdose of grilled meat, Minzifa coffee is all the more recommendable as there are plenty of vegetarian dishes. The setting is magnificent, we love the roof terrace with one of the most beautiful views of the city, directly above the moneychangers' door. Professional, warm and efficient service. We recommend that you book in advance.

An address that does not impersonate its name. Indeed, this street of the rue de la Ré is part of the city's institutions, even though it is still known as the American Bar that it has worn for a long time. An address that its owner, Franck Delafon, wanted to raise in order to take it to a certain idea of luxury, in a cosy decor that does not work completely to our taste. Moreover, it is a set that seems to us «surjoué», when elegance should naturally prevail. The service is knowledgeable about its subject. For the rest, Smart finds more earn on the map, with soaring prices, that a real inspiration. A benedictine egg façon at 13,50 €, smoked organic salmon, lemon cream and Poilâne bread at 19 €… For the time being, one would think more about the promenade of the English than rue de la Ré. The Noix nuts at the plancha, squash risotto display at € 26,50, while the meat rises with a true beef net, the ceps juice for 36 €. Desserts still increase the addition of 8 €, dang! In short, an address that takes us too much for Americans (see its history)…

A magnificent restaurant in the heart of Sultanahmet. Delicious Turkish, Ottoman or continental cuisine: fish, shellfish, vegetarian kebabs. The chef's specialty is the testi Kebabı, a dish made from lamb or chicken meat, served with vegetables, cooked in a terracotta container. During the service, flames still gush out of the dish. We eat indoors but also on the terrace or in the garden. A palace that houses magnificent vaults that once connected with the basements of Sainte-Sophie! Be careful, the bill can quickly get high.

An address known to gourmets, but one that you have to take the trouble to find, at the extreme north-west of Gyumri, next to the Olympic College, at the foot of the Red Fort, a small round fort on a hill, away from the centre. All sorts of specialities are served there, but especially fish, which is served from afar in this establishment called the Col des Circassiens because it is said to have served the soldiers of a regiment in Circassian (Cherkesses) dress.

Speciality: pizza! And what originality in the recipes! The dough is thin and crunchy, with generous and original toppings. You will find pesto, breaded eggplant, ham, eggs, asparagus, anchovies, cheeses... And to complete the meal, homemade tarts or fresh fruit cups with gelato. That said, everything here is excellent. Gourmet as one could wish! The prices are quite average. On the spot or to take away.

We come here for the excellent cocktails, to discover a new craft beer, to taste a succulent burger or to have a makeover. Yes, Pif-Paf is a 3-in-1 establishment, a bar, a restaurant and a hair salon all in one. On the bar side, the great classics are perfectly mastered. On the kitchen side, opt for the house specialty. The black burger with squid ink is a best seller - the famous Reykjavík which combines Atlantic herring, salted cucumbers, pickled onion and mini apple pancake. Serve it with a very good Bloody Mary.

Traditional bistro converted to accommodate international youth, we love to stop there for its cosmopolitan clientele, its menus at low prices. Terrace and interior decoration.

To sit down at a table in Asitane is like climbing into a time machine and enjoying the same dishes served to the sultans: like this chickpea purée with redcurrants, cinnamon and pine nuts, a recipe served to the palate in 1469! But also almond soup, sea bass stuffed with nuts and spices, squid stuffed with mint. Beyond the cuisine, of unparalleled refinement, the place is most pleasant, far from the hustle and bustle of the tourist heart. Of course, the prices go accordingly but quite frankly, it's worth it!

When it is said that Le Karachi is the first Indo-Pakistani restaurant in Lyon, it is for two reasons. First, the establishment was created 35 years ago thanks to the work of Mr Ashraf, originally from Punjab. Then, because Le Karachi is undoubtedly the best restaurant in Lyon in its category. Near the Part-Dieu, lovely welcome to make us settle in one of the two tastefully decorated rooms. Crafted wood on the walls and chairs, real sculptures, a metal fountain and a perfect service that provides us with all the explanations necessary from the aperitifs to the desserts. Characteristic of this authentic Indian restaurant, they do not serve alcohol and you can enjoy Indian cuisine accompanied by tea after having sipped a fruit cocktail. To vary the pleasure, Futé was tempted by a pleasant menu Voyageur at just under €30 in order to enjoy a delicious "Mix Tandoori Spécial", assortment plate of starters, including an excellent tikka of lamb or a charcoal grilled prawns. To be followed with the Karachi chicken presented with its silver leaf (edible) or a "Fish Massala", the chef's speciality, all of them are to be eaten with a wonderful rice flavoured with spices. Fine choice of desserts with a rice pudding flavoured with cardamom or small fritters with Indian butter, sprinkled with coconut. Generous and tasty cuisine in a friendly setting, change of scenery guaranteed.