Best donuts in Lyon, hands down! Run and grab yourself one (or three) the owner lived in Brooklyn…read moreand so they're the real deal!

Items ordered: Caramel Donut…read moreDark Chocolate Donut Sugared Almond Donut Dulce de Leche Donut Red Velvet Muffin Chocolate Chip with Hazelnut Cookie Nymy Cookie With Donuts clearly having a 'moment' back stateside, and American culture often creeping over to Europe with mixed success, one couldn't help but be intrigued by Dorodi Pastry and entering the doors of the small space with donuts, cookies, muffins, cakes, and pies served alongside legit coffee the experience really couldn't have been more familiar - the young owner from Montreal originally mistaking me for Nordic before giving up conversational French and switching to flawless English with that familiar East Canadian brogue. Similarly priced to American artisans, and that is to suggest most items topping 3€ each, it was largely with a focus on novelties as well as recommendations before personal favorites that the order progressed, a total bill of 20€ yielding seven items which were boxed and bagged as we discussed dining back across the Atlantic, suggestions for local spots offered and appreciated despite a dining agenda that was already jammed packed. Taking items to a small park in order to enjoy, parking no doubt a hot commodity before meters engaged at 9:00, it was with little hesitation that first bites were taken of each warm donut and although the yeasty brioche-style base was absolutely immaculate, all but the dark chocolate frosting featured an 'off' mouthfeel that came off almost waxy, the sweetness nowhere near that of versions served stateside and not at all on par with Donuts Factory, a place to be visited later on the eating tour of Lyon. Moving on to the "don't call it a cupcake - cupcakes are frosted" muffin, suffice it to say that French cocoa studded with Valrhona's dark chocolate chips is likely to upgrade anything being done with food coloring and Hershey's throughout most of the American South, and although a dollop of cream cheese frosting may have upped the ante a bit it really wasn't needed in the setting of such high quality ingredients, the same to be said of a crispy-rimmed chocolate chip cookie dense with nuts amidst a soft center and the best-of-the-morning "Nymy" that featured a puddle of ganache amidst a cocoa base with streaks of caramel, toffee, and hazelnuts making each bite a new experience waiting to be found.

A modern coffeeshop with delicious Cappucino and Cortado…read more The staffs were friendly. Lots of fun seats inside and out. You see many students hanging out and working in the space.

An outstanding American style coffee house in Lyon, France…read more * * * So what is the big deal about American style coffee houses in Anywhere, France? Americans can get American coffee in America. France is for French stuff. * * * Well, there is one exception to the rule of France is for French stuff. French coffee is generally bad. I have had expresses and espressos in lots of cafes both on this trip and earlier trips. French espresso is grim stuff. When Starbucks showed up in France, it got a huge popular reaction. Most of this was for wacky flavored coffees such as Pistachio Mint Lattes. But the huge crowds showed a real impatience with lame tame cafe espressos. * * * When French entrepreneurs tried to clone the Starbucks experience, the results were not good. They aped all of the worst aspects of Starbucks coffee without putting anything legitimately good on the table. * * * So the French move into artisanal coffee houses is a very big deal. They follow the American model of having a) outstanding espressos, lattes and alt-coffee drinks and b) having a small but fine menu of breakfast and lunch dishes to make the coffee house a place for a destination meal. Note that not all French artisan coffee places add on Clause c) c) People need to be able to work at the coffee house all day on their computers. The places with really good food actually frown on all-day workers. There is a line out the door of people wanting to eat that really good food. But even with no c), a) and b) are enough to give you a great place. Coffee reform has finally come to France. * * * In the new coffee movement, Slake is a stellar addition. The coffee is amazing - but most of the new coffee houses have that. What sets Slake apart is food that is absolutely positively outstanding. I had a set of Turkish eggs - which were one of the best breakfasts I had in the entire trip to Lyon. My wife did even better with a one-off special - an Indonesian pancake with caramel flour. I died and went to heaven off the one taste of pancake I got. My wife was singing with the angels and flying around the Gates of Radiant Light. A quick look at the other tables suggested that there is legendary French toast to be had as well as a number of other absolutely intriguing treats. * * * There is a line to get into Slake. Don't come expecting immediate gratification - And get out when you are done with your meal. But in return for that The Great Gods of Java will show you the Resplendent Wonders of Their Kingdom once you ditch the cheap espresso.

This place is right around the corner from where I take classes and is so cute! The owner is lovely…read moreand never switches to English with me even though French is sometimes obviously my second language. The coffees and baked goods are reliably yummy and the lunch menu is great as well-the salad is always delicious! Finding a coffee shop that doesn't turn into a brunch restaurant on Sundays is hard in Lyon and Once Upon a Coffee is the perfect place to sit and get some work done with free WiFi and strong coffee at the end of the weeekend.

It s a small nice place. The people working there are So NICE!…read moreI could see they have regulars and you can tell (I speak French) that they know each other. That proves they care about their clients. Teasing and laughing even in the morning. Cute patisserie and full sandwiches ! Petite place Simpa avec une équipe très sympa ! J ai pu voir comment les habitués aime la serveuse et comme tous le monde plaisante des le matin! Vraiment des gens gentil et attentionnés. Jolies pâtisserie et sandwich plein!

C'est un excellent café avec un excellent service et une grande sélection. Beaucoup de petites…read morechoses mignonnes à acheter à l'intérieur de la boutique aussi ! Je ne parle qu'un peu français, mais le personnel était sympathique et gentil. C'est tout ce que j'aime dans les cafés !

From the owner: Torréfaction & Dégustation sur place ... Comptoir à Délices…read more... Véritable Trattoria ... Epicerie Fine Italienne ...