A friendly beer-focused French brasserie by Gare de Lyon serving solid burgers, simple plates, and house fries at fair prices with standout draft selection; minor crowding and occasional service lapses.
Express de Lyon earns its A- grade through strong food quality anchored by juicy burgers, crisp house fries, and well-executed bavette sauces, paired with reliable friendly service and a serious draft beer selection that appeals to enthusiasts. Consistent execution across repeat visits supports the grade, though limited space that fills quickly and occasional service delays when understaffed prevent the higher distinction of grade A territory.
Steps from the platforms, Express de Lyon feels warm and bustling rather than touristy. Staff seat you, switch languages with ease, and keep the taps flowing. One diner summed it up: great beer and friendly service made a simple burger-and-fries stop surprisingly memorable. The cooking leans classic brasserie: juicy burgers with crisp house fries, a bavette with blue or pepper sauce, croques, cheese and charcuterie, and a few comforting desserts. It suits travelers and beer lovers who want reliable, flavorful plates without fuss, paired to a serious draft selection spanning French craft and Belgian staples. Families are fine here thanks to kid-pleasing staples like burgers, croque, pasta, and fries. There is a veggie burger and cheese board, but vegan mains are limited; picky eaters will still find fries or plain options, while adventurous kids can trade bites from the share boards.
Area vibe: Busy transport hub vibe catering to commuters, travelers, and nearby office workers; casual and practical.
Safety: High foot traffic and well-lit; typical big-station bustle with minor nuisances but generally safe.
What's nearby: Steps from Gare de Lyon, hotels, offices, and transit links; convenient pre/post-train stop.
Cheeseburgers and the bavette with blue cheese sauce are the must-orders, with fries and a simple dessert rounding it out.
Small, casual and bilingual with limited vegan mains and possible walk-in refusals at peak times.
A warm, bustling brasserie with strong draft-beer focus and a compact, lively atmosphere.