Culina Hortus

Culina Hortus is truly a masterclass in how to do fine dining right. The decor and vibes are stunning, with a dining room that feels high-end yet incredibly welcoming. They have clearly thought about every single detail. Even the cutlery was beautiful, which just adds that extra layer of intentionality to the whole experience. It creates a perfect atmosphere for a long, relaxed meal where you can actually focus on what is on the plate. The menu is a journey and it is hands down the best vegetarian cuisine I have ever had. I am not a vegetarian myself, but I did not miss meat for a single second. We started with some really clever amuse-bouche bites like a tofu preparation and something with algae and cider that really set the tone for the creativity to follow. The bread service was also a highlight. That sourdough loaf was so good I almost got distracted by it before the main courses even started. I find it a bit lavish to get a whole loaf regardless of group size though, but I wasn't too shy to ask if i could take it home as I had barely eaten 1/4. Made for a great breakfast ;) What followed was a fantastic purple potato dish with a light espuma and mustard seeds that added a great texture and invited you to really feel and taste the bread. One of the lesser highlights was a dish of clementine suprême with fermented elements and these delicate noodles that felt very light and refreshing, though it led perfectly into the duo of leeks in many forms. I loved the progression of the meal because the allium notes in that dish tied in so well with what came next. The standout of the entire night was definitely the mushroom dumpling. It was served in a beautiful leeky bouillon with sumac and algae. The combination of savory flavors and that refreshing broth was amazing. Thanks to the algae, the mushrooms had this depth that tasted almost like seafood. It was a very sophisticated bit of cooking. The beetroot pasta on its purée with pesto and chèvre chaud was another winner, though the dishes before it did overshadow the dish. Even looking at the empty plate afterward, you could tell how vibrant and rich those flavors were. The meal ended with two dessert courses, including one with pear and granola and another with these little pastry spheres and a bright green sorbet that cleansed the palate perfectly. The service was flawless and very well coordinated. The dishes were well explained. The sommelier was a particular highlight. He offered a beautiful wine pairing that matched the complexity of the vegetables and really elevated the whole 7-course experience. Everything was served at the right temperature on warm and beautiful plates, and the pacing was spot on. It was a stellar evening from start to finish. An absolute must visit for everyone who loves fine dining, every vegetarian looking for a high class experience and anyone wanting to take a bit of a break of traditionally heavy and meat forward Lyonnaise cuisine. Thank you!

The chef is talented and creative. What he creates with vegetables is simply remarkable and it is a truly original culinary experience. The atmosphere of the restaurant is trendy and the service is friendly and efficient. My photos do not do justice to the actual beauty of the dishes !

I visited here twice and I loved it. Comparing to my 1st visit last January, I found the food a less tasty but still very good. I loved the butter and sourdough, the burdock and the dessert. However, the appetiser was no good, it doesn't match with the set of lunch. According to the manager, the chef has changed. No wonder the food is different. Hope they will make some arrangement on the food arrangement later. Note: I was questing to myself that can they have more interesting food during Winter? As I found they have the same main course as last January.

Seriously delicious! I was so excited to try this spot while honeymooning. Honestly, my husband (non vegetarian) and I thought we would likely need more food afterward, but the courses were quite filling! They were also able to accommodate a food allergy I had and provide a totally unique option that wasn’t listed on the menu. The staff was nice and the entire experience was really lovely. 10/10 would dine there again. <3

Went here for a birthday lunch with my spouse in September and we were very very impressed. All seven courses were beautiful to look at and tasted incredible too. We didn't get cocktails but the mocktails we ordered were delicious. On the service side of things, they were very accommodating of my request for a low lactose meal and offered substitutions where needed. Each course was presented with a detailed explanation (optionally available in English if you ask) which made the experience even lovelier. The restaurant is beautiful as well but our focus was all on the food :)

Tucked away in the heart of the city, Culina Hortus is a vegetarian gem that offers an unforgettable culinary experience. From the moment we stepped inside, we were greeted by a warm, inviting ambiance and friendly staff eager to guide us through their diverse menu. The dishes were a celebration of flavours and the overall experience was delightful. I certainly recommend it.

Incredible experience! Don’t miss this when you’re in Lyon. Warm service. Came for dinner and had a wine pairing. It’s worth taking the wine pairing (€35) for the full experience. The sommelier did a great job. Flavours are very fresh and interesting. I didn’t even care that it was vegetarian. I’m gluten-free and they accommodated me very well.

Let's just say it matched my expectations in all regards! The food was exceptional, the plating was beautiful and the service was differential. Our Indian family of vegetarians had never tried anything like this and it was a unique and memorable experience in multiple regards. We really enjoyed the food and how intricately things were prepared. The amount of care in the food really shines! We had requested no eggs as part of our allergy restriction and it was a bit disappointing that the server was impatient at explaining how the food was going to be served due to this change. Until the food came for all the courses, we weren't even sure if my parents who had egg restriction will get an alternative course. Overall the service became smoother, but it really felt like we were bothering them by making that intial request. I loved the food but with such incidents, it slightly sours your experience and makes it less enjoyable. We are not from Lyon so we didn't know if we were being treated differently for not understanding the cultural etiquettes or simply that's how things are.

The food was creative and delicious. The staff was attentive and kind. My French is very poor but everyone was courteous and helpful in translating. My friend and I even received some advice on how to improve our language learning. I hope to return again soon if I am ever in Lyon again. This is a gastronomical experience for both vegetarians and meat-eaters alike to branch out and try new vegetarian flavors. The kitchen adapted seamlessly to my pistachio allergy. Also, you pay at the counter at the end (for those who are not from France).

Amazing vegetarian option in Lyon. Everything is vegetarian by default and I believe they can accommodate vegan and other diets. Very helpful servers speaking English among other languages. The sommelier was friendly and excited to recommend a good wine for me. The also had two different non-alcoholic drinks that were interesting and refreshing. They have one seven course menu so everyone has the same menu at a leisurely - but not too slow - pace. The whole wonderful experience added up to only 90 Euro! Might be spendy by Lyon standards but it is very reasonable coming from USA. Highly recommended.

This restaurant really exceeded my expectations of an all vegetarian dinner. It was the weekend so only 2 prix fixe options were offered. But there were also several added items, more like amuse vouches, that were outstanding little bites - a Chinese bread with miso topping, a pressed carrot and sesame cube and a beet ravioli plus a a cheese cube rolled is nuts. And a great fresh bread with seeds, rather like an everything bagel. Entree, plat, cheese course (actually greens with soft cheese and some herbs plus another bread offering) and dessert were all fabulously tasty. There was even an after- dessert , a mini- carrot cake for the table to share. Even though the portions were fancy- food small, I was surprised that I felt very satisfied. Everything was elegantly presented and described in detail by our waiter. We spent over 3 hours eating and it was so pleasant, it felt much shorter. I suggest a reservation because with there is only one seating. We were lucky enough to be there when they opened and got the only open spot for Friday night.