Le Lion - Clermont-Ferrand

It's the second time I visit this place, and ended up even less satisfied than before. I was beyond hungry and since I already knew the menu I had already in mind what I wanted. I ordered a Caesar Salad and a Pizza, knowing already the portion of the plates. The waiter advised that the Caesar Salad was too big for me to even finish it and even less the pizza. I ordered both. I finished my Salad and waited 20 minutes for my pizza, the waiter then asked if I still wanted my pizza. The pizza wasn't even being prepared, so of course I said no, I couldn't afford to wait 20 more minutes to get it. The waiter proceded by saying "I told you, with the Salad you were going to have enough". I know it sounds as a childish complaint, but I know how much I can eat when I'm hungry. I wasn't even half full. I understand it is important not to waste food, but if I don't finish it I can take it home. Needless to say, this has already happened to me before, so I remarked how much I wanted both. This is why I hate European restaurants. Slow service.

We have a house nearby but have never been to the centre of clermont. After walking around the shops we decided it was time to eat. We did the usual thing of procrastinating and mumbling between the four of us before walking back to where we started. We decided to walk straight in, with the wife saying "did you see anyone sat down" we walked down the couple of steps to be met cheerily by a waiter as we asked for a table, the place was packed. Which cheered the wife up. We sat down to be given an oversized menu card, food one side/wines the other .Again the waiter came over and asked if we're ready to order. Our 16 year old started with the minimal french we all know, and the waiter spoke back to her in clear English. We continued on in our pigeon french, and gained the meal we wanted. The 11 yr old, wanted the cheese pizza but would not have the mini pizza from the set child's menu, as she is a big girl now. I said the the auvergne bleu maybe a little strong so ordered without. The waiter was happy to the special request. With a burger/calzone/pasta carbonara ordered along with drinks. We spoke with a Brazilian lady who asked if we were American (my northern accent must be fading). After a very congenial conversation about the history of clermont from our Brazilian tour guide, she left and the food promptly arrived. The portion sizes were excellent, and it was obvious from the first moment that the 11 yr old's eyes were a little large for her belly and she is still only a small girl after all.My calzone, was as good as I have had in my life, which is saying something, as I may have had one or two in the past. The carbonara was really good apart from my 16yr old daughter expressing some concern over the egg yolk I the middle. She burst it and went one to devour a good quantity and said that the good was 'really good' which isn't a conversation for a 16yr old to have. The 11 year old got through about a 3rd of her 3 cheese pizza before saying she didn't think it would be that big. Even though she had looked over to another table where a gentleman had previously started to eat a pizza the same size as she was subsequently ordering. The only downside, was my wife's burger. The usual oversized brioche buns with tons of salad and sauce, the burger looked to be bigger than a majority of the cows we'd seen on our trip but at least it came firmly pinned with a Scottish girder. So she tucked in by cutting it up like a trussed pig (only it was beef).. the burger was too underdone for her and I could see she didn't enjoy it. So helped the 11 yr old withe the 'big girls' pizza.Nevertheless, with only 1 thumb down and 3 thumbs firmly in the air, this is defiantly a good place to eat in the heart of the city. The service was absolutely excellent. The total price was under €70 with drinks. So a decent price for very event food.if you do decide to go, avoid the burgers and you will not be disappointed. Well worth a visit.

We enjoyed a very nice meal here. Not fancy food but tasty and filling. Not too expensive either. We sampled local dishes and thoroughly enjoyed all the food.

Sunday evening in Clermont-Ferrand tends to be a quiet affair with hardly any bars or restaurants open.So we were delighted to chance upon Le Lion in the main square where we enjoyed excellent food in a convivial atmosphere.Goat pizza and a selection of local meats,cheese and paté washed down with a fine local red wine was an excellent way to end our weekend in this delightful city.Staff were young and enthusiastic and we enjoyed our meal.Other restaurants might take note that even in the depth of winter and on a Sunday night there's still plenty of custom walking around.

Very good restaurant at Place de Jeude, easy access by Tram line A.Fantastic burgers and carpaccios and pizzas. Negative point: menu only in French.Is highly recommended that you study about ingredients in French in order to understand exactly what you are asking for eating.Service very polite, in French but something in English as well. The delay to delivery is a little bit higher but is not a big problem.The price is higher than in other restaurants around Place de Jeude.As all in Jeude, no valet available and is highly recommended to use Tram line A or bus line C.