Casa Nobile: Lyon’s Largest Italian Restaurant Reopens on Presqu’île
Lyon, June 11, 2026 – Casa Nobile, a well-known Italian restaurant, has officially reopened its doors in a grand new location in Lyon’s 2nd arrondissement, behind the Grand-Hôtel-Dieu. This move establishes it as the largest Italian restaurant on the Presqu’île, with an impressive capacity of 300 indoor seats and an additional 80 on its terrace along Rue Marcel-Gabriel-Rivière.
The relocation, which followed months of extensive renovation work in the former Ivoire auction house, more than doubles the restaurant’s previous capacity at its old address on Place de l’Hôpital. Ugo Lonobile, the owner, emphasized that this is not a new establishment but rather a significant relocation aimed at enhancing the customer experience while maintaining the restaurant’s core identity.
Unchanged Quality, Expanded Offerings, and New Jobs
Despite the move and expansion, Ugo Lonobile assured that the quality, team, and prices would remain consistent. “We are not changing the menu; we are simply adding new products,” he stated. The expansion has also created 20 new jobs, bringing Casa Nobile’s total workforce across all its locations to 150 employees.
“We are improving the customer experience. A more pleasant restaurant for both customers and staff. We wanted to change locations but, most importantly, keep our identity,” Lonobile explained.
Return to Sicilian Roots: Seafood and Fresh Pasta
The new Casa Nobile will continue to offer its popular wood-fired pizzas and pasta dishes, with a subtle evolution to the menu. In homage to their heritage, the Lonobile family is introducing more authentic Sicilian dishes. “We will offer ‘fritto misto’ (small fried seafood) as a starter, more antipasti, and, of course, new pizzas,” said Ugo Lonobile.
Seafood will play a more prominent role, with offerings such as fish, shellfish, sea urchins, bottarga, and sardines. The menu will also feature an increased selection of vegetables and mark the return of fresh pasta and homemade ravioli. The wine cellar, already extensive at the old location, will now be accessible to customers, offering a wider selection of references.
Reservations Now Accepted and Extended Hours
A significant change for loyal patrons is the introduction of reservations. Previously, it was impossible to book a table at Casa Nobile, often leading to queues. Now, customers can finally enjoy a meal without the wait. The new Casa Nobile will also extend its operating hours, opening seven days a week for lunch and dinner, with Sunday evenings currently being an exception. “We want to be a family place for Sunday lunch, staying open until 4 PM. So we are open 7 days a week, lunch and dinner, except Sunday evening for now. It’s a sacred moment for us,” Lonobile added.
Multiple Dining Areas and a Dedicated Bar
The new establishment features six distinct dining areas. The upper floor comprises four interconnected rooms with a capacity for around 100 guests. A notable addition at the entrance is a large room with a spacious bar, separate from the main dining area, which Ugo envisions as an ideal spot for ‘aperitivo’.
Nobile’s Creamy Gelatos and Sorbets
As a gelato maker, the Lonobile family will maintain their charming tradition of offering creamy gelatos and sorbets. With their ‘gelateria’ on Rue Paufique, customers have always been able to order their ice cream and enjoy it at their table or on the gelato shop’s colorful ceramic terrace. The team is also considering introducing a dessert trolley for tableside preparation of items like freshly assembled cannolis.
When asked about future expansion, Ugo Lonobile was unequivocal: “We have no intention of opening other Casa Nobile establishments elsewhere or franchising. We want to remain a family business.”
The Future of the Original Casa Nobile
The Lonobile family operates several establishments in Lyon, including two Casa Nobile restaurants (Presqu’île and Gerland), a pizza delivery service Forno Nobile (Rue Grolée), two gelaterias (Rue Paufique and Rue Mercière), and two ‘Nobile’ establishments dedicated to lunch breaks (Rue Bellecordière and Rue Sala).
The fate of the historic Casa Nobile address on Place de l’Hôpital remains undecided. “It is a very special place for several reasons. This restaurant was the starting point of our culinary adventure. We were the first traditional Sicilian restaurant in Lyon, with cannolis, antipasti…” said Ugo Lonobile. “It is a place rich in memories for us, but it was also tragic because I lost my father here… For now, we have decided to keep it, but it will not be a duplicate of Casa Nobile.”
Source: https://tribunedelyon.fr/restaurants-gastronomie/casa-nobile-renaissance-lyon/
