OMG! Lyon’s Iconic Rue Mercière Restaurant Just Got a SHOCKING New Owner! 🤯

OMG! Lyon’s Iconic Rue Mercière Restaurant Just Got a SHOCKING New Owner! 🤯

Okay, so last week, everyone was talking about the Léon Fish Brasserie on Rue Mercière shutting down. 💔 And honestly, we all kind of saw it coming, right? “If the chain didn’t want to comment, the very low footfall of the establishment is, without a doubt, one of the reasons for this closure,” said journalist Ludivine Caporal (Actu Lyon), basically summing up what everyone was thinking.

But hold up! We’ve got the EXCLUSIVE scoop on who just snatched up this prime spot! And trust us, it’s a game-changer for Lyon’s foodie scene! 🎉

Who’s the Mystery Buyer?! 🕵️♂️

Get ready for this: The new owner of the 500m2 commercial space, right on the corner of Rue Tupin, is none other than Mickael Castaldo! ✨ If you’re a regular reader, you know this guy. He’s a local legend in the restaurant biz!

This spot has quite a history, from being the iconic Gaston under Michel Barthod to the more generic Bistro Romain and then Léon Fish Brasserie. Let’s be real, a chain restaurant selling seafood and mussels next to a supermarket parking lot just doesn’t cut it in the heart of gastronomic Lyon, does it? 🙄

Why This Is HUGE News for Lyon! 🚀

We are SO stoked about this acquisition for two massive reasons:

• Local Love: This premium location is back in the hands of an independent Lyonnais merchant! 🙌 No more bland chains, folks!
• No Beer Bar (Phew!): Mickael has promised NOT to turn it into another beer bar! (He already runs two on Place Antonin Poncet, so he’s got that covered!) 🍻

Mickael Castaldo, who you might remember from the BBC in 2020, is a young entrepreneur leading a booming restaurant group that he started with his dad, Pépine. His portfolio includes cool spots like Tilt in Massieux, Victor Hugo, Eat and Drink’s (Eds’), Tony’s (also on Place Antonin Poncet), and Brasserie Nepo in Neuville sur Saône.

The Plot Twist: Mickael’s Strategic Moves! 🔄

Even in a tough year for restaurants (2025 was wild!), Mickael made some smart moves, offloading three of his establishments:

• L’Institution (now owned by Thomas Belleteste and his Auvergne partners)
• BBC Café (formerly Jols), on Quai Saint Antoine, now called Roi Lyon by Rémy Bouvier
• The former Brasserie du Parc, “Bross,” sold to the Di Litta family

He told us last year, “It was an internal strategic choice to separate from the Best Beer Concept Café (BBC). We are reflecting on the future of our Lyon establishments. We have other projects in mind.” Well, those projects are clearly happening NOW! 🔥

What’s Next for Rue Mercière? 🤫

Mickael has cleared his plate, saved his cash, and is now ready for new plans, including this HUGE one on Rue Mercière! We’re promised a reveal of the new concept in a second episode (stay tuned, fam!).

Opening is planned for late September! Get ready for something epic! 🤩

What Would YOU Do?! 🤔

Imagine owning a restaurant empire and then snagging another prime spot in Lyon. What kind of restaurant would YOU open? Spill the tea in the comments! 👇

#Lyon #FoodieNews #RestaurantLife #MickaelCastaldo #RueMerciere #Exclusive #Gastronomy #LyonPeople #WhatToEat #NewOpening #Foodstagram

Source: https://www.lyonpeople.com/actualites-lyon/actualites-gastronomiques/lyon-rue-merciere-le-restaurant-leon-rachete-par-un-lyonnais-2026-06-25.html