What is the food like in Lyon?

Lyon’s gastronomic fame is a testament to its enduring legacy, which has influenced chefs and food lovers across the world. Its culinary traditions are intertwined with its history, but innovation is also at the heart of today’s cuisine.

The influence of legendary figures such as Paul Bocuse (1926-2018), nicknamed “the pope of gastronomy”, cannot be overstated. He was the most famous chef from Lyon in the 20th century, revolutionising the local food scene and propelling it onto the international stage. His dedication to excellence and innovation has inspired generations of chefs. Today, the city is home to numerous Michelin-starred restaurants, helping to maintain this reputation.

But Lyon’s food is worth exploring not only for its haute cuisine! The city is a stronghold of traditional French cooking, with a local twist that makes it unique in the country. Its typical dishes, restaurants and events make it a great place to visit or live in.

Today, Lyon is also a truly cosmopolitan city, with people from all over the world. This melting pot has created a gastronomic culture based on diversity. When you come to live there, you will have the opportunity to sample quality cuisine from all over the world, in addition to traditional French dishes.

Lyon’s typical dishes embody the region’s rich culinary heritage. They offer a range of flavours from the hearty and simple to the refined and complex. Here are a few examples of Lyon’s cuisine:

• Quenelles are one of the most famous. They are made from pike mixed into a light dough and then poached. They are usually served with Nantua sauce (crayfish sauce).
• The salade lyonnaise is a salad with dandelion, lardons, fried bread pieces (croûtons), a poached egg, vinaigrette and parsley.
• The black truffle soup VGE, created by Paul Bocuse himself in honour of the then president Valéry Giscard d’Estaing (hence VGE).
• For cheese, try a cervelle de canuts (a mixture of fromage blanc and goat’s cheese with herbs, shallots, salt, pepper, olive oil and vinegar) or local products such as fromage fort de la Croix-Rousse, arôme de Lyon or rigotte de Condrieu.
• For dessert, you can try the praline cake, with its distinctive bright pink colour and creamy filling, and the pralines, classics of Lyon cuisine, which are candied almonds coated in a pink sugar shell.

You may be wondering where these classic dishes are best enjoyed. Lyon is famous for a particular type of typical restaurant…

In the heart of Lyon’s bustling streets lies the bouchon, the emblem of the city’s rich culinary heritage. These traditional restaurants are the best place to enjoy the local cuisine. If you want to try an authentic food experience that reflects Lyon’s gastronomic culture, this is the place to be. They are usually located in the old streets, in a setting characterised by Lyon’s traditional architecture.

Eating at a bouchon is not just about the food. They’re also renowned for their atmosphere. They are warm and welcoming, with a decor that often feels like a step back in time. As soon as you enter, you will notice the wooden tables, red and white chequered tablecloths and vintage cooking utensils. In this rustic setting, tasting Lyon’s traditional dishes becomes a real cultural experience for all visitors and residents.

Lyon’s drinks are rich and varied, with wines and spirits that perfectly complement the city’s cuisine. Situated between the Rhône and Beaujolais wine regions, Lyon is an ideal location for wine lovers. The abundance of vineyards in the region gives the production a distinctive character and depth. At the bouchons, you can taste wines that are the perfect accompaniment to your chosen dish.

But there is more to Lyon than wine. The city is also famous for Ninkasi, a local brewery named after the Sumerian goddess of beer. They produce a wide range of beers, both classic and innovative.

Lyon’s bars and nightlife are an invitation to discover traditional and creative drinks.

Of course, alcoholic beverages must be consumed responsibly.

As the world capital of gastronomy, Lyon hosts many food-related events and festivals, such as the Biennale Internationale du Goût (BIG), which takes place every odd year in January and turns the city into a gastronomic playground for several days, with tastings, workshops and live cooking demonstrations.

Every year, you can also enjoy the Lyon Street Food Festival, dedicated to street food in all its forms. The event is dedicated to promoting diversity and discovery, with cuisines from all over the world represented. The festival also offers live concerts and DJs to create a festive atmosphere.

Other events take place throughout the year, such as the Salon du Chocolat (dedicated to chocolate, as the name suggests). Living in Lyon offers the promise of always having the opportunity to take part in exceptional festivities, with a focus on quality food. This is another reason why Lyon is one of the best cities to live in France for gastronomy lovers!

As you can see, the city’s food is one of the best in France and the world. From the local bouchon to the world-class Michelin-starred restaurant, not forgetting the local quality products that you can find in the local markets, food lovers will be delighted by this gastronomic journey. Living in Lyon is the promise of a high quality of life in part thanks to this tradition. And those who come to visit the city for the holidays will enjoy this opportunity to discover some of the greatest food!