When visiting Lyon, be sure to try the city's renowned salade lyonnaise, quenelles, and tarte aux pralines, which are just a few examples of the rich and diverse culinary delights that Lyon has to offer.
Quick Facts
Food Culture Overview
Lyon's cuisine is known for its rich flavors and hearty portions, and is heavily influenced by the city's history as a major trade center. The city's unique cultural identity is reflected in its culinary traditions, which combine elements of French, Italian, and Mediterranean cuisine. One of the key influences on Lyonnaise cuisine is the city's proximity to the countryside, which provides an abundance of fresh produce, meat, and dairy products. The city's chefs make use of these local ingredients to create a wide range of dishes, from simple salads and soups to complex meat and fish dishes.
Lyon's culinary scene is also characterized by its many bouchons, which are small, informal restaurants that serve traditional Lyonnaise cuisine. These restaurants are often family-owned and operated, and offer a cozy and welcoming atmosphere in which to enjoy a meal. In addition to the bouchons, Lyon is also home to many mères, which are restaurants that specialize in traditional Lyonnaise cuisine. These restaurants are often more formal than the bouchons, and offer a wide range of dishes made with fresh, local ingredients.
Lyon's cuisine is also known for its many regional variations, which reflect the city's location at the crossroads of several different culinary traditions. The city's cuisine has been influenced by the cuisine of the surrounding regions, including the Dauphiné and Savoie. This has resulted in a wide range of dishes that are unique to Lyon and the surrounding area.
Must-Try Dishes
| Dish | Type | Description | Where to Find |
|---|---|---|---|
| salade lyonnaise | salad | a salad made with lettuce, bacon, and a poached egg | traditional Lyonnaise restaurants |
| quenelles | fish dish | a dish made with fish, cream, and eggs, served with a side of rice or vegetables | high-end restaurants |
| tarte aux pralines | dessert | a tart made with pralines, a type of caramelized sugar | patisseries and bakeries |
| tablier de sapeur | meat dish | a dish made with breaded and fried tripe, served with a side of vegetables | traditional Lyonnaise restaurants |
| cervelle de canut | cheese dish | a dish made with a type of cheese called cervelle de canut, served with a side of bread or crackers | fromageries and specialty food shops |
| andouillette | sausage dish | a dish made with a type of sausage called andouillette, served with a side of potatoes or vegetables | traditional Lyonnaise restaurants |
| poulet de Bresse | chicken dish | a dish made with chicken from the Bresse region, served with a side of potatoes or vegetables | high-end restaurants |
| bugnes | dessert | a type of fried dough pastry, typically sprinkled with sugar | street food vendors and markets |
| gratin de cardons | vegetable dish | a dish made with cardoons, a type of vegetable, served with a side of cheese and bread | traditional Lyonnaise restaurants |
| foie gras | luxury dish | a dish made with the liver of a duck or goose, served with a side of bread or crackers | high-end restaurants |
Street Food & Snacks
- croque-monsieur: a type of grilled ham and cheese sandwich, typically costing around $5-7 USD
- tartine provençale: a type of open-faced sandwich topped with tomatoes, cheese, and olives, typically costing around $6-8 USD
- fougasse: a type of flatbread, typically costing around $2-3 USD
- madeleines: a type of small cake, typically costing around $1-2 USD
- cannelés: a type of small, crispy pastry, typically costing around $2-3 USD
- galette des rois: a type of flaky pastry filled with frangipane, typically costing around $5-7 USD
- pommes frites: a type of french fries, typically costing around $3-5 USD
- crêpes: a type of thin pancake, typically costing around $3-5 USD
Drinks
- wine: Lyon is located in a major wine-producing region, and offers a wide range of wines to choose from, including Beaujolais and Côtes du Rhône
- beer: Lyon is home to a number of local breweries, and offers a wide range of beers to choose from, including Kronenbourg and Heineken
- jus d'orange: a type of freshly squeezed orange juice, typically costing around $2-3 USD
- café au lait: a type of coffee made with coffee and scalded milk, typically costing around $2-3 USD
- thé à la menthe: a type of mint tea, typically costing around $1-2 USD
- limonade: a type of lemonade, typically costing around $2-3 USD
Dining Customs
- it is customary to greet the server with a bonjour or bonsoir when entering a restaurant
- it is customary to wait for the server to seat you, rather than seating yourself
- it is customary to keep your hands visible on the table, rather than in your lap
- it is customary to not leave the table until everyone is finished eating
- it is customary to tip around 5-10% of the total bill
- it is customary to make a reservation in advance, especially for high-end restaurants
Where to Eat
- bouchons: small, informal restaurants that serve traditional Lyonnaise cuisine
- mères: restaurants that specialize in traditional Lyonnaise cuisine
- patissiers: bakeries and pastry shops that offer a wide range of sweet and savory pastries
- fromageries: cheese shops that offer a wide range of artisanal cheeses
- marchés: outdoor markets that offer a wide range of fresh produce, meat, and dairy products
Food Markets & Food Experiences
- Marché de la Croix-Rousse: a large outdoor market that offers a wide range of fresh produce, meat, and dairy products
- Les Halles de Lyon: a large indoor market that offers a wide range of food and drink options, including fresh produce, meat, and dairy products
- La Maison Dorée: a historic bakery and pastry shop that offers a wide range of sweet and savory pastries
- Le Salomon: a restaurant that offers a wide range of traditional Lyonnaise dishes, including salade lyonnaise and quenelles
- La Meunière: a restaurant that offers a wide range of traditional Lyonnaise dishes, including tarte aux pralines and foie gras