We open the doors to something that should be in every textbook and taught at school from an early age: Lyon’s once-in-a-lifetime specialties.
Lyon bugnes
The word bugne is a francization of the Lyonnais term bugni, which designates a doughnut. Sometimes crunchy, sometimes soft, this little Lyonnais dessert has its origins in the Middle Ages (some even speak of ancient Rome!). This little deep-fried turnover is so simple, yet so delicious, that it’s hard to stop eating it! We devour them, but especially during Carnival in March!
❤️ Our favorites
Boulangerie du Palais, la Maison Tourtiller, À la Marquise, Sève)
The praline tart
The brainchild of Lyonnais chef Alain Chapel, the tarte aux pralines was invented with the aim of adding a dessert to the menus of Lyon’s bouchons. Its pink color makes it unique, and it has become one of the city’s must-try pastries. Beware: you’d better love sugar!
❤️ Our favorites
Boulangerie Jocteur, Pralus boutiques and Pâtisseries Bouillet
The brioche sausage
Emblematic of Lyon-style family meals, the brioche sausage can be eaten as a whole dish, sliced and even accompanied by salad leaves. Whether homemade or eaten in a “bouchon”, the combination of warm sausage and soft brioche has won over all the Lyonnais.
❤️ Our favorite
La charcuterie Sibilia
The Lyon quenelle
In the 19th century, when an invasion of pike was raging in the Saône and the authorities were struggling to decide what to do with the fish, pastry chef Charles Morateur decided to mix pike meat with choux pastry, and invented the first quenelle lyonnaise. Its light, fluffy texture earned it its reputation, and it has become inseparable from Lyonnais gastronomy.
❤️ Our favorites
Le Café du Soleil, Giraudet and Le Poêlon d’Or (yum!)
The cervelle de canut
Although the name doesn’t sound very appetizing, it’s simply a kind of traditional fromage blanc, typical of Lyon! Its origins remain unclear, but it may well have been invented by the canuts(Lyon’s former silk weavers) in the 19th century… In any case, the freshness of the fromage blanc mixed with garlic, butter and small onions is sure to delight us.
❤️ Our favorites
Chez Grand-Mère, Le Bouchon des Filles, Maître Boeuf
Le tablier de sapeur
This typical Lyonnais dish is made from beef fat marinated in white wine, breaded and served in a sauce with potatoes. Its name comes from a former military governor of Lyon, who wore a leather apron and loved meat…
❤️ Our favorites
Le Morgon, La Meunière, le Bouchon Comptoir Brunet
The cushions
Created by Lyon chocolatier Voisin, the cushions (made of marzipan and chocolate ganache) take up to 4 days to make! In 1643, during the plague epidemic in Lyon, the aldermen placed a gold shield on a silk cushion on Fourvière hill to ask the Virgin Mary to spare the city. Every year since, the ritual has been repeated, inspiring the famous Lyon cushion, a confection born in 1960, symbolizing tradition and delicacy.
❤️ Our favorite
Chocolats Voisin, of course! (several stores in Lyon)
Grattons
Grattons(also spelled gratons) are another typical Lyonnais speciality, made from melted animal fat or pork, sautéed and seasoned with salt and pepper. They are served as an aperitif, as a main course with a salad, as a side dish, or used in tarts, pies and other culinary specialties.
❤️ Our favorites
Charcuterie Sibilia and charcuterie Bobosse
Cardoons
Cardoon is an ancient vegetable belonging to the same family as artichokes. Cardoon is in season from August to October, and is mainly used in Mediterranean cuisine. A traditional Lyonnais dish, cardoon gratin is a pure delight and one of our gastronomic specialties.
❤️ Our favorite
In Lyon, we recommend Le Jardin Gourmand
Le Saint-Marcellin
Yes, you have to like strong cheeses. But Saint-Marcellin, from the village of the same name near Lyon, is really something. It’s a small cheese, but it’s super-powerful. It’s best served in a potato gratin, with roast duck or simply on toast… Be warned!
❤️ Our favorite
Les Halles de Lyon!
Lyon salad
Every major city in France has its own typical salad. Lyon’s salad is made up of green salad leaves, smoked bacon, bread croutons and a poached egg. And don’t forget the vinaigrette! Suffice to say, it’s not just a tasteless diet dish!
❤️ Our favorites
Le Moulin, Les Pavés de Saint-Jean, Le Bistrot de Lyon, Le Petit Glouton
Warning: After all this goodness, don’t forget to exercise(and brush your teeth!)!