What are the most famous dishes in Lyon?

The salade lyonnaise is the quintessential starter in Lyon’s food. It’s more substantial and satisfying than your average salad. It features frisée lettuce, tossed with warm crispy lardons (small pieces of bacon), a perfectly poached egg and crunchy croutons. The dressing is usually a simple vinaigrette, with a hint of Dijon mustard and garlic, allowing the flavours of the other ingredients to shine through. The runny yolk of the poached egg, when broken, coats the other elements, for a delicious combination of textures and a savoury taste that perfectly encapsulates the hearty nature of Lyon’s cuisine.

If you like charcuterie, the saucisson brioché is a great way to discover it in a new light. This dish features a whole large, often pistachio-studded sausage, encased in a rich, buttery brioche bread. The sausage is slow-cooked within the brioche, allowing its flavours to infuse the delicate bread. The result is a tender, flavourful sausage surrounded by a golden, airy brioche crust. It’s usually served in thick slices, either as an appetiser or a main course. This dish offers a delightful contrast between the savoury sausage and the almost cake-like brioche.

The quenelle is arguably the most emblematic dish in Lyon. It’s a delicate, airy dumpling typically made with pike fish (quenelle de brochet) mixed in a dough that is poached, resulting in a light texture. It is usually baked in a rich creamy sauce, such as Nantua sauce (made with crayfish) or a simple tomato sauce, creating a dish that is both comforting and sophisticated. It is a great example of Lyon’s culinary tradition of transforming humble ingredients into elegant, flavourful creations that offer a unique dining experience.

Despite its intriguing and misleading name (“cervelle de canut” literally means “silk weaver’s brain”), this fresh cheese spread contains no brains or meat whatsoever. It’s a refreshing dip made from a base of fresh cow cheese (similar to fromage blanc) generously seasoned with chopped herbs, such as chives or parsley, along with shallots, garlic, olive oil and vinegar. This is a light, tangy spread, usually served as an appetizer with crusty bread or potatoes. This simple, yet flavourful spread is a great way to start a dinner in a typical bouchon.

An andouillette is a typical sausage, which should not be confused with a regular pork sausage. It’s usually made with pork (sometimes veal) intestine and sometimes other tripe. Its strong and pungent flavour and smell are an acquired taste, but they have many aficionados. The andouillette is usually pan-fried or grilled until it develops a caramelised exterior. It is often served with a mustard sauce that perfectly complements its robust taste. While not everyone will like its peculiar flavour, it is a prized part of Lyon’s culinary heritage.

The coussin de Lyon is a luxurious marzipan filled with ganache. It is easily recognised by its green shell, shaped like a cushion (hence the name, “coussin” being the French for “cushion”), which is filled with a chocolate ganache that is subtly flavoured with curaçao liqueur. It was created by the chocolatier Voisin in the mid-20th century, it commemorates a promise made in 1643 to dedicate a procession to the Virgin Mary for sparing Lyon from a pest epidemic. Each year, during this procession, a candle and a golden coin are offered on a silk cushion. Nowadays, the coussin de Lyon can only be found in Voisin’s shop or other authorised shop in the city.

The iconic tarte aux pralines is the perfect treat to enjoy at the end of your dinner or in the middle of the afternoon with a cup of coffee or tea. This stunning dessert features a sweet pastry crust generously filled with a rich, molten mixture of crushed pink pralines. Lyon’s pralines are almonds coated in red caramelised sugar, which give the pie its distinctive colour and gooey, chewy texture that contrasts with the crispy pastry.

There is no doubt that Lyon deserves its reputation as the world capital of gastronomy. With its wide variety of dishes made from fresh, locally sourced ingredients, it is one of the best places in France to enjoy food. If you want to experience this for yourself, come to Lyon for your next holiday! Plan your trip with Visit Lyon!