I'm just here for the "Bouchons"...
Whop whop & off to Lyon. Since my last stay in France, I am still completely crazy about the legendary cuisine.
It quickly became clear: Lyon is the gastronomic capital of France. Jackpot!! The region of Lyon counts the most star chefs in the country, namely 80. 23 of them are in Lyon.
Here is a small selection of regional delicacies:
Starters: Lyonnaise salad (Salad with warm smoked bacon or fried chicken liver), Cervelle de Canut (Cream cheese with herbs)
Main Dish: Saucisson Lyonnais (Sausages in dough coat), Tablier de Sapeur (Breaded tripe and offal) oder Quenelles (Dumplings with sauce) Dessert: Tarte aux Pralines (Sugared almond cake), Bugnes (Carnival doughnuts) Drinks: Beaujolais, espresso, “café allongé” (=Espresso Lungo)
There are the restaurants, (gourmet) restaurants, bars, cafes and bistros in Lyon. All not uncommon and can be found anywhere in the world.
Lyon, however, offers a very individual gastronomy unit and puts a crown on it. The legendary restaurants here are called "Bouchons." They were often founded by mothers and aunts and offer an old-fashioned atmosphere with traditional home cooking.
In Lyon, however, you can find much more, and food courts in particular are widespread. But not in the way I know it from Amsterdam. One concept in particular stands out and offers aspiring chefs the chance to try out their recipes and ideas. If they are successful, they open their own place in the city. This explains the constantly changing variety of dishes that you can find there at different stands.
Michaelas-Must-Try: I cannot and will not defy the cuisine from Lyon. Nevertheless, I dare a French classic and can warmly recommend my - simple and nutritionally conscious - soufflé to follow.
New meets old: bouchons and food halls are all the rage in Lyon.
Michaelas Video-Message: In my TikTok video you can see a little summary about my stay in Lyon.
F&B offer: Huge! More than 4,000 restaurants in Lyon.
Meal times: see this post of French cuisine.
Preis-Leistungsverhältnis: Cheaper than Paris but not very cheap either. Cappuccino in Amsterdam ca. 4 Eur. Cappuccino in Lyon ca. 4 - 5 Eur.
Striking on site:
Many restaurants - as well as some food halls - are closed for the afternoon and do not open again until around 7:00 p.m. after the lunch rush.
Restaurants & Foodhallen
Le Bistrot d'Abel is a temple of good food. A joyful place, a witness of a living history with traditional food. Absolutely recommended, but not really suitable for vegans.
A very unusual food hall with an exciting concept: budding chefs try out their recipes and ideas, and if they are successful, they open their own place in the city. This explains the constantly changing variety of dishes that you can find there at different stands. The atmosphere is very casual; the restaurant is a converted industrial warehouse.
Actually, traboules are charming Renaissance corridors and a true feature of Lyon architecture. Food Traboule combines the history and diversity of Lyon gastronomy and offers a rustic flair. In the food court - which, by the way, is spread over three floors - modern food concepts are also given a platform.
My conclusion: I came for the "Bouchons." I liked the selection of dishes and while reminiscing I will think of the urban food halls and the delicious food.
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