Lyon has called itself the gastronomic capital of France for a century and the claim rests on two things. 20 bookable food tours below — plus the neighbourhoods and dishes the city is built around.
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The guide
Lyon has called itself the gastronomic capital of France for a century and the claim rests on two things. The first is geography: Bresse chickens, Charolais beef, Rhône wine to the south, Beaujolais to the north, and Alpine cheese to the east all arrive within a short distance. The second is the bouchon, a small restaurant serving offal-heavy worker food at a fixed price, which grew out of the silk trade and the women who cooked for it. This is not light cooking. Pork, cream, and butter carry most dishes. The city takes lunch more seriously than dinner.
Where to focus
Four neighbourhoods to anchor a few days of eating
Vieux Lyon
Renaissance streets on the west bank, a UNESCO site. Full of bouchons, some genuine and some aimed at coach parties. Look for the official certification plaque.
Presqu'île
The peninsula between the two rivers, and the commercial centre. Les Halles Paul Bocuse indoor market sits at the eastern edge.
Croix-Rousse
The hill where the silk workers lived, and where the bouchon tradition started. A daily market along the boulevard and restaurants without a tourist trade.
Guillotière
Across the Rhône, and the most diverse eating in the city. North African, Vietnamese, and Chinese kitchens at prices the centre does not offer.
What to eat
The dishes the city is known for
- 01
Quenelle
· Pike mousse poached into a light dumpling and baked in Nantua crayfish sauce. Delicate in theory and very rich in practice. - 02
Andouillette
· Coarse tripe sausage with a strong smell that divides people permanently. A bouchon signature, served with mustard sauce. - 03
Salade lyonnaise
· Frisée with lardons, croutons, and a poached egg in mustard vinaigrette. Ordered as a starter and often large enough to be lunch. - 04
Cervelle de canut
· Fresh cheese whipped with herbs, shallot, vinegar, and oil. The name means silk worker's brain, which tells you who was eating it. - 05
Praline tart
· Bright pink sugared almonds baked in cream in a pastry shell. Sold in every patisserie window and impossible to miss. - 06
Beaujolais
· Gamay from just north, served young and slightly chilled. The house pour in a bouchon, in a heavy-bottomed pot bottle.
Practical notes
Meal timing, tipping, payment
Lunch 12:00 to 14:00 and it is the serious meal here. Dinner 19:30 to 21:30. Bouchons work on a fixed-price formule and often close weekends, which surprises visitors. Look for the Authentique Bouchon Lyonnais plaque to avoid the imitations in Vieux Lyon. Service is included. Les Halles closes Sunday afternoon and Monday.
All 20 food tours
Updated 2026-09-11The full list · sponsored partner links
- 01
Lyon Street Food Tour with a Local Guide
Embark on a gastronomic journey through Lyon, guided by an expert revealing the city's culinary heritage. Since being named the world capital of gastronomy in 1935, Lyon's cuisine has blended tradition and innovation. Le
3h - 02
Northern Rhône Valley Wine Private Tour from Lyon
Enjoy a private, fully personalized sightseeing ride from Lyon through the prestigious vineyards of the Northern Rhône Valley. Travel in comfort with an English-speaking Welcome Driver who tailors the day to your prefere
8h - 03
Tasting and Chais Tour
DISCOVER THE FERRAUD HOUSE AND ITS BEAUJOLAIS AND MACONNAIS WINES A visit to our cellars more than a hundred years old and a commented tasting of Beaujolais and Mâconnais wines will give you a glimpse of our magnificent
1h - 04
Private Walking Tour Northern Rhône Wine Heritage Lyon
This private walking tour explores the Northern Rhône Valley wine heritage near Lyon, where ancient agricultural civilization and cultural landscape meet refined winemaking tradition. You travel through historic vineyard
4h - 05
Savoie wine route from Lyon
This experience is a real sensory getaway under the sign of Savoyard gastronomy, which you will discover in a way that could not be more authentic! You will enjoy tastings of high-quality products, accompanied by expla
9h - 06
Beaujolais wine route, private tour from Lyon
Join us for a half-day adventure and experience the renowned wines of Beaujolais. Travel through the picturesque vineyards and charming villages like Fleurie, Morgon, and Moulin à Vent, known for their world-class wines.
4h - 07
Lunch Private Tour : The french lifestyle
Discover the charm of Lyon with a stroll through its historic streets, tasting traditional dishes and local sweets for an authentic French experience. Begin with a few delightful aperitifs that will tease your taste bu
3h - 08
Very Best of Lyon : Private Tour
Your adventure begins with a ride up the famous funicular to the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière, perched high on the hill. From here, enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of the city, visit the stunning basilica, and
8h - 09
Private Gourmet Tour of Lyon's Historic Center
Join our expert food guide and step into Lyon’s Old Town, a lively Renaissance district that feels like a piece of Italy. Wander through its charming, history-rich streets while tasting local treasures like pink praline
3h - 10
Private half-day tour to Golden Stones Beaujolais with tastings
Discover the charm of southern Beaujolais, often called the "Tuscany of France," with its rolling hills, vineyards and picturesque villages built from warm golden stone. Just north of Lyon, this lush, hilly region is als
4h - 11
Beaujolais & south Burgundy : Private Full Day
From the Beaujolais crus to the world-renowned white Burgundy wines, this wine tour will immerse you in the concept of "terroir." In just a few kilometers, you'll experience an incredible variety of wines and aromas, all
9h - 12
Beaujolais Private Day Tour with Tastings from Lyon
Famous for Beaujolais Nouveau, it offers a wide variety of wines. This wine tour will take you to several local wineries, revealing the hidden gems of this beautiful region. Your adventure starts in the charming medieva
9h - 13
Beaujolais 100 % wine tour Private Tour with Tasting
Explore the rolling hills of Beaujolais with your driver-guide, who will introduce you to the rich diversity of this renowned wine region. In this land of exceptional geology, the tour offers a chance to experience the B
4h - 14
Rhône Valley Wine & Chocolate Tasting Private Day Tour from Lyon
Just south of Lyon, the Côtes du Rhône vineyards stretch along the river, creating a picturesque landscape. From Tain l’Hermitage to Côte Rôtie, discover some of the region’s finest wines. In Tain l’Hermitage, visit the
9h - 15
Côte Rôtie Private tour
Located south of Lyon, along the river, the Rhône Valley offers breathtaking landscapes where vineyards dive into the river. This wine tour will introduce you to one of France’s oldest vineyards, Côte-Rôtie, known for it
4h - 16
Pérouges Medieval Village Private Trip with Tasting from Lyon
Leaving Lyon you will cross the Dombes 1000 ponds to reach Pérouges. The medieval village stands on top of a rocky promontory in the heart of the Ain plain. This ancient, fortified city is now ranked among the most beaut
4h - 17
Private Gourmet walking tour of Lyon and Les Halles Paul Bocuse
Embark on a journey through the heart of historic Lyon, where hidden passageways and the famous Paul Bocuse Covered Market await. This tour lets you indulge in both history and gastronomy. You will begin in Old Lyon, a
3.5h - 18
Private excursion to Annecy from Lyon with tastings and cruise
Embark on a journey through the Alps to discover Annecy, often called the “Venice of the Alps.” Upon arrival, let your guide lead you through the charming old town, unveiling its hidden secrets, picturesque canals, and r
9h - 19
South Burgundy Private Day Tour with tasting from Lyon
Nestled just north of Lyon, the Mâconnais region is the southern gateway to Burgundy, brimming with history, culture, and stunning landscapes. Known for its renowned vineyards, unique geology, and Romanesque art, this ar
9h - 20
Beaujolais & Pérouges Wine & Food Tasting Private Tour from Lyon
This tour will take you through two emblematic areas. The Beaujolais region, world-famous for its wines, also boasts many beautiful castles, while the Dombes region, known for its ponds, offers a historical and gourmet e
7.5h