Lyon Food Tour: An Insider’s Guide to Authentic Local Experiences by Original Food Tours

Start the Day Like a Lyonnais
Forget hotel breakfasts. In Lyon, mornings begin at the counter of a café with a simple café allongé and a buttery brioche aux pralines. Locals swear by Boulangerie du Palais in Vieux Lyon or Le Kitchen Café in the 7th arrondissement, where everything is homemade.
For an authentic experience, stand at the bar, sip your coffee, and take in the quiet hum of the city waking up.

Discover the Traboules Beyond the Crowds
Lyon’s traboules, hidden passageways once used by silk workers, are one of the city’s most fascinating secrets. While most visitors only explore the main ones in Vieux Lyon, the real treasures are tucked away in La Croix-Rousse.
One of the most striking is the Traboule de la Cour des Voraces, with its dramatic stairway that tells the story of Lyon’s working-class history. If you wander on your own, look for slightly open doors. Many traboules remain accessible and lead to unexpected courtyards that reveal glimpses of daily life.

Lunch at a Bouchon Locals Truly Love
Lyon’s bouchons are legendary, but not all of them live up to their reputation. The most authentic are small, lively, and filled with regulars debating the latest Olympique Lyonnais match.
For an authentic bouchon experience, try:
Café Comptoir Abel, a rustic favorite known for its rich quenelles
Le Bouchon des Filles, a fresh take on bouchon cuisine run by a talented team of women
Expect generous portions of hearty specialties like tablier de sapeur (breaded tripe) and cervelle de canut (a creamy cheese spread). If you ask for a salad, don’t be surprised if you get a knowing smile. Bouchons are about indulgence, not restraint.

A Different View of the City at Sunset
Instead of joining the crowds at Fourvière, head to La Croix-Rousse for a quieter, more local experience. The best spot is the Gros Caillou, a simple stone overlooking the city where groups of friends gather with bottles of Côtes du Rhône and wedges of Saint-Marcellin cheese.
This is Lyon at its most authentic: casual, communal, and deeply tied to its traditions.

Where Locals Go for Apéro
Apéro in Lyon is more than just a drink, it is a ritual. Skip the tourist bars and discover the city’s intimate wine bars, often tucked into hidden cellars.
Some of the best include:
La Cave d’à Côté, a cozy, candlelit spot with a fantastic selection of natural wines
Antiquaille, a small but curated bar for Rhône Valley wine lovers
Les Assembleurs, a unique place where you can even blend your own wine
Pair a glass of Viognier or Saint-Joseph with a plate of rosette de Lyon, the city’s famous cured sausage.

A Night Walk Along the Saône
Lyon takes on a different character at night. After dinner, take a quiet walk along the Saône, where the city lights reflect on the water and street musicians often play near Place Bellecour.
It is here that Lyon’s charm becomes most evident, not in its monuments but in the way life unfolds in the streets, cafés, and riverbanks.


Experience Lyon Like a Local with Original Food Tours
Lyonnais may seem reserved at first, but they open up quickly when you share a passion for food. A simple “Bonjour” and genuine curiosity about their culinary traditions will spark conversations everywhere, from market stalls to bouchon tables.
The best way to truly experience Lyon is with Original Food Tours. Our Lyon food tours take you beyond the tourist areas and straight into the city’s culinary heart. With local guides at your side, you will wander through historic streets, taste traditional dishes, and meet the artisans who keep Lyon’s food traditions alive.