Lyon, July 14, 2026 – Valentin Lungenstrass, Deputy Mayor to Grégory Doucet for General Administration, Finance, and Public Procurement, has unveiled his personal culinary project: the ‘Lyon Miam’ web application. This interactive map meticulously catalogs Lyonnaise restaurants by their national cuisine, an initiative he stresses is separate from his official duties.
An Initiative Born from Culinary Curiosity
The idea for Lyon Miam originated from discussions with friends about world cuisines. Lungenstrass, an ecologist elected official and an engineer from INSA Lyon, developed this tool to better reflect the gastronomic diversity of Lyon. “The idea came to me while discussing world cuisines with friends. So I built this simple, scalable, and collaborative tool to better reflect the culinary diversity of our city. But it’s a completely personal project, an idea that comes outside of my mandate and is not intended to be a livelihood,” explained Valentin Lungenstrass.
This application, launched on Wednesday, July 14, 2026, aims to be a comprehensive guide for residents and visitors eager to explore the city’s international food scene.
59 Countries Represented and Growing
Built over many hours of work, the interactive map leverages open data from OpenStreetMap. It currently lists over 3,000 restaurants, representing 59 different nationalities. This rich database offers a unique way to experience Lyon’s multicultural fabric, especially timely during events like the World Cup.
Lungenstrass highlighted some interesting statistics gleaned from the app: “We have only one Paraguayan restaurant, the excellent Ja’umina in the 7th arrondissement, and several Moroccan establishments…” He also noted the significant presence of Italian restaurants, which account for more than one in ten eateries in the city. “We have many Italian, Chinese, Japanese, but also Turkish restaurants with kebabs, and American ones, with specialized burger chains,” he added.
The application underscores the dominance of certain cuisines while also revealing hidden gems from less common nationalities, encouraging users to discover new culinary experiences across Lyon.
A Personal Project with Public Appeal
Lungenstrass emphasized that Lyon Miam is a personal endeavor, entirely disconnected from his political mandate. He has no intention of monetizing the application, focusing instead on its utility as a community resource.
The project’s collaborative nature is a key feature, allowing users to contribute to its growth and accuracy. This ensures that the map remains dynamic and up-to-date, reflecting the ever-evolving culinary landscape of Lyon.
The launch of Lyon Miam is expected to be well-received by Lyon’s residents and tourists, offering an innovative way to navigate the city’s diverse gastronomic offerings. It serves as a testament to the city’s vibrant multiculturalism and its status as a culinary capital.
