The light Mediterranean breeze drifting from the sea, scrubby, dark green coastlines, yachts, and cobblestone streets in Medieval towns capture the beauty and the idiosyncrasies of the French Riviera. The Riviera known in French as the Côte d'Azur, the literal translation being the Coast of Azure, is the Mediterranean coastline of southeastern France. It is a holiday destination and is dotted with towns of immense wealth and elegance. They are some of the most famous in the world such as Monte Carlo (think James Bond), Nice, Cannes, Saint-Raphael, and Saint-Tropez.
If you are planning on traveling to any of these coastal French jewels, you’ll want to know where to eat. The French take much pride in their famed cuisine and below I offer expensive and affordable restaurant recommendations for each of the above mentioned towns. Starting at the most eastern end of the coast, Monte Carlo, and working through to the most western town, Saint-Tropez, let’s go on a food journey through the French Riviera!
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First stop: Monte Carlo
Believe it or not, Monte Carlo is not actually in France. It’s part of the micro-nation, Monaco, on the French Mediterranean coast. Monaco is one of the wealthiest nations in the world per-capita and Monte Carlo shows it. Its luxurious, state of the art buildings and Porsches, Ferraris, Maseratis, and Jaguars line the streets. After all, this is the gambling capital of Europe.
1. Affordable dining: Huit et Demi
#plateaudepoisson #mixedfish #nouvellecarte #byhuitetdemi #huitetdemi #yummy #vip
Posted by huit et demi on Thursday, 5 January 2017
Huit et Demi (pronounced wheat eh de-mi), meaning Eight and a Half, is truly a Mediterranean restaurant. If the fine French delicacies have begun to cloy; and the snails and tongs have become a grisly sight, then head to Huit et Demi where you can enjoy not just French cuisine but Italian as well and dishes from other Mediterranean cultures. The restaurant is also vegetarian friendly for animal lovers.
Huit et Demi
Address: 4 Rue Langlé, 98000 La Condamine, Monaco
Website: Huit et Demi
2. Expensive dining: Blue Bay
Posted by Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel & Resort on Saturday, 25 February 2017
Ah, there is nothing like eating mussels and watching yachts drift by. That is a typical afternoon at seaside Blue Bay. But Blue Bay is not just any mussel-eating, yacht watching French Riviera restaurant. Run by chef Marcel Ravin, this restaurant has a Michelin star. Chef Ravin serves classic French cuisine from foie gras to whatever your Francophile heart desires!
Blue Bay
Address: 40 Av. Princesse Grace, 98000 Monaco
Website: Blue Bay
Second stop: Nice
The long pebble beaches of Nice have long attracted European elite and for a reason. With less than half a million people, Nice has beautiful pastel colored buildings and alluring restaurants around every corner.
3. Affordable dining: Chez Papa
À midi chez Papa filet de dorade royale, crémeux de petits pois, artichaut barigoule, carottes glacées...😋😋😋
Posted by Chez Papa on Wednesday, 23 November 2016
Right on Rue Bonaparte of Nice itself, you’ll find this dimly lit rustic abode ready for you to get settled in one of their old wooden chairs. Typical French cuisine is served and the restaurant is quite popular among couples. The tagliata de boeuf and the truffle risotto are strongly recommended!
Chez Papa
Address: 9 Rue Bonaparte, 06300 Nice, France
Website: Chez Papa
4. Expensive dining: Le Sejour Café
canette rôtie et sa pastilla
Posted by Le Séjour Café on Wednesday, 5 April 2017
If you are looking for a warm, cosy place to snuggle up in and be served delicious food, look no further. Le Sejour has the ambiance of a corner café shop, yet delivers on the fine cuisine the French are famous for. The molten chocolate cake is recommended, yum!
Le Sejour Café
Address: 11 Rue Grimaldi, 06000 Nice, France
Website: Le Sejour Café
Third stop: Cannes
As a lover of film, Cannes always meant one thing for me; the Cannes Film Festival. But after visiting it, I find that the festival is just one of the many things that make Cannes a special place. This resort town has a beautiful boardwalk and a walking path above the beach that runs parallel to the sea. And this is one of the more rich Riviera towns, so don’t be surprised by celebrities or an idling yacht outside your hotel window.
5. Affordable dining: La Meissouniere
Posted by La Meissounière on Saturday, 31 December 2016
If you are looking for a place to sit down and eat in the sun after a walk around town all morning, look no further. La Meissouniere has outdoor seating and serves traditional French food at an affordable price. You will find great food and great service here. And they are even have many vegetarian options on the menu.
La Meissouniere
Address: 15 Rue Du Vingt-Quatre Août, 06400 Cannes, France
Website: La Meissouniere
6. Expensive dining: La Mirabelle
Posted by Restaurant La Mirabelle Cannes on Tuesday, 16 June 2015
La Mirabelle is quite the opposite of the LA Meissouniere in that instead of eating outside, you feel like you are eating in a cosy cave manned just for your every desire. But be warned, this restaurant costs a pretty penny, but it’s for a reason. A fantastic selection of beautifully arranged food is offered. The steak and truffles are particularly favored among customers.
La Mirabelle
Address: 24 Rue Saint-Antoine, 06400 Cannes, France
Website: La Mirabelle
Fourth stop: Saint-Raphael
Saint-Raphael may just be the town that provides the greatest contrast between worn cobblestones and old pastel buildings, and the luxury and decadence of the super-wealthy. Here you can wander around centuries old alleyways and come around a corner to find a group of loitering European aristocratic youth, sons of CEOs of multinational corporations. It is a sight to see. Beyond the exotic locale, Saint-Raphael is a lovely place to visit that you would be remiss to skip on your French Riviera sojourn.
7. Affordable dining: La Marine
Nous vous promettons un bon accueil et une dégustation de bons plats assurée! ............................... #LaMarineSantaLucia #LaMarineSaintRaphael #SaintRaphael #SantaLuciaSaintRaphael
Posted by La marine on Friday, 21 April 2017
If you were guessing that La Marine serves seafood, then your deductive reasoning skills did not fail you. This small, seaside restaurant offers outdoor seating and the chef is known to come out and inquire about everyone’s meals. If you were looking for superb service and seafood, look no further.
La Marine
Address: Port Santa Lucia, 83700 Saint-Raphaël, France
Facebook: La Marine
8. Expensive dining: Dolce Vita
#Depuis Jeudi, à partir de 22h, Dolce Vita vous propose une formule pour "Noctambules"! #Da Giovedì, a partire dalle 22h, Dolce Vita vi propone una formula per "Nottambuli"!
Posted by Dolce Vita on Friday, 25 July 2014
Even before you walk through the doors of this delightful Italian restaurant, you know the owners have good taste. After all they named their restaurant after Fellini’s classic, La Dolce Vita. If you are in Saint-Raphael, then this Italian restaurant is a must if you’d like to eat something else rather than French food.
Dolce Vita
Address: 29 Rue Pierre Auble, 83700 Saint-Raphaël, France
Facebook: Dolce Vita
Fifth stop: Saint-Tropez
Saint-Tropez boasts a thriving artist community and is known for its beaches and nightlife. If you are looking to party, you have arrived! But if you don’t particularly care that yachts outnumber fishing boats in the Vieux Port (Old Port), the old La Ponche quarter offers a view to an older world.
9. Affordable dining: L'Olive
Posted by l'olive on Saturday, 16 May 2015
Do you want a good view of Saint Tropez’s crowded port while you eat? Do you want to sit under a canopy and watch the eclectic mix of Tropez residents, European aristocrats, and tourists of all hairstyles, shoe sizes, and skin tones walk by as you eat? And at an affordable price? Then while in Saint Tropez, give your feet a rest and eat at the delicious L'Olive.
L'Olive
Address: 9 Rue Aire du Chemin, 83990 Saint-Tropez, France
Facebook: L'Olive
10. Expensive dining: Le Girelier
Excellent tuna tataki with sesame Booking : +33 (0)4 94 97 03 87 #legirelier #tunatataki #sainttropez #cheflife #foodgasm
Posted by LE GIRELIER Saint-Tropez on Thursday, 11 August 2016
Flat, shimmering water, sleek wine glasses, a centerpiece of white flowers, exquisite seafood, and drifting boats. If you decide to treat yourself to the best that Saint-Tropez has to offer, then La Girelier is your restaurant. Class, great service, and an intoxicating atmosphere is what awaits you.
Le Girelier
Address: Quai Jean Jaurès, 83990 Saint-Tropez, France
Website: Le Girelier
Hidden gems at every stop
No matter your budget, you can indulge at every turn along your journey through the French Riviera, with an array of luxurious, fine dining options all the way too more rustic, local favorites.
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