10 Must-Visit Restaurants on the French Riviera

Nestled between the distant mountains and the beaches of the Mediterranean, the French Riviera is also home to exceptional culinary destinations. The region’s chefs showcase the full richness of the local terroir.

Yuna Lamarque Published on 17/07/2025 at 12:18

An undisputed summer destination thanks to its diverse landscapes, the French Riviera is home to a multitude of restaurants that are a must-visit. Whether nestled in hilltop villages or overlooking the Mediterranean, these establishments embody the richness of France’s culinary heritage, which is every bit as impressive as the scenery.

La Vague d’Or - Cheval Blanc Saint-Tropez, in Saint-Tropez

Inspired by the exceptional setting between land and sea, Chef Arnaud Donckele—Gault&Millau’s 2020 Chef of the Year—creates dishes of rare finesse every evening. The “Fuguons Ensemble” (465 euros) and “Balade Épicurienne” (475 euros) menus are designed to reflect life on the French Riviera and pay homage to the culinary traditions of Provence.

Read the Gault&Millau review of La Vague d’Or (5 toques, 19/20)
Plage de la Bouillabaisse, 83990 Saint-Tropez

La Table du Cap Estel, in Èze

This “Remarkable Restaurant” is well worth the detour, both for its gourmet dishes and for the atmosphere of the private palace that houses the restaurant. Located in a mansion featuring Greek columns and black-and-white marble, the restaurant offers cuisine created by Kévin Garcia. The chef showcases seafood and garden-fresh produce through a 5-course menu (185 euros) and a 7-course menu (225 euros). The cuisine is clean, delicate, and perfectly executed, and the wine selection is exceptional, with some 468 labels.

Read the Gault&Millau review of La Table du Cap Estel (3 toques, 16/20)
1312 Avenue Raymond Poincaré, 06360 Èze

Le Restaurant des Rois - La Réserve de Beaulieu, in Beaulieu-sur-Mer

In this Riviera palace, the Venetian-style dining room and terrace offer a soothing view of the sea. The cuisine is crafted by Chef Julien Rocheteau, who creates dishes that are perfectly executed and rich in emotion. He showcases the work of local producers through a “Découverte” menu (195 euros), a “Gourmet” menu (225 euros), and the “Carte Blanche” menu (295 euros).

Read the Gault&Millau review of Le Restaurant des Rois (4 toques, 17/20)
1312 Avenue Raymond Poincaré, 06360 Èze

Le Louis XV - Alain Ducasse at the Hôtel de Paris, Monaco

Located within the legendary Hôtel de Paris in Monte Carlo is Le Louis XV, a restaurant and member of the Gault&Millau Academy. Inspired by the riches of the Riviera, Chef Alain Ducasse creates an inventive, modern menu with meticulous attention to detail. Maxime Pastor curates the wine pairings, offering a rich selection ranging from French classics to new gems. The set menus offer a rediscovery of Mediterranean flavors, with the Riviera Lunch (230 euros), the Jardin (290 euros), and the Agape (420 euros).

Read the Gault&Millau review of Le Louis XV (5 toques, Member of the Gault&Millau Academy)
Place du Casino, 98000 Monaco

La Chèvre d’Or, in Èze

The Château de la Chèvre d’Or is located in the heart of the hilltop village of Èze and offers a panoramic view of the azure sea. Tom Meyer, named a Gault&Millau “Grand de Demain” for 2023, is emerging as a leading figure on the Côte d’Azur, with dishes that highlight regional cuisine in a visually striking setting. Notably, he reimagines bluefin tuna with shiso, kiwi, and cucumber; or pigeon with hints of mint and chocolate. The excellent desserts are created by Florent Margaillan. Two set menus are available for lunch and dinner, ranging from 160 to 340 euros.

Read the Gault&Millau review of La Chèvre d’Or (4 toques, 17/20)
Rue du Barri, 06360 Èze

Passedat - Le Petit Nice, in Marseille

In Marseille, culinary creations abound, and the Mediterranean Sea offers a vast playground for chefs. Set within its magnificent white setting, Chef Gérald Passedat’s cuisine is inspired by what the sea brings in each morning. In the dining room of Le Petit Nice (4 toques), the huge floor-to-ceiling windows offer a breathtaking view of the blue water stretching as far as the eye can see. This is a must-visit destination (at least) once in a lifetime, where you can discover one of the six available menus, ranging from 195 euros for the “Retour de Pêche” to 490 euros for the “Découverte de la mer.”

Read the Gault&Millau review of Le Petit Nice (4 toques, 18/20)
Corniche J. F. Kennedy, Anse de Maldormé, 13007 Marseille 7

La Villa Madie, in Cassis

Surrounded by a few trees, the restaurant offers an idyllic setting for diners eager to discover the culinary world of Chef Dimitri Droisneau, winner of the 2017 Gault&Millau d’Or for Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, Corsica, and Monaco. With his wife Marielle managing the dining room, they serve three set menus ranging from 180 to 350 euros. These menus are crafted daily around “the spirit of our Mediterranean, the fresh produce from our gardens, and our orchards,” as they explain on their website. Lucky guests can find a spot on the terrace to enjoy a seafood meal al fresco.

Read the Gault&Millau review of La Villa Madie (4 toques, 17.5/20)
Anse de Corton, 30 Avenue du Revestel, 13260 Cassis

La Table du Castellet, in Le Castellet

Let’s head a little further inland, to Fabien Ferré’s stomping grounds. Located a bit further east, La Table du Castellet (3 toques) serves as a benchmark and a perfect balance between the Côte d’Azur and Provence. This blend brings together different terroirs and their local produce on the chef’s plate. This combination results in dishes such as squid Provençal-style with marjoram or the “Excellence Miéral” pigeon, followed by puffed grains and savory. At this restaurant, located within a large estate, two menus are available: “Expression végétale” and “Expression marine,” each featuring four or six courses, with prices ranging from 160 to 260 euros.

Read the Gault&Millau review of La Table du Castellet (3 toques, 16.5/20)
3001 Route des Hauts du Camp, 83330 Le Castellet

Onice, in Nice

Located near the old town, between the castle hill and the Port of Lympia, Onice (2 toques) is a newcomer to the capital of the Alpes-Maritimes. At the helm of this gem are a couple of chefs, Florencia Montes and Lorenzo Ragni. Both chefs are featured in the 2024 edition of Livre 109. In the kitchen, two tasting menus—“Découverte” and “Onice”—featuring five and seven courses, respectively, are available for 100 and 120 euros. True to Nice’s character, the diverse local ingredients draw from three sources: the sea, the hinterland and its land, and Italy. This blend is brought together on their plates with creations such as San Remo gamberoni, centrolophe from our coasts, and free-range lamb.

Read the Gault&Millau review of Onice (2 toques, 14/20)
5 Rue Antoine Gautier, 06300 Nice

Mirazur, in Menton

Our selection concludes just 10 km from the Italian border, at the restaurant of our 2009 Chef of the Year, Mauro Colagreco. The Italian chef, born in Argentina, has been running his seaside restaurant for nearly 20 years. Long committed to climate action and other environmental issues, the chef takes exceptional care in selecting his ingredients. In an interview with GQ France, he revealed that he uses at least 95% local ingredients and has eliminated at least 85% of the plastic used in his kitchen. On the plate, this translates to a cuisine that depends each day on what nature provides. In total, there are four “Univers Mirazur” menus, which vary depending on the day of your visit: Roots, Leaves, Flowers, and Fruits, all priced at 450 euros.