36 Best Restaurants in The French Riviera, France

When you've had enough of the “catch of the day" and need a good old dose of red meat—in various cuts, from rump steak to rib to sirloin XXL—this Italian restaurant in old Antibes is the place to go. The selection includes black Angus American, Australian, or Irish beef as well as veal, chicken, and foie gras, and it's all overseen by Nicolas Rondell, head chef at the Michelin-starred Pecheurs in the Cap. You can even read about where your meat was raised, as well as its breed, age, and feeding methods. If all of this is too much, you can order pasta—you know where that comes from.

This retro restaurant opened when luxe hotel Les Roches Rouges was transformed by French hotelier Valéry Grégo, and it has since picked up one Michelin star. The dinner-only menu is dedicated to gastronomic yet inventive regional dishes, which head chef José Bailly bases on La Cuisine Provençale de la Tradition Populaire, a 1963 cookbook of traditional recipes by René Jouveau.

Chef Jan Hendrik van der Westhuizen is the first South African to be awarded a Michelin star, which he earned within two years of opening this self-titled restaurant in the port. Because of this, it can be tough to get reservations to sample a menu that might feature such innovative dishes as veal cheeks, potatoes dauphinoise, potato puree, trumpet mushrooms, foie gras, and lavender mayonnaise. For the record, the bread, ice cream, and sorbet are all homemade; the eggs and milk are organic; and Jan Hendrik grows his own vegetables, fruits, and herbs.

It's hard to believe that this tranquil island is only 20 minutes from Cannes by boat, and that it's the location of a scenic, 19th-century restaurant run by monks from the Île St-Honorat monastery alongside chef Mathias Metge. You're here for the views; although the menu focuses on very fresh grilled fish, prices seem aimed at the stars (literally), and service reflects a "we're the only restaurant on the island" attitude. There is a vegan option, and cheeseburgers also on the menu.  Take the opportunity to sample the wines, liqueurs, and eaux-de-vie that are produced by the island's busy monks.

It’s always a good sign when people are willing to line up for a seat at a tiny joint like this one. Tucked away on an unassuming street behind the port, with views of Notre Dame church, this restaurant is where you come for classic French food without the St-Tropez prices. The magret de carnard has diners salivating, and the traditional veal and lamb dishes are equally as delicious.

In a city where style often wins out over substance, food lovers treasure this Suquet eatery, run by Noël Mantel, who, among other top-notch jobs, worked with Ducasse at Louis XV in Monaco. The contemporary setting harmonizes with the exquisitely detailed Mediterranean cuisine on the seasonal prix-fixe menus (€39, €49, or €60).