10 Best Restaurants in Cannes, The French Riviera

At this restaurant, beach club, and bar, the highly talented Colombian chef Juan Arbelaez, infuses South American–inspired dishes with Mediterranean flavors. Savor lunch over sharing plates amid the vibrant bougainvillea and the lovely sea views. The cocktails delight, especially the signature Copal Picanté—a spicy mix of Mahani Mezcal, chipotle, St. Germain, lychee, cucumber, and honey. Don't feel like leaving? Rent a sun lounger and spend the day, and, on Saturday, stick around until 8 pm to enjoy "House is ok" music. Don’t miss the spectacular Sunday brunch (€55) with live piano performances.

Chef Jean Imbert celebrates his two great loves, gastronomy and cinema, at this Michelin-starred restaurant named after the highest award bestowed at the Cannes Film Festival. On the menu, which is designed like a film script, locally sourced seafood such as John Dory, spiny lobster, and scorpion fish have pride of place. A three-course seasonal tasting menu is priced at €140; five-courses is €220. The priceless memorabilia on display includes Leo's Wolf of Wall Street sunglasses, Harry Potter scripts, and Robert De Niro’s boxing shorts from Raging Bull.

You wouldn't expect to find a restaurant with two Michelin stars set in a residential area, 10 minutes by car from La Croisette, but Bruno Oger promises you an unforgettable experience in this très cozy spot surrounded by centennial trees and gardens. Yes, it's pricey (six-course set lunch menu €160 or €175 with drinks, six-course set dinner menu €325 or €395 with drinks), but you'll have bragging rights that you and Robert De Niro have shared the same chef. That's right, Oger is official chef of the Cannes Film Festival. If this is beyond your means, opt for the three-course Formule Bistrot menu (€45) at Le Bistrot des Anges (Michelin Bib Gourmand), under the same management. While waiting, sink into an armchair, and watch the fashion parade at L'Ange Bar.

At this restaurant, a beacon to all fish lovers since 1953, well-trained staffers negotiate cramped quarters to lay down heaping seafood platters, shrimp casseroles, and piles of oysters shucked to order. It's always busy, though, so don't expect rapid service. Arrive early (noon for lunch, 6 pm for dinner) to get a table and avoid a line.

When chef Jean-Paul Battaglia decided to set up shop in Cannes, gastronomes were delighted, and he does not disappoint—so much so that it’s not uncommon for tourists to eat here more than once during their stay. The roast beef is succulent, and the spicy lobster has just the right kick. L'Affable is always packed (and often noisy), so reservations are essential. Note that dinner service is a €55 fixed-price menu with lots of tempting choices, ditto for lunch (€28 and €33).

La Brouette de Grand'Mère built a following as a charming hole-in-the-wall with a true-blue bistro menu, and although the restaurant has changed its name and location, it has kept its €60 four-course dinner menu that includes a welcome apéritif and wine, as well as surprisingly tasty food. It feels especially right in winter.

If you're tired of choosing from complicated menus, visit this long-popular restaurant in Le Suquet, where you only have to decide what kind of meat you want. Every dinner starts with a gigantic basket of whole raw vegetables—to be cut up and dipped in a selection of sauces—and grilled bread, and then come the generous servings of meats (there's also a vegan menu). Prices start at €109 for the traditional set three-course menu and go up to a sizzling €490 for the Japanese Wagyu Beef option. With a low, wood-beam ceiling and only a few tables (draped in pink), Le Maschou (meaning "small pretty house") is a favorite during the Cannes Film Festival, when the 60-day matured prime rib is as hot as the red carpet.

When Hell’s Kitchen presenter and chef Arnaud Tabarec left to open Beam! in Toulon, Lori Moreau stepped in at this trendy restaurant occupying the fifth floor of a former post office (now the Five Seas Hotel) with fabulous views over Le Suquet. She shortened the menu, but there is still a good selection of fish and vegetarian dishes, as well as beef and chicken options. There’s also a stellar brunch menu if a lazy Sunday appeals.

Enjoy selections from a Californian-inspired menu, featuring generous, shareable plates at reasonable prices, in a vibrant setting. If you need a sweet pick me up, opt for Les gourmands de Rosana, minidesserts, and an espresso. Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options, not always easy to find in France, are available here as well.

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 menus.