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We've compiled the best of the best in The French Riviera - browse our top choices for the top things to see or do during your stay.
The menu at this bistro overlooking the main square in the heart of Vence evolves every two weeks to the beat of the seasons and features modern takes on French and Mediterranean classics. Try the melt-in-your-mouth lamb shank confit with rosemary, mashed truffle potatoes, and candied carrots. The hand cut frites are freshly made that morning and totally moreish. The outdoor terrace buzzes in summer and the interior has contemporary styling.
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.
The culinary experience here is a fusion of Mediterranean and Asian flavors, with an emphasis on fresh, local ingredients. Sharing is caring, so kick things off with plats à partager, like the regional favorite socca (flatbread) or the Takoyaki-style croquettes with Japanese mushrooms, followed by an exquisite fish or seasonal beef dish and a dessert temptation such as the Menton lemon tiramisu. The interior, which is a cozy place for candlelit suppers in winter, seamlessly blends modern decor with artistic touches. The shaded cobbled terrace makes for delightful alfresco dining in summer.
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.
Since 1887, this café, bar, and restaurant has been a vibrant part of port life. Its famous red terrace offers a front-row seat to the glamorous comings and goings of St-Tropez, enabling you to people-watch while enjoying a coffee and a slice of the famed nougat. Peruse the dinner menu while sipping a St-Tropez spritz, with grapefruit liquor and pureed raspberries. It's open daily for breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner, and big nights out.
For more than 50 years, celebs holidayed and dined at Cap Estel in Èze, a private 2-hectare peninsula with all-encompassing views of the Med. And now, with chef Patrick Raingeard, whose produce comes directly from the hotel’s garden, the dining here can’t get any better. Start with the asparagus salad with creamy cauliflower and wild truffles, followed by the Charolais beef fillet à la Parillada in a “Los Lobos” red-wine sauce served with a potato-and-truffle cake. Finish it off with a banana soufflé. Vegetarian options are also available. Lunch set menus are a good value.
At the far southeast tip of Théoule's miniature bay, this unpretentious pizzeria serves simple Italian specialties—but, oh, what a setting. A few tables line a wooden "boathouse" porch directly over the lapping water, and at night the whole glittering necklace of Cannes reflects its luxurious glow over the bay. Good wood-oven pizzas and pastas add superfluous pleasure.
