The exuberant Principality of Monaco manages to contain unimaginable luxuries and decadent delights within a mere 200 hectares, and although it is the world’s second smallest country, the glamour capital of the world is not afraid to make an impact – particularly in the realm of the gastronomic.
Monaco boasts more Michelin-starred dining establishments per square metre than any other location in the world. Although this fact may be enough to convince most foodies of the necessity of visiting this Mediterranean playground, the individuality that defines these establishments will only affirm their desire, before rewarding them with innovative gourmet wonders.
Elsa
One Michelin star
The elegant Elsa sits virtually right on Monte-Carlo Beach, basking in the light of the sun (and her Michelin star). In fact, chef Benoît Witz oversees kitchens awarded the very first star for an all-organic restaurant. The space’s architectural blue-and-white interiors and 1920s-era rounded patio over the water’s edge create an atmosphere as pristine as the farm-to-table food. The 58-euro menu du marché (market menu) is wonderful value for weekday lunch.
Le Vistamar
One Michelin star
Le Vistamar means ‘ocean view’, and this is certainly what you have here and once again dining in the glow of a Michelin star. Overlooking the Port of Monaco, the terrace of Le Vistamar provides arguably the best view of the Michelin-star restaurants in Monaco. This Mediterranean restaurant in the Hôtel Hermitage Monte-Carlo offers refined cuisine based around unique ingredients (including honey from the hotel’s own apiaries), and being a hotel eatery, serves three meals a day, plus snacks from noon till midnight – ask for the three-course breakfast set menu, complete with dessert.
Le Grill
One Michelin star
Located on the scenic 8th floor of the Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo, Le Grill offers a magnificent panoramic view over the Mediterranean Sea. The roof opens entirely, so you can enjoy lunch in the sun and dinner under a starry sky, with your meal focused on grilled meats and seafood. Head chef Franck Cerutti has worked with Alain Ducasse for 30 years, and his passion for food shines through at this Michelin-star restaurant in Monaco.
Blue Bay
One Michelin star
The reputation of the elegant Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel and Resort was further enhanced when its Blue Bay restaurant and French/West Indian chef, Marcel Ravin, was awarded a Michelin star. With panoramic views of the seaside and (great for gastronomes) tables positioned opposite the open kitchen, it has a menu inspired by Mediterranean and Caribbean flavours, with dishes that feel like art.
Metropole Monte-Carlo Restaurant
Two Michelin stars
This Michelin double-starred showcase within the historic Hotel Metropole delights in innovation and culinary skill. The Chef’s Table, a Teppankyaki-style open kitchen allowing engagement between the chef and guests and bringing you close to all the action. Chef Christophe Cussac, hailed as one of Joël Robuchon’s disciples, executes the Mediterranean menu with finesse and expertise. The tasting menu is a real experience in 10 courses. Don’t miss the dessert trolley – a classical touch that gives a visit here an extra sense of occasion to one of the most notable Michelin-star restaurants in Monaco.
Yoshi
One Michelin star
Yoshi, the only Japanese restaurant on the Côte d’Azur to have been awarded a Michelin star, showcases the classical Japanese cuisine of chef Takeo Yamazaki in a contemporary and daring dining room imagined by Didier Gomez. Located in the grounds of Hotel Metropole Monte-Carlo, this is where stripped-back decor combines bright colours, wood and a sushi bar, opening to a small Japanese garden, decorated by the expert touch of landscape artist Jacques Messin.
Aesthetics and ambience taken care of, Head Chef Takeo Yamazaki introduces his interpretation of traditional Japanese cuisine into a menu that is both elegant and playful, a philosophy captured perfectly in Le Bento – a modern take on the traditional Japanese lunch, with three courses presented beautifully in one lacquered black box.
Le Louis XV – Alain Ducasse
Three Michelin stars
The lavish Alain Ducasse temple within the Hôtel de Paris is considered by many to be the pinnacle of fine dining. Its three Michelin stars speak to a menu that reflects Ducasse’s incredible artisanship and respect of the region’s very best ingredients, served in the decadent surrounds of the hotel’s Belle Époque dining room that would rival Versailles itself. It’s surely one of the most beautiful Michelin-star restaurants in Monaco.
A world-class restaurant is entitled to a world-class wine cellar and, with over 400,000 bottles, Le Louis XV has the perfect oenological match for every dish. Try one of the signature dishes, like raw gamberoni (prawns) with rockfish jelly and caviar.
Pavyllon Monte-Carlo
One Michelin star
Pavyllon Monte-Carlo by Yannick Alléno opened at the Hôtel Hermitage Monte-Carlo in April 2022, seeking to blend gastronomic dishes with healthy eating. The chef, who has three Michelin stars, uses modern techniques such as cold extraction and fermentation to bring lightness to his dishes. His sauces are described as “the gospel of French cuisine”. A counter and open kitchen add to the sense of theatre.
Em Sherif, with its fusion of Lebanese and Mediterranean flavours, opts for casual chic on the ground floor of the celebrated Hôtel de Paris. Founded by Mireille Hayek in 2011, Em Sherif is steered by her daughter Yasmina Hayek, a chef trained at the Institut Paul Bocuse.
La Table d’Antonio Salvatore – Rampoldi
One Michelin star
Princess Grace and Roger Moore are among the illustrious guests who have favoured this legendary restaurant over the years. Today, the Casino Square space is headed up by young chef Antonio Salvatore, who creates magical menus that unite flavours from the countryside that surrounds: southern Italy and France. There’s nothing ordinary about Salvatore’s culinary prowess, with many of his dishes almost too pretty to eat. Almost….
Liqueur and Monaco delicacies
Every year in winter, residents are invited to help the city’s gardeners collect bitter oranges to ensure the fruit does not fall and rot. Most of the harvest is sent to L’Orangerie, a distillery that produces a natural liqueur from it. Meanwhile, another famous liqueur, limoncello, is the star attraction at La Maison du Limoncello, which opened in 2021 at The Rock.
Local delicacies? There’s barbajuan, a pastry or raviolo stuffed with rice, leeks and chard. Socca, a chickpea flour flatbread. Pissaladière, a pizza-like base with caramelised onions, black olives and anchovies. Keep an eye out for stocafi, a dish of dried cod stewed in tomato sauce with garlic, capers, bay leaves and black olives. Fougasse is the signature dessert, a sweet flatbread strewn with nuts and flavoured with orange and aniseed.
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