Small but mighty, Monaco squeezes 14 Michelin stars into its two square kilometre area (which, to put it in perspective, is roughly one sixth the size of Heathrow Airport). Thankfully, that hasn’t stopped this compact city-state from attracting world-class chefs and restaurants you’ll recognise from the UK. Some of these can be found in the Place du Casino – one of Scuderia Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc's favourite spots to lap it up on home turf. So, with the Monaco Grand Prix just around the corner, we’ve mapped out the best restaurants to book in Monaco right now.
In this article:
Ave. Princesse Grâce, 06190 Roquebrune-Cap-Martin
La Vigie Monte-Carlo
After making waves on the White Island, this beach club docked on the Monegasque shoreline last year. And so could you – it’s only accessible via a private jetty or pine-lined path. Once you’ve settled in, away from the seas of jet-setters, you’ll sip pale rosé and snack on caviar-stuffed sandwiches as the clementine-coloured sunset waltzes over the water.
montecarlosbm.com
zēphyr Monaco
Feta late than never, the much-loved Greek restaurant has finally landed in Monaco. Your first port of call: order the pita, then scoop up the smoked aubergine dip dusted with crispy onions and dive into the olive oil burnt cheesecake. Your second: find its secret 20-seat speakeasy, Naked&Famous. Good luck.
zephyrmonaco.com
Maraterra, 24 Quai Petit Portier, 98000 Monaco
11 Ave. Princesse Grace, 98000 Monaco
Cantinetta Antinori Monaco
Import numéro deux is this family-run, winemaking Italian fare that first found its feet in Florence and has since become a regular stomping ground for Londoners. It partly has its veal fillet escalope, submerged in a lemon sauce, to thank for that. Not to mention the family’s full-bodied reds. When in Monaco...
cantinettaantinori-mc
Le Louis XV
Best for: a three-Michelin-starred meal.
You can count on having a royally good time at Alain Ducasse’s three-Michelin-starred flagship. Not least because the French-born Monegasque chef’s opulent, palatial dining room has held its three-star status for over two decades. But also due to dishes such as the crispy artichoke with sea anemone, topped with a generous crown of caviar.
montecarlosbm.com
Pl. du Casino, Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo, 98000 Monaco | Credit: Matteo Carassale
1 Sq Beaumarchais, 98000 Monaco
Pavyllon Monte-Carlo
Best for: impossibly soft soufflé.
Pavyllon first found favour with Parisian foodies, where it won its inaugural Michelin star. Across the Channel, it’s become one of London’s best French restaurants. As per Pavyllon tradition, Alléno’s signature impossibly soft steamed Comté cheese soufflé with smoked eel is on the menu, along with flecks of French Riviera flavours like wood fire-grilled blue tail lobster.
montecarlosbm.com
La Môme Monte-Carlo
As is the standard procedure at La Môme Riviera (one of Europe’s best beach clubs), settle in, sip Provençal rosé, and twirl lobster- or king prawn-loaded tagliolini. The only difference here is that instead of securing a sunlounger, you can stick around for a long lunch overlooking Monaco’s main port. Très bien.
lamomemontecarlo.com
7 Ave. John Fitzgerald Kennedy, 98000 Monaco
Pl. du Casino, Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo, 98000 Monaco
Le Grill
Un autre from Alain Ducasse: this time, it’s on the rooftop of the Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo. It doesn’t get much better than sitting out on the terrace, with views of yachts slicing through the Mediterranean as far as the eye can sea. Unless, of course, you order the wood-fired sea bass with bouillabaisse (a traditional Provençal fish soup).
montecarlosbm.com
Cipriani Monte Carlo
Best for: the brand behind the original Bellini.
The original Cipriani opened in Venice nearly a century ago and has expanded to nearly every corner of the globe. Do as its dolce vita-seeking crowd do and order one (or two) of its Bellinis – after all, this pink drink was invented by its founder. Be sure to save space for the three-tiered meringue cake slice, finished with a Cipriani Monte Carlo-stamped chocolate button.
ciprianimontecarlo.com
1 Ave. Princesse Grâce, 98000 Monaco | Credit: Fabbio Galatioto
Hôtel Hermitage Monte-Carlo, 1 Sq. Beaumarchais, 98000 Monaco
L’Abysse Monte-Carlo
Best for: two-Michelin-starred sushi.
French chef Yannick Alléno has 18 Michelin stars across 21 restaurants, two of which are held by his Japanese restaurant. The secret to his success, he says, is inventing something that has never been seen or tasted before. He’s done just that with dishes like lobster-filled courgette flower and newer creations such as otoro temaki paired with wood-fired caviar.
montecarlosbm.com
Marius Monaco
Despite being the world’s second-smallest nation, Monaco is known for its supercars, sky-high prices, and go-big-or-go-home attitude. Marius, however, takes a different approach. Sébastien Sanjou’s menu offers something authentic and accessible, encouraging diners to load their table with sharing dishes like octopus tentacles twirled with pesto and turbot Milanese.
mariusmonaco.com
6 Quai Antoine 1er, 98000 Monaco
11 Rue du Portier, 98000 Monaco
Zeffirino Monaco
Best for: traditional Ligurian pesto.
Something that'll be music to your ears: Frank Sinatra was said to be a fan of Zeffirino’s original trattoria in Genoa – particularly its pesto pasta. The same goes for everyone who's since been to its other outposts. And so will you, after watching the chefs stretch and stir it in the open kitchen and the waiters toss it tableside. Buon appetito.
zeffirino-restaurant.com
Amazónico Monte-Carlo
Best for: rooftop views on race days.
Each Amazónico restaurant has va-va-voom. But this one has vroom (this rainforest-inspired rooftop terrace puts you in pole position to watch the F1 cars whiz around the Grand Prix track on race days). And when you’re not lapping up views of Golden Square’s twisting turrets, you’ll be tucking into yellowtail or yuzu truffle-splashed scallop.
amazonicorestaurant.com
Pl. du Casino, Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo, 98000 Monaco
26 Av. Princesse Grâce, 98000 Monaco
COYA Monte-Carlo
Best for: Pisco sours and Peruvian plates.
On the menu: plenty of Pisco sours and Peruvian plates such as spicy tuna ceviche. But if you want to get the party started, you’ve come to the right place. COYA has made a name for itself for turning dinner into a full-blown fiesta. Maybe that has something to do with the DJ spinning a club-style soundtrack, or the non-stop bartenders shaking cocktails...
coyarestaurant.com
GAIA Monte-Carlo
Best for: Greek-style mini doughnuts.
Another restaurant that’s made it through customs is Greek tavern GAIA. Well, if that tavern were a white marble, flower-strewn one led by chef Izu Ani (ex-LPM and La Maison Ani), that is. Top tip: don't leave without dessert. The Greek yoghurt with honey and caramelised walnuts, accompanied by a pile of loukoumades (spherical mini doughnuts), are not to be missed.
gaia-restaurants.com
15 Galerie Charles III, 98000 Monaco
42 Quai Jean-Charles Rey, 98000 Monaco
Beefbar
Best for: steakhouse meet-ups.
Since the Monaco Beefbar is the original, there's a lot at and on steak here. Quite literally, with sauces like peppercorn sauce with flambéed Cognac or béarnaise. Besides wagyu and kobe, you’ll snack on street food-style starters like croque-monsieurs and beefy patatas bravas. Which makes sense, given it was opened in 2005 by one of Europe’s leading meat import and export groups.
