The Côte d'Azur and Provence, lands of sun and flavour, are also major centres of French gastronomy.
From iconic establishments to daring restaurants, the region is bursting with talented chefs who sublimate local produce to create exceptional culinary experiences.
Here is our selection of the 10 best gourmet restaurants on the Côte d'Azur and the surrounding area.
| Rank | Restaurant name | Chef's name | Michelin macaroons | Website |
| 1 | Villa Madie | Dimitri Droisneau | 3 | https://www.lavillamadie.com/ |
| 2 | Le Chantecler | Virginie Basselot | 2 | https://www.hotel-negresco-nice.com/fr/les-restaurants/le-chantecler |
| 3 | The Garden of Berne | Louis Rameau | 1 | https://www.chateauberne.com/gastronomie/restaurant-etoile/ |
| 4 | The Golden Wave | Arnaud Donckele | 3 | https://www.chevalblanc.com/fr/maison/st-tropez/restaurants-et-bars/la-vague-d-or-st-tropez/ |
| 5 | La Table du Castellet | Fabien Ferré | 3 | https://www.hotelducastellet.net/fr/restaurants/la-table-du-castellet |
| 6 | Mirazur | Mauro Colagreco | 3 | https://www.mirazur.fr/ |
| 7 | Le Petit Nice | Gérald Passédat | 3 | https://www.passedat.fr/le-petit-nice/ |
| 8 | AM by Alexandre Mazzia | Alexandre Mazzia | 3 | https://alexandremazzia.com/ |
| 9 | The Golden Goat | Tom Meyer | 2 | https://www.chevredor.fr/restaurant-la-chevre-d-or/ |
| 10 | The Sail | Eric Canino | 2 | https://www.lareserve-ramatuelle.com/fr/restaurants/la-voile/ |
Located in Cassis, with breathtaking views over the Mediterranean, La Villa Madie is the sanctuary of three-star chef Dimitri Droisneau. His cuisine is an ode to the sea and the land, with impeccably fresh produce. Each dish is a delicate composition, combining finesse and intense flavours, in an idyllic and romantic setting.
In the heart of the legendary Hôtel Negresco in Nice, Le Chantecler, awarded two starsThe restaurant is run by chef Virginie Basselot. Her cuisine is a tribute to French tradition, revisited with modernity and boldness. The dishes are elegant and well-balanced, highlighting seasonal produce and Mediterranean flavours, all in a sumptuous Regency-style setting.
Nestled in the Château de Berne in Flayosc, in the midst of the vineyards of Provence, Le Jardin de Berne is the star restaurant by chef Louis Rameau. His cuisine is rooted in the terroir, featuring produce from the estate's kitchen garden and the flavours of Provence. It's an authentic and refined experience, where nature is at the heart of the plate.
In Saint-Tropez, at the heart of the Hôtel Cheval Blanc, La Vague d'Or is the three-star restaurant run by chef Arnaud Donckele. His cuisine is a veritable symphony of flavours, inspired by the Mediterranean and the South of France. Each dish is a work of art, combining creativity, technique and emotion in an idyllic setting overlooking the sea.
Located in Le Castellet, La Table du Castellet is chef Fabien Ferré's three-star restaurant. His cuisine is a celebration of the Provençal terroir, with exceptional produce enhanced by impeccable technique. The chef offers an immersive gastronomic experience, where each dish tells a story, in an elegant and luminous setting.
In Menton, perched between the sea and the mountains, Mirazur is the three-starred restaurant of chef Mauro Colagreco. His cuisine is an exploration of the flavours of the garden and the sea, with a bold and creative approach. Mirazur is world-renowned for its originality, sustainability and ability to create dishes that are true sensory journeys.
Facing the sea in Marseille, Le Petit Nice is the three-star restaurant of chef Gérald Passédat. His cuisine is an ode to the Mediterranean, with an exceptional mastery of seafood. The chef offers dishes of great purity, highlighting the freshness and diversity of marine flavours, in a spectacular setting.
Located in Marseille, AM par Alexandre Mazzia is the three-starred restaurant of chef Alexandre Mazzia. His cuisine is unique, daring and highly personal, focusing on spices, textures and unexpected flavours. Each dish is a surprise, an explosion of flavours, offering an intense and memorable gastronomic experience.
Perched in the medieval village of Èze, La Chèvre d'Or is a two-star restaurant run by chef Tom Meyer. His cuisine is inspired by the Mediterranean and the mountains, using local produce and refined techniques. The setting, with its panoramic views over the Côte d'Azur, is breathtaking and adds to the magical experience.
La Voile restaurant, located at La Réserve Ramatuelle, is a two-star restaurant where chef Eric Canino offers light, refined Mediterranean cuisine. Focusing on fresh produce and balanced flavours, his cuisine invites you to savour it in an elegant and soothing setting, with a magnificent view over the Bay of Pampelonne.
The most reliable way to find a Michelin-starred restaurant on the Côte d'Azur is to consult the official Michelin Guide website. You can filter by region, city, number of stars and type of cuisine. Other gastronomic platforms and local guides can also help you refine your search.
Prices vary considerably depending on the number of Michelin stars awarded. For a 1-star restaurant, menus can start at around €80-120 per person. For a 2-star restaurant, expect to pay between €150 and €250. 3-star restaurants, such as La Villa Madie or Mirazur, offer tasting menus that can exceed €300-400 per person, excluding drinks.
Yes, it is essential to book in advance, especially for Michelin-starred restaurants, and particularly during the high summer season. For the most prestigious restaurants (2 or 3 stars), it is often necessary to book several weeks or even months in advance.
Côte d'Azur cuisine is strongly influenced by the Mediterranean, highlighting seafood, sun-drenched vegetables and aromatic herbs. The chefs offer classic French cuisine revisited, bold fusions (such as at AM by Alexandre Mazzia), and approaches based on the local terroir.
Most gourmet restaurants are able to accommodate special diets (vegetarian, gluten-free, allergies) if you inform them in advance when you make your reservation. It is always advisable to specify this at the time of booking so that the chef can prepare a suitable menu.
Chefs on the Côte d'Azur are very attached to local, seasonal produce. They work closely with local producers, fishermen and market gardeners to source exceptional ingredients (fish from the Mediterranean, vegetables from the sun, herbs from Provence, citrus fruits from Menton).
The atmosphere varies from restaurant to restaurant. Some, like La Villa Madie or Mirazur, offer spectacular settings with sea views. Others, like Le Chantecler, offer a more classic, elegant atmosphere. All share one thing in common: impeccable service and attention to detail to ensure a memorable experience.
Yes, several restaurants in this ranking offer spectacular views of the Mediterranean, including La Villa Madie in Cassis, La Vague d'Or in Saint-Tropez, Mirazur in Menton, Le Petit Nice in Marseille and La Chèvre d'Or in Èze. These panoramic views add an extra dimension to the dining experience.
Gourmet restaurants are generally less suitable for young children because of their formal atmosphere and the length of the meals. It's best to check directly with the establishment to see whether they offer special facilities or children's menus. Some may have specific policies regarding the minimum age of diners.
Yes, most of these restaurants offer wine and food pairings, often with a selection of local wines from Provence (rosés, reds, whites) and the rest of France. The sommeliers are there to guide you and help you discover the region's wine nuggets, enhancing your taste experience.
