Monaco, the glittering billionaire’s playground where Ferraris outnumber bicycles – and a yacht plays as basically the family car. This tiny yet opulent paradise (we’re talking smaller than Central Park, yet somehow crammed with more wealth than most countries) is famous for its casinos, superyacht parades and sporting events where the rich and famous gather to be, well, richer and more famous.
Naturally, the dining scene here is as indulgent as everything else. Monaco boasts 11 Michelin stars across restaurants, serving up dishes where caviar is practically a condiment and truffles and foie gras are more common than ketchup. From three-star temples of haute cuisine to trendy spots with “just” one star, the food is as inventive as it is expensive.
So, in a place where “budget” means anything under $1,000 a night, let’s dive into the very best restaurants in Monaco to indulge in a taste of the high life – if you’re fortunate enough to find yourself here.
[See also: Les Ambassadeurs Opens at Hotel Metropole Monte-Carlo]
Les Ambassadeurs by Christophe Cussac
There’s something about the Métropole Monte Carlo Hotel. It’s not just that the iconic Belle Epoque masterpiece has captivated tourists since 1886, no. Rather, the hotel is clearly a breeding ground for whatever it is that tickles the fancy and captures the attention of Michelin inspectors since both of its restaurants boast the coveted cooking award.
While the restaurant itself has been serving and pleasing its guests for almost as long as the hotel has been open, the restaurant reopened in July 2023 at the helm of executive chef Christophe Cussac – nine months later, two shining Michelin stars were added to its display case.
Related
The menu balances traditional French-style cooking with modern Mediterranean influences, serving an al a carte menu in addition to its Fines Bouchées tasting menu, made up of 13 perfectly sized dishes. Its aim is to satisfy the desire to taste absolutely everything, offering diners the freedom to create their own tailor-made experience – including Les Ambassadeurs’s impeccable dessert trays that were even given a special shoutout by Michelin.
metropole/restaurant-montecarlo
La Table d’Antonio Salvatore au Rampoldi
Named after Italian-born chef Antonio Salvatore, the former cigar lounge of the renowned Rampoldi restaurant serves as a hyper-exclusive dining space with just five tables available.
Content from our partners
This restaurant, which is located in Monte-Carlo, attempts to disprove every preconceived notion of what constitutes great dining by fusing tradition with innovation. Southern Italian and French influences are the chef’s primary sources of inspiration.
The menu pushes the boundaries of both art and cuisine by giving customers a fully immersive sensory experience. From the art deco style surrounding the diners to the ‘new Monegasque’ (artistic gastronomy) tendencies that this establishment emanates, La Table d’Antonio au Rampoldi offers the perfect combination of gastronomic creativity and visual charm.
In order to cook meals like vitello tonnato in the most environmentally friendly manner, Salvatore sources all of his ingredients responsibly. He maintains relationships with local small-scale farmers throughout Italy.
Blue Bay Marcel Ravin
Our list of the best restaurants in Monaco would not be complete without mentioning Blue Bay Marcel Ravin. The two-Michelin-starred eatery is located in a hotel and resort in the city-state.
The presence of a panoramic terrace gives guests the chance to dine on Caribbean and Mediterranean dishes while overlooking the water. Unusual ingredient combinations in some of the meals, like in the dish green papaya spaghetti with carbonara, aim to take the diners on an intriguing culinary adventure.
But without the plates, the meal wouldn’t be as special. Blue Bay Marcel Ravin has collaborated with a potter from chef Ravin’s home island in the Caribbean to produce one-of-a-kind, specially created dishes that are intended to convey a narrative. The open-kitchen design and this together send the restaurant’s diners on a true gastronomic journey.
[See more: A Green Guide to a Luxury Long Weekend in Monaco]
Les Perles de Monte-Carlo
Open since 2011, Les Perles de Monte-Carlo is the fruit of the adventure of two trained biologists, Brice Cachia and Frederic Rouxeville, who wanted to refine marine products by experimenting with recipes and introducing practices like oyster farming.
The atmosphere is enriched by the old-sailor-style design with wooden benches and rope lamps. Sipping on organic wine, the diners can soak in a beach view at the port of Fontvieille.
Yoshi
The Côte d’Azur’s Japanese restaurant Yoshi received a Michelin star in recognition of the creativity and culinary prowess of chef Takeo Yamazaki. After spending most of his career in France and Japan, he has been employed at Yoshi for the past 14 years.
The minimalistic architecture of the interior, which also features a Japanese-inspired garden created by architect Jacques Messin, reflects the simplicity of Japanese cuisine.
Fresh ingredients and fish that have been sourced ethically are highlighted in this restaurant. Yoshi, which translates to “kindness” in Japanese, represents a promise of precision in each meal.
BeefBar
You might have been to Beefbars in Dubai or London or Vegas or Athens (or indeed any major city really), but few may realize that before it took over the world, the famous steak restaurant actually found its home in Monaco.
Opened in 2005 by the Giraudi Group, the original site on the docks of Fontvieille Marina continues to serve up (as one might expect) quality beef, including Wagyu, Black Angus and some from France. With trendy decor and street food-style starters, such as croque sandos and sliders, it is a welcomed departure from the more traditional (borderline stuffy) dining experiences typically associated with Monaco.
Le Grill
Le Grill, which is located on the eighth floor of the Hotel de Paris Monte-Carlo, provides a stunning vista of the Principality and the Italian shore.
Traditional flavors from the Riviera are enhanced by sustainably sourced ingredients, creating the ideal fusion of tradition and modernity. The vision of chefs Dominique Lory and Patrick Laine earned them one Michelin star. A particular section of the menu features their signature dishes, including gamberoni from the Gulf of Genoa.
Clean Celtic lines in a soothing shade of blue, which are reminiscent of the sky and sea waves, aid the eye. Le Grill is also home to one of the most exquisite wine cellars in the world, which sommelier Patrice Frank has carefully cultivated.
Song QI
The restaurant Song Qi, which debuted in 2014, was the result of Riccardo Giraudi’s love of food and culture. The chef Alan Yau of Hakkasan carried his Michelin-starred reputation to Song Qi, offering a true Chinese experience to its diners.
One of the greatest Chinese dynasties, the Song, controlled Northern and Southern China from 960 to 1279. In addition, the concept of Qi is fundamental to Chinese culture.
Song QI is located opposite Grimaldi Forum, and with an elegant and eclectic atmosphere, it is the only gourmet Chinese restaurant in Monte-Carlo. From Peking soup with smoked chicken to crispy dragon prawns, this establishment offers all the most traditional dishes in an innovative way.
Pavyllon, un restaurant de Yannick Alléno, Monte-Carlo
“Excellence, sharing and modernity” are the perfect three words to describe an experience at the establishment Pavyllon Monte-Carlo, a restaurant by Yannick Alleno at the Hotel Hermitage Monte-Carlo.
The upscale interiors created by Chahan Minassian complement the establishment’s well-defined culinary identity. The chef thoughtfully and expertly crafts light, delectable dishes utilizing only fresh, regional ingredients.
Alleno has strict rules about his ingredients: “fresh produce, respect for the seasons, preferred plants and picking.” Furthermore, contemporary methods like fermentation and cold extraction are used to make the ingredients feel lighter. Alleno received one Michelin Star for his food’s innovative flair.
pavyllon-monte-carlo-yannick-alleno
Le Louis XV – Alain Ducasse à l’Hôtel de Paris
Last but by no means least on our list of the best restaurants in Monaco is Le Louis XV. The restaurant has earned three Michelin stars, and chefs Alain Ducasse and Emmanuel Pilon, along with pastry chef Sandro Micheli, provide a contemporary take on some of the most well-known Mediterranean cuisine.
Ducasse was only 33 years of age when Le Louis XV first opened. Coincidentally, the restaurant received three Michelin stars after only 33 months of operation, making it the first hotel restaurant to do so.
To be as sustainable and environmentally conscientious as possible, all of the produce is sourced from local farmers, small fishers and stockbreeders.
With the help of sommelier Claire Sonnet, each dish on the broad menu can be paired with the ideal wine.
[See also: A Green Guide to a Luxury Long Weekend in Monaco]
