Delightful Dining in the Principality of Monaco

With excellent seasonal produce and world-class talent, Monaco boasts some of the finest chef’s tables in the world. With the Monaco Yacht Show fast approaching, it’s time to start making reservations ahead of what is likely to be a frenetic edition of the world’s most important superyacht show.

Song Qi

Swathes of black marble and pops of jade velvet envelope Song Qi, a modern fine dining Chinese restaurant in Monte Carlo—and the only gourmet Chinese restaurant in town. With accents of gold and a Cantonese-inspired menu designed by celebrated chef Alan Yau (of Wagamama, Buddha Bar and Hakkasan fame), Song Qi is popular among locals thanks to the exceptional fare and moody ambiance. You can expect an international twist on traditional favorites: think a sweet-savory mango crispy beef, wok-fried Indian squid with a creamy curry coconut sauce, and an Indonesian-style spicy Iberian pork with green chili.

Alain Ducasse à l’Hotel de Paris

No trip to Monaco is complete without stopping by Monaco’s most prestigious Michelin-starred restaurant, Le Louis XV at the Hôtel de Paris. If the French Riviera is where internationally renowned chef Alain Ducasse found his spiritual home, then Le Louis XV is his gastronomic playground. With three well-earned Michelin stars and exceptional talent at the helm, you can expect a menu inspired by the Mediterranean, local produce, and an emphasis on ‘naturalness.’

While the menu often changes with the seasons and availability of produce, you can expect some perennial favorites to remain, like Provence garden vegetables cooked with black truffle, sherry vinegar and peel reduction, or marinated gamberoni from the nearby Ligurian fishing village of San Remo served with a delicate saffron rock fish gelée topped with gold caviar.

Ceto at The Maybourne Riviera

Though technically located in Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, the Maybourne Riviera enjoys some of the most breathtaking views of Monaco. One of the latest editions to the Riviera’s luxury hotel portfolio, her flagship restaurant Ceto features an exquisitely designed marine-inspired menu dreamed up by one of the best chefs in the world, Mauro Colagreco. Taking inspiration from Greek mythology, the stars and the sea—and with a heavy focus on sustainable fishing—her tasting menus are designed each day according to what’s available seasonally and locally. However, you can expect such delicacies as swordfish served with peach and razor clams, sprinkled with micro seaweed; or perhaps a freshly caught blue lobster with locally grown zucchini, creamy burrata and crunchy-sweet pollen.

Coya

The vibrant Coya, headed by chef Victoria Vallenilla, is a Peruvian-inspired Monegasque favorite thanks to her colorful interiors bringing the outside in. The menu is light, healthy and incredibly flavorful, featuring a mix of Peruvian classics with little pan-Asian touches throughout. Take Vallenilla’s Peruvian sashimi: the Salmón Nikkei features fresh Faroe Islands salmon with sesame, wasabi and kaffir lime, while the Tataki de Res takes beef tataki on a South American journey with grilled leeks, ají limo (a hot Peruvian chili), and cashew nuts.

The menu is diverse with tacos, marinated skewers grilled over charcoal, iron pots and a whole host of options for vegetarians but be sure to save room for dessert: Coya make their own in-house paletas heladas, gourmet ice cream popsicles in sweet, refreshing flavors—the perfect end to a meal.

Pavyllon à l’Hôtel Hermitage (une étoile Michelin)

Following a stunning renovation of the terrace overlooking the sparkling Mediterranean Sea, Pavyllon at the Hôtel Hermitage opens its doors under the watchful eye of Michelin-starred chef, Yannick Alléno. Alléno, in fact, holds 13 Michelin stars, and at Pavyllon, is pioneering the idea of fast fine dining. The concept here is vivacious and almost theatrical, with diners encouraged to interact with the chefs as they work at the open bar.

But just because it’s fast, doesn’t mean it isn’t meticulous. Thoughful details can be found throughout, exemplified by the wagyu feuille à feuille: paper-thin slices of fine wagyu interspersed with mushrooms, lightly seared and served with Alléno’s famous sauce.

Already having won one Michelin star, Pavyllon emphasizes sustainable practices and hyperlocal cuisine, sourcing as much as possible from Hôtel Hermitage’s own on-site gardens.

La Table d’Antonio Salvatore

With just five tables, a booking at La Table d’Antonio Salvatore is a covetable thing. Chef Antonio has become known for ‘New Monegasque’ cuisine, focusing on reviving traditional recipes, ingredients and cooking methods, specifically from Monaco but also spanning southern France and northern Italy. In 2021, La Table received their first Michelin star for exceptional cuisine and it’s no wonder why: classics like pan-fried foie gras in a red wine reduction, black truffle, vanilla, goat cheese and a cauliflower cream exist alongside spicy roast chicken with chili peppers and roast potatoes as well as the chef’s take on pizza—including a creamy black truffle and mozzarella creation.

Les Perles de Monte Carlo

No gastronome’s trip to the riviera is complete without indulging in fresh seafood, and Les Perles de Monte Carlo is where you’ll find some of the best—and most unique. Biologists Brice Cachia and Frédéric Rouxeville have created an unlikely restaurant, the idea behind which is to refine oysters and fine seafood in Monaco, a place where, traditionally, oyster farming has been non-existent. You’ll find this tiny outpost of Brittany at the end of the pier in Fontvieille, where you can enjoy a chilled glass of white wine and breathtaking views of Le Rocher over giant platters of wild prawns, live langoustines, Blue Breton lobsters, salty sea urchins—and caviar, bien sûr!

If you’re visiting Monaco during the Monaco Yacht Show, reach out to a Northrop & Johnson broker for show information and more.