Where to eat on the French Riviera: our tour of the Michelin-Starred restaurants

We continue our journey through the establishments of the French Riviera that boast one or more Michelin Stars.

Let’s stay in Nice

Let’s stop for a while longer in Nice, where, at 5 rue Antoine-Gautier (in the antiques district), we find the charming one-star restaurant “Onice“, run by the Italian-Argentine couple Lorenzo Ragni and Florencia Montes. After an international career in Michelin-starred restaurants, the two met at Mauro Colagreco’s “Mirazur” in Menton (which we mentioned previously). Now they are on their own, cooking together bold dishes that reflect the seasons and the local catch. Another local specialty is experimenting with occasional and delightful flavor combinations: San Remo prawns, cherries, tomatoes, and fresh almonds; girolles with clams and Mediterranean zucchini; Coco de Nice beans and mussels from the Tamaris bay with vadouvan… Prices are high, but it’s worth it!

Still in Nice, at 24, rue Bonaparte, we find the one-star restaurant with the curious name “Les Agitateurs“. Chef Samuel Victori (former sous-chef at “Passage 53”) and his partner Juliette Busetto create dishes full of texture, cooked impeccably, and seasoned subtly. Local suppliers are at the center of attention: baker, fisherman, greengrocer, farmer, and potter. Everything is served in a lively and vibrant atmosphere, with attentive and efficient service. The restaurant has two dining rooms, one on the ground floor and the other in the basement with a wine cellar. The fixed menu changes regularly according to the seasons. Right next door is also “Pirouette”, a bistro founded by the same owners, offering shareable dishes and natural wines.

In the hinterland of Nice, we find the town of Vence, which has long been a bishopric. Here we find the Michelin-starred restaurant “Le Saint-Martin” (address is significant: 2490 avenue des Templiers). In an elegant but understated setting, the restaurant offers rooms with breathtaking views of the surrounding hills and the Mediterranean, making it a delight for the eyes. Experienced chef Jean-Luc Lefrançois creates delicate and subtle dishes, highlighted by creatively intelligent combinations, such as lacquered tuna and a mix of whipped and raw fish or milk piglet, eggplants in different textures, and tomatoes.

Let’s move to Saint-Tropez

In Saint-Tropez, “the pearl of the French Riviera”, we find “La Terrasse – Cheval Blanc” (one star) at the Plage de la Bouillabaisse. It’s the restaurant of the “Le Cheval Blanc” hotel, open for lunch. The location is picturesque: a terrace shaded by maritime pines with a view of the city’s bay. Chef Donckele and her team present Mediterranean cuisine inspired by distinct Provençal influences. Top-quality ingredients are prepared with a great sense of finesse and rigor: thin porcini tart; grilled lobster tail in its shell with lobster egg zabaglione; rabbit pie, sweetbreads, and foie gras. A wide and exceptional wine selection is also offered.

La Terrasse – Cheval Blanc St-Tropez – Saint-Tropez – a Michelin Guide restaurant

But let’s head north again

Heading northeast, across the other side of the French Riviera, we encounter the town of Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, between the Principality of Monaco and Menton. Here, at 1551 route de la Turbie, we find “Ceto” (one star), the result of one of the most anticipated hotel projects of recent years on the French Riviera, involving the complete renovation of the former “Vista Palace” high above the village. The extensive renovation lasted over four years, and the talented chef Mauro Colagreco (also of “Mirazur” in Menton) was entrusted with the prestigious task of satisfying the clientele through precise dishes with clean, simple flavors, and no frills. The location is perfectly suited to the menu, with a terrace offering a stunning view of the sea, Monaco, and Cap Martin.

Ceto – Roquebrune-Cap-Martin – a Michelin Guide restaurant

Halfway between Cannes and Saint-Tropez, continuing our “culinary tour”, we find the coastal town of Saint-Raphaël, which hosts “Récif” (90, boulevard de la 36ème-Division-du-Texas, one star). Located within the “Les Roches Rouges” hotel, the splendid outdoor luxury restaurant occupies the hotel’s rooftop, offering breathtaking views of the Mediterranean and Île d’Or. Chef José Bailly, originally from Brittany and in love with Provence, creates a modern, succulent, and at times creative repertoire, meticulously plated. Seafood is at the center of the surprise menu (this is a no-meat restaurant), as are vegetables: celery root millefeuille with sea anemone sauce; beetroot and raspberry tartlet from the garden flavored with lavender honey.

Récif – Saint-Raphaël – a Michelin Guide restaurant

… and finally, back to Nice

We conclude our “tour” by returning once again to Nice, where at 12 rue Lascaris, we find “Jan” (one star), where South African chef Jan Hendrik van der Westhuizen operates. His previous professional experiences saw him working as a chef on private yachts. In his cozy restaurant (20 seats) near the port, he offers creative and personal cuisine in the form of a single fixed menu, blending sweet and sour combinations and experimenting with smoked, spicy, and acidic flavors, giving us a glimpse into South African cuisine. When it’s time for cheese, you can enjoy a “cheese-bar” in front of the restaurant, offering a buffet of about twenty different cheeses, along with a variety of drinks, preserves, and dried fruits.

JAN – Nice – a Michelin Guide restaurant

We believe that, with this overview of various episodes, we have provided a wide selection of the best restaurants on the French Riviera, offering a proportional complementary …tasting experience to the other senses of those visiting this paradisiacal corner of the Mediterranean Sea.