Le Louis XV – Alain Ducasse, Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo

No one leaves the Principality without an unforgettable meal at the Michelin three-star Le Louis XV – Alain Ducasse at the Hôtel de Paris, co-helmed by chef Emmanuel Pilon and pastry wizard, Sandro Michaeli. Housed in a gilded stucco jewel box—whose reinvented discreetly contemporary décor matches Alain Ducasse’s thoroughly modern precise haute southern French and Ligurian cuisine—this uber-elegant landmark features sublimely intense flavors and delicate textures with the finest seasonal products. Highlights include marinated gamberoni from San Remo, served with saffron rock fish jelly and gold caviar, blue lobster over a woodfire and a vanilla baba rhum with silky whipped cream.

Blue Bay, Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel & Resort

In beachside Larvotto, the Blue Bay’s chic but relaxed by-the-sea allure is in perfect sync with the modern cuisine of Martinique-born chef Marcel Ravin, newly awarded a second Michelin star, whose wildly creative spin on Mediterranean classics pairs Carribean spices and organic creole-style vegetables to familiar favorites. Expect to be dazzled with an array of taste-bud tingling choices— Egg nog with duck foie gras and vanilla shiso foam coconut curry, local fish with sweet potatoes simmered in scallop milk, and a delectable pavlova with roasted pineapple and coconut carob—then linger for a glass of old rum until the horizon fades to black.

Pavyllon Monte-Carlo, a restaurant by Yannick Alléno, Hôtel Hermitage Monte-Carlo

There’s nothing quite like the view of the port brimful with yachts and the Principality’s fairytale castle on The Rock from the terrace of the stylishly redesigned and intimate Pavyllon Monte-Carlo, masterminded by Parisian chef Yannick Alléno, whose recent arrival in Monaco attracts both a young professional crowd (there’s also a plush bar for business tête-à-tête lunches served at the counter) and hand-holding couples for romantic starlit dinners. The accent is on combos of locally sourced plant-based recipes and a medley of exquisite flavours: an egg surprise with Prunier caviar grains, poached with smoked cold cream and croutons; duck foie gras topped with morel mushrooms; and a signature featherlight meringue soufflé with vanilla ice cream.

Le Grill, Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo

Michelin-starred restaurant Le Grill is perched atop the eighth floor of the Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo. The sweeping vista of the Casino rooftops and Mediterranean from this ever-popular and stylishly refurbed dining spot feels like you’ve just embarked on a sleek ocean liner, and the culinary voyage is just as reliably thrilling. New executive chef, Dominique Lory of the Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo, and chef Patrick Laine, who manages this exceptional restaurant, offer a cornucopia of tasty jazzed-up classics including blue lobster with salad and pomegranate, served with risotto with wild mushrooms, spinach and nasturtium. You can also opt for the elegant simplicity of perfectly cooked herb-spiked roast chicken or grilled fish but save room for their divine signature Grand Marnier soufflé.

Le Bar Américain, Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo

The 1920s clubby comfort of a leather armchairs, honey-toned lighting and intimate live jazz are only part of the timeless charm of this venerable haunt where decades of visiting celebrities and distinguished world leaders swing by for a nightcap. At Le Bar Américain you can soak up Old World elegance and sip Monte-Carlo-inspired champagne cocktails – a rose-infused vodka with rhubarb syrup egg white cranberry juice or a refreshing mix of Monaco-brewed orange liquor and anise syrup – or nibble on a late-night snacks like salad niçoise and smoked salmon. For night owls with an insatiable sweet tooth, don’t miss their irresistible creamy Tiramisu.

Le Limùn, Hôtel Hermitage Monte-Carlo

For an afternoon post-shopping-spree pick-me-up, head to neo-classic Hotel Hermitage’s Le Limùn bar, in the Beaumarchais lobby (check out the lovely stained-glass dome that was designed by Gustave Eiffel) where well-heeled locals and guests alike converge for informal business lunches, tea and a sumptuous assortment of pastries.  The fixed price menu from noon to 3pm abounds with tantalising weekly choices, including cerviche with mango and kumkat, truffle gnocchi or a classic chicken and bacon club sandwich, and a luscious crème brulée with Tahitian vanilla for dessert.

L’Hirondelle, Les Thermes Marins Monte-Carlo

After a treatment in this state-of-the-art spa dedicated to wellness, beauty and performance – a 6600 sq m multi-level complex with a heated seawater pool, hammam, sundeck, sauna, a high-tech cardio-training centre cryotherapy and anti-ageing facials – refuel with the elegant guilt-free health-minded cuisine of chef Jean-Laurent Basile, whose diverse menu offers everything from gluten-free, green detox and sustainably caught seafood dishes to flavour-packed salads and fruity desserts. Book a table on the outdoor terrace of L’Hirondelle with a sweeping vista of the harbour and try the sea bass filet, with candied lemon followed by a refreshing scoop of homemade sorbet.

Le Salon Rose, Casino de Monte-Carlo

The legendary Belle Époque Garnier-designed landmark has always been the place for crowned heads, statesmen, writers, artists, movie stars, but let’s face it ­—haute gambling can work up your appetite. Le Salon Rose's cosy boudoir-inspired dining room inside the Casino (bring your passport or or identity document with a valid photo ID) offers lunchtime local pasta specials (aptly name “Black Jack Roulette” or “Poker”). Come evening, after a winning streak at the gaming tables, you can choose from a variety of refined classics, from truffle troffiette to caviar with fresh cream and blinis, plus an impressive selection of fine wines, cheeses and desserts.

Mada One, One Monte-Carlo

Set back from the humming Casino Square, on the street level of the shopping complex at Monte Carlo One, this stylish affordable “snackonomic” eatery serves up a flavourful mix of French and Creole-inspired dishes from 7:30am to 8pm, featuring an ever-changing seasonal menu of gourmet goodies (breakfast, lunch, tea and cocktails), plus a counter of freshly baked breads, pastries and prettily packaged takeaway dishes. Mada One is the brainchild of Michelin two-star chef Marcel Ravin, where you can expect healthy mix-and-match lunch options served on a Bento tray – avocado toasts heaped with chicken, eggs or spinach, luscious banana cheesecake or peanut éclairs, and come sunset, a passion-fruit Spritz.

Buddha Bar Monte-Carlo, Casino de Monte-Carlo

An ornate red-and-gold split-level lounge and restaurant where the local fashionistas and execs in suits sip tequila cocktails and nibble on elegant platters of sushi, Buddha Bar Monte-Carlo is also a showcase for top-notch Thai and Japanese cuisine whipped up by chef Éric Guillemaud who excels in a winning combo of Asian and French platters. Best bet: a fixed price “family-style experience”, featuring roasted black cod with miso and Yuzu sauce, wok fried beef with Thai basil and tasty exotic fruit concoctions for dessert, all to the tune of the live music of Monaco icon, DJ Papa.

Special Event

Festival des Etoilés Monte-Carlo
until November 26th, 2022

Starting in September the Festival des Etoilés Monte-Carlo is a unique way to get the full Monte-Carlo experience. Book your stay at one of the Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer hotels, where a big surprise awaits the luckiest among you: meet the Michelin-starred chefs as part of the dinner. A rare moment, for an unforgettable memory.

On the 26th of November, the Festival des Etoilés Gala closes the programme at the Salle des Arts of the One Monte-Carlo. On this special evening a shining constellation of Monaco’s Michelin-star chefs – Alain Ducasse, Yannick Alléno, Dominique Lory and Marcel Ravin – assemble and demonstrate their culinary panache.