In Vogue: Where to Eat in Cannes, France
Ample sunshine, turquoise waters and refreshing salt breezes are already part of the Côtes d’Azur fabric. Iconic spots like Hotel Barrière Le Majestic Cannes (1926) and Hôtel Martinez (1929) still beckon international travelers, as does the dining scene whose restaurants feature Michelin-star chefs, outdoor venues, and laid-back markets filled with fresh produce and seafood (you’ll recall Cannes was once dubbed a sleepy fishing village). Below, Komos shares our favorite French Riviera dining spots.
La Palme d’Or: For almost a century, the Art Deco-flared Hôtel Martinez on the famed La Croisette has reigned as the grand dame of Cannes. But that’s not all: the 2-Michelin star La Palme d’Or (dutifully named after the film festival’s most prestigious award) is now helmed by head chef Jean Imbert whose native delights – large prawns, squid and local vegetables are served alongside spellbinding bay views. Later, slip into the iconic Martinez bar for nightcaps. Address: 73 Bd de la Croisette, 06400 Cannes, France
Le Fouquet: Thanks in part to its 3-Michelin-starred chef Pierre Gagnaire, Le Fouquet remains classic for its legendary terre et mer tartare—a smoked herring, red tuna, beef, and Beaufort cheese combination. Commence with Casparian Oscietra caviar, move onto the whole sole fish "Meunière" and then cleanse your palette with the meringue, strawberry powder and vanilla ice cream. Address: 10 Boulevard de la Croisette 06400 Cannes France
La Môme This airy, chic eatery near the famed Croisette serves a Mediterranean-Italian hybrid: truffle risotto, beef carpaccio and fresh catches either grilled or served la plancha. In the meantime, just steps away, relax on sleepy seaside sunbeds at the eatery’s sibling La Môme Plage – where you might also sip on your favorite Komos varietal while taking in colorful Slim Aarons photography. Address: 6 Rue Florian, 06400 Cannes, France
Palais Stéphanie Beach In the heart of Cannes, this posh JW Marriott hotel offers iconic views of Lerins Islands and the Esterel mountains. To eat, there’s a modern sprawl of seafood including ceviche and sushi. Come summertime, a menu of rotating DJs and the best tequila cocktails (of course featuring Komos), shaken and stirred to your liking and best raised in a toast to the turquoise sea. Address: 50 Bd de la Croisette, 06400 Cannes, France
Restaurant La Guerite: Across the Bay of Cannes, a visit to this Greek eatery set in the cove of Île Sainte-Marguerite offers a private beach and bar serving some of the freshest seafood and crispest rosé along the coast. You certainly won’t go hungry or thirsty (santé!). And let’s not forget the classics shall we? Pissaladière and a delightful salade niçoise. Address: Cannes - Île Sainte-Marguerite, 06400 Cannes, France
Mademoiselle Gray: Just follow the sounds of DJs and gentle waves along this private stretch of La Croissette Beach. Known for its pristine views, nosh on a Lebanese-inspired feast –you might first sample the daurade “samak tajen" fèves in tahini sauce with beans, citrus fruit and pine nuts. Meanwhile, the blue crab salad pairs delightfully with a crisp glass of white. Address: Bd de la Croisette, 06400 Cannes, France
Restaurant Bella: On the open-air rooftop of Hotel Belle Plage, sample from a menu of sharable modern Israeli dishes including slow-cooked lamb shoulder, and Gambero Rosso (red prawn) carpaccio with caviar. There are also ample fresh catches lining the menu alongside creative and classic cocktails. Address: 2 Rue Brougham, 06400 Cannes, France
Forville Market: Open daily before 1 pm, stroll the bustling stalls of this market beloved for its fresh seafood, produce, flowers and typical Provençal products like socca (addictive chickpea flatbread) and tapenade. Also typical are freshly-shucked oysters and wine for days. Address: 6 Rue du Marché Forville, 06400 Cannes, France
Fromagerie Ceneri: Since 1968, this old-school fromagerie has been hawking a legitimate array of cheeses for as far as the eye can see: creamy bries, tangy cheddars and aged goudas, fitted to suit all palettes. An ideal to-go companion with a bottle or two of wine. Address: 22 rue Meynadier, Cannes, Provence-Alpes-Côte, France
Boulangerie Jean-Luc Pele: Trained as a pastry chef and chocolate maker, proprietor Jean-Luc Pelé whips up his creations with sustainable flour from the Beauce region. You name it: baguettes, pastries and quiches are ready for consumption, serving as a perfect snack for wine time or a light lunch. Address: 42/44 Chem. des Campelières, 06110 Le Cannet, France
La Villa Archange Restaurant A cozy, refurbished 18th-century Provencal townhouse is home to chef Bruno Oger’s simple-inspired seafood: pan-fried Giroux abalones and seared artichokes and roasted langoustines with fennel. Other classic dishes draw on nearby towns and Brittany. For dessert? A palette-cleanser of citrus fruits and bloody orange sorbet. Address: Rue de l'Ouest, 06110 Le Cannet, France
Eden-Roc Restaurant: Chef Sébastien Broda brings a Mediterranean Provencal twist to his Michelin-starred menu. Expect a lineup of bespoke meats, fresh seafood and vegetables plucked from the kitchen’s garden. Case and point: a scorpion fish dressed with confit courgette flowers, braised fennel and bouillabaisse jus. Wine and golden sunset views are part of the experience. Address: Bd J. F. Kennedy, 06160 Antibes, France
Restaurant Bessem On Cannes outskirts, this enchanting dining terrace is flanked by a stone fountain; an ideal milieu for chef Ben Abdallah’s Mediterranean fare. Sample the day’s catch – often featuring earthy melds like artichoke purée, spinach with parmesan, courgettes, yuzu-kombava broth and lovage. Address: 183 Av. de la République, 06210 Mandelieu-la-Napoule, France
Carlton Beach Club Situated inside the Regent’s Carlton Cannes Hotel, this buzzy beach club is known for its glistening seaside views, an ideal spot for an outdoor lunch (think light salads, fresh pastas and seafood) prepared by chefs Alexandra Delamare and Laurent Bunel. Address: 58 Bd de la Croisette, 06400 Cannes, France
Le Bâoli: Set on the first floor of Hôtel Martinez in Port Canto, this buzzy, jet-set spot serves Mediterranean-Asian inspired cuisine with terrace views overlooking La Croisette. For a digestif or dancing, visit the swanky club where an after-hours crowd (read: midnight and beyond) and international DJs spin dance, shimmy and sway until the wee hours. Address: Port Pierre Canto, 1 Bd de la Croisette, 06400 Cannes, France
