Le Mirazur – Copyright Mattéo Carassale
The French Riviera is the very definition of elegance in summer. Its coastline glitters with turquoise waters, sunlit terraces and the kind of atmosphere where every meal feels like a celebration. If you are fortunate enough to spend time here in 2025, there are certain culinary experiences that deserve a place on your itinerary. This year, three Riviera Michelin restaurants stand out not only for their world-class gastronomy, but also for the way they capture the beauty and soul of the Côte d’Azur.
From panoramic sea views to gardens overflowing with Mediterranean herbs, these destinations promise more than a meal. They offer an immersion into a way of life defined by refinement, artistry and impeccable hospitality.
Mirazur in Menton
Le Mirazur – Copyright Mattéo Carassale
Holding three Michelin stars, Mirazur is perched high on the cliffs of Menton, the last French town before the Italian border, where the light is almost otherworldly and the sea stretches endlessly into the horizon. Under the visionary leadership of Mauro Colagreco, this restaurant has become an international symbol of creativity and respect for nature. Here, dining is not just about flavour — it is about connection to the land, the sea and even the rhythm of the moon.
The arrival alone sets the tone. As you approach along a winding road, you catch glimpses of shimmering water framed by the restaurant’s lush hillside gardens. Inside, floor-to-ceiling windows flood the space with natural light, while crisp linens, delicate glassware and understated table settings allow the view and the food to take centre stage.
Le Mirazur – Tarte Navet Homard ©Matteo Carassale
In 2025, the menus remain guided by the lunar calendar, a distinctive hallmark of Mirazur. Each day’s offerings highlight either roots, leaves, flowers or fruits, creating a unique harmony between time, place and ingredient. You might begin with a tender beetroot poached to perfection, paired with caviar and a cloud of hibiscus foam, or perhaps a zucchini blossom stuffed with fresh ricotta and wild herbs gathered that morning. Bread made from ancient grains arrives still warm, accompanied by golden olive oil from nearby groves.
Desserts here are almost meditative in their beauty. A delicate sugar sphere might hold a citrus cream made from Menton’s legendary lemons, paired with a refreshing verbena ice cream. Service flows effortlessly, staff moving with the quiet assurance of those who know they are delivering a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Every dish, every sip, every glance out to the glittering sea feels like an invitation to slow down and truly savour the art of living.
La Chèvre d'Or in Èze
La Chèvre d’Or – Copyright James Pouliot
High above the sparkling coastline, in the medieval village of Èze, lies one of the most romantic Riviera Michelin restaurants: the two-Michelin-starred La Chèvre d’Or. Set within the walls of a storied Relais & Châteaux property, it is a place where history, luxury and gastronomy intertwine to create a dining experience unlike any other.
Reaching the restaurant is part of the magic. Narrow cobbled lanes lead you past centuries-old stone houses, their walls draped in bougainvillaea, with the scent of jasmine in the warm air. When you step onto the terrace, the panorama is almost surreal: the deep blue sweep of the Mediterranean, the green folds of the hills and, on a clear day, the faint silhouette of Corsica on the horizon.
Under Executive Chef Arnaud Faye, the cuisine is a poetic expression of the Mediterranean’s bounty. The 2025 menu continues to evolve with the seasons, ensuring each visit feels fresh and deeply connected to the moment. Blue lobster might be paired with fennel pollen and a delicate citrus gel, while wild sea bass comes with tender artichokes from Provence and a hint of saffron. Pigeon, roasted with rosemary and served with a silky jus, offers a nod to French culinary heritage elevated with modern finesse.
The cheese trolley is an event in itself, a rolling display of France’s most exceptional cheeses, some sourced from small farms rarely represented outside their region. Desserts reflect the sunshine of Èze, perhaps in the form of a perfectly risen lemon soufflé or a delicate almond tart accompanied by seasonal fruits. The wine cellar is both deep and diverse, with sommeliers who match rare vintages to your meal as if composing a symphony. Dining here feels like stepping into a living postcard, where every sense is engaged and every detail whispers of elegance.
La Chèvre d’Or – Copyright: Le Photographe du Dimanche
Louis VI - Alain Ducasse in Monaco
In the heart of Monte Carlo’s legendary Hôtel de Paris, Le Louis XV by Alain Ducasse stands as a beacon of refinement and artistry. Holding three Michelin stars, it has, for decades, been a temple of haute cuisine, seamlessly blending tradition with innovation. To dine here is to immerse yourself in the grandeur and sophistication for which Monaco is known.
The dining room is an exercise in opulence: towering crystal chandeliers, gilded mouldings, fresh flowers that change daily, and the soft glow of candlelight in the evening. Yet despite this grandeur, the welcome is warm and unpretentious, with service that feels personal and attentive without ever being intrusive.
In 2025, Executive Chef Emmanuel Pilon and Pastry Chef Sandro Micheli carry forward Ducasse’s vision with precision and imagination. The menu is a love letter to the Riviera terroir, showcasing gamberoni from San Remo, vegetables from hand-tended gardens, and line-caught fish infused with fragrant local herbs. The Provençal garden vegetable cookpot, a signature dish, remains a masterpiece of simplicity which is proof that the highest culinary art often lies in restraint.
The dessert trolley is a highlight, offering an irresistible parade of seasonal fruit creations, artisanal chocolates and delicate pastries, each one as beautiful as it is delicious. The wine cellar is among the most respected in Europe, with a depth and breadth that ensures the perfect pairing for any dish. Dining at Le Louis XV is more than a meal; it is an immersion into Monaco’s cultural and culinary legacy, a place where every mouthful reflects decades of mastery.
Why these Riviera Michelin restaurants are unmissable
Each of these remarkable addresses offers something beyond the plate. They embody the essence of the French Riviera: the way light dances on the sea, the perfume of wild herbs carried on the breeze, the joyful unhurriedness of a meal savoured in good company. They are places where time slows, where the artistry of the chef meets the natural beauty of the setting to create moments that linger in memory long after the last sip of wine.
Whether you are experiencing the moon-inspired magic of Mirazur in Menton, raising a glass to the sunset from Èze, or basking in the gilded elegance of Monaco’s most iconic dining room, these encounters become part of your own Riviera story… one you will want to relive again and again.
From fine dining to fine living
At Orion, we believe the French Riviera is not simply a place to visit but a way of life to be embraced. As one of the prestigious regions we cover, alongside other sought-after destinations worldwide, it offers a unique blend of natural beauty, cultural heritage and refined living. Beyond reservations at the most sought-after tables, our network provides discreet access to off-market villas, seasonal rentals and investment opportunities across Menton, Èze, Monaco and beyond. If these Riviera Michelin restaurants inspire you, imagine the ease of living just moments from them, where your evenings can be spent discovering new flavours against a backdrop of sea and sky. Contact us to explore how your Riviera experience could become an everyday reality.