Restaurants

Sea view, the best restaurants in Cannes

From the ultra-desirable Zuma, already proclaimed a hot spot for Cannes parties and just inaugurated, to the no-frills tradi bistro and the must-try seafood restaurant: a selection of tables where the taste of fork is memorable in Cannes.

1. Ciro's: On the beach at Le Majestic

The spot: Heir to one of Deauville's finest restaurants, the table at Cannes hotel Le Majestic transposes the spirit of Norman seaside chic to the heart of the Mediterranean. Facing the sea, with your feet in the sand, you'll discover a sunny decor by Jordane Arrivetz, inspired by yachting and the finest yachts of the last century. Riva-style wooden slatted terrace, shades of blue and white, marine frescoes in relief... every detail celebrates Cannes' art of living. At any time of day, the place offers an exceptional panorama, between infinite horizon, salty breeze and golden light. Ciro's is a destination designed for savoring precious moments: a sunny lunch, a sunset cocktail, a glamorous dinner under the stars.

Terrasse du Ciro’s Cannes © Ciro’s Cannes
Ciro's Cannes Terrace © Ciro's Cannes

On the plate: Headed by chef Gabriela Stockler, the cuisine pays homage to seafood and Mediterranean inspirations. Riviera favourites make their way to the table: signature bouillabaisse, crudo, grilled prawns or whole fish "from the auction of the day". Emblematic dishes, such as lobster linguine or lobster roll, sit alongside vegetarian offerings and well-balanced plates. Finally, pastry chef Nicolas Maugard's sweets - Norwegian omelette with raspberries, Tropézienne with Madagascar vanilla, praline millefeuille - prolong the pleasure with incomparable delicacy. Each recipe tells the story of Ciro's maritime heritage, combining tradition, freshness and creativity.

Cooking style: Seaside and Mediterranean cuisine.

Bonus tip: Its glamorous heritage.

Prices: Starters from €15 and main courses from €22.

Ciro's Cannes
Boulevard de la Croisette, Cannes
Phone: 33 (4) 92 98 77 00
Information and reservations

2. Zuma: the Japanese food label direct from the Croisette

The spot: after Mykonos, New York, the Maldives, Miami, Rome, Las Vegas... (and many other exciting spots), the bankable food concept founded by Rainer Becker and Arjun Waney is pinning a new destination to its coquettish portfolio. And for its first parachute landing in France, bingo, it's Cannes, the city of glamour par excellence, which takes the prize. At the Pointe Croisette, Zuma has taken up residence at the revamped Palm Beach. After a colossal refurbishment, the historic 1929 Côte d'Azur palace, famous for its swimming pool that served as the set for Mélodie en sous-sol with Gabin and Delon, has risen from the ashes. Alongside the Mediterranean-inspired La Petite Maison and by the Greek-inspired NammosZuma distills its Japanese vibe, revisiting the izakaya in a glamorous version, with a relentless view of the Lérins islands.

Zuma, nouveau restaurant à Cannes © Rusne Draz
Zuma, new restaurant in Cannes © Rusne Draz

In terms of design, one of the brand's strong points (see London and the Dubai restaurant we visited), the décor is timeless, with an emphasis on purity and beautiful natural materials: stone tables, wood furniture galore... In short, a setting that eludes the bling clichés unjustly attached to the destination. There's a sushi bar, a vast private dining room, various party areas for up to 400 guests, and an indoor and outdoor bar with low-tempo electro DJs. Hot spot, the infinite terrace has been laid out using the Japanese "shakkei" technique used by landscapers to create the illusion of depth. The result: a dazzlingly chic venue that abolishes the boundaries between indoors and out, with retractable sails for a totally immersive experience. So Cannes.

© Rusne Draz
© Rusne Draz

On the plate: True to its reputation, Zuma propels its cavalcade of mouth-watering Japanese dishes. Must-tries: nigiri sushi and sashimi sliced cleanly, plump maki rolls, crispy tempura with shiso and spicy ponzu. As for the flames of the robota grill, they indiscriminately lick tiger prawns, king crab, lamb chops and chicken yakitori. Special mention goes to the selection of melt-in-the-mouth wagyu in a sublime tartar with Sansho pepper, myoga and black truffle, Zuma Cannes' signature dish, prepared right at the table.

Cooking style: Japanese

Extra tip: The postcard-perfect view over the Bay of Cannes.

Price: Omakase menu 155 €.

Zuma Cannes
Palm Beach Cannes, place Franklin Roosevelt, Cannes
Phone: 33 (4) 12 38 12 38
Information and reservations

3. Villa Archange: a Breton in Provence

The spot: Ten minutes from the Croisette, this 18th-century Provencal building, flanked by a courtyard adorned with lime trees, is Bruno Oger's playground. Unwaveringly boasting two macaroons since 2011, this restaurant owes its renown to its excellent cuisine, but not only that. In addition to his talent in the kitchen, the chef is also an extremely friendly and generous host.

On the plate: A native of Lorient, the chef fuses the flavors of his native Brittany with those of his adopted Provence. From abalone from the island of Groix to artichokes from Provence, from marinated red mullet to Breton lobster, from sweetbreads to lamb from the Alpilles, each dish is an intercity voyage. Behind the apparent simplicity lies a technician's skill and absolute mastery of the balance of flavors.

Cannes restaurant La Villa Archange © laphotographesucreesalee

Cooking style: Gastronomic starred.

Bonus tip: Dine at the chef's table, right in the kitchen.

Price: Menu 250€

La Villa Archange
Rue de l'Ouest, Le Cannet
Phone: 33 (4) 92 18 18 28
bruno-oger.com/en

4. Fred L'Écailler: a date with the sea

The spot: Who is this Fred we're talking about? Fred Garbellini opened this Cannes institution nearly thirty years ago, nestled in the narrow streets at the end of the Cannes peninsula.

On the menu: Fresh fish of the day from the Mouré Rouge or Golfe-Juan fish markets and shellfish wriggling in the fish tank. Turbot, gilthead bream, sea bass, Saint-Pierre, capon, langoustine, squid, oysters, shrimp, prawns... there's a plethora to choose from, and you won't find anything better around here. All you have to do is choose the way you want to cook them: raw in tartare or carpaccio, roasted or grilled with herbs..

fredlecailler

Kitchen style: Marine.

Extra tip: The large, shady terrace on the pond square with its boules courts and concentrated boulistes. It feels like the South..

Price: Menu de l'écailler €39

Fred L'Écailler
Place de l'Étang, Cannes
Phone: 33 (4) 93 43 15 85
fredlecailler.com/

5. Lucia: chromatic shock on the Croisette

There's no shortage of beach restaurants in Cannes. Here, the seaside is alive all year round, boosted by events at the Palais des Festivals. So when a new establishment opens on the Croisette, there's no room for error. It has to hit hard, make its mark and carve out a place for itself in an already saturated scene. Outsider, really? Well, not quite. Behind this address, which is already the talk of the town, is a heavyweight in seaside entertainment. Nikki Beach Hospitality Group, born in 1998 in sunny Miami and now at the helm of 13 iconic addresses worldwide, including Saint-Tropez and Monaco, unveils Lucia, its brand-new culinary concept, named after Lucia Penrod, the group's current CEO and muse.

Lucia Cannes

The spot: The first visual shock as you walk along the beach is the colors. Nikki doesn't tiptoe. Here, the peacock does the cartwheel. A vibrant, sunny chromatic festival, imagined by British-Italian illustrator Chiara Perano (known for her collaborations with Liberty London and Anthropologie), in tandem with in-house architect Rémi Viale. Floral motifs, animal prints, wicker armchairs, illustrated menus, sleek tableware, sun loungers and parasols... panache a palette of greens, oranges and yellows, in an elegant Fragonard-style maximalism that's joyful, feminine and fiercely Mediterranean.

Lucia Cannes

On the plate: The cuisine matches the decor. Under the guidance of Alessandro Pizza, Nikki Beach's executive chef, the Lucia's cuisine offers a heliophilic, well-traveled menu, infused with Turkish, Lebanese and Italian influences. Not-to-be-missed dishes include cauliflower fritters with zaatar and sumac, served with labneh, walnuts, coriander and chermoula with preserved lemon; marinated lamb chops, linguine alle vongole, or pistachio-crusted salmon. For lighter fare: lettuce heart with lobster or kale salad with parmesan, lemon zest and anchovy sauce.

Lucia Cannes ©Cedou

Signature cocktails - Amber Kiss, Sunset in Havana, Mamma Mia - sum up the spirit of the place: summery and hedonistic. The soundtrack is meticulous, the atmosphere ultra-vibrant, from lunch to sunset. And for those who want to extend the experience, the beach offers deckchairs and an à la carte service, perfect for sunbathing with a view over the Bay of Cannes.

Style of cuisine: Mediterranean.

What's more? All the expertise of Nikki Beach Hospitality Group concentrated in a vibrant, ultra-desirable Cannes address. Worth a try.

Prices? Starters from €22 and main courses from €31.

LUCIA
Boulevard de la Croisette, Cannes
Phone: 33 (4) 93 38 17 47
Information and reservations

Signature cocktails that sum up the spirit of the place: summery and hedonistic

6. Le Bistrot des Anges: authentic bistronomy

The spot: Adjacent to Villa Archange, his double Michelin-starred restaurant, Bruno and his painter wife Hélène have opened this second restaurant, a chic, modern bistro that has been awarded a Bib Gourmand. Here, you can dine and lunch in a relaxing setting in the hills above Cannes.

On the plate: Three formulas offering starters, main courses and desserts, depending on the season and the inspiration of the generous chef, who revisits the classics of French cuisine, while impeccably executing his signature dishes - escargots de Bourgogne, tartare de bœuf charolais au couteau or filet de boeuf à l'échalote - which are always a hit.

© @oger.bruno

Cooking style: Bistronomic.

Additional tip: Pastry chef Yohan Jara creates fresh, light sweets.

Price: Bistro formula €45

Le Bistrot des Anges
Rue de l'Ouest, Le Cannet
Phone: 33 (0) 4 92 18 18 28
bruno-oger.com/en

7. Da Laura: Italy on the Croisette

The spot: There's no shortage of Italian restaurants in the Cité des Festivals. But Da Laura holds a special place in the hearts of Cannois. Headed by Turin-born Laura Merlo, Da Laura has celebrated 30 years of delighting customers from all over the world, and even the Festival jury, on its terrace just off the Rue d'Antibes.

On the plate: Transalpine cuisine in all its simplicity and flavor: burratina with truffles, Milanese veal chop, creamy carbonara, tiramisu revisited with pistachio and speculos, and wines from every Italian region. Buon appetito!

Cannes restaurant © dalaura

Cooking style: Italian

Extra tip: Next to the trattoria, a grocery store where you can find products from the Botte region: fresh pasta, wines, cured meats...

Price: €50

Da Laura
8 rue du Vingt-Quatre Août, Cannes
Phone: 33 (4) 93 38 40 51
@dalaura.cannes

8. Aux Bons Enfants: tradition is a good thing

The spot: Founded in 1935, this family-run institution on rue Meynadier focuses on tasty, no-fuss grandma-style cooking (a tall order, given the location), and has been awarded a Bib Gourmand. As a result, the place is packed, and you have to be there early to get a table. All the more so as the place is certainly welcoming, but rather small.

On the menu: Petit farcis niçois, sea bass fillet, calamari with parsley, veal kidneys with mustard... a bevy of sun-drenched dishes jostle for position on the menu, including a seasonal menu. Local produce is selected daily from the best local producers at the nearby Forville market.

aux Bons Enfants

Cooking style: French, Provençal.

Bonus tip: The assurance of authentic cuisine, prepared by the same family for three generations.

Price: Menu 41 €

Aux Bons Enfants
80 rue Meynadier, Cannes
Phone: 33 (4) 68 99 17 89
Information and reservations

9. UVA: the nugget you need to know

The spot: Goodness knows no lies. Son of Noël Mantel, chef of the famous Table 22 in Le Suquet, Etienne Mantel runs this creative table-cave that has local foodies running wild. The atmosphere is warm, the decor not flashy, and the welcome fantastic.

On the plate: A short, one-page menu (5 starters, 6 main courses and a handful of desserts) with a focus on local produce, worked with a touch of originality that is the culinary signature. The result: crab with ravioli and melting leeks, pork chop with tarragon, beef cheek with panko arancini, baba with Génépi... the chef's bold approach suits him well.

UVA © @camillecoonstant

Cooking style: Inventive bistronomy.

Bonus tip: A superb wine list, at reasonable prices.

Prices: Starters from €15 and main courses from €26

Veal sweetbreads © @camillecoonstant

UVA
13 boulevard de la République, Cannes
Phone: 33 (4) 93 68 57 01
restaurant-uva-cannes.fr

10. Bobo Bistro: feel good HQ

The spot: In the Golden Triangle, a cosy place to sit down for a relaxed meal. Far from bling, the decor mixes large tan leather banquettes, designer objects and antique paintings. A special mention for the walls covered in spool thread, which lend a quirky vintage charm.

On the plate: Fresh, seasonal produce in the service of a convivial cuisine that leans heavily towards Italy. The result is beef tagliata with truffle, arugula and parmesan, grilled octopus with tomato and chorizo, gnocchi with burrata, cherry tomatoes and fresh basil... Simple, effective.

iG bobobistro

Cooking style: French, Italian.

Extra tip: The best pizzas in Cannes.

Prices: Dishes from €19 and pizzas from €22.

Bobo Bistro
21 rue du Commandant André, Cannes
Phone: 33 (4) 93 99 97 33
bobobistro.com/en

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