Marseille
Decorated with plenty of wood and splashes of colour, the 'neo-bistro' Chez Vallès exemplifies the rise of newly hip neighbourhood Vauban. Fresh…
Must-see restaurants in Provence & the Côte d'Azur
Marseille
Nestled within a welcoming Egyptian cultural centre, this cheery restaurant serves dishes of thick Egyptian flatbread, chunky hummus, creamy aubergine…
Marseille
This award-winning artisan chocolatier uses olive oil to achieve an otherworldly creaminess in its products. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself…
Menton
This one-of-a-kind boulangerie showcases breads from the Côte d’Azur, inland Provence and other favourite spots from baker-owner Kevin Le Meur's world…
Alpes-de-Haute-Provence
For just-like-mama-made-it French cuisine, it’s worth the 5km drive from Forcalquier to this unapologetically old-school bistro in Niozelles. You’ll need…
Nice
There’s no shortage of ice-cream sellers in the old town, but this maître glacier (master ice-cream maker) has been king of the scoops since 1966. The…
Nice
Simple, solid Niçois cuisine – stockfish, calf tripe à la Niçoise with panisse (chunky, pan-fried sticks of chickpea batter) and the like – by former…
Côte d'Azur
In the hamlet of Courmes, at the foot of mountains 10km north of Le Pont du Loup, this flowery inn is gorgeous for a long, lazy lunch alfresco. New owners…
The Luberon
You won’t get a more honest Provençal lunch than at Maurice Leporati’s roadside inn, where the feast always starts with wicker trays filled with hors d…
Côte d'Azur
For the full wham-bam gastronomic show, reserve a table at Bruno Cirino's double-Michelin-starred restaurant. The Italianate chef works with local…
The Luberon
What fun this place is: an offbeat French restaurant that's stocked to the gunwales with the owners' bric-a-brac finds, from vintage movie posters,…
Bouches-du-Rhône
You can't really go too far wrong at the Angels' Kitchen – at least if you're looking for solid, no-nonsense Provençal cooking just like grande-mère would…
Bouches-du-Rhône
As Gallic as a tricolor Citröen 2CV, this long-established address is run by the Ricci family, also proprietors of Gus and Da Peppe. With its burnished…
Nice
Fromage is what fuels the convivial mood at this candlelit, brick- and stone-vaulted cellar bistro. The menu changes with the seasons but always revolves…
Nice
In the heart of the cours Selaya market, this no-frills stand draws crowds every morning for its hot-from-the-oven socca (chickpea-flour pancake; brought…
Cassis
Run by brothers Laurent and Eric, this fish shop-cum-seafood restaurant has been a fixture on the Cassis waterfront for decades, and it shows no sign of…
Côte d'Azur
Mougins’ most luxurious five-star hotel, spa and restaurant has it all. Rooms are heavenly, the spa is bliss, and in the hotel restaurant (open to…
La Boulangerie par Jean-Luc Pelé
Cannes
This swanky bakery by Cannois chocolatier and pâtissier Jean-Luc Pelé casts a whole new spin on eating cheaply in Cannes. Creative salads, sandwiches,…
Nice
Everyone loves this intimate backstreet hideaway, named for its trademark dessert, a sinfully tasty chocolate fondant baked in a p'tite cocotte (mini…
Alpes-de-Haute-Provence
This Provençal restaurant at the Ecomusée l’Olivier near Volx is only open for lunch, but it's well worth a detour (and if you're visiting the museum it's…
The Luberon
Run by top chef Thomas Gallardo, the contemporary feel of this renowned 'semi-gastronomic' restaurant belies its country setting. Funky globe bulbs,…
Antibes
After years polishing his skills in double- and triple-starred Michelin restaurants, young chef Lucas Marini recently launched his own gastronomic venture…
Aix-en-Provence
Locals pack into the tiny vaulted dining room of this hard-to-find place for the superb-value lunch menus. All the bistro boxes are ticked: red-and-white…
Côte d'Azur
With tables beneath a leafy tree on a fountain-clad square behind the cathedral, this casual restaurant gets top billing among locals. Families with kids…
Cassis
With its open-sided fireplace and pretty, art-filled dining room, this small restaurant makes a good refuge from the harbour-side hustle. It also provides…
The Luberon
Those short of time or money in Gordes should follow the locals downhill along rue Baptistin Picca to this pocket-sized boulangerie (bakery), which has…
Nice
At this popular Vieux Nice newcomer, a New Zealander and a naturopath whip up an awesome array of veggie, raw and vegan treats. Weekly specials are…
Côte d'Azur
With gorgeous views across to St-Paul, a lantern-lit fairy garden, and a crackling fireplace on chilly nights, this long-standing favourite is the very…
Nice
Don’t expect service with a smile at this chaotic, no-frills corner restaurant – but do expect a slice of socca (chickpea-flour pancake) or a plate of…
Avignon
Set on one of Avignon's most happening plane-tree-shaded squares, this vintage cafe styled like a 1950s grocery is a charming spot to hang out and people…
Marseille
Vintage furniture, latticed blinds, old books and antique soft drink bottles lend a retro air to this style-conscious, 1950s-styled jazz comptoir (counter…
Parc National du Mercantour
What a spot this lovely lakeside inn has, plonked at 2220m by the water's edge, with mountains on all sides. In situ for more than a century, it's a…
Côte d'Azur
With panoramic views over the valley, Bruce and Julien's brand-new restaurant – its façade cleverly stencilled to give the appearance of a much older…
Arles
You won't find a much better lunch venue than this convivial canteen within the emergent cultural centre Fondation Luma. The food is light and colourful,…
Cannes
Perched on the Five Seas Hotel's 5th floor, this bistro with sublime panoramic views has recently given its menu a complete makeover. Highlights include…
St-Tropez
A lovely slice of old-fashioned Provençal hospitality, this terraced (or fire-warmed, on chilly days) bistro does great French service: few frills, great…
Côte d'Azur
Bright artwork covers the walls and the scent of garlic fills the air at this exuberant, Spanish-run tapas bar on one of Vence's prettiest squares…
St-Tropez
This traditional maison de village (old stone terraced house) with coffee-coloured wooden shutters is a fancy-night-out favourite with locals, who know…
Côte d'Azur
This little Mougins restaurant serves everything from breakfasts to apéritif platters of cheese, charcuterie and escargots, to hearty lunches of cassoulet…
Vaucluse
It's worth getting lost to find this 18th-century farmhouse-hotel, which has earned its reputation as a laudable Provençal restaurant. Menus feature…
