Parc National du Mercantour
A smart modern restaurant-with-rooms in the quiet village of Villars-Colmars, perfect for a lunch or dinner stop, with mountain specialities such as…
Must-see restaurants in Provence & the Côte d'Azur
Nice
Locals swear by the authentic Niçois specialities served at this low-key neighbourhood eatery: pan bagnat (southern France's iconic tuna sandwich) on…
Cannes
Craving a break from Cannes' glitz and grandiosity? This down-to-earth bistro on a residential backstreet is the perfect antidote. Enjoy superb-value…
Nice
There's a sense of rote predictability about this checked tablecloth bistro that's been cranking out Niçois favourites for the past several decades. The…
Bouches-du-Rhône
Particularly perfect on sultry summer nights, this upbeat, colourful cafe has vintage tables filling one corner of a delightful car-free square in the old…
The Luberon
Located at the lovely Bastide du Jas B&B, this refined restaurant has proved popular both with the locals and the foodie guides (it recently received a…
Nice
With red and black booths and lashings of exposed brick, this cheerful place in the heart of the Libération neighbourhood serves up solid brasserie food…
Nice
Elmahdi Mobarik and Sébastien Perinetti take locally sourced cuisine to the next level at this cosy neighbourhood bistro. Every farmer is listed by name…
Camargue
The charismatic couple who run this unpretentious address, with cartwheels for tables, cook up the catch of the day à la plancha (grilled) for eight…
The Luberon
In the middle of town next to the fountain, ‘The Oven’ is another of Bonnieux’ most consistent tables. There’s a choice of settings: the swish interior …
Marseille
On the top floor of Marseille’s flagship museum, MuCEM, Michelin-starred chef Gérald Passedat cooks up exquisite French fare alongside big blue views of…
Camargue
A seasonal regular, this beach restaurant shaded by a reed pergola provides the perfect lookout to the Plage Ouest and the Mediterranean beyond. Lounge at…
Côte d'Azur
This gourmet hotel-restaurant with panoramic terrace is super stylish. Eight chic boutique rooms (doubles €75 to €110) – two with sea view – slumber up…
Côte d'Azur
This humble buvette (snack bar) has a noble history. Proprietor Jean-Marc is the son of local legend Billy Allari, who ran his own popular buvette on this…
Côte d'Azur
Run by a husband-and-wife team with years of international restaurant experience, this sweet little bistro is all about Mediterranean classics made with…
Marseille
Occupying a magical spot on the little harbour of Vallon des Auffes, this old favourite has a split-level layout and picture windows overlooking the boats…
Nice
Don't let Giorgio's informal mom-and-pop vibe fool you! Snagging a seat at one of its red-and-white checked tables requires serious advance planning. With…
Côte d'Azur
This convivial bistro in a cosy old two-storey house serves a single fixed menu each evening. It's a bit like being invited to a friend's house for dinner…
Nice
At this serious mozzarella-lover's bar, tasting platters of burrata, stracciatella, mozzarella di bufala, charcuterie and salad can keep you busy all…
Marseille
This is no ordinary all-you-can-eat: a sleek modern dining room spreads around a buffet overflowing with Italian, Spanish and (above all) Provençal…
Côte d'Azur
When the sun's out and you have nowhere pressing to be, there can be few sweeter terraces to enjoy a prolonged Provençal meal than Au Vieux Gassin's. With…
Avignon
A typical French bistro, Fou de Fafa's strength lies in simplicity – fresh ingredients, bright flavours, convivial surroundings (and a notably early…
Cannes
There's not a soupçon of pretension about this cosy little Italian tucked away between La Croisette and rue d'Antibes. With its sea-blue furniture and…
Avignon
There's one standout reason to lunch at this homey restaurant, and that's the delightful courtyard garden, shaded by sails, tall bamboo and climbing…
St-Tropez
The town’s oldest restaurant remains the locals’ choice for always-good, copious portions of earthy Provençal cooking, like daube (braised-beef stew),…
Vaucluse
After a spot of weekend browsing in the antique markets, this convivial cafe is where everyone heads for a no-fuss lunch packed with French flavours. The…
St-Tropez
Run by ebullient owners Alain and Nuno, this pint-sized restaurant feels like it's peaking right now: there's so much skill and enthusiasm expended on…
Aix-en-Provence
Places come and go around the Forum des Cardeurs, but ‘The Thingy’ is an enduring, cheap and cheerful favourite, with flowery PVC tablecloths, a vast…
Arles
Eighteenth-century stone walls, a wooden bar, a fireplace, friendly staff and French/Provençal food that's not afraid to play with Asian ingredients like…
Camargue
If you've developed a desire to get closer to the Camargue's bulls by eating them, then head to the Grange, an ode to Camargue's gardians, with bull…
Côte d'Azur
Deep terracotta walls hide this blue-and-white-tiled fishing cottage, dating from 1913. Now onto its fourth generation, the beachside restaurant is famous…
Avignon
Weird name; great food. This back-alley bistro near place Crillon is a strong local's tip. It's very French, but borrows flavours and spices freely:…
Marseille
This classy Italian trattoria on the buzzy cours Julien is perennially popular. All the pasta here is homemade, and ingredients are sourced from Italy…
Antibes
At weekends and in high season, reservations are essential at this good-value beach restaurant with waterside terrace overlooking Cap d'Antibes' legendary…
St-Tropez
This smart, bustling cafe-bakery is the creator of St Tropez' eponymous sugar-crusted, orange-perfumed cake, but also does decent breads and light meals…
Arles
Well-stuffed sandwiches – made to order, frotté à l'ail (rubbed with garlic) and dripping with silken AOC Vallée des Baux olive oil – lure the crowds to…
Marseille
Family photos and veteran service staff hint at the longevity of this Le Panier favourite, known for authentic, hand-thrown pizza, topped with homemade…
The Luberon
Lunch with a view? Mais oui – and what a view. On the village's edge, this popular bistro boasts a grandstand, tree-shaded terrace overlooking classic…
Vaucluse
The best of the roll-call of bistros lining the canals, this quintessentially French bistro is a perfect place for lunch, complete with the checked…
Bouches-du-Rhône
Niolon, a tiny cluster of houses clinging to the Calanque de Niolon, offers no better dining than at this lovely auberge (inn), with its sea-view terrace…
