Monaco rewards people who look past the obvious. Everyone knows the Casino, the Grand Prix circuit, the marina full of yachts. Fewer people know that some of the best food, the best views, and the most peaceful hours in Monaco are found just off that well-worn path, sometimes literally a few steps over the French border.
Here’s a mix: a few of the celebrated names worth the reputation, and a few quieter finds that locals tend to keep to themselves.
The well-known, and worth it
La Môme Monte-Carlo – Refined Mediterranean cooking with a sea view, and one of those restaurants regulars keep returning to specifically for the tuna tataki. Book ahead.
Buddha-Bar Monte-Carlo – The iconic one: moody red lighting, exotic decor, open until 3am. A good pick for a late-night lounge atmosphere after dinner elsewhere.
Nikki Beach Fairmont – Monaco’s version of the beach-club-as-social-event, especially lively during Grand Prix season.
The ones most visitors miss
Chez Pierre – Tucked down an escalator inside a shopping centre, easy to walk right past. Family-run, and consistently rated among the best dining experiences in the Principality – proof that in Monaco, the best table isn’t always the flashiest address.
Zêphyr Monaco – A newer Greek restaurant with sea views. Locals have called it exactly what Monaco’s dining scene was missing: something with real character instead of another generic Mediterranean menu.
Rooftop Basta Pinsa – Technically just over the border in Beausoleil, France, on top of the Alfred Hotel. Panoramic views over Port Hercule, at a fraction of Monaco prices. One of the best-kept secrets in the area.
Exotic Garden of Monaco – A cliffside cactus garden with caves beneath it and arguably the best panoramic view of the Principality. Most tourists skip it entirely in favor of the marina.
Roseraie Princesse Grace – A rose garden memorial to Grace Kelly, open 24 hours, free to enter. A genuinely peaceful counterpoint to the casino district, and almost always quiet.
Naos Beach – Just over the border in Cap-d’Ail. More relaxed, less see-and-be-seen than Monaco’s own beach clubs, without the Monaco price tag attached.
A practical note
A pattern you’ll notice above: some of Monaco’s best options technically sit just across the French border in Beausoleil or Cap-d’Ail, walkable or a short drive away, and often better value than staying within the Principality’s borders. Worth keeping in mind if you’re planning a full day rather than just an evening.
Part of our city guide series.