10 Things to eat in Montecarlo and where

Montecarlo is the heart of the Principality of Monaco, known for the Formula 1 Grand Prix, its famous casino, and luxurious yachts, but also for its wonderful panoramic views. As an icon of luxury, the gastronomic specialties are exquisite and represent the synthesis of the best French and Italian dishes. The quality is high, as are the prices! But don't worry, you can find places to eat well without spending a fortune.
Here are 10 things to eat in Montecarlo.

1 - Barbagiuan

Barbagiuan is a delicious appetizer made with fried ravioli stuffed with cheese, pumpkin, or deli meats. The name comes from its inventor Uncle (barba) Giovanni (giuan) and the recipe has Ligurian origins, although it is now part of Montecarlo's culinary tradition: it is said that even the Royal family loves it!

Recommended for lunch, dinner, aperitif
Average cost $12.00
Main ingredients ravioli, pumpkin, ricotta

2 - Stocafi

A must-try in Montecarlo is Stocafi, stockfish cooked in wine, seasoned with tomato sauce flavored with herbs, and served with black olives. A simple, protein-rich, and low-fat dish. Perfect if you don't want to sacrifice your diet even while on vacation!

Recommended for lunch and dinner
Average cost $20.00
Main ingredients stockfish, tomatoes, olives, white wine

3 - Fougasse

Fougasse is a small sweet, aromatic bread flavored with orange and served with hazelnuts, almonds, and anise seeds. Traditionally, it is decorated with the colors of the Monaco flag, red and white, obtained with coated anise seeds. It preserves very well and can even be frozen.

Recommended for always
Average cost $10.00
Main ingredients bread, hazelnuts, almonds, anise seeds

4 - Crêpe Suzette

A tasty crêpe, powdered sugar, Grand Marnier cream, and a flame: this is how Crêpe Suzette is born. An authentic delicacy, created by accident at the Café de Paris in Montecarlo, although it later spread throughout France.

Recommended for always
Average cost $8.00
Main ingredients flour, milk, Grand Marnier, lemon

5 - Socca

Socca is made from simple ingredients: chickpea flour, water, extra virgin olive oil, salt, and pepper. A dish that resembles farinata, humble but absolutely tasty... to be tried in the beautiful setting of Montecarlo!

Recommended for lunch and dinner
Average cost $5.00
Main ingredients chickpea flour, water, extra virgin olive oil, salt and pepper

6 - Pissaladière

Pissaladière is a very tasty focaccia topped with tomatoes, anchovies, onions, and various herbs, such as sage, rosemary, and thyme. It originated in Nice and is also a Ligurian specialty, in addition to being Monegasque. We could almost call it the pizza of Montecarlo!

Recommended for dinner
Average cost $14.00
Main ingredients bread, tomatoes, anchovies, onions, aromatic herbs

7 - Salade Nicoise

Salade Nicoise is a fresh salad made of tomatoes, olives, anchovies, and vegetables... basically, humble ingredients. It originated from the necessity to use seasonal and readily available products, but it certainly doesn't compromise on taste, which remains very satisfying.

Recommended for lunch and dinner
Average cost $13.00
Main ingredients seasonal vegetables, anchovies, olives, tomatoes

8 - Petit Farcis

"The art of using leftovers": for farmers, the Petit Farcis were just that. They are tasty and small stuffed dishes, originating from Nice, made from vegetables (bell peppers, eggplants, zucchinis) hollowed out and then stuffed with meat. Truly very appetizing!

Recommended for lunch and dinner, aperitif
Average cost $9.00
Main ingredients vegetables, meat, pepper

9 - Pan Bagnat

Pan Bagnat is a tasty stuffed sandwich, a symbol of street food, available at various stands but also in luxury restaurants, in more refined versions. It is a fragrant round sandwich, typically filled with tuna, anchovies, hard-boiled egg, and cherry tomatoes. It will be very pleasant to eat it on a bench or, perhaps, while strolling by the sea.

Recommended for dinner
Average cost $6.00
Main ingredients bread, cherry tomatoes, egg, tuna, anchovies, bell peppers

10 - Daube

A rich and appetizing dish: Daube is a beef stew flavored with wine, with porcini mushrooms, onions, tomatoes, and various herbs. Traditionally, Daube must be cooked for a long time and prepared the night before serving. There is also a variety with lamb which is cooked in white wine.

Recommended for lunch and dinner
Average cost $28.00
Main ingredients beef, cherry tomatoes, porcini mushrooms, wine

Where to eat in Montecarlo: best restaurants, local spots, and street food

Those who decide to visit Montecarlo have the embarrassment of choice regarding breathtaking landscapes to see, palaces to visit, and entertainments to relax with. However, if there's one experience you shouldn't miss in this area of the Principality of Monaco, it is undoubtedly to try local gastronomic specialties, seated at one of its many excellent restaurants.

Its cuisine is significantly influenced by neighboring nations, particularly French and Italian, especially Ligurian. Therefore, there will certainly be elegant French bistros with high-level cuisine, as well as numerous Italian restaurants. Costs are decidedly high, just like the cost of living, but there are also more affordable places such as the ubiquitous fast-food chains, as well as small bakeries and sandwich shops ideal for a quick lunch at lower prices.

Here's where you can taste Montecarlo's cuisine.

1 - Le Louis XV

Description haute cuisine restaurant by Alain Ducasse and Franck Cerutti inside Hôtel de Paris, with excellent Mediterranean cuisine and meticulous service
Specialties chef's menu
Average cost from $300.00 per person
Address Pl. du Casino - Get directions

2 - La Môme Monte-Carlo

Description elegant restaurant with outdoor terrace offering stunning views of the marina, seafood cuisine
Specialties Casparian caviar, fish
Average cost from $90.00 per person
Address avenue John Fitzgerald Kennedy, 7 - Get directions / tel: +37799921193

3 - La Salière

Description simple but elegant place serving Italian cuisine, traditional Italian dishes, and pizzas
Specialties house appetizer
Average cost from $40.00 per person
Address 28 Quai Jean-Charles Rey - Get directions / tel: +37792052582

4 - Le Grill L'Hôtel de Paris

Description place with exceptional views serving Mediterranean dishes in an impeccably styled setting
Specialties grilled fish and meat
Average cost from $140.00 per person
Address Pl. du Casino - Get directions / tel: +37798068888

5 - Il Terrazzino

Description one of the most appreciated restaurants in Montecarlo serving excellent Italian cuisine
Specialties homemade ravioli, catch of the day
Average cost from $40.00 per person
Address Rue des Iris - Get directions / tel: +37793502427

6 - Giacomo

Description an Instagram-worthy restaurant, beautifully scenic, offering typical Italian cuisine
Specialties fresh pasta, pizza
Average cost from $50.00 per person
Address Complexe du Larvotto, Local L27 - Get directions / tel: +37799921255

7 - Café de Paris

Description wonderful and elegant brasserie with Art Nouveau interiors near the equally famous casino
Specialties truffle tagliatelle
Average cost from $80.00 per person
Address Pl. du Casino - Get directions / tel: +37798067623

8 - Cipriani * Monte Carlo

Description elegant Italian restaurant, traditional cuisine with great pasta dishes
Specialties
Average cost from $90.00 per person
Address 1 Av. Princesse Grâce - Get directions / tel: +37793254250

9 - Buddha-Bar Monte-Carlo

Description well-known restaurant always near the casino, with spectacular interiors, international cuisine
Specialties sushi, spicy cuisine
Average cost from $80.00 per person
Address Place du Casino - Get directions / tel: +37798061919

10 - Steak 'n Shake

Description international chain place where you can enjoy a burger at more convenient prices
Specialties burger
Average cost from $15.00 per person
Address 27 Bd Albert 1er - Get directions / tel: +37799908525

11 - Casa del Caffè

Description place ideal for breakfast with good coffee or a quick lunch
Specialties coffee, Salade Nicoise
Average cost from $15.00 per person
Address 25 Av. de la Costa - Get directions / tel: +37793255203

12 - Sexy Tacos

Description beachside Mexican restaurant, excellent tacos and other Mexican dishes
Specialties tacos, tostadas, quesadillas
Average cost from $30.00 per person
Address Av. Princesse Grace, Complexe, balnéaire du larvotto - Get directions / tel: +37799907338

13 - La Note Bleue

Description restaurant on private beach, Mediterranean cuisine, bar hosting DJ sets with international guests
Specialties La Deguste
Average cost from $50.00 per person
Address Av. Princesse Grace - Get directions / tel: +37793500502

14 - Planet Pasta

Description Italian restaurant specializing in pasta, but with many other offerings like excellent pizzas
Specialties pasta
Average cost from $30.00 per person
Address 6 Rue Imberty - Get directions / tel: +37793508014

15 - Grubers Burgers

Description small place ideal for a lunch or dinner without spending too much
Specialties burger
Average cost from $15.00 per person
Address 20 Rue Princesse Caroline - Get directions / tel: +37793301530