My top 5 restaurant choices near our house, on the Cote D’Azur

View from "Les Remparts" at La Chevre D'Or

As we approach the height of the summer season, many people are preparing their vacations in the South of France. One essential part of that preparation is to choose and book the restaurants that you want to go to. Good restaurants on the Cote D’Azur are often booked weeks in advance, so in order to get a good table (close to the balcony for those with a view), now is the time to start planning.

There are so many good restaurants, it was hard to narrow it down to 5, but I’ve given it my best shot, so here goes.

Number 5 on my list is “Les Arcades” on the “Place de Valbonne” and is great for the whole family, including the kids, the grandparents and any friends that happen to be staying with you (a great choice when you do not want to cook, but you don’t want to pay a fortune for dinner either). They do not have a web-site, but you can see their other reviews here. In my opinion (and many of my friends), they are the best in terms of quality/price in Valbonne village, and the Square is something right out of a Woody Allen film (when he is filming in France of course), where the ambience is not to be missed.

Number 4 on my list (and from here the prices starts to rise…) is Lou Cigalon also in Valbonne village which is run by a husband and wife team. I have rarely seen a chef so dedicated to excellence with such a flair for creative touches, AND able to do it all largely alone. The restaurant is small, with few tables, which adds to the exclusiveness of the ambiance. However, if you appreciate fine food it is worth going.

Number 3 is Lou Fassum, which is on the way to Grasse from Valbonne. A larger restaurant than Lou Cigalon, but still very intimate, with magnificent views all the way to the sea. In the summer, you want to reserve a table on the terrace.

Number 2 is La Chevre D’or in Eze Village. The views from the restaurant “Les Remparts” are breath-taking all the way to Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat. The last time we went, they only opened this restaurant for lunch, and served dinner elsewhere, and if that is still the case, I would recommend going at lunch time as the view is one of the real reasons to go, although of course the food is magnificent. The second reason being the opportunity to explore the charming medieval village of Eze after lunch. Eze is about 40 minutes from our house, but worth the trip.

Now we come to the end of the list, with my top choice being La Passagère at the Hotel Belles Rives. Situated in Juan-les-Pins, it is an historic land-mark that was the home of F. Scott Fitzgerald when he was residing in the South of France, and apparently the inspiration for several of his books including the Great Gatsby. The restaurant recently received a Michelin Star, a testament to the hard work of the chef and all the staff over the last several years. They often have events corresponding to the season, and our favorite is on the 14th of July where they have a water-skiing show (which they are famous for), followed by the City’s fireworks celebration, which you have front row seats for at this restaurant when sitting on their beautiful terrace. After dinner (and fireworks), you can have a drink at the “Piano Bar Fitzgerald” followed by a stroll around Juan les Pins to soak up the night ambience.

As we come to the end of the list, I realize that I could literally go on for pages describing the different culinary choices. In my list I haven’t even spoken of the numerous “Relais Chateaux” restaurants including ones in St. Paul de Vence, & Grasse. Nor a few other favorites such as Le Cagnard in the Haut de Cagnes and L’Amandier in Mougins. However, before I go on any more and confuse you, I will leave it there, and let you get planning for your next trip to the South of France. If you have not booked your trip yet, we still have several weeks left in June and September, as well as one week in both July and August. Please contact us if you would like to book a week in paradise (our vision of it anyway!).