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The Best Restaurants with a Sea View on the French Riviera
One of the things we love most about the French Riviera is that lunch is rarely just lunch.
A table overlooking the sea can easily turn into an entire afternoon. A quick coffee becomes an apéritif. Plans change. Nobody seems to be in a hurry. That, for us, is one of the great luxuries of this coastline.
Over the years, we’ve discovered restaurants perched above the Mediterranean, hidden amongst the pines, or sitting quite literally on the water. Some are glamorous, some surprisingly simple, but all share one thing in common: a view that makes you want to stay just a little longer.
If you’re planning a trip to the Côte d’Azur, these are a few of our favorite tables with a view.
©Les Remparts
Les Remparts
Few lunch settings on the Riviera feel quite as magical as Les Remparts.
Perched on the edge of the medieval village of Èze, the restaurant sits beneath stone arches covered in jasmine, ivy, and bougainvillea, with sweeping views over the Mediterranean below. It’s the kind of place that immediately makes you slow down.
We love coming here for lunch when the light is at its brightest and the sea seems to stretch endlessly into the horizon. In the evening, the atmosphere changes completely, with the lights of Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat beginning to twinkle below.
The menu celebrates Mediterranean flavours with colourful dishes, fresh ingredients, and beautiful presentation, but if we’re honest, it’s the setting that keeps bringing us back.
©Château de la Messardière
Matsuhisa at Château de la Messardière
There are many beautiful terraces in Saint-Tropez, but few can compete with the view from Matsuhisa at Château de la Messardière.
Overlooking the Bay of Pampelonne, the restaurant combines one of the most spectacular panoramas on the Riviera with Nobu Matsuhisa’s famous Japanese-Peruvian cuisine.
What we particularly love is arriving just before sunset. The light over the bay becomes golden, the yachts begin returning to port, and dinner somehow feels a little more special. Even if you’re not staying at the hotel, it’s worth making the journey up the hill for the view alone.
©Le Plongeoir
Le Plongeoir
There is probably no restaurant in Nice more iconic than Le Plongeoir.
Built on a rocky outcrop suspended above the sea, this unusual restaurant feels as though it is floating over the Mediterranean. Originally, the site was home to a fishing boat restaurant during the Belle Époque before evolving into the landmark we know today.
We always recommend Le Plongeoir to first-time visitors to Nice because it feels so uniquely Riviera. The food is Mediterranean and seasonal, but the real experience is sitting above the waves as the sea crashes gently beneath you.
©Les Roches Rouges
Les Roches Rouges
The coastline around Saint-Raphaël is one of the most beautiful stretches of the Côte d’Azur.
At Les Roches Rouges, the red rocks of the Estérel meet the deep blue Mediterranean, creating one of the most striking landscapes in the South of France.
Whether dining at Estelo or simply enjoying a drink on the terrace, the setting is spectacular. We particularly love the relaxed atmosphere here. Unlike some Riviera addresses, it never feels overly formal. The focus is on good food, local ingredients, and making the most of the extraordinary location.
This is the kind of place where lunch often turns into an entire afternoon by the water.
©Cap Estel
Le Ficus at Cap Estel
If we had to choose one restaurant that perfectly captures the feeling of a Riviera summer, it might be Le Ficus.
Hidden within the grounds of Cap Estel in Èze, surrounded by ancient trees and overlooking the Mediterranean, it feels wonderfully secluded despite being only a short distance from Monaco and Nice.
The cuisine is simple, generous, and designed for sharing. Whole grilled fish, vegetables cooked over wood fires, large salads, and dishes inspired by the flavours of the Mediterranean.
What we love most is the atmosphere. There is no rush. Guests linger around the tables, the scent of herbs drifts through the air, and the sea seems close enough to touch.
©Château de Théoule
Château de Théoule
For those looking for a slightly lesser-known address, Château de Théoule is one of our favourite discoveries on the Riviera.
Nestled between the sea and the red cliffs of the Estérel, the recently restored property offers several beautiful dining options, all with exceptional views.
Whether enjoying a leisurely lunch overlooking the water, an afternoon drink on the terrace, or dinner at the Michelin-starred Mareluna restaurant, the setting feels incredibly special.
We particularly love arriving towards the end of the day, when the sunlight reflects off the red rocks and the coastline begins to glow.
It is one of those places that reminds us why the Riviera has fascinated artists, writers, and travellers for generations.
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