Saint-Tropez, a charming little village on the Côte d’Azur, was thrust into the limelight in the 1950s, when French film stars made the town one of the most popular destinations in the south of France thanks to their regular visits.
Here, celebrity culture prevails and star gazing continues to be one of the main sports for visitors who return year after year.
We’ve selected some of the best restaurants in Saint-Tropez to enjoy a breathtaking view of the bay, a good evening with friends and an exceptional gastronomic experience.
1. The Colette gourmet restaurant at the Hotel Sezz Saint Tropez
Named Colette, the restaurant pays tribute to the French novelist Sidonie-Gabrielle Colette.
It’s in an exceptional setting, surrounded by olive and palm trees, overlooking the swimming pool, in a relaxed and festive atmosphere. The restaurant offers a menu featuring a wide choice of meats and fish grilled over a wood fire, such as tuna or the catch of the day. Charolais and Salers beef from France, Black Angus from the USA, Wagyu from Chile, Quercy lamb and even grilled Iberian pork are all imagined and offered by Chef Patrick Cuissard.
There’s something for even the most discerning taste buds, with tasty dishes inspired by the Mediterranean basin, where freshness and refined simplicity reign supreme. As an added bonus, a light lunch menu is available for poolside dining.
2. On Place de Lices: Noto Saint Tropez
Housed in the townhouse on Place des Lices, formerly home to the iconic Brasserie des Arts, Noto Saint-Tropez is an elegant, casual addition to the Côte d’Azur scene. It’s the perfect place to enjoy Mediterranean flavors in an elegant, cosmopolitan atmosphere. The menu offers an almost unlimited choice of pastas, pizzas, meat and fish dishes, with daily market specials.
Open late, the restaurant becomes a lively night spot until the early hours, with regular events and guest DJs. If you’re looking for a choice place to dine, Noto is one of the most popular spots.
3. Sénéquier: the best-known restaurant in Saint-Tropez
Café Sénéquier on the port of Saint-Tropez has been proudly welcoming customers since 1887. Attracting the rich and famous as well as passers-by, it’s the ideal place to enjoy the atmosphere for which Saint-Tropez is famous. Just sit on the terrace, spot the yachts and watch the crowds go by over a cup of coffee. It’s a mythical village spot where you can eat a salad or a tropézienne while watching celebrities pass by before your very eyes.
4. The best restaurants in Saint Tropez: La Ponche, a sure bet
La Ponche offers refined cuisine where “fish soup, red mullet, lobster and cod are given pride of place in the Provencal tradition”. In addition to the gastronomic experience, this is a must for French film buffs, who will be able to recall the glory days of former regular Brigitte Bardot, during the filming of Roger Vadim’s Et Dieu créa la femme.
Literature lovers can linger over the ravishing view where the author of Bonjour Tristesse, François Sagan, was photographed. Owner Simone Duckstein claims it hasn’t changed since before the Second World War.
She’s in a good position to know, as her father used to run the establishment, which was a simple fishermen’s bar. She remembers guests such as Pablo Picasso sitting for hours on the terrace “sipping an anisette”.
The elegant, convivial and comfortable terrace is a privileged meeting place in the evening and on market days, Tuesdays and Saturdays. Our loyal staff provide a warm, personalized welcome that is much appreciated by our best customers.
5. Where to eat in Ramatuelle? Try the new Kinugawa destination
Since its opening in summer 2022, the Japanese-inspired restaurant Kinugawa has been the talk of the town. Located on the Route des Plages, this chic restaurant is tucked away in a secret garden atmosphere and offers authentic yet modern Japanese cuisine.
Along with other popular establishments in Paris, Casablanca, Megève and many others, the name Kinugawa is on the lips of all those lucky enough to secure a table during the high season. Book well in advance for the coming summer!
6. La petite plage, seaside restaurant
This elegant seaside restaurant invites guests to enjoy refined Mediterranean cuisine with their feet in the sand! Its charming bohemian-chic design and live entertainment set this restaurant apart. Considered a “royal chef”, French chef Eric Fréchon creates fresh, colorful dishes that are sure to impress even the most discerning gourmet.
7. L’Auberge des Maures, the place to be
L’Auberge des Maures is another famous Saint-Tropez restaurant. This magnificent Provencal house is the town’s oldest restaurant. It is as renowned for its gastronomic quality as for its fabulous terrace in summer and the welcoming warmth of its open fire in winter.
Famous guests have included David Niven, Charlie Chaplin, Greta Garbo, Brigitte Bardot and poets Jean Cocteau and Paul Eluard, who celebrated his wedding here in 1950, with Pablo Picasso as best man.
Open for dinner only, the Auberge des Maures menu features beef tenderloin, lamb, duck, fish and seafood.
8. La Vague d’Or, to put on your “to do” list of the best restaurants in Saint-Tropez
Located in the illustrious Cheval Blanc hotel, La Vague d’Or is a Michelin-starred restaurant that invites guests to embark on a mystical voyage between land and sea. Michelin-starred chef Arnaud Donckele creates a symphony of flavors in every dish, and includes a range of textures and tastes in every bite. Guests wishing to discover La Vague d’Or during the summer months are advised to book well in advance.
9. Cucina Byblos, gastronomy in a 5-star hotel
La Cucina Byblos is located in the five-star palace Hotel Byblos. The elegant yet relaxed atmosphere of this magnificent restaurant attracts those seeking a gastronomic experience in the heart of Saint-Tropez village. Serving authentic Italian comfort food, including pasta, pizza, seafood and lobster, Cucina Byblos is a must in Saint-Tropez.
10. Good restaurants in Saint-Tropez: discover Gina’s
A romantic restaurant facing the harbor, imagined by Michelin-starred chef Éric Fréchon, Gina’s serves a glamorous selection of the finest, freshest seafood. The magnificent setting of this Italian-inspired “house of the sea”. Its incredible selection of seafood, such as red Sicilian shrimp or the famous “linguini confidentiels” with blue lobster, make this restaurant a must on the list of epicureans who rank it among the best restaurants in Saint-Tropez.
