Let us present the superstars of Cannes cuisine, where you should not even be thinking the words ‘reasonably priced.’ Reason simply doesn’t come into it, a true love of food does, no matter what the cost.
It is impossible to review Cannes restaurants without beginning with Le Palme d’Or at the Hotel Martinez (Grand Hyatt Cannes). For good reason too, its spectacular French gastronomy earned it two Michelin stars in 1991, and it has never lost them. This art deco restaurant in one of Cannes’ grandest hotels, opens up its doors to give a jaw-dropping view across the Mediterranean. No matter how impressive the view though, it cannot compete with the quite extraordinary descriptions on the menu where famous chef Christian Sinicropi exhorts us to believe in, "a dimension of emotion and of sharing, a palliative reflected in a maiden voyage with the trappings of nobility and counter-intuitiveness, transporting us into a dance in 3 movements." What does that mean? No idea. The whole menu is immensely hyperbolic and passionate, and somehow quite sweet. But fear not that the food will all be frippery and nonsense, this is seriously impressive dining. The food is highly inventive (although not quite as inventive as the menu wording, for nothing could be) and includes items like 72 hour cooked lamb, wild grouse cooked with country soil, chateaubriand with crystallised shallots and tuna belly with aniseed. Mains begin at 75 euro, or you can have a lunch menu from 72 euro. A special, unforgettable experience.
Le Park 45 is another one at the top end that you really shouldn’t miss. This restaurant is set in one of the most glorious settings in Cannes - in the grounds and dining room of the Grand Hotel, looking out across the lush gardens to the glittering sea. Young chef Sébastien Broda (who trained at Le Palme d’Or) uses fresh local produce to put twists on French cuisine, and was awarded a Michelin star within 12 months for his efforts. A delightful place with delightful food. And with mains starting at around 40 euros and a three-course menu at 55 euro, it actually turns to be pretty good value for money considering how much you can pay for rubbish in some of Cannes’ tourist traps.
For a rooftop restaurant that just screams Cannes chic, go to Michelin starred restaurant Sea Sens on the fifth floor of the boutique Five Seas Hotel. Sit in the elegant dining room and look out across a stunning view of Cannes, while Chef Arnaud Tabarec impresses you with his astonishing gourmet menu using fresh market foods and spices from the five continents. Try the fois gras with mango and beetroot ravioli, or the blue lobster with combawa. Jérôme De Oliveira, World Pastry Champion, will then make your dessert. This is a glamorous place, and in the summer evenings the poolside terrace will fill up with the beautiful people drinking champagne and cocktails in the sunset. The food isn’t too prohibitively expensive, with mains starting at €35 and menus from €55.
