Menton, the jewel of the French Riviera, sits right on the border of Italy, basking in a microclimate that is famously sunnier than the rest of the Côte d’Azur. Known as the “Pearl of France,” this pastel-hued town is celebrated for its legendary lemons, lush gardens, and relaxed, old-world charm. But beyond the citrus groves and baroque architecture lies a vibrant culinary scene that reflects its unique Franco-Italian heritage.
Dining in Menton is a distinct experience compared to glitzier neighbors like Monaco or Nice. Here, the pace is slower, the atmosphere is more intimate, and the menus are heavily influenced by Ligurian traditions. You will find a beautiful marriage of French technique and Italian soul, with fresh pasta sitting comfortably alongside bouillabaisse and Niçoise specialties.
The geography of Menton dictates its menu. Nestled between the dramatic Alps and the sparkling Mediterranean, the town offers chefs access to both mountain produce and deep-sea treasures. This means the seafood is exceptionally fresh, often arriving at the kitchen just hours after being unloaded at the local port or nearby San Remo.
Whether you are looking for a Michelin-starred tasting menu with a view of the bay or a rustic plate of fried anchovies in a hidden alley, Menton has a table for you. The proximity to Italy ensures that olive oil, basil, and garlic are used with a generous hand, creating flavors that are bright, aromatic, and deeply satisfying.
For the visitor, choosing where to eat can be overwhelming, as the town is dense with brasseries, bistros, and fine dining establishments. To help you navigate the culinary landscape, we have curated a list of the best spots where the ocean’s bounty takes center stage.
From romantic terraces overlooking the Old Port to family-run institutions that have perfected their recipes over generations, this guide covers the essential seafood destinations. Below, you will find the definitive list of the 12 best seafood restaurants in Menton, each offering something unique for the discerning palate.
Lyode
| Address | 8 Prom. de la Mer, 06500 Menton |
|---|---|
| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: Closed Tuesday: 12:00 – 2:30 PM Wednesday: 12:00 – 2:30 PM Thursday: 12:00 – 2:30 PM Friday: 12:00 – 2:00 PM, 7:00 – 10:00 PM Saturday: 12:00 – 2:00 PM, 7:00 – 10:00 PM Sunday: 12:00 – 2:00 PM |
| Phone | 04 93 84 76 95 |
10 stars!!!!
Very nice welcome and accepted despite no reservation.
Excellent sea food platters we can personalised (Mediterranean Giol, cancale and cancale spécial, urchins).
Moules frittes were excellent and locally made French fries which is more and more unusual nowadays.
Excellent and pleasant service always willing to explain us offered products.
This place has the most lovely kind welcoming staff and lovely food - we had squid and sea bass and they were beautifully cooked- the side salads complemented them perfectly.
I think the true mark of a good place is how well they handle minor mishaps and the staff here were particularly professional and kind after a small mishap with an ☕️ .
I would really recommend this place. You won’t regret it! A warm French 🇫🇷 welcome in a stunningly beautiful coastal town.
Great little restaurant, the staff were nice and attentive. The service was pretty fast too, the food was fantastic, we tried many different dishes. The views over the sea and harbour were very picturesque.
I would absolutely recommend this place to anyone in the area.
Very good seafood place. We had a brunch set (seafood platter, salmon risotto and dessert buffet) and the mussels with fries. The oysters and shrimps were really fresh. Really liked the platter. Mussels were overall good despite a few being not as fresh. Fries were homemade, we liked it a lot but it may not be the typical fries that people like. The salmon was pan fried nicely and the risotto was well-cooked and seasoned. You could freely get the dessert at the table outside and there was a good variety, ranging from macarons to fruits to chocolate muffins. Overall, the meal was around 30 euro per person and I highly recommend it.
Super nice small restaurant. Menu is small, but all is very fresh. Service is impeccable
Le Grand Large
| Address | 884 Prom. du Soleil, 06500 Menton |
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| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: 10:00 AM – 11:00 PM Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 11:00 PM Wednesday: Closed Thursday: 10:00 AM – 11:00 PM Friday: 10:00 AM – 11:00 PM Saturday: 10:00 AM – 11:00 PM Sunday: 10:00 AM – 11:00 PM |
| Phone | 04 93 35 34 59 |
Had a wonderful experience during the lunch in this restaurant. The ingredients were extremely fresh and all the dishes were cooked professionally. We enjoyed the service and great thanks to Anna for the best cocktails!
Highly recommended to visit and definitely will come back
Menton was simply amazing but unfortunately our experience with this restaurant ruined our entire day. If you want to be rudely treated by your waiter, this is the place to be. A young and unprofessional waiter with an accent replied very rudely and agressively multiple times that the kitchen at 9 34 pm was closed while I was simply asking him at what time did the kitchen actually closed. I am highlighting this as a respectful recommendation so that it doesn't happen with other customers and ruin the reputation of the establishment as it did the job for us.
Waiter polite. Setting perfect. Menu good but unfortunately no food arrived 2 hours later. Asked waiter and he said food was coming...still waiting.. over 2 hours before food arrived. Order incorrect..also testaurant closed at 22
00hrs.Food arrived at 22.15 despite us prdering at 20.00hrs and enquiring earlier.staff inside arguing amongst each other. Very unprofessional and disappointing. It was a Monday night and not many places open but if you are open you should be able to accommodate customers.
We were walking along the coast of the beach when we noticed this restaurant and wanted to try it. WE DIDN'T REGRET IT. Amazing Italian cuisine. They have a terrace on the other side of the restaurant on the beach. Friendly staff!
It would be a great place to visit with your family, but my impression was greatly spoiled by bartenders and waiters who do not understand French and speak only Russian, it is a horror. Also a question for broken lamps that just hang with open wires or is it really safe?, I don't think. We waited more than 10 minutes to go to the toilet. I do not recommend this place at all
Osteria da Carlo
| Address | 27 Quai Bonaparte, 06500 Menton |
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| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: 12:00 – 10:00 PM Tuesday: 12:00 – 10:00 PM Wednesday: 12:00 – 10:00 PM Thursday: Closed Friday: 12:00 – 10:00 PM Saturday: 12:00 – 10:00 PM Sunday: 12:00 – 10:00 PM |
| Phone | 04 93 96 68 29 |
The restaurant has a lovely atmosphere, with its seaside location and beautiful view. When you’re hungry, it’s very enjoyable to watch a chef working in an open kitchen:) Unfortunately, the complimentary starters were served cold and tasted stale. The crab pasta I ordered was delicious, and I really enjoyed it. However, the mixed fried seafood platter my friend ordered did not meet our expectations. The oil tasted heavy, and the calamari and shrimp were bad. I wouldn’t recommend this dish.
One of the most unpleasant service we’ve had in France. Food looked nothing like the pictures here - no lobster on the lobster linguine. The waiter pretty much said no to all of our requests. The waitress had a poker face like she didn’t want to be there. Over priced for the food they serve. They asked if we wanted sweet potatoes or vegetables with our main dish, and later found out it was a separate dish with a separate charge.
The food was acceptable overall, however, the small portion of sea bass was significantly overpriced (€40) for something that tasted quite average.
There were three staff members during our visit. Two of them were polite and patient, but one staff member stood out for the wrong reasons. We experienced terrible treatment when paying. We were first told the card machine was not working and that we needed to pay cash. After we said we had no cash, the machine was suddenly available. Our card payment failed several times for no reason (and the machine was taken back to the kitchen area each time after failure), and only went through after we selected a higher tip amount. I am not saying this was a scam, but the process felt unclear, uncomfortable, and highly questionable.
As tourists, we used Google Translate to understand the French text on the card machine, especially the tip options. That same staff member then rudely questioned why we were using Google Translate. This was unnecessary and made us feel pressured.
I would not return and definitely not recommend to anyone.
Hidden Gem in Menton, this restaurant was the only one that didn’t have queue at 8pm, so we sat there. The second we came we were covered with attention and great hospitality. We ordered fish carpaccio and fish of the day - words can’t describe how fresh everything was.
Chef/Owner Carlo is always walking around and happily speaks to customers, he gets fresh delivery daily and you can just tell how much love he put in this restaurant. Such an Italian approach, super rare in France.
We got so lucky with Akim and Laurentiu being so friendly and attentive and human as our waiters. Chatting and learning more about Menton and the restaurant.
This restaurant changed the whole perception of Menton, this is truly high quality restaurant, it might not be fanciest looking but the food is incredible and that’s what matters at the restaurant! Also little thing that impressed us was open kitchen.
The limoncello at the end…we never had such great limoncello not sugary sweet.
Everything was perfect! Definitely recommend and we will come again to try Oysters.
p.s. Chianti Classico was 10/10!
Love this place. Had the seafood pasta and grilled seafood platter. Seafood was fresh and the view was great! Octopus and tuna in grilled platter were my favorite. 8pm before the sunset was empty .
L'Entre II
| Address | 2 Av. Boyer, 06500 Menton |
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| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: 9:00 AM – 2:30 PM Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 2:30 PM Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 2:30 PM Thursday: 9:00 AM – 2:30 PM Friday: 9:00 AM – 2:30 PM, 6:00 – 9:30 PM Saturday: 10:00 AM – 2:30 PM, 6:00 – 9:30 PM Sunday: Closed |
| Phone | 04 93 51 70 42 |
We came here for lunch. I really enjoyed the gnocchi with truffle and floating island desert. Both are delicious. I advise to book ahead especially for the Meton Lemon Festival in February.
We tried Entree II last week on a holiday in Menton. We were both pleasantly impressed. The food was top quality and the presentation was really good. The lady serving us was very nice and helpful. My partner became very quickly envious of my dish choice (even though his was great too) so we decided to go again another day. Unfortunately we didn't book and couldn't get in. So obviously a very well liked, popular place and I am not surprised.
I recommend it.
Great team and amazing restaurant. And biggest beef tartar in my life. Thank you
A quiet south west facing terrace, set back from the street and a smart modern interior. Big choice of Franco/italian foods and wines. Beer on ‘tap’. Friendly service. Dog friendly.
Wine and pasta is good
The service is good as well
Tiramisu also good
But next time will try beef tartare or other dishes
Les Enfants Terribles
| Address | 1 Quai Bonaparte, 06500 Menton |
|---|---|
| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: Closed Tuesday: Closed Wednesday: 12:00 – 10:00 PM Thursday: 12:00 – 10:00 PM Friday: 12:00 – 10:00 PM Saturday: 12:00 – 10:00 PM Sunday: 12:00 – 10:00 PM |
| Phone | 04 93 35 80 67 |
We’re travelling in Menton for the first time Came in looking for food after beach day, and omg it was seriously amazing. My sister thought this place looked like a tourist trap but we were soo surprised how amazing it was. Super recommend:) We ordered oysters and the mussels and it’s very very fresh and the server was super attentive and kind and even changed the beer for free for us since he thought it would go better with the food cold. Very very nice host, super funny and kind! Couldn’t recommend it more 🙂 🥰🥰
I lived in Menton for less than a year, but during that time, Les Enfants Terribles quickly became one of my favorite places.
When I returned this summer to visit friends, there was one reservation I was genuinely looking forward to making again. Not simply because I used to live nearby, but because this restaurant had become part of my everyday life there.
The dishes are consistently exceptional. Incredibly fresh, generous in flavor, and beautifully balanced. You can immediately taste the quality of the ingredients and the confidence in the kitchen. It is honest cooking, done with care.
The wine list is thoughtfully curated, offering a balanced selection of both local and Mediterranean labels. It feels precise rather than overwhelming, with bottles that highlight freshness, minerality, and structure. The pricing is remarkably approachable for the quality offered, making it easy to explore and pair confidently with the menu.
What truly makes this place special, however, is the people. The team does not just serve you, they welcome you as if you are stepping into their home. From the very first visit, we felt like regulars. There is a warmth here that is rare and genuine.
Every time I visit Menton, this will be one of my first stops. It is more than a restaurant. It feels like a place you belong.
This charming seafood restaurant came highly recommended by the locals, and it did not disappoint. We arrived just before the doors opened at noon and were seated immediately. The owner and staff were exceptionally friendly, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere from the start.
The mussels were served in a generous portion and cooked to perfection, while the oysters were impressively fresh. The fries, though not as crisp as expected, were still enjoyable. Overall, the menu offers excellent quality at very reasonable prices.
The outdoor seating is particularly inviting, providing a comfortable space to relax just steps from the beach at the end of the bustling shopping district.
We came to this restaurant by accident looking for seafood whyle on Vacation in Monaco. The restaurant is with excellent atmosphere and with even more excellent service. We were served by Loïc (apologies if I have misspelled). The food was just superb. I recommend anyone a stop at this restaurant , it is worth it. We will visit again.
This is the best food I’ve had since arriving to France! We were seated quickly & the host was very friendly, even gave us a menu with translation into English. I highly recommend ordering seafood - it’s fresh & local. I thought the prices were reasonable & we received complimentary gazpacho soup. This is a dog friendly place & we had 2 sweet dogs seating next to us.
Restaurant Des Artistes
| Address | 1080 Prom. du Soleil, 06500 Menton |
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| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: 9:00 AM – 10:00 PM Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 10:00 PM Wednesday: Closed Thursday: 9:00 AM – 10:00 PM Friday: 9:00 AM – 10:00 PM Saturday: 9:00 AM – 10:00 PM Sunday: 9:00 AM – 10:00 PM |
| Phone | 04 93 35 58 50 |
After a week in Niece we were heading home to Budapest, and we just wanted to see the city. Then we found this restaurant and we had an excellent time. Food, service people were fantastic. The view to the beach is just so special. I am saying it as a Florida citizen. I only can recommend this place. Service was outstanding.
Fast, very friendly and good food. I liked and recommend.
We ordered and less than 10 minutes later we had our food.
And they were genuinely friendly.
Unfortunately, the food I ordered was far below the standard I would expect from a restaurant.
I ordered spaghetti with seafood, and I was extremely disappointed. Almost all of the shells on the plate were completely empty — essentially, I was served a plate full of empty shells with only three mussels. The spaghetti itself was pale, poorly combined with the tomato sauce, and the entire dish was covered in oil and grease.
I politely explained to the staff that I simply could not eat the dish and asked if they could serve me something else. What disappointed me even more than the food itself was their response. They still made me pay for the uneaten seafood pasta and did not make any real effort to apologize, offer a replacement, or perhaps prepare the same dish again with a little more care.
The Margherita pizza I ordered for my daughter was also very disappointing. It was essentially bread with cheese rather than what I would consider a proper Margherita pizza.
Bad food can happen in any restaurant, but what really matters is how the staff handle the situation. Unfortunately, there was no attempt to resolve the issue or make us feel that our dissatisfaction mattered.
Perhaps, being in a city with plenty of tourists, they simply do not feel the need to care about customers returning. Based on my experience, both the quality of the food and the customer service were very disappointing.
Greetings from Switzerland.
We went to the restaurant Des artistes not expecting much but left feeling positively surprised! We were served really quick and our order arrived in a very short wait time. We had a fish fillet with ratatouille and for desert Limon and Cafes Grandes. All the food was really good especially Cafes Grandes which turned out to be multiple small dessert plates, including tiramisu, crème brûlée, chocolate lava, panna cotta and espresso. The kids were also satisfied with the kids menu especially the ice cream and pasta. Cannot recommend enough!
It was a decent restaurant. We gave it a chance even though average rating was not so high and people complained it can be a tourist trap but at the end everything was good. Food and service and we also tried some good wine. Prices are bit higher but we clearly saw that.
Le Stanley
| Address | 6 Pl. du Cap, 06500 Menton |
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| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: 11:30 AM – 2:30 PM, 6:00 – 10:30 PM Tuesday: 11:30 AM – 2:30 PM, 6:00 – 10:30 PM Wednesday: 11:30 AM – 2:30 PM, 6:00 – 10:30 PM Thursday: 11:30 AM – 2:30 PM, 6:00 – 10:30 PM Friday: 11:30 AM – 2:30 PM, 6:00 – 10:30 PM Saturday: 11:30 AM – 2:30 PM, 6:00 – 10:30 PM Sunday: 11:30 AM – 2:30 PM, 6:00 – 10:30 PM |
| Phone | 04 93 41 37 22 |
totally not recommend this restaurant. The service was terrible, they were ripping off tourists, the food was mediocre, and the ambiance was just average. During our 15-day trip to the South of France, we ate at 20 restaurants, and this was the most expensive and worst experience we had. We didn't want to give a bad review; every business is struggling. But given how rude they were, we had to tell the truth. We chose this restaurant because other restaurants were crowded at lunchtime, while this one was less packed, and the Google rating seemed acceptable. Upon entering, we were the only customers seated indoors. Our group of seven was crammed into three small tables, which was extremely cramped. We asked for an extra table, but were refused. After we sat down, the waiter (pictured in photo 2) was very impatient, constantly rushing us and pressuring us to order. We wanted salad, but it wasn't on the menu. He offered to make us two small vegan mixed salads, but when we paid the bill, we found that each salad cost €23. At other restaurants, it would have cost less than €10. We ordered a cappuccino, but the bill listed it as a beef carpaccio. When we disputed the bill, the staff immediately admitted it was a mistake. However, his expression and attitude clearly indicated he was lying, trying to get away with it since we were tourists. At the end, they even gave us their shop's QR code, asking us to leave a 5-star review. We don't want to give any bad reviews, but after eating at 20 restaurants, this one clearly had a problematic attitude, and our experience was terrible. We don't recommend eating at this restaurant.
The food was some of the best tasting on our 2 week trip through Italy and France. The spaghetti with seafood is one of the bedt I have ever had. It was creamy and flavorful. My wife loved her veal dish. Even the prosecco was grest.
The waiter was very friendly, funny, and attentive.
Can’t believe I finished my pasta 🍝😭🤣 I had to skip breakfast the next day because I still full lol - i mean it was yummy ! Very generous on the seafood and very friendly staff too 🙂
Actually went here because this is probably the only place in Menton that accepts Cheques Vacances Connect. But I didn’t regret coming.
Foods were so fresh. Staffs were friendly even though the restaurant was packed.
They let me dine in by myself. Which is sometimes rare if the restaurant is full. Thanks will come back.
a cute small square to unwind. Delicious Aperol & Limoncello Spritz and even better Moules (the best I’ve had). Topped with great Service by Patrick! Merci 🙏🏼🍋💛
AMADÍA Restaurant & Cocktail Bar
| Address | 960 Prom. du Soleil, 06500 Menton |
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| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: Closed Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 11:30 PM Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 11:30 PM Thursday: 10:00 AM – 11:30 PM Friday: 10:00 AM – 11:30 PM Saturday: 10:00 AM – 11:30 PM Sunday: 10:00 AM – 11:30 PM |
| Phone | 04 83 93 82 86 |
A lovely find along the beach promenade in Menton, very close to the casino. Recently taken over by three Italians, their focus is on good service, drinks and bringing Italy to France. We visited twice and enjoyed an aperitivo the first time, cocktails with the obligatory snacks included. The second time, we tried a couple dishes from the lunch menu. The gnochetti had a lovely flavour but were slightly overcooked. The sausage tartar was good and the portion was massive. The drinks are very well served and, all in all, the place is good value for money.
Amazing lunch by the sea! The quality of the food was great as well as the service thanks to Luca!
Fantastic food. We were struggling to find quality food along the coast and finally found this Italian place. The mussel pasta, sausage starter, and duck main were all very good.
Fine Italian cooking. We had fresh fish of the highest quality. Best restaurant we have been in Menton! Consigliatissimo.
Although we stopped only for drinks, but the atmosphere and service was the best in the area. Definitely recommended
Le Petit Port
| Address | 4 Rue du Jonquier, 06500 Menton |
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| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: 9:00 AM – 12:00 AM Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 12:00 AM Wednesday: Closed Thursday: 7:00 PM – 12:00 AM Friday: 9:00 AM – 12:00 AM Saturday: 9:00 AM – 12:00 AM Sunday: 9:00 AM – 12:00 AM |
| Phone | 04 93 35 82 62 |
We are foodies and live between USA and Italy. This restaurant is fabulous. For a beach town, not too pricey and not too touristy. The seafood, meat and pasta are top notch. The pasta was homemade and cooked perfectly. The parillada de la mer was huge and fantastic. We came yesterday since it was so good and had the poelee de coquilage en persillade and was so good. The service was fantastic. I truly think this is the best restaurant in Menton. Also we came with a friend who is very difficult when it comes to food and made many strange requests, the staff was completely kind and amenable. Thank you Le Petit Port.
Lovely meal and super friendly and good service. We were here in November 2025 for lunch. See photos.
You have to come here for the octopus salad, which isn't really a salad but more like an octopus stew, with forest mushrooms and tomatoes. Absolutely delicious, the best dish so far of our trip to the Ivory Coast. I also had the poached pair for dessert, also very good. We tried the Aperol Spritz which was very nice also. We came here based on the reviews and it did not disappoint.
I came to this restaurant without reservation that knowing is good rating was quite risky but I was given a table and it was a feast. Had delicious figues stuffed with truffle sauce and steak for main. Unfortunately after that didn't have space for desert, so if you're not a big eater, consider sharing some meals. Prices are above average but it's worth it. Restaurant is located in quiet place so you can enjoy food without noise of the town. Must go if you're in Menton.
We truly enjoyed our meal at this restaurant. The food was fantastic, but what made the experience even better was the staff. Everyone was incredibly friendly and greeted us with a smile, which made us feel very welcome. It’s refreshing to see such a positive and professional team. We will definitely visit again!
Leone Restaurant Menton
| Address | 13 Sq. Victoria, 06500 Menton |
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| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: 11:30 AM – 2:30 PM, 6:30 – 10:30 PM Tuesday: 11:30 AM – 2:30 PM, 7:00 – 10:30 PM Wednesday: Closed Thursday: 11:30 AM – 2:30 PM, 6:30 – 10:30 PM Friday: 11:30 AM – 2:30 PM, 6:30 – 10:30 PM Saturday: 10:30 AM – 2:30 PM, 6:30 – 11:00 PM Sunday: 11:30 AM – 2:30 PM, 6:30 – 10:30 PM |
| Phone | 04 22 16 13 30 |
This place is a true hidden gem. Wonderfully authentic and full of Italian charm, it was one of our favorite meals of the trip. The fish platter and clam pasta were exceptional, everything tasted incredibly fresh and flavorful. We sat outside and enjoyed the lovely ambiance, which made the experience even more memorable. We made a reservation in advance and were very glad we did. Highly recommend.
Overpriced and disappointing. The vongole pasta was overly salty—definitely do not recommend. Prices are way too high for this kind of quality.
The service didn't help either, as the waiter was pushy and unpleasant. To top it off, basic standards were missing: no soap in the restroom and a strong smell of urine, which is unacceptable for an evening restaurant. A generous 3 out of 5 only for the nice interior vibe.
Found this hidden gem in Menton.
This is the kind of place where the chef lets the naked beauty of the products speak for themselves. No overpowering ingredients ruining the taste — just simplicity, balance, and harmony elevating every dish naturally.
Fresh, high-quality seafood that truly speaks for itself.
These kinds of places are rare to find nowadays, especially with such reasonable prices. Leone does it beautifully: pure honesty, simplicity, yet pure elegance.
A bit outside the busy strip where everything happens — which honestly becomes an advantage. Less hectic, spacious tables, not cramped, and with a lovely beach view.
Most of all, the warm welcome.
The gentleman with glasses was incredibly professional and kind, and honestly the whole team was warm, attentive, and professional from beginning to end.
Mister Leone himself was there — charming, humble, and far from the pretentious attitude often seen with famous chefs.
Menton is truly a charming little town between Monaco and Italy.
The kind of place that’s hard to leave… you leave your heart in Menton, and Leone is part of it ❤️
We were seated inside as we didnt have reservation but AC inside is not enough fir the whole place. It was quite hot inside. Royal fried mix fish was delicious and especially the squid was great. I can not recommend the stuffed zucchini flowers. Waiters were very nice and attentive.
We chose Leone in Menton because of its very good reviews, so perhaps our expectations were a little high. Overall, the experience was okay, but unfortunately the food did not quite live up to what we had hoped for.
We shared the Entrée de la Mer for two. The mussels were very tasty, but unfortunately the scampi were overcooked, which made them soft and a little mushy. The platter also included slices of salmon and white fish, a fish cake and a small piece of fried white fish.
For the main course, I had the Tagliolini with Clams, while my sister chose the Orecchiette with scampi, Broccoli Cream and Red & Yellow Tomatoes. Both pastas were cooked very well al dente and looked amazing, which we really appreciated.
The clams in my tagliolini were perfectly fine and the pasta itself had a nice creamy texture, but I found the dish lacking in flavour. It was pleasant enough, but not particularly exciting.
Unfortunately, my sister's orecchiette had a similar problem to the scampi in our starter: the scampi, broccoli and other ingredients were quite overcooked, which affected both the texture and the flavour. The orecchiette themselves, however, were cooked perfectly al dente.
On the positive side, the service was fast and friendly, and the restaurant has a lovely location right along the boulevard.
One thing we experienced out on the terras, that was certainly not the restaurant's fault, was the number of tiny white flies due to the warm weather. At first, we politely blew them away as they landed on us. After about twenty times, however, I had officially declared war — and unfortunately, there were casualties. 😄 It became quite distracting during the meal, although of course there isn't much the restaurant can do about nature but it’s good to keep in mind if you want to sit outside next to the grass area.
All in all, we had an okay experience. The service and location were good, and the pasta was cooked well, but considering the excellent reviews and our resulting expectations, we were left feeling a little disappointed. The food was fine, but I had honestly expected more.
L’Ambata
| Address | 1360 Prom. du Soleil, 06500 Menton |
|---|---|
| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: 12:00 – 3:00 PM, 7:00 – 11:00 PM Tuesday: Closed Wednesday: 12:00 – 3:00 PM, 7:00 – 11:00 PM Thursday: 12:00 – 3:00 PM, 7:00 – 11:00 PM Friday: 12:00 – 3:00 PM, 7:00 – 11:00 PM Saturday: 12:00 – 3:00 PM, 7:00 – 11:00 PM Sunday: 12:00 – 3:00 PM |
| Phone | 04 93 44 60 88 |
The location is very nice with views of the beach, especially during sunset. The staff were friendly and nice, but the food is very average. The fish and chips were very dry, and the food was served in a minute, which made it feel like it was pre-made.
Very good food. Especially the seafood mix grill - we came twice with my loviest ever wife, while in Menton. The waiter (and the owner is assume) tries although his English is not perfect. My opinion: underestimated - the food is simple, yet very good. A place to visit while in Menton. A plus: you get a fresh breeze by the sea
The food and services were both great. Our server was super warm and friendly. The seafood was cooked to perfection. We had the mixed grill and calamari plate. The pasta was good too. Their menu is small which probably means that things are fresh and seasonal. Too bad we only found this on our last day or we would have gone back.
The grilled mixed seafood was SUPER good!!!!
Tbh, I didn’t expect much from this restaurant. I picked it only because there were more tables available by the beach, and I was tired after a long day 🤣
But!!!! The dish was surprisingly great! The salmon, squid, and shrimp were fresh and grilled just right, and the grilled eggplant was amazing too. I’d give the seafood dish 5 stars 😋
(The only downside was that the glasses weren’t cleaned very well. Hope they can improve this!)
I came across this place by chance on my way from the train station to the old town in Menton. Ah wow, it turned out to be the best meal of my trip! Food was delicious, service was amazing and so friendly, atmosphere couldn't get any better, right by the sea and beach. This is dining with a view! I enjoyed my lunch very much, didn't feel rushed, the food was incredible! Prices are also reasonable. Thank you! Highly recommended and would definitely be back next time I'm in the area!
Le 31
| Address | 31 Quai Bonaparte, 06500 Menton |
|---|---|
| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: 12:00 – 2:30 PM, 6:30 – 10:30 PM Tuesday: 12:00 – 2:30 PM, 6:30 – 11:30 PM Wednesday: 12:00 – 2:30 PM, 6:30 – 10:30 PM Thursday: Closed Friday: 12:00 – 2:30 PM, 6:30 – 10:30 PM Saturday: 12:00 – 2:30 PM, 6:30 – 10:30 PM Sunday: 12:00 – 2:30 PM, 6:30 – 10:30 PM |
| Phone | 06 40 65 07 92 |
Great atmosphere right by the boulevard. The staff were super friendly and we had a really nice chat with them during the lunch. Food was very nice. Go for the desserts for sure, homemade and extremely tasty. We had the lemon tart and moelleux au chocolat and it was amazing.
My favorite dinner in the French Riviera! Pasta is amazingggg. Fantastic service by Amar- Absolutely wonderful and attentive. Great ambiance and music. Also prices worth the food. Would love to visit again! Highly recommend on your stop to Menton. Also the lemon spritz was great! Thanks so much Amar!
Went here for a meal first night in Menton. Service was very good and the guy serving us did a great job with being professional and funny. The food itself was great, loads of flavor and the cocktails where made perfect! Highly recommend this place for a nice sea view dinner. 🥂
Amazing food! The seafood pasta was perfect, full of flavor and cooked just right. My boyfriend ordered the burger and he loved it as well.
The staff were very friendly and accommodating. We arrived without a reservation, and they still made space for us, which we really appreciated.
We had a great experience and would definitely come back!
The food and staff were so fantastic that we came back 2 nights in a row
Very reasonable cost and very generous portions
If we had friends staying in Menton we would recommend this place 😍
Tips for Choosing the Perfect Seafood Restaurant in Menton
Selecting the right restaurant can make or break your evening, especially in a tourist-heavy town where quality can vary wildly from one street to the next. To ensure you get the freshest catch and the most authentic experience, it helps to know how the locals navigate their dining scene. Here are five essential tips to keep in mind when hunting for the ultimate seafood meal in Menton.
1. Follow the Franco-Italian Border Influence
Menton’s identity is split between two culinary giants. If you want the true taste of the region, look for menus that embrace Ligurian influences. Dishes featuring fresh basil pesto, tagliatelle with scampi, or stockfish (stoccafisso) are indicators that the kitchen respects local heritage. A restaurant that offers both a French bouillabaisse and an Italian fritto misto is usually a safe bet for high-quality seafood.
2. Check the Daily Specials Board
While online menus are helpful, the true indicator of freshness is the ardoise (chalkboard) or the verbal specials of the day. In Menton, the best seafood restaurants adjust their offerings based on what the fishermen caught that morning. If a server proudly lists "catch of the day" options like rouget (red mullet) or loup de mer (sea bass) that aren’t on the printed menu, order those. It means the fish hasn’t been frozen.
3. Be Wary of "Tourist Menu" Traps
The streets directly surrounding the Basilica and the main pedestrian thoroughfares are lined with restaurants offering multi-course deals. While convenient, these often prioritize volume over quality. For seafood, venture slightly off the main drag. Look for restaurants where the menu is smaller, more focused, and where the prices reflect the quality of the raw ingredients rather than a bargain deal.
4. Understand the "Portion" Mentality
Dining in Menton is not fast food. A proper seafood meal is meant to be lingered over. Don’t be afraid to order a starter and a main, but also consider the "primi" (first course) culture from Italy. Sometimes the best seafood in Menton is found in a pasta dish or a risotto, not just a grilled fillet. Trust the chef’s preparation method; if they suggest a whole fish baked in salt or grilled simply with lemon, take the recommendation.
5. Reserve for the View, but Verify the Food
Menton is famous for its stunning views of the Bay of Garavan and the Old Town. While a sea-view terrace is magical, the view can sometimes subsidize a mediocre kitchen. Before booking a table solely for the panorama, check recent reviews specifically mentioning the freshness of the seafood. The best scenario is finding a restaurant that offers both, but if you must choose, always prioritize the plate over the panorama.
The dining scene in Menton is a reflection of the town itself: elegant, unpretentious, and deeply connected to the sea. By seeking out the places that honor the local catch and the Italian heritage of the region, you are guaranteed a meal that tastes of the Mediterranean sun.
Whether you spend your evening at a white-tablecloth establishment in the Old Port or a breezy terrace overlooking the beach, the memory of fresh fish paired with a cold local rosé is what defines a trip to the French Riviera. Bon appétit.
