A taste of Monaco, discover here
Monaco boasts a cuisine all its own: a flavourful fusion of southern French (especially Provençal and Niçoise) and Italian. The Mediterranean Sea also has a strong influence on Monaco’s palate, offering a variety of fish.
For traditional Monegasque dishes, those “in-the-know” choose restaurants located in Monaco’s Old Town near the Prince’s Palace: Castleroc – a firm favourite of locals and visitors for traditional fare or the hip and cosy restaurant La Montgolfière, Henri Geraci.
Tempting examples of Monégasque cuisine
- Barbajuan, a crisp, baked or fried puff pastry treat filled with Swiss chard, ricotta, leeks, garlic and herbs, usually served as an appetizer;
- Fougasse, a small, sweet bread flavoured with oranges and decorated with nuts, raisins and anise can usually be found in the local bakeries;
- Swiss Chard Pie, two layers of pastry filled with a mixture of Swiss chard blette, parmesan cheese, parsley, eggs, onions, and rice;
- Pissaladière, originally from Nice, the Monégasque version is a pie topped with onions, tomatoes and olives;
- Socca, a thin pancake made from chick-pea flour and olive oil usually sold by street vendors and best eaten while hot;
- Stocafi, a dish of dried cod, stewed in tomato sauce and flavored with black olives and small vegetables is a local delicacy;
- Stuffed Zucchini Flowers, Truffle and Foie Gras Torte and Provençal-style Artichokes braised in wine with olive oil are other Monégasque favourites.
DID YOU KNOW?
- MONACO HAS ITS OWN ORGANIC CRAFT BEER The Brasserie de Monaco, located on Monaco’s harbour, is a 999 litres boutique brewery with an entirely automated brewing system that takes the brew master’s hand selected organic malts to produce an authentic local beer.
- THE WORLD-FAMOUS WINE CELLARS LOCATED UNDERNEATH THE HOTEL DE PARIS USED TO FEATUREA HIDDEN ROOM During WWII, the secret room stored 20,000 wine bottles, the hotel’s silverware and fortunes of some of the guests!
- THE CRÊPE SUZETTE WAS BORN IN MONACO The legend says that, in 1896, Chef Henri Charpentier of the Café de Paris had the idea of serving crêpes with Grand Marnier and orange juice to the future King of England, Edward VII. The crêpes caught fire inadvertently. He served them to the Prince who found them delicious and decided to give them the name of his young guest: Suzette.
- MONEGASQUE HONEY : It has a very specific honey flavour because there are many "succulent" cactus in the Principality and It is as well a honey between land and sea.
- MONEGASQUE OLIVES: The oldest olive tree on the French Riviera is in Monaco.
Many associate Monaco with glitz and glamour but what might not be so well-known is that this sparkling Principality is home to a range of local gourmet experiences to suit every taste and budget. Every corner of Monaco is positively brimming with places that use local traditions to offer a real, authentic taste of the Principality.
For a meal to remember, treat yourself to one of the best Michelin-starred restaurants in Monaco. From innovative tasting menus to breathtaking interiors, Monaco is any food traveller’s dream come true. Six different restaurants in the Principality share no fewer than nine Michelin stars between them, for the ultimate lunch or dinner experience.
Monaco’s restaurant scene never sleeps and the Principality constantly brims with innovative new dining concepts. From big-name chefs to local eateries, there is always a new restaurant to check out in the dynamic Principality.
By France.fr
The magazine of the destination unravels an unexpected France that revisits tradition and cultivates creativity. A France far beyond what you can imagine…
