Culture and history are formed in layers, and much like a pastry, their refinement is what creates the “perfection”. Monaco, in all its thrilling and expensive lifestyle, creates the dream of luxury and old money, a dream that the whole world reaches for. Set against the backdrop of the Mediterranean, Monaco offers scenery and experiences that extend far beyond the imagination.
Monaco, through food
Fine dining here rewards those who are curious. Monaco has a stellar culinary reputation, accumulating 14 Michelin stars in 9 of their key establishments. The most notable being Le Louis XV by Alain Ducasse at the Hotel de Paris that has earned itself 3 stars. Chef Alain Ducasse, a Monégasque citizen, crafts an experience deeply rooted in Monegasque culture, heritage, and local flavours for those who decide to embark on the culinary experience. What makes it so different is that it piques the interest of all of your senses, with stunning interiors, glass chandeliers that hang from artisanal ceilings and a warm yet luxurious atmosphere.
From Mediterranean cooking to Marcel Ravin’s Caribbean influences in The Blue Bay, the food scene in Monaco offers a great range and creates variety in its experiences. With each dining experience, an easter egg about Monaco reveals itself.
Monaco’s culinary appeal lies in how its layers come together, and the pleasure comes in the experience of indulging in them.
At the end of a day basking in Monaco’s sun, immersing yourself in grand facades that frame the streets, and enjoying the pristine waters, where do you go?
Monaco has you covered there too.
Hotel Metropole Monte-Carlo
Hôtel Métropole Monte-Carlo adds a fashionable layer to the hotel scene. You can expect to find yourself immersed in the symphony of Jacques Garcia’s interiors and Karl Lagerfeld’s creative genius. The interior creates a layered experience of luxury through its richly decorated character, whilst outside, Karl Lagerfeld’s Odyssey pool setting creates a theatrical world of its own. An engraved glass fresco adds to the full visual experience of being placed in a mythological setting by entrenching you amidst design. The indulgence continues at Spa Metropole by Guerlain, which opened in summer 2025. Between the designer surroundings and the prospect of surrendering an afternoon to a treatment, the hotel makes a persuasive case for leaving a little space in the itinerary.
Food is a story told through every pillar of Monaco, and Le Ambassador by Christopher Cussac carries on that layered narrative. Cussac’s Mediterranean cooking follows a simple principle: three flavours per plate, allowing each ingredient space to express itself. In a destination so familiar with abundance, this restraint has its own allure. Marinated sardine with caviar and Menton lemon offers a glimpse of the approach, bringing Cussac’s expertise and simple gastronomic principles to light.
Hotel Hermitage
Hôtel Hermitage Monte-Carlo invites you to linger.
The recently refurbished Diamond suites redefine what it means to be luxurious in a historical setting. It features layers of soft colours, botanicals embedded, and stellar patios overlooking scenes that can only be described as “breathtaking”. Priding itself on its family-friendliness, the hotel also focuses on creating engaging experiences for all members of the family. For the kids, a large plethora of kids’ club activities and a personalised room setting based on the little guest attending. For the parents, you can engage in wellness experiences like the renewed Thermas Marins – including the spa, sauna, yoga classes and much more to ensure you can really relax. Downstairs, another reason to stay a while: the new bar sits beneath the Winter Garden dome, with a planted terrace made for conversations.
Here, Monaco’s grand hotel tradition continues at a wonderfully unhurried pace.
The Sweetest Layer
Saving the best for its very own section.
Hotel Metropole and Hermitage offer desserts that make your last memory of a meal a fond one. At Hôtel Métropole Monte-Carlo, pastry chef Patrick Mesiano’s dessert trolley makes choosing just one dessert a rather ambitious undertaking. What stands out is his signature Menton lemon tartlet, paired with a decadent basil sorbet. Mesiano is able to craft an experience through the flavours of citrus and herbs, bringing freshness to the final course.
At Hôtel Hermitage Monte-Carlo’s Le Limùn, Nicolas Baygourry draws on honey from the hotel’s own hives for a signature dessert with a story beyond the plate. Each offers a different perspective of the region, revealing another layer of Monaco through carefully balanced flavours and delicate textures. The temptation is to admire the craftsmanship; the greater temptation, naturally, is to reach for a spoon.
From Garden to Plate
Just like the food you eat takes you on a journey, the food goes through a journey of its own before reaching its final destination, your plate. Hotel Hermitage brings traditional and local flavours from the roots of its gardens and the nearby hills in Beausoleil, and throughout he process of permaculture, Pavyllon at Hotel Hermitage is able to bring you dishes that are not only tantalising to the taste buds, but a step forward in conscientious, sustainable food practices. Its seasonal produce supplies Pavyllon Monte-Carlo exclusively, connecting the restaurant to the landscape beyond its windows. So, just like every dish, each ingredient has a story of its own, a microcosm for the stories that make up Monaco.
Monaco reveals itself in layers, from the grand façades that first catch your eye to the quieter stories behind each plate. A hillside garden, a carefully prepared dessert, and the people welcoming you to the table all become part of the experience. Take your time, leave room for something sweet, and allow curiosity to guide you. Much like a beautifully made pastry, the pleasure comes from discovering how every layer brings something different to the whole.
Find out more at www.visitmonaco.com
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All images courtesy of Visit Monaco and Hotel Hermitage