St Tropez, undeniably, sits on the crest of the Côte d’Azur’s popularity. A former fishing village, St Tropez has always been popular with writers, poets and artists but it was firmly stamped on the map after a certain Mademoiselle named Brigitte Bardot arrived in town to film ‘And God Created Woman’ in 1956.
Today in St Tropez, the jetset mingle with sun-beaten tourists along cobbled streets with tumbling bougainvillea and enjoy the quayside atmosphere on Quai Jean Jaurès where fishing boats with weathered paintwork berth beside gleaming superyachts.
Dining out in St Tropez
St Tropez is blessed with cosy bistros and top eateries that take advantage of southern France’s abundance of farm produce, aromatic herbs and ocean-fresh seafood. You’ll likely find menus offering Provençal dishes like oven-roasted artichokes layered with goats cheese and thyme honey, duck breast with caramelised figs and sautéed cuttlefish with saffron mayonnaise.
Food and wine are unrivalled in a town that throbs with people during warm months, and you’ll be pleasantly surprised that once you scratch under the surface there is more to dining out in St Tropez than a smattering of Michelin stars and beachside champagne service.
Here are Bespoke Yacht Charter’s recommendations for the Top 3 Restaurants in St Tropez for food and ambience:
1. La Vague d’Or
The setting overlooking the Gulf of St Tropez with a terrace fringed by pine trees is worth the reservation alone, however the location is secondary to the fact that the service staff are exceptional and wine is well matched to the inventive and artful food.
Tasting menus from Chef Arnaud Donckele – who trained under Alain Ducasse – are comprised of culinary delights such as oysters with cardamom mousse, poached sea bass with caviar and lime cress and bacon wrapped saddle of rabbit.
Reservations necessary; take your credit card as prices reflect the three Michelin stars.
Address : Résidence de la Pinède, Plage de la Bouillabaisse, 83990 Saint-Tropez, France
Telephone: +33 (0)4 94 55 91 00
www.chevalblanc.com/fr/maison/st-tropez/restaurants-et-bars/la-vague-d-or-st-tropez/
2. The Strand
Located below the St Tropez Citadelle, The Strand offers a piece of humble pie in a town famous for frivolity and flashiness.
Chic and romantic, we recommend reserving a table on the candlelit patio where you can choose from an enticing menu featuring dishes such as asparagus topped with poached egg and truffles, codfish carpaccio marinated with pink grapefruit, and breaded veal cutlet with chanterelles mushrooms.
Accompany your meal with fine champagnes or French wines and don’t miss ordering the Nutella mousse for dessert.
Address : 2 rue du Petit Bal, 83990 Saint-Tropez, France
Telephone: +33 (0)4 94 97 43 22 0
3. Le Dit Vin
Located a short stroll from the port, the Tourist Office and Saint Tropez’s parish church Église Paroissiale, Le Dit Vin should be on your dining map if you’re looking for an establishment offering a warm welcome and serving good food crafted with local ingredients.
Without an ounce of pretentiousness, owners Katia and Bruno have created a slice of Saint-Tropez that will leave lasting culinary memories. The menu includes tapas and a la carte dishes such as homemade foie gras and risotto with burrata and truffles.
Open for lunch and dinner, enjoy an apéritif at the bar overlooking the alley, then head for an upstairs table where the open rooftop in summer months allows you to stargaze above the terracotta roof tiles.
Address : 7 rue de la Citadelle, 83990 Saint-Tropez, France
Telephone: +33 (0)4 94 97 10 11
www.facebook.com/leditvin83990
It was a difficult task deciding on our choice of the Top 3 Restaurants in St Tropez so Bespoke Yacht Charter also give special kudos to these other notable mentions:
Best for coffee and people watching: Le Sporting at Place des Lices – head there on a Tuesday or Saturday where you can watch the market and the boules playing locals from the terrace.
Best for seafood: Le Girelier – located on Quai Jean Jaurès, make a reservation for a portside table and order their bouillabaisse.
Best for beach service: Bypass Nikki Beach St Tropez or Club 55 and make a beeline for Cap 21 Les Murènes at Pampelonne Beach where you can enjoy a relaxed atmosphere as you sample seafood specialities like squid á la Provençale.
This article was written by Rebecca Whitlocke, who with over 10 years travel industry experience loves to share ‘must-do’ destination tips and hidden spots to discover in France and beyond.
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