Ultimate Guide To Where To Go, Eat & Party in Cannes
Cannes, the glamorous home of the world-famous film festival, is the glittering jewel in the crown of the Côte d’Azur. The English aristocracy stumbled upon this holiday hotspot in the 1830s and the rest, as they say, is history. Although the Festival de Cannes only lasts ten days, the town’s characteristic glamour remains all year round. Flanked by beaches and one of the finest promenades in Europe, this is an idyllic, sun-drenched haven for those seeking relaxation or those looking for places to party.
Here is our pick of the best places in Cannes:
BEACH RESTAURANTS
La Guérite
The private beach of La Guérite is a paradise whose breathtaking view of the Bay of Cannes seduces travellers accustomed to exceptional places. Located under the royal fortress of Sainte-Marguerite Island, La Guerite is a refuge for the international elite for a day of relaxation in the unique setting of the Island of the Man in the Iron Mask. Looking for an escape from reality? La Guérite restaurant will sweep you off your feet Enjoy the ride and the view of Cannes on a private boat provided by the restaurant, you will arrive breathless and dishevelled! Glorious sunny days and glamorous people, the epitome of the French Riviera living in St-Tropez! The picturesque golden, warm sand and gently swaying palm trees are a Mediterranean dream come true.
La Môme
A stone’s throw from the Palais des Festivals, on the Boulevard de la Croisette, La Môme Plage takes you back to the world of boating and the glory years of the French Riviera. With a refined décor inspired by the mythical Aquarama boat from Riva, everything has been designed to literally transport guests to this glamorous retro era. The elegant, lively beach restaurant offers Mediterranean, Greek and Italian-inspired cuisine with a Japanese twist. And the best part? You can get cosy on a sun lounger while sipping cool rosé and swimming in the warm turquoise sea.
La Plage du Martinez
The Martinez is a legendary hotel on the Croisette, built in the late 1920s. Its private beach remains the place to see and be seen in Cannes. The dazzling décor in the “signature” colours of white and blue, complemented by subtle wooden accents, creates a true Mediterranean atmosphere. Unique cocktails and original cuisine combined with catchy musical performances guarantee an unforgettable emotional experience, one of the highlights of a day spent enjoying the relaxed Riviera lifestyle at this iconic luxury hotel. Under the sun of the Côte d’Azur, caressed by a light breeze gently caressing the palm trees, from early morning to sunset, enjoy unique experiences at La Plage du Martinez.
DINNER IN CANNES
La Petite Maison
Nestled in the heart of Cannes’ legendary Palm Beach, La Petite Maison Cannes offers panoramic views from Cap d’Antibes to the Lérins Islands. It is a contemporary design restaurant celebrating and sharing simple but fresh and light French Mediterranean and Niçoise cuisine. The authentic cuisine of La Petite Maison Cannes blends perfectly with the ambience, reminiscent of the Côte d’Azur, framed by a bright colour palette with accents of fine linen and marble. A unique place where the Mediterranean is at the heart of the concept, from the design to the dishes. Refined for a moment, sometimes quirky and eccentric, elegance and attention to detail are combined to perfection here. The soul of La Petite Maison Cannes is warmth, joy, hospitality, togetherness and a real sense of family.
Medusa
The birth of a unique concept in Cannes. The famous and mythical Palm Beach in Cannes, built in the 1930s, is being transformed to become once again this essential, attractive place where the international jet set has been staying since its creation. The Palm Beach is a change of scenery, but not a change of soul; it is a place where first-class entertainment and unforgettable evenings are paramount. This emblematic setting has been home to the Cabaret Medusa restaurant since 2018. The name “Medusa” is a tribute to the Greek myth, the ultimate femme fatale who embodies the power of the feminine and the power of the gaze. Not a false note, more than eighty years later the score is being played again. What is the secret of Medusa? The fusion of different approaches into a unique and exclusive format, shaking up the restaurant scene in Cannes by offering a multi-sensory experience that combines culinary creations with dazzling cabaret.
Luigi
Introducing a private cocktail lounge with spectacular live music in the heart of Cannes. One of the Riviera’s most confidential addresses is now restored to its former glory. Here, the heart of Italy beats every evening, pulsating to the beat of the piano’s jazz rhythms through the Lalique glasses, the expertly restored Riva wood bar and the luminous ceiling. The Piano Bar is the perfect place to experience a lively programme of interactive live music shows centred around the house’s biggest star, the grand piano. Sensational performances brought to life every night by leading artists. The romance and elegance of this cosy place also extends to the menu, which offers an opus of refined flavours. At Luigi, cocktails, Italian dishes and a piano bar go hand in hand.
La Môme
Perfectly located in the heart of Cannes between Rue d’Antibes and La Croisette, not far from the Palais des Festivals, La Môme restaurant welcomes you in a chic and relaxed atmosphere. The restaurant’s name refers to Môme Moineau, aka Lucienne Suzanne Vreurick, a singer from Montmartre in the 1920s who became a fixture in Cannes life with her great parties on her boat. A whiff of the Roaring Twenties is in the air of this charming Riviera eatery, especially when the evenings are prolonged to the sounds of DJ by La Môme. The restaurant’s terrace benefits from the quietness of this car-free street. The refined cuisine, the atmosphere of the restaurant enhanced by a live concert ( DJ ) and the chic interior design make this restaurant one of the best places in Cannes to dine.
Annex Beach
In the splendour of the mythical Croisette, at the foot of the legendary Carlton and inspired by the Borromean Islands Palac cave, the Annex Plage restaurant invites you to enjoy a bright, zen ambience and a warm atmosphere. A hotspot for hedonists on the Riviera, the Annex Restaurant offers a unique concept that combines the true charm of the sea with the cosmopolitan appeal of this truly international place. The refined decoration, combining tropical wood, stainless steel and glass, offers you the opportunity to spend a moment of pure relaxation with your feet in the water. The private beach is a unique place that will satisfy your every desire with the quality of its service and its warm welcome. In the shade on the terrace, on the beach or in the evening by the light of the torches, the chef prepares cuisine with Mediterranean charm before your eyes, offering guests a truly unforgettable experience in a very special setting. Spend a whole day here and you will want to come back again and again.
NIGHTLIFE IN CANNES
Baôli
In the heart of Port Canto, Baôli is a festive venue overlooking Cannes Bay. Chic and cosy at dinnertime, this charming venue transforms into a temple of the night as the evening progresses, to furious rhythms and a convivial atmosphere among the stars and the international jet set, where dancing and entertainment reign. Every evening, under the palm trees and the sound of the waves, the two chefs of Le Bâoli mix Mediterranean and Asian cuisine to offer a delicious discovery. A unique place where magic happens every evening thanks to a charged atmosphere and the presence of international DJs during conferences. The ideal place for an evening out in Cannes.
Gotha Club
Overlooking the bay of Cannes, within the boundaries of the prestigious Palm Beach, the Gotha offers an ideal location with direct access to the sea, wide spaces and breathtaking views. It is a unique and exclusive nightclub that hosts various sophisticated events and has its own original concept of pleasure by mixing two worlds: the classic nightclub and live entertainment. Open only in May during the film festival and then again in July and August, this club is a hot tip at DJ. Combining some of the hottest names on the music scene with a spectacular setting, Gotha is a glitzy VIP favourite. Partygoers let loose on the dance floor or in the squares of VIP, and Dom Pérignon gently accompanies the most memorable evenings on the French Riviera. The door policy is strict: no boys without girls and only fabulous-looking people.
DRINK WITH A VIEW
Cloud nine by Baôli
Restaurant, bar and club, the Bâoli is an unmissable spot in Cannes. What’s more, many stars have passed through the doors of the establishment: Leonardo Di Caprio, Cameron Diaz, Beyoncé , Rosario Dawson, The Black Eyed Peas… And right here on the roof of the festival temple on the Côte d’Azur, you’ll find the wildest rooftop in Cannes. At Cloud Nine, not only is the view of the Bay of Cannes, the Lérins Islands and the Esterel massif magnificent, but the atmosphere is warm all summer long. The luxurious comfort of the terrace is underlined by an exotic and elegant design, and this is a great place to discover the city of festivals from above.
