Where to drink Champagne in Monaco?
Monaco is one of those places where Champagne feels completely at home. With its luxury hotels, fine-dining restaurants, beach clubs and glamorous nightlife, Champagne is part of the landscape rather than something you only order for a special occasion.
The obvious starting point is Monte-Carlo, but there’s more to Monaco than the casino area. You can have Champagne overlooking the Mediterranean, stop for a glass between shopping and sightseeing, or make a bottle part of a long dinner.
Champagne with a Mediterranean view
Monaco is tiny, which makes it easy to combine several very different settings in one day. Start around Casino de Monte-Carlo, wander through the streets of Monte-Carlo, head towards the harbour and finish somewhere overlooking the Mediterranean.
The sea also has a big influence on what you’ll find on the plate. Oysters, seafood, fish and Mediterranean vegetables all make natural companions for Champagne, particularly when you’re sitting outside with the sea in front of you.
And if you’re staying for dinner, Monaco is a good place to explore French and Mediterranean cooking side by side. The food can be decidedly luxurious, but you’ll also find plenty of simpler Mediterranean flavours if you look beyond the grand hotels.
Monaco beyond the Champagne
The obvious Monaco experience is Monte-Carlo, but it’s worth giving yourself time to explore the rest of the principality too.
Walk through Monaco-Ville, the old town on the Rock, visit the Oceanographic Museum, wander around Port Hercule or head towards Larvotto for the Mediterranean atmosphere.
And if you’re here during the Monaco Grand Prix, the whole place becomes a different beast. Hotels, restaurants and bars get exceptionally busy, prices rise and reservations become much more important. If Champagne is part of your plans during race weekend, book ahead rather than hoping to find a table on the day.
Good to know
Monaco is very easy to combine with the rest of the Riviera. Nice is only a short train ride away, so you don’t necessarily need to stay in Monaco to enjoy it. You can spend a day exploring Monte-Carlo, have your Champagne, watch the sunset over the Mediterranean and head back to Nice in the evening.
That also makes Monaco interesting for Champagne Hunters who want to explore the area without paying Monaco prices for every meal and hotel night.