If there’s one address I often recommend when people ask me where to eat by the sea in Monaco, it’s La Note Bleue, without hesitation. Set directly on Larvotto beach, this beach restaurant has become a true Monegasque institution over the years. What I love here is the unique mix of relaxed elegance, Mediterranean cuisine and a cosmopolitan atmosphere. As soon as you sit down on the terrace facing the Mediterranean, you almost forget you’re in the heart of the Principality.

The menu celebrates sun-drenched flavours, with travel-inspired cooking, fresh produce and Mediterranean influences that show up both in the dishes and the cocktails. Whether it’s for lunch with your feet in the sand, dinner with friends or a sunset drink, La Note Bleue has that rare atmosphere that makes you want to linger into the evening. For the past few weeks, they’ve also been serving an à la carte brunch from 9am to noon, with both sweet and savoury options to enjoy.

But what makes this place even more special is its music programme. For several years now, La Note Bleue has established itself as one of the essential spots for live music lovers in Monaco. Every summer, the restaurant hosts the eagerly awaited La Note Bleue Summer Festival. Throughout June, July and August, every Wednesday and Thursday evening, artists from around the world perform in an exceptional setting just a few metres from the sea. Jazz, soul, funk, afrobeat and world music set the rhythm for summer evenings in an atmosphere that’s both chic and relaxed.

I particularly love this format, which lets you enjoy an excellent dinner while taking in a live concert. Few places in Monaco offer such a complete experience. You come for the food, you stay for the atmosphere, and you often come back for the music. To me, La Note Bleue perfectly captures the Monegasque art of living: a place where gastronomy, the sea and culture meet naturally.

Agathe’s tip: Book a front-row table for dinner on a Summer Festival evening. Arrive just before sunset, order one of their signature cocktails and let the atmosphere carry you away. It’s one of my favourite ways to enjoy a summer evening in Monaco.

Larvotto Beach – Monte-Carlo. Avenue Princesse Grace. +377 93 50 05 02 — contact@lanotebleue.mc — www.lanotebleue.mc