Leone Restaurant Menton — Restaurant in Nice

During our walks through Menton, the small town with a Mediterranean charm and a hint of citrus in the air, we discovered Leone Restaurant — a corner of Italy brought right to the seaside. This place promises more than just a meal – it’s an experience where flavors, fresh ingredients, and impeccable presentation make all the difference. We missed it twice for objective reasons, but the third time was the charm — and the dinner was truly worth the wait: Leone Restaurant – Italian flavor in the heart of Menton.

Opened in 2010, the restaurant is warm and welcoming, with an elegant yet unpretentious décor, perfect for enjoying a relaxing dinner. The terrace, overlooking the historic center and its picturesque streets, gives you the feeling of being in a little Italian oasis right in France.

Leone Restaurant is located by the sea, on a pedestrian street that adds even more magic to the atmosphere. It’s divided into three areas: the indoor dining room, the terrace, and the garden — where you can dine both in summer and winter, under the sun, surrounded by the palm trees of the French Riviera.

Authentic flavors

At Leone, Chef Paolo Leone transforms pasta, beef, and seafood into true stars of the plate, creating authentic Italian flavors that make you want to return again and again.

We were welcomed with a fluffy focaccia, golden on the outside and soft inside, sprinkled with roasted tomatoes that add natural sweetness and a touch of freshness — the perfect start to dinner at Leone Restaurant.

We tried the Duo di Polpo alla griglia, a festival of Mediterranean aromas: tender grilled octopus paired with fresh, crisp, lightly caramelized vegetables that bring color and brightness to the dish. Every bite is an explosion of flavor — marine, savory, and with a subtle smoky note from the grill — a dish that instantly transports you to authentic Italian cuisine, right on the shores of the Mediterranean.

From the pasta section, we chose Pennoni con crema di funghi e speck affumicato – a dish that blends rustic charm with Italian refinement. The pennoni pasta, perfectly al dente, nestles in a creamy mushroom sauce, while thin slices of smoked speck add depth and a gently salty, aromatic touch. Each bite is a perfect balance between earthy flavor and the delicate smokiness of the meat — a simple yet memorable combination that makes you close your eyes and savor the taste.

Also from the pasta selection, we tried Tagliolini con Vongole Veraci – a dish where every bite brings the freshness of the sea straight to your plate. The fresh, delicate pasta pairs beautifully with the juicy, flavorful clams, while the light sauce of olive oil, garlic, and white wine ties everything together in perfect harmony. Each mouthful is an explosion of freshness and authentic Italian flavor — a dish that makes you feel the Mediterranean breeze with every bite.

The Leone experience

Every visit to Leone Restaurant is a reason to smile: friendly service, attention to detail, and a relaxed atmosphere make the food only part of the joy. Here, time seems to slow down, and you can focus solely on savoring every dish and enjoying the company of those you love.

Leone – Ristorante Italiano Menton is not just a place to eat well — it’s a culinary landmark in the city, where Italian tradition and the freshness of ingredients come together to create a true...

I had a disappointing experience at Leone Restaurant in Menton on 1/4/2024. Despite the good ratings and recommendations, my friends and I were let down. We ordered 4 lobster spaghetti dishes (€36 each) expecting whole lobsters, but they were not as advertised. The lobster was not fresh, not chewy, and had an unpleasant smell. Additionally, the pasta in both the lobster and clam dishes was overcooked and had a bad texture. When we expressed our concerns to the staff, they were unapologetic and even showed us a lifeless lobster as if to prove its freshness. The only gesture made was a complimentary clam pasta, which was not enough to make up for the overall disappointing experience. We felt the staff's attitude was rude, and considering the price, the meal was not worth it. I would have preferred dining at McDonald's instead. This was the worst experience of my trip and it truly...

It is one of the worthiest place I ever visited. Service and Food is awful. We tried all dishes from the meat(lamb, steak, sausages), 2 types of pasta, tiramisu... All was badly cooked, they don't feel differance between rare and medium.... Only fish with langoustine was OK. We ordered an aperol and the waiter brought glaces for us and people on the other table... And they had huge glaces and we had small... Inspiré of the fact that the day ago we had a dinner there and paid for everything what we could not eat because it wasn't eatable. So we came back asked to give a chance for them and now my friend is a toilet because I feel sick!! Probably the stuff don't want to show themselves from a good side when they see a tourists. So if you are a tourist DO NOT GO TO THESE RESTAURANT, IN OTHER CASE YOU WE HAVE A BAD MOOD AND...