Palais des Princes — Restaurant in Nice

Tl;Dr: obnoxiously garlicky, questionable food. Avoid the escargots, if you cannot avoid the place entirely.

Let me preface with this: we were a party of 5 for lunch yesterday, and we ate pretty much everything that was brought out because 1) we were very hungry and 2) my friend in particular is used to eating a lot of questionable food, and loathes food waste - what we left, he hoovered up, even if he had trouble digesting it. We did tell the waiter we didn't like the stockfish (more on that later). In better detail: we wandered in for lunch, this is a hole in the wall place in a small alley. Place was empty, stayed empty until we left. A sign outside advertised a tasting menu for 30 euro. We were told it was only available on reservation and for 8+ people. Understandable. The rest of the menu was confusing, we found it hard to understand what was offered and how much it cost. We did order 5 entrees and a broche. Sad to report that my stockfish entree smelled very badly, which could be attributed to the cheese topping, not necessarily to the fish itself, which was inoffensive, but not good. The rice and the fish of the broche I'm told were all good. The escargots weren't great. The stuffed squids were absolutely chock full of garlic and some are still burping it now as I type. The rest of the party enjoyed the meal well enough but complained of difficult digestion; I'm okay after 24 hours (the much maligned stockfish was not as noxious as the other food, apparently) but my husband got sick a few hours after lunch and is still exhibiting food poisoning symptoms (he ate half of the escargots). The waiter was very kind and tried to be helpful (our french is lamentably bad and the baffling menu was challenging), so I have nothing but praise for that, but the food was very disappointing and it kind of ruined our day(s), so...

A truly unforgettable experience – one of the best meals we had in Menton

This was more than just a dinner – it felt like being invited into someone’s home. The entire restaurant is run by a single person: an older gentleman who cooks, serves, hosts, and chats with guests – and somehow does it all with effortless charm.

The food is deeply local, hearty, and full of soul. We had the sharing menu and were honestly blown away by the variety and generosity. The starter platter alone had around seven different components, followed by an impressive fire-grilled roulette of skewers (both delicious and a bit theatrical), then a large plate with more surprises, a beautifully curated cheese selection with four kinds of cheese, and finally a lemon sabayon – a perfect nod to Menton’s famous citrus.

But what really made the evening special were the little touches. After dinner, we were served a homemade fruit-and-herb schnapps – and then another, and another, and another… in the end, we tried five different kinds! Each one unique and creative, clearly made with care and pride.

The décor is… let’s say eclectic. A bit mismatched, a bit quirky – but it only added to the charm. You can tell that everything here reflects the personality and taste of the owner, and that made the atmosphere feel all the more authentic.

All in all, this was one of our most memorable meals in Menton – not only for the food, but for the heart and hospitality behind it. A true hidden gem and an experience we’ll talk about for...

Dining at Palais des Princes was a truly unforgettable experience – without a doubt one of the best meals we had in Menton. What makes it so special is not just the exceptional food, but Christian himself: the chef, host, and heart of the restaurant. He does everything single-handedly, and his passion shines through in every detail, from the carefully crafted dishes to the warm, personal welcome.

Christian takes the time to share his love for food and flavour, guiding you through each course (with a theatrical twist) and even introducing you to his excellent homemade alcohols with infectious enthusiasm. It’s a celebration of genuine hospitality - a true Mentonais experience.

We had a wonderful time at this hidden gem, and would return in...