Villa Esmeralda

Located in the courtyard of a building that once housed the village doctors and is now the White 1921 Saint-Tropez hotel, this seasonal, open-air restaurant is further testament to the talent of the Arnaud Donckele/Maxime Frédéric duo, here in association with the luxury brand, the monogram of which is emblazoned on everything down to the desserts. The ingredients are chosen with the same rigour as at La Vague d'Or, and presented in delicate, generous dishes (red mullet, bottarga, vegetable rouille with orange wine) enhanced by the robust sauces and jus. The delicate desserts – such as peach a

This emblematic Saint-Tropez establishment stands looking out to sea in the neighbourhood of the same name. Their Mediterranean cuisine showcases the catch of the day and local vegetables, not to mention premium meat. On this particular day, the menu featured green courgette gazpacho, the flower stuffed with feta and lemon balm; roast veal chump, creamy butter beans and jus à la provençale; and for dessert, a light lemon and basil cream, crunchy meringue and chestnut crumble.

Le Patio is part of the hotel Le Yaca and is a stone's throw from the hustle and bustle of the port. It proposes flavoursome and refined Italian cuisine that is much indebted to excellent ingredients imported directly from Italy. The meal is even more pleasant when you are seated on the shady terrace alongside the pool.

Tucked away in a pedestrian street behind the marina, this bistro was opened by two friends who are familiar faces around the Gulf of Saint Tropez and connoisseurs of its top restaurants. The chef honed his skills at Fréchon, after a stint in Grimaud; front of house, cordial and meticulous service comes courtesy of a pro from the local scene. The capacity of the cosy little space has been significantly increased by the addition of a terrace; music from the 1970s-90s, especially chanson française, makes up the soundtrack. Expect generous and discerning bistronomy cuisine. The dishes change with

In this restaurant in the village port, Eric Frechon devises the menu, and the sea does the rest. Enjoy a new take on flavoursome Mediterranean cuisine, as you bury your feet in the sand overlooking the yachts, ever a subject of conversation. On summer evenings, a DJ provides the soundtrack, as is the norm in Saint-Tropez! Attentive service despite the bustle.

Behind the Place des Lices, the legendary Byblos hotel is home to this Italian gem, set opposite the swimming pool beneath a pergola covered in a profusion of greenery. The chef draws on the palace hotel's permaculture vegetable garden to create elegant Italian cuisine: flavoursome antipasti, house-made pasta, timeless classics (cotoletta milanese, paccheri carbonara) and refined creations such as saltimbocca of red mullet. The service is impeccable, thanks to unwavering attention to detail. The epitome of Saint-Tropez dolce farniente.

Timeless Saint Tropez remains as legendary as ever – this outdoor restaurant perched on the roof terrace of the fabled hotel is further proof of that. Gazing out over the bay and the tiled roofs of the village, you can savour cuisine inspired by the Mediterranean and Provence.