Hôtel Saint-Vincent

Picture a luxury hotel set amidst pine trees in the picturesque Gulf of Saint Tropez - an idyllic scene for knockout food. Dedicated and demanding, chef Arnaud Donckele pays a vibrant tribute to this sun-drenched landscape. He starts with a painstaking study of the local fish in a bid to devise recipes that reveal the full scope of each species’ nuances, textures and tastes in a range of compositions that are infinitely varied. Each ingredient is of course flawlessly crafted, but the chef’s strong suit is undeniably sauces, referred to as “ephemeral” or “velvety”, and which are both big boned

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

La Terrasse steps in at lunchtime as the restaurant of Le Cheval Blanc hotel. In the shade of umbrella pines, looking out over the Bay of Saint Tropez, Arnaud Donckele and his team conjure up Mediterranean cuisine drawing on distinct Provençal influences. The premium-quality ingredients are prepared with a great sense of finesse and rigour: porcini tarte fine; lobster tail grilled in its shell, lobster roe sabayon; rabbit pie, sweetbreads and foie gras. Outstanding and wide-ranging selection of wines. The quintessence of French art de vivre…

Idyllically set on the legendary Pampelonne beach, this Mediterranean garden-terrace, dominated by wood and plants, lives up to its promise. An exquisite setting overlooking the sea, a luxury interior with silverware and Vallauris tableware, a large number of attentive staff, valet parking on arrival and even DJ nights. Devised by Jean-François Piège, the menu focuses on summer and Provençal dishes, as well as Italian specialities: local tromboncino with a tonnato and parmesan sauce; barbecued fish fillet with tangy sabayon; garden verbena ice cream.

This is Saint Tropez’ delightful take on the beef bar concept that is gaining traction around the world. A stunning terrace overlooking the hotel pool allows red meat lovers and fans of exotic flavours to sample outstanding cuts of meat (wagyu and Black Angus beef), as well as dishes of South American and Asian origin.

On the Plage de Pampelonne, this beachside restaurant was designed with sustainability in mind and; a picture-perfect vision of sanded wood and cotton awnings, it is a must! On the menu: delicious fish, meat from the wood-fired grill and highly popular pasta dishes – to be enjoyed with your toes in the sand and eyes on the waves lapping at the shore.

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.