Your Michelin guide to the Mediterranean: Dining, wine and culinary experiences by superyacht

Monaco and the French Riviera

Historic hilltop villages, award-winning vineyards, picture-perfect landscapes, and gourmet cuisine – the South of France has it all. Included in its many accolades are over 41 Michelin-starred restaurants, a handful of which have been awarded the legendary and extremely rare three-star Michelin rating.

Counting Monaco in the mix adds another nine stars, among which is the revered culinary master Alain Ducasse, whose restaurant Le Louis XV is a firm favourite with the yachting crowd. Holding the highly coveted three Michelin stars, Le Louis XV also holds the title of the first hotel restaurant to ever achieve such an honour. Elsewhere for some Monaco fine dining, Robuchon Monaco has been awarded a Michelin star just one year after opening.

In total, eight restaurants across Monaco and the French Riviera have earned their first Michelin stars this year. Some of the new Riviera Michelin restaurants joining this prestigious culinary club include Auberge de la Roche in the heart of the Mercantour National Park, serving daily market produce alongside spectacular mountain views, while Restaurant Épicentre in Nice is the product of chef Selim M’Nasri who trained at Blue Bay in Monaco under revered chef Marcel Ravin.

Italy

The Amalfi Coast continues to cement its reputation as one of Italy’s most exciting culinary destinations. In the latest Michelin Guide, Campania retained its position as Italy’s second most-starred region, with Quattro Passi maintaining its coveted three Michelin stars and George Restaurant remaining among the region’s distinguished two-star establishments.

The coast is also home to a collection of exceptional one-star restaurants, including Bluh Furore at the Furore Grand Hotel, where chef Vincenzo Russo’s contemporary interpretation of Campanian cuisine continues to earn acclaim. It sits alongside some of the region’s most celebrated dining destinations, including the nearby Il Refettorio at the former Monastero Santa Rosa, making this stretch of coastline a must-visit for food lovers.

Greece

Greek cuisine is renowned for its rich flavours, fresh ingredients, and diverse regional influences. Before embarking on a cruise through the Aegean waters, spend some time in the Greek capital Athens – one of the most exciting new culinary destinations in the Mediterranean. 

Offering a range of dining experiences from traditional tavernas to innovative modern cuisine, the city is blessed with a constellation of 12 Michelin-stars. The firm favourite continues to be the two Michelin star Delta, where executive chef George Papazacharias showcases his creative cuisine with a 12-course tasting menu focusing on local, seasonal produce.

For contemporary-style Greek cuisine beneath the stars while admiring the incredible Parthenon backdrop, head to Hytra. Alternatively, escape the hustle and bustle of the city and head south to the Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel which is home to the one Michelin star restaurant Pelagos. Sample tasting menus that take inspiration from the fertile farmlands and waters lapping the shores of nearby islands – giving you a taste of what’s to come as you cruise the Greek archipelagos.

Spain and the Balearics

Those embarking on a gourmet charter through the Spanish Balearic Islands are in for a treat. Mallorca remains one of Spain’s premier culinary destinations, home to an impressive collection of Michelin-starred restaurants, including the two-starred VORO at Cap Vermell Grand Hotel. Across the archipelago, chefs continue to champion local ingredients and Mediterranean flavours through increasingly innovative dining experiences.

Among the standout Mallorca restaurants is Sa Clastra, located on the Castell Son Claret estate, where Chef Jordi Cantó’s creative cuisine continues to hold its Michelin star. Over on Ibiza, diners can enjoy the island’s trio of Michelin-starred restaurants: La Gaia, Omakase by Walt and UNIC. The latter two, both recent additions to the guide, have quickly established themselves as essential reservations, with Omakase by Walt offering an intimate Japanese dining experience and Chef David Grussaute's UNIC showcasing imaginative tasting menus inspired by the island’s produce and traditions.

French Riviera Rosé wines

No Mediterranean wine list feels complete without a Provence rosé. While the French Riviera is synonymous with elegant, pale rosés that pair effortlessly with long lunches on deck and freshly caught seafood, there is also something to be said for looking beyond the obvious choices. As Max notes, some of the Mediterranean's most exciting wines are those that remain 'refreshingly different – and always delicious.' Whether enjoyed at anchor off Saint-Tropez or during a sunset cruise along the Côte d'Azur, a well-chilled French Riviera rosé remains the quintessential charter companion.

Italian coastal wines

For aperitivo hour, Max recommends looking beyond Champagne to Franciacorta, Italy's answer to the world's most famous sparkling wine. 'The region of Franciacorta continues to fly under the radar and is considered Italy's answer to Champagne.' Produced in Lombardy using the traditional method, Franciacorta tends to be 'drier, softer and fruitier than Champagne', making it an ideal choice for warm Mediterranean afternoons on deck. Max recommends Bellavista Vittorio Moretti Riserva Extra Brut and Ca' del Bosco Annamaria Clementi.

Further south, Sicily has emerged as one of Italy's most exciting wine regions: 'Sicily has been steadily building a reputation as a wine region and now is easily on a par with some of its more famous mainland cousins.'

Volcanic vineyards on the slopes of Mount Etna produce elegant wines from Nerello Mascalese, while the warmer climate of Cerasuolo di Vittoria creates reds with greater structure and depth. Producers such as Passopisciaro and Frank Cornelissen have helped transform Sicily into a must-visit destination for wine lovers.

Spanish and Balearic wines

When cruising Spain and the Balearics, Albariño is a natural choice. Produced in Galicia's Rías Baixas region, these vibrant whites combine bright citrus flavours with a subtle saline character that reflects their maritime origins.

As Max explains: 'The influence of the Atlantic Ocean lends Albariño a slight salinity on the palate, establishing its reputation as the ultimate accompaniment to seafood.'

Their freshness and versatility make them ideal for everything from a beach picnic in Formentera to a seafood lunch at anchor off Mallorca. Max's recommendations include Leirana Finca Genoveva and Pazo Señorans.

Wines from the Greek Islands

The Greek Islands have some of the Mediterranean's oldest winemaking traditions, with volcanic soils and maritime climates producing distinctive wines that are perfectly suited to life by the sea. Santorini's Assyrtiko wine is particularly prized for its minerality, freshness and ability to pair with local seafood.

Much like the coastal influences that give Albariño its signature salinity, the island terroirs of Greece create wines with a strong sense of place. Whether enjoyed during a vineyard visit ashore or served on deck overlooking the caldera, these indigenous varieties offer an authentic taste of the eastern Mediterranean and are among the region's most rewarding discoveries.

Plan your Mediterranean culinary charter this summer with Burgess

The Mediterranean is a yachting playground like no other, and enhancing your journey with curated Burgess yacht experiences adds an exciting new dimension to life on board. From Michelin-starred dining and private vineyard tours to market visits with your chef and bespoke tasting menus, a culinary-focused charter offers a deeper connection to the destinations you visit. Wherever you choose to cruise, our specialists will create a tailor-made itinerary designed around your tastes, ensuring your Burgess Mediterranean charter is as memorable as the cuisine you discover.

Ready to embark on a Burgess Mediterranean charter? Let our charter specialists design a bespoke island-hopping itinerary that combines exceptional cruising with the very best food, wine and dining experiences the region has to offer.