Best Mediterranean foodie spots to discover this summer

As summer gets underway, we’re dreaming of al fresco waterside dinners, the sea lapping just meters below, as we tuck into impossibly fresh shellfish washed down with exquisite local wine. There’s nowhere quite like the Mediterranean for a true taste of summer. With the freedom to hop from vibrant harbour to exclusive island restaurants as you please, a charter holiday is the ultimate way to discover a new side to a region’s cuisine.

Not to mention of course, some of the most talented chefs in the world work on board charter yachts, using ultra-seasonal local ingredients and the freshest seafood to create bespoke menus for their guests.

To whet your appetite, we’ve spoken to the charter brokers who know these coastlines inside out, and have shared their best spots to visit for a gastronomic adventure around the Med.

“I can think of no better place than the Cote d’Azur for foodie sailing holidays”, says broker Charles Crane, who knows the coastline inside out. “There is an abundance of choice, all within the beautiful setting of the French Riviera.” Top of any gourmand’s list is 3 Michelin starred Mirazur in Menton (close to the boarder with Italy), consistently voted one of the World’s 50 Best restaurants. Here, Argentinian-born chef Mauro Colagreco cooks the flavours of the sea and the mountains, with a spellbinding new “Lunar Menu” drawing on the cycles of nature from his expansive gardens.

The fine dining doesn’t stop there: there’s three Michelin star La Vague d’Or in Saint Tropez, and two starred Flaveur in Nice. “If you want to try something different, go for the South African inspired JAN restaurant in Nice,” Crane continues. “For views, you can’t go wrong with the La Chevre D’Or in Èze, perched in the hills overlooking the sea.”

Back on your charter yacht, why not kick back and enjoy a tailored menu on deck by one of our ultra-talented chefs? On yacht Malahne, which spends its summers cruising around the French coastline, Chef Emily Sanson has a broad repertoire. She spent many years as head chef in an Italian restaurant, but also has an insatiable passion for Thai, Chinese and pan-Asian cuisine. One thing that she never compromises on is the quality of her ingredients. As Emily says: “Buying the very best produce means that the chef doesn’t need to add lots of salt or butter to improve the flavour.”

Meanwhile, Chef Elena Sinell works onboard Galena, with 16 years’ experience as a superyacht chef, travelling around the Mediterranean and Caribbean seas. Elena loves her work, and you will often find her early in the morning in the local market buying fresh produce for her guests.

Just along the coast, spend a couple of days in Monaco and indulge in the classical French-inspired menu of Alain Ducasse at Le Louis XV in the Hotel de Paris in the heart of Monte Carlo, advises Broker Anne Lebernicheux. “I think the restaurants in Monaco are becoming better than ever with the Maybourne Riviera, among others. There’s also Marcel Ravin with his 2 Michelin stars at Blue Bay; Yannick Alleno at the Hermitage in legendary Hôtel Hermitage Monte-Carlo; Chef Em Sherif at the Hotel de Paris as a light Lebanese-inspired alternative to classical French dining; and Mauro Colagreco’s new bakery, Mitron, in the Condamine market. The list is long this year”

Whether you choose the sparkling Amalfi Coast in southern Italy or the timeless glamour of Portofino and the Italian Riviera, Italy never fails to delight when it comes to delicious, ingredient-led dining. In Portofino, the newly opened DaV Mare in the harbour is a winning choice for a show-stopping feast of Ligurian-inspired fine dining (their take on trofie e pesto is a must). Broker Ana Westerman also recommends Il Puny in Portofino, which has hosted everyone from Frank Sinatra to Madonna over the decades.

Down on the Amalfi Coast, it’s all about hidden restaurants only accessible by boat. Lido degli Artisti, just round the headland from Amalfi itself, is a perfect base for the day, with a gorgeous trattoria serving up the catch of the day. Conca del Sogno in Nerano has a similarly laid back vibe – if a little more hidden and discrete – while Da Adolfo in Positano is another must-visit.

Naturally, our chefs on board our Italian-based yachts are just as passionate about delicious cuisine. Milanese-born Chef Luca Strafella on board M/Y Bleu de Nîmes loves to delight guests with his seafood tartare and carpaccio creations, using locally caught fish where possible.

On sailing yacht Silencio, Chef James Goodall is also a keen fisherman, and loves to use the ingredients around the Med to influence his cooking. That said, James’ Chilean sea bass is his most requested signature dish to date.

Finally, Deep Blue II is the summer base of esteemed Chef Caniele Biggi, who also grew up and trained in Italy. On his bespoke meus, Biggi pays tribute to Tuscan cooking, but also enjoys preparing French, Greek, Turkish and Asian dishes, to name a few.

For an unforgettable dinner in Croatia, charter broker Hannah Wolstenholme recommends 360 Dubrovnik. The restaurant is famed for its exquisite terrace stretching along the medieval walls and fortress of St John, and panoramic sea view over the UNESCO heritage site of Dubrovnik’s old town. Only open for dinner, the tasting menu and a la carte options are inspired by flavours and ingredients of local Mediterranean cuisine, with a hint of classical French gastronomy.

Elsewhere in Croatia, Pelegrini in the pretty waterside town of Šibenik is a perennial favourite, recommended by broker Phil Brewster. On the island of Pag, Boškinac restaurant has been awarded a coveted Michelin star for their produce-led tasting menu, featuring the island’s famous lamb, wild herbs, and scampi fished in the island’s waters.

With its dual personality between glitzy parties and boho chic, Ibiza is also home to a varied and enticing foodie scene. Broker Phil Brewster recommends the 2 Michelin star immersive sensory experience at Sublimotion. For the classic beach club experience, check out Amante, Los Enamorados or Casa Jondal.

In Mallorca, Phil Brewster advises putting Marc Fosh’s contemporary Mediterranean restaurant at the top of any culinary agenda, housed in Palma’s 17th century Hotel Convent de la Missió. Elsewhere on the island, Bens d’Avall wows guests with Michelin starred yet sustainably focused gastronomy in the heart of the Tramontana mountains.

Back onboard Yacht Diane, our Chef Eddy Atkinson can whip up anything from a magnificent sushi and sashimi platter from locally caught fresh fish, to a tropical king shrimp salad with mango, watermelon and pineapple, sweet coconut milk dressing and roasted cashews. Aside from this, he’s also known for his Turkish mezze, beef wellington, and huge array of desserts.

Last but not least, little Montenegro. A seriously underrated destination when it comes not only to yachting, but also to dining, the Balkan country offers the best of the Adriatic and Mediterranean cuisine if you know where to look. Our broker Splinter Fangman has all the inside knowledge about this lesser-travelled region, and suggests Konoba Stari Grad in Budva’s old town for traditional seafood dishes, or Dukley Seafront Restaurant nearby for stunning views.

As summer gets into full swing, we still have a few last minute charter weeks available. From sailing Silencio around Corsica and Sardinia in July or August, to a smattering of late summer spots on the Italian or French Riviera on Bleu de Nîmes, the choice is yours. Please see below a few yacht suggestions. For a wider Selection, please contact us.

The Mediterranean is unrivalled when it comes to summer gastronomic charter holidays, so book your charter holiday around the Mediterranean here before it’s too late.