Mayssa Beach - restaurant in Villefranche-sur-Mer

An exceptional setting for excellent food
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Mayssa Beach – it’s not a beach, but it is a very good restaurant

Posted by Dan Norris on 15 September 2023
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Mayssa Beach Villefranche-sur-Mer restaurant

The most exclusive table in Villefranche?

Mayssa Beach is one of the most popular restaurants in Villefranche-sur-Mer, and its not hard to see why. Its not actually on a beach, but we’ll forgive them that – and in fairness you’ll struggle to eat much nearer the water’s edge without getting wet. Part of a family owned, small group of restaurants – which includes amongst others La Corderie, Ancora and La Baleine Joyeuse in Port de la Darse, and Espuma by the beach – arguably the Mayssa is the jewel in the crown. From a modest – even slightly run-down looking – entrance at the edge of Parking Wilson, at the bottom of the Vieille Ville, you climb the narrow, winding staircase and emerge into the wood paneled lobby, where you still might not be that impressed. But move towards the main, outside dining area, and everything changes.

“At the rear of the main dining room, down some steps towards the water’s edge, there is one single table, placed on a private jetty…”

Suspended above the sea, with a 300 degree, utterly uninterrupted view of the bay, Cap Ferrat opposite, and the mouth of the Rade, you’ll be treated to the fresh smell of the sea, and the sight of super-yachts and pleasure boats scudding about in the Azur waters. Seated at well placed tables covered in freshly pressed cloths, the staff make you feel immediately at home. As you sit down and relax, you may indeed ask yourself if this isn’t one of the best positioned restaurants in the whole of the Riviera. Maybe in the whole of France.

Mayssa Beach Restaurant Villefranche-sur-Mer

The fish is as fresh as the foaming waters beneath your feet

The menu (available on their official website) offers a tantelising selection of typical local favourites, as well as the usual standards, but with a little twist. Our favourite starter has to be the fraîcheur de crabe with avocado and diced tomatoes, fresh as the white plumes of water thrown up by the passing boats, and utterly melt-in-the-mouth. Its hard to eat anything but fish when you’re this close to the sea, and, again, we always seem to gravitate to the sea bass or sole, but there are other choices too, such as squid, sea bream and prawns flambéed in Pastis.

In the evening, as the light fades, the pretty lights of the terrace look particularly romantic as you approach the Old Town, dropping down from the main road. In the restaurant itself, there is a convivial hum, and a refined atmosphere – there’s plenty of well placed tables with a view, and the spacious layout means plenty of intimacy and privacy for a romantic meal or family outing.

 “As you sit down and relax, you may indeed ask yourself if this isn’t one of the best positioned restaurants in the whole of the Riviera…”

For those with enough foresight to plan ahead, there is a well-kept secret with Mayssa Beach – available upon request (when available). At the rear of the main dining room, down some steps towards the water’s edge, there is one single table, placed on a private jetty (you can also arrive here by boat). Here, diners really do have their ‘feet in the water’, and its fair to say that there isn’t a more private or exclusive table in the whole town. Make sure you have your order prepared in advance, as you may not see the waiters quite as often as in the main dining room, but at dusk, as the lights come up on Cap Ferrat and the superyachts moored in the bay, you may just find yourself in restaurant heaven.

Mayssa Beach restaurant Villefranche-sur-Mer

Any closer to the sea and your feet will get wet

Mayssa Beach restaurant Villefranche-sur-Mer

Fraicheur de crab that melts in your mouth

 

Mayssa Beach Restaurant Villefranche-sur-Mer

A ring-side view

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