Where To Dine During The Cannes Yachting Festival 2026
Where To Dine During The Cannes Yachting Festival 2026
The Cannes Yachting Festival is as much about the experience around the show as it is about the yachts themselves. From the first appointments at the Vieux Port to afternoons exploring the brokerage fleet at Port Canto, days are filled with meetings, viewings and introductions. And when the evening arrives, Cannes offers an equally compelling reason to stay: its dining scene.
From polished Mediterranean restaurants on the Croisette to island lunches that turn into long afternoons, Cannes has plenty of options for entertaining clients, catching up with friends or simply making the most of the Riviera setting.
The 2026 Cannes Yachting Festival takes place from 8–13 September across the Vieux Port and Port Canto, with restaurants and food outlets available at both show locations. Here are some of the tables to book:
For A lunch Away From The Show: La Guérite
Sometimes the best way to escape the intensity of the show is to leave Cannes altogether. Set on Île Sainte-Marguerite, just off the coast, La Guérite offers exactly that. Easily reached by tender, the restaurant combines Mediterranean cooking with a laid-back beach setting, making it particularly well-suited to a long client lunch or an afternoon with friends. This is not necessarily the place for a quick lunch between yacht appointments. Instead, build an afternoon around it, with time for a swim, a leisurely meal and perhaps a drink before returning to Cannes.
For Riviera Glamour: La Môme Plage
For those who want to stay on the Croisette, La Môme Plage brings together the ingredients of a classic Riviera lunch: sea views, polished service and a relaxed, glamorous atmosphere.
The beach restaurant takes its cues from the French Riviera of the 1950s, with Mediterranean-inspired cuisine designed for sharing. Lunch runs from midday through the afternoon, making it a natural choice for a longer break between show appointments.
Its location on the Croisette also makes it convenient to move between the Vieux Port and Port Canto – although during festival week, it's always wise to allow extra time for traffic and crowds.
For Authentic Seafood: Fred L’Écailler
For a taste of a more traditional side of Cannes, Fred L’Écailler is a particularly good choice. Located on Place de l’Étang, just moments from Palm Beach, the long-established seafood restaurant is known for its relaxed atmosphere, generous cooking and focus on fresh fish and local produce. Rather than the polished glamour of some of Cannes' waterfront restaurants, Fred L’Écailler has an unfussy character that makes it ideal for a leisurely lunch or relaxed dinner after a day at the show. The menu is firmly centered on the sea, with everything from fish tartares, octopus and grilled or fried calamari to whole fish cooked to order.
For An Evening That Becomes A Night: Bâoli
Located at Port Pierre Canto, Bâoli combines Mediterranean and Asian-inspired cuisine with an energetic evening atmosphere. Its setting among palm trees gives it a distinctly Riviera feel, while the restaurant is known for transitioning from dinner into late-night entertainment.
Its position close to Port Canto makes it particularly convenient after a day spent viewing yachts in the brokerage and sailing areas. It is the kind of venue that works well for an informal client dinner – and even better if nobody has an early start the following morning.
For A Sophisticated Mediterranean Dinner: La Petite Maison
At Palm Beach, La Petite Maison Cannes provides a luxury Riviera dining experience. The restaurant is known for Mediterranean-inspired sharing dishes and a lively but polished atmosphere, making it a strong option for entertaining clients or bringing a group together after a busy day at the show. Its location at the eastern end of the Croisette also puts it close to Port Canto, making it particularly practical for an evening following appointments there.
For those looking to extend the evening, Palm Beach has become one of Cannes' key dining and nightlife destinations, with several restaurants and bars clustered around the waterfront.
For Michelin-Starred Dining: La Palme d'Or At Hôtel Martinez
For a more elevated dining experience, La Palme d'Or at the iconic Hôtel Martinez brings Michelin-starred gastronomy to one of Cannes' most recognizable addresses. Set directly on the Croisette, overlooking the Mediterranean, the restaurant offers refined cuisine centered on the richness of the region's produce, shaped by Executive Chef Jean Imbert. La Palme d'Or is ideal for dinner, making it particularly well suited to an evening following yacht appointments at either the Vieux Port or Port Canto. Reservations are advisable during festival week, when Cannes' leading restaurants are at their busiest.
For Dining Without Leaving The Show: The Panoramic Restaurant
Not every lunch needs to involve leaving the show vicinity. For a convenient option between yacht viewings, the Cannes Yachting Festival's Panoramic Restaurant sits on the roof of the Palais des Festivals, overlooking the Vieux Port, the Suquet and the Bay of Cannes.
The restaurant is open to visitors and exhibitors and features an indoor dining area with a shaded terrace. With direct views of the yachts, it offers a chance to enjoy lunch without losing valuable time traveling across the city.
Making The Most Of Cannes
The best dining experience during the Cannes Yachting Festival is rarely just about the food. It is about choosing somewhere that makes the day better. A long island lunch can provide a welcome pause from the show, and a table on the Croisette keeps you close to the action.
For Cannes, the key is to plan. The city is busy at the best of times, and festival week brings an even greater concentration of yacht owners, industry professionals, charter guests and international visitors. Popular restaurants can book up well in advance, particularly for prime lunch and dinner times. Contact the expert IYC consultants to plan your Cannes Yachting Festival 2026 experience.
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Header Photo By La Guérite