No matter how dazzling the principality of Monaco can seem, there are snug pockets and cosy corners to enjoy your morning coffee just like anywhere else. There are also some iconic establishments where your surroundings when indulging in a light snack mean you could only be in one place. Here are our 10 best cafes and coffee shops in Monaco, whatever vibe you’re after.
Sit and watch the world go by — as everyone else does here — with an afternoon espresso and a sweet pancake. This cafe is perfectly placed to explore the rest of the principality by foot from and it’s open all day and evening – so you don’t have to adhere to set times to enjoy a pancake. It’s absolutely perfect.
Part of an arcade, Valentin is a perfect caffeine stop for when you want to feast on a selection of pastries – and boy is there a selection. This snug, intimate Italian delicatessen and restaurant is just the spot for a sweet-fuelled start to the day. It feels fairly off the beaten track and most of the time, you’ll be among locals chatting with the amiable owners.
Emilie’s has more hot chocolate combinations than you can imagine and the smoothies are delicious. If you have room to actually eat something, there’s an enticing selection of bagels and, of course, the coffee is always flowing.
A lovely local cafe next to Monaco’s train station, it’s perfect if you are visiting the principality by rail. Juices, coffees, milkshakes and more are served here pretty much all day long so it’s definitely the best place to kick off your day in the principality.
EQVITA is the plant-based option while in Monaco for dining. Nature is at the centre of their cuisine and you can feast on burgers, cheesecakes, soups and more. The restaurant itself is light and airy with some unique decor and an attractive terrace.
This irresistible spot is a delicious sweet shop come cafe, where you can browse all the sweetest treats and then, sit outside on the pretty terrace with a coffee and your pick of pastry or cake.
Shop ’til you drop and then, drop into Sphere cafe in the Métropole shopping centre for a glass of something to drink. A simple cafe that’s not as popular as most in Monaco, it’s the perfect spot to escape the shops, the crowds and the heat for a while to re-group.
If you head towards Larvotto Beach, you’ll come to Le Baobab. This simple, beach-side bar and its promenade setting is just the calm you want at the start of your day and being slightly away from the main Monaco thoroughfare, this venue retains its calm a little longer than others. It also means the food is a lot more affordable. Expect breakfast classics here.
Located just off Monaco’s Hercule Port, the welcome here is what makes Chez Edgar such an attractive place to start your day, as well as the slightly less Monaco-like prices. Afterwards, head towards the harbour to Fort Antoine, an 18th-century fort that hosts theatre performances during the summer months.
This casual cafe is just off the Fontvieille Port, with attractive harbour views. In the distance, in fact, you can see Monaco’s Le Rocher and perched on the cliffs, the impressive Musée Océanographique de Monaco. The cafe has a slower pace than the rest of Monaco – a welcomed relief at times – and the owner always greets with a smile.