It is impossible to write about Le Louis XV in Monaco without mentioning Alain Ducasse who brought the restaurant to its absolute top, but today’s real star is Executive Chef Franck Cerutti with a unique understanding of the local Mediterranean cuisine. Le Louis XV was Ducasse’s first true masterpiece and you will still find him occasionally in the kitchen together with Cerutti and Chef de Cuisine Dominique Lory.

Situated in the ground floor of Hôtel de Paris at the Place du Casino surrounded by Ferraris, Porsches and Bentleys the restaurant location is certainly on the posh side. And the restaurant itself reminds of Versailles or a suite at the Ritz Paris so be prepared to be dazzled by red gold and French Renaissance.

The dish remains Provençal at base, but with Northern Italian and slight Asian influences. You can have a baby pigeon with sautéed duck liver or Provençal vegetables with crushed truffles to just mention some examples in addition to Ducasse’s signature Cookpot.

You can expect a much more contemporary food than the lavishly classical interior of the restaurant may make you believe. The menu is changed depending on the season and we can recommend you to visit Le Louis XV several times each year because of the fact that the food served over the different seasons is mostly flawless.

The service at Le Louis XV is absolutely impeccable. There are several examples of the great service such as when you are about to go to the rest room, three waiters rush to your table immediately. One will help you with your chair; one will lead you the way; and another will replace your napkin. You can also expect a small stool for the lady’s handbag and a Christofle gold-plated bowl filled with aromatic infused water to clean your hands before the dessert.

Le Louis XV truly is a stunning restaurant with a wine list that will make fully grown men weep. The wine cellars underneath the Place du Casino and Hôtel de Paris hold approximately 560,000 bottles containing all of what you can call fine wine. The around 4,000 references offers some of the most impressive wines in the world.

The bread trolley is more of a complete bakery satisfying virtually any taste preference and the cheese trolley has one of the best selections of cheeses available anywhere. You will not miss anything at this restaurant.

The impression of Le Louis XV might be considered overwhelming and stiff for some, but Le Louis XV is a restaurant must that never should be overlooked. And as with everything in Monaco, if you have to think about the price, you may be in the wrong place. If you do not, well, bon appétit!

Written by Andy