Miami Plage Monte-Carlo Monaco

Beachside restaurants are the best.  There is nothing better than sitting outdoors on a beautiful sunny day at the beach, taking in all the scenery as you are enjoying delicious food and drinks while being accompanied by friends enjoying a lively conversation.

Miami Plage in Monte-Carlo is where you can have this type of experience and a whole lot more.

Miami Plage

First off, you’re at Larvotto Beach in Monte-Carlo! Secondly, Miami Plage is in the very center of all the action with the restaurant, outdoor terrace (which holds up to 300 people) along with the private beach area.

The actual indoor restaurant itself is more than suitable for couples and groups of people but I love the outdoor terrace and beach.

The décor has a beach chicness feel to it that helps provide for a wonderful ambiance.  And if it gets too hot, the overhead retractable roof can be closed to provide some cooling shade, yet if the stars in the sky are shining bright at night, the roof is sometimes kept open to help provide a more romantic atmosphere.

And just wait until you taste the homemade pizza direct from their wood-fired oven!  I was told this was one of the better establishments to get some real pizza and it is true.

Believe me, I’ve eaten pizza from one end of the French Riviera to the other but this was the real deal.  You’ll find it’s very close to what a North American style pizza looks like (if that is important to you), but probably a whole lot healthier given the fresh ingredients.

Along with pizza, there is also a wide variety of other foods you can enjoy.  Different types of fresh fish, pastas, steak, even club house sandwiches if you like and let’s not even get started with the mouth-watering drinks selection!

Service gets full marks, the people that work here are like family and in turn you are made to feel as part of one too.  They may be speedy on taking care of your needs but you never feel rushed and on my visits with friends we’ve always stayed well over two hours easily, enjoying the food, company and surroundings.

And what’s better than spending the day under the hot Mediterranean sun, getting a bit tipsy drinking rosé while you tan on one of the lounge chairs that you can rent on their private part of Larvotto Beach, only to take quick dips in the sea to cool down every once in a while?

Getting here is a breeze; everything is easily within walking distance in the principality.  Head towards the Grimaldi Forum and next to it you can’t help but notice Larvotto Beach, follow the boardwalk and in about the middle of the beach area is Miami Plage.

Miami Plage is very good value for the money and nothing can beat the experience.

Larvotto Beach Monte-Carlo Monaco

To say that Larvotto Beach in Monte-Carlo is popular would be an understatement.  This extended beach area is where most everyone that lives inside the principality and also some of those that live outside of Monaco come to enjoy their time at one of the four free public beaches and/or even at one of the five private beaches available.

Larvotto beach covers one square mile, which may sound like a lot but it is still one of the busiest beaches around with an abundance of activities to participate in such as volleyball and zumba classes, etc.  This is where people from all types of backgrounds easily and happily play and relax together at the beach. 

One of the many things I love about Larvotto Beach is the spotlessly clean, creamy, man-made sand that goes far into the depths of the water.  Having been to a lot of beaches in my life, right from my first visit I noticed the texture of this sand immediately.

It feels very soft and supple; the granules are not too big and not too small so your feet almost melt right into the sand which makes for an even more relaxing experience lying on it with only your towel or beach mat between you.

To get to Larvotto Beach, just walk along the seafront eastwards towards Italy, the beach starts on the other side of the Grimaldi Forum, if you wanted to take a bus catch the number 4 or 6 from the center of town.

The water at Larvotto Beach is perfectly warm and clear for swimming during the summer months, and you’ll also be surprised by the schools of fish that will swim next to you.  Jellyfish nets are in place around the beach but still be aware of the warnings anywhere in the Cote d’Azur about these tricky creatures.

There are a number of fantastic beach side restaurants around with very large outdoor terraces that also include their own private beach lounge areas that extend to the water’s edge; you will also find snack shops around for your convenience.

If you like to jet ski and go parachute towing, these services can be found on the far west side corner of the beach.

If cruising is your thing, I have found the luckiest area to cruise while at the beach to be the part of Larvotto closest to the Grimaldi Forum, in the area of the beach right off the ramp. 

For myself and from hearing of other friends experiences that have frequented this beach, phone numbers are usually exchanged and are done so very casually, yet discreetly and with a sense of decorum.  This may not be a gay beach but men do check each other out here and there seems to be someone to suit anyone’s taste.

Hit the beach and have fun!