From Michelin stars to pop-up plates, discover where the industry’s boldest ideas are born—one course at a time.
In the high-stakes world of Cannes Lions, where every moment can pivot into a new pitch or partnership, the table is often where the real business happens. From sun-drenched power lunches overlooking the Mediterranean to intimate, after-hours feasts in hidden courtyards, Cannes’ dining scene is an extension of the festival itself: bold, glamorous, and built for storytelling.
Where Power Lunches Become Pitches
Cannes Lions week redefines the concept of a working lunch. At La Palme d’Or, the two-Michelin-starred jewel of the Hôtel Martinez, brand leaders and agency executives indulge in cinematic cuisine while overlooking the Boulevard de la Croisette. Here, multi-course tasting menus are served with vintage wine pairings—and often, million-dollar ideas.
Just a short stroll away, La Môme offers a more laid-back yet equally influential setting. Its chic rooftop terrace is a hotspot for midday meetings that turn into long, leisurely lunches. With a menu that marries Mediterranean freshness with Parisian flair, La Môme is where rising stars come to be discovered.
Evenings of Influence: Where to See and Be Seen
As the sun sets over the French Riviera, the Cannes dining scene shifts gears. Bâoli Cannes is the epicenter of after-hours networking. Half jungle-lounge, half Asian-fusion temple, Bâoli serves as the de facto social club for the creative elite. Its vibrant dinner-to-dancefloor experience blurs the lines between dining, entertainment, and deal-making.
Then there’s Téteou, a Cannes institution tucked away in Golfe Juan, famous for its beachside ambiance and secretive clientele. While it’s technically outside Cannes proper, the pilgrimage to Téteou is part of the Lions ritual. Think fresh-caught bouillabaisse, rosé flowing like water, and candid conversations away from the flashbulbs.
Pop-Up Gastronomy: The New Culinary Playground
One of the rising trends during Cannes Lions 2025 is the explosion of pop-up dining concepts. Global chefs are partnering with creative brands to host one-night-only dinners that double as immersive brand experiences. Expect everything from AI-curated tasting menus to edible art installations.
In collaboration with tech brands and lifestyle labels, these pop-ups transform villas, yachts, and rooftops into culinary showrooms. Picture a molecular gastronomy tasting led by a Michelin chef paired with an NFT art reveal, or a sustainability-focused seafood spread co-hosted by an ocean conservation non-profit and a global drinks brand.
Wellness on the Menu: Longevity & Conscious Cuisine
Today’s power players are as mindful about what goes on their plates as what goes in their pitch decks. Health-forward menus are becoming the norm, not the niche. Cannes’ top dining destinations now offer plant-based, gluten-free, and longevity-focused options, often curated with nutritionists or wellness experts.
Restaurants like La Table du Chef and Vegaluna cater to the wellness-conscious executive with clean, vibrant fare. Detox smoothies, adaptogen-infused tonics, and omega-rich plates are as much a part of the Cannes diet as champagne and oysters.
Behind the Scenes: Chef Culture and Insider Moments
Chefs during Lions week become part of the narrative. “We don’t just serve meals—we host moments,” shares a sous-chef at La Palme d’Or, noting how the kitchen is prepped not just for culinary excellence, but for privacy, speed, and presentation.
There are also whispered stories of billion-dollar deals inked over midnight truffle risotto, of global campaigns born from chance encounters at the oyster bar. Cannes isn’t just about panels and parties; it’s about conversations between courses.
Table Talk: Strategic Reservations for 2026
If you’re planning your Cannes Lions 2026 itinerary, your dining strategy should be as curated as your panel schedule. Bookings at top restaurants open months in advance—and often require personal connections or concierge service.
For an effortless experience, Baroque Lifestyle offers tailor-made dining itineraries, private chef services, and access to invitation-only culinary events during Lions week.
Dining in Cannes isn’t just about sustenance—it’s about synergy. From the croissant at breakfast brainstorms to candlelit closings over caviar, the Cannes table is where creativity, commerce, and cuisine come together.