At the tip of the Croisette – and infinitely cooler than neighboring Palm Beach – the immaculate Club Nautico feels like a stylish vacation house shared by friends. Inside, wood-paneled walls, a sprawling sofa and an imposing bottle-lined bar set the tone, while outside, a compact terrace charms with its retro, second-hand furniture. The kitchen keeps things joyfully unfussy, leaning Italian with puccia – those Puglian flat sandwiches – stuffed with burrata and preserved artichokes or bresaola, capers and smoked provolone. A southern French accent comes courtesy of pissaladière and socca, but the real showstopper is the stracciatella pizzetta crowned with zucchini blossoms – a pure Riviera daydream. Finish on panettone, Niva ice cream or puccia slathered in nocciolata. · Herbert Martin

FEELING THIRSTY? A wine list that spreads it wings wider than the menu’s roots, with cocktails (Mezcal Daiquiri at €13) and organic wines, like Folle Blanche, a Loire Valley white from Domaine Luneau Papin (€9 a glass), Cairanne red from Domaine Richaud (€41 a bottle), or rosé de Provence from Songe de Don Bosco (€32).

PRICE: Puccia and pizzetta €12-18, plates €10-18, desserts €6-10.