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What to eat in Monaco

Five dishes to try in Monaco, the most typical first. Three are vegetarian.

Five dishes to try in Monaco

  1. Barbagiuan

    SnackVegetarian

    Fried pastry parcels filled with Swiss chard, ricotta and herbs.

    How to have it: The national dish, eaten especially on 19 November, Monaco's National Day; sold at bakeries and the market.

    Read about Barbagiuan on Wikipedia

  2. Socca

    Street foodVegetarian

    Thin, crisp chickpea-flour pancake baked in a hot oven and peppered.

    How to have it: Get it hot from the stalls at the Marché de la Condamine, cut into pieces in paper.

    Read about Socca on Wikipedia

  3. Pissaladière

    Street food

    Flatbread topped with slow-cooked onions, anchovies and black olives.

    How to have it: Shared with Nice; bought by the slice from bakeries as a snack or light lunch.

    Read about Pissaladière on Wikipedia

  4. Pan bagnat

    Street food

    Round bread roll soaked in olive oil, filled with tuna, egg, olives and raw vegetables.

    How to have it: A Riviera beach lunch; pick one up from a bakery before heading to Larvotto.

    Read about Pan bagnat on Wikipedia

  5. Fougasse monégasque

    DessertVegetarian

    Sweet orange-blossom pastry topped with almonds, nuts and red and white aniseed sprinkles.

    How to have it: Made in the Monaco colours around National Day in November; sold by local bakeries.

    Read about Fougasse monégasque on Wikipedia

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Questions

What food is Monaco famous for?

Barbagiuan (fried pastry parcels filled with Swiss chard, ricotta and herbs) comes first on our list, followed by Socca, Pissaladière, Pan bagnat and Fougasse monégasque.

What is the national dish of Monaco?

Ask ten people and you get several answers. The dish we put first for Monaco is Barbagiuan: fried pastry parcels filled with Swiss chard, ricotta and herbs. The national dish, eaten especially on 19 November, Monaco's National Day; sold at bakeries and the market.

Which dishes in Monaco are vegetarian?

Three of the five on this page are vegetarian as usually made: Barbagiuan, Socca and Fougasse monégasque. Recipes vary, so ask about stock, lard or fish sauce.

What street food should I try in Monaco?

Socca (thin, crisp chickpea-flour pancake baked in a hot oven and peppered), Pissaladière (flatbread topped with slow-cooked onions, anchovies and black olives) and Pan bagnat (round bread roll soaked in olive oil, filled with tuna, egg, olives and raw vegetables).

How reliable is this list?

The dishes are hand-picked from general knowledge in the Explo app, where you can also tick off the ones you have tried. Recipes vary by region and by family, so take it as a starting point.

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Dishes are hand-picked from general knowledge in the Explo app, with links to Wikipedia. Recipes and names vary by region.