Gaia: a trip to Greece without stepping out of Monaco

Sitting amid the Belle Epoque grandeur of Galerie Charles III, an elegant arcade that sits off the northern corner of Casino Square, Gaia Monte Carlo is easy to spot thanks to the plumes of bougainvillaea that can be seen bulging through the terrace windows. Since opening in 2019, following its flagship in Dubai’s DIFC, the brand has grown to five restaurants in total, all adhering to Gaia’s proven concept of excellent Grecian cuisine, often fused with broader Mediterranean influences. Here in Monaco, the restaurant has been a hit for both its food and its atmosphere, making it a top choice for those stopping by the principality this season.

Gaia's terrace is peppered with olive trees and plumes of wisteria tumbling from wicker baskets perched above the windows. It's named after the Greek Goddess of Earth, is the only Greek restaurant in Monaco, and since its opening in 2019, has vowed to bring some classical Grecian cuisine to the principality. The feel, however is less taverna, and more a refined Mediterranean with white table cloths and lo-fi music playing from the DJ decks that sit in the centre of the dining room, that gently carries diners late into the evening.

Convivial chatter fills the restaurant, which is split between the semi-enclosed terrace and the whitewashed interior dining room centred around an enormous ice-covered fish bar - or “fish market” as the waiter calls it. Limestone walls help to evoke the all-important Greek feel to the space, and there’s an impressive bar that sits off the main dining room.

The concept here revolves around what the founders, restaurateur Evgeny Kuzin and chef Izu Ani, describe as ‘home-grown’. The aim is to showcase the beloved aspects of Greek culture and cuisine in an environment that puts diners at ease. Gaia delivers on this promise too, as Greek cuisine is designed for sharing, making the experience at Gaia a collaborative and intimate affair, distinct from the conventional three-course setup.

Upon arrival, it’s suggested we peruse the bar menu for an aperitif as the menu is placed on the table. Fortunately, it's a digital menu, sparing us the task of handling a hefty tome, given the extensive selection available. It should hardly be surprising that great importance is placed on the quality of the cocktails here, given that Gaia's sister establishment, NYX nightclub, is just a few doors away. 

The list is full of cocktails with a Greek twist, including the ‘Santorini Spritz’, a lemony vodka cocktail with hibiscus and rose water and ‘Theo’, an olive-oil washed tequila cocktail with basil and bergamot. Mocktails follow the same theme and include ‘Thalassa’, a pineapple based cocktail with kaffir lime leaves and blueberry. Diners are welcome to venture off the menu and opt for the classics if a Negroni or French 75 feels like a more fitting start to their experience.

Cocktails in hand, the waiters are helpful in navigating the menu, suggesting that the best way to approach Gaia is to share things that pique your interest and the best thing to do it order the classics such as the Greek Salad, fresh fish prepared in a way of your choosing or Psito Kotopoulo - chicken marinated with lemon, oregano and garlic.

Opting to browse the fish market is gleefully encouraged, and diners can choose if they want it served as a ceviche, tartare, grilled with a drizzle of lemon or in a salt crust. Those who wish to stick to the Greek option should opt for the Speciota, where the selected sea bass, turbot or tuna is covered in a spicy tomato sauce and cooked with potatoes and Greek herbs.

As such an integral part of Greek cooking, the feta here is rich with just the right balance of creamy and tartness to keep you coming back for more. The Greek salad arrives doused in olive oil and covered in capers, Gaia’s own marinated olives. I opt for some Mediterranean classics too, like fried squid, which comes wonderfully crispy and light, served with padron peppers and a spicy emulsion dip, as well as the prawn saganaki and baked feta, which is served drizzled with honey. 

While it may be tempting to skip dessert and head on down to NYX, I was pre-advised by the waiters not to skip out on the frozen Greek yoghurt, another one of the restaurant’s signature dishes. It arrives as an enormous pile of perfectly soft Greek yoghurt drizzled in honey and roasted walnuts to offer some crisp. It may be indulgent, but the combination of the tart yoghurt and sweet honey is the perfect Greek palate cleanser.

Gaia Monte Carlo offers a delightful and immersive experience that elevates Greek cuisine to a sophisticated level in Monaco. With its tastefully designed space and terrace, Gaia is a good blend of relaxed elegance. The restaurant’s commitment to authentic Greek cooking and top-notch ingredients shines through, and it’s a wonderful option to get your fix of real Greek cooking without having to venture out of the principality. Monaco may only have one fine dining Greek restaurant to date, but this one seems to tick all the boxes.