African Queen, the famous restaurant that originated on the French Riviera, is making its debut on the Costa Smeralda, bringing its Mediterranean lifestyle to the beach of this iconic hotel.
A new beachfront destination enriches the offerings of the Hotel Cala di Volpe, an icon of luxury hospitality in the heart of the Costa Smeralda. The hotel announces the opening of African Queen, a new restaurant and beach club overlooking the beach, created in collaboration with the prestigious international brand founded in 1969 in Beaulieu-sur-Mer, in the heart of the French Riviera.
Inspired by the famous film The African Queen starring Humphrey Bogart and Katharine Hepburn, the restaurant has become, over the years, one of the most iconic restaurants in the south of France—a landmark for Mediterranean cuisine and for that refined art de vivre characteristic of the French Riviera.
Deeply rooted in the culinary traditions of the French Riviera, African Queen has built its reputation on generous and authentic cuisine, high-quality ingredients, a warm welcome, and a lively atmosphere that attracts an international clientele.
Following the acquisition of the brand in 2023 by Riccardo Giraudi, Philippe Schriqui, and Patrick Gioannini, African Queen has embarked on a new phase of development, preserving the values that have defined its success while bringing its identity to some of the world’s most exclusive destinations.
From the French Riviera to Dubai and on to the Costa Smeralda, the brand continues to showcase its unmistakable style and its take on Mediterranean hospitality.
On the beach at Cala di Volpe, guests will be able to enjoy some of the signature dishes that have made African Queen famous, including the Grandma’s Niçoise Salad, the iconic Pizza al Tartufo 1969, the Old-Fashioned Artichoke & Truffle Salad, the Tomato Tatin, the local catch of the day, the Giant Camarones, and a selection of premium grilled meats.
The culinary offering will be complemented by seasonal creations designed to reflect the local area and its ingredients, fully respecting the brand’s Mediterranean identity.
More than just a restaurant, African Queen is a place for gathering and sharing, where hospitality, service, design, and atmosphere come together in an experience characterized by casual elegance and relaxed luxury.
The arrival of African Queen marks the coming together of two icons of the Mediterranean lifestyle: on one hand, the history and prestige of the Hotel Cala di Volpe; on the other, the cosmopolitan energy of a brand synonymous with conviviality, style, and art de vivre.
Nestled on the bay of the same name like a timeless village, seemingly sculpted by the wind, theHotel Cala di Volpe, a Luxury Collection Hotel, continues to embody one of the most recognizable expressions of luxury in the Mediterranean.
Managed by Marriott International on behalf of Smeralda Holding, a company indirectly controlled by the Qatar Investment Authority, the Cala di Volpe has always been a destination in a class of its own: a five-star legend, born in the 1960s from the creative genius of Jacques Couëlle and now magnificently reimagined through new rooms, suites, spaces, and restaurants.
With African Queen, the hotel’s renowned culinary offering is enriched by a new international experience, further strengthening Cala di Volpe’s position among the Mediterranean’s most celebrated luxury destinations.
