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The Mediterranean

The Mediterranean hot list
February 2025

The Mediterranean • Insider guides • The Mediterranean hot list February 2025

What we’re loving in February 2025 (and you will too)

Stay informed and stay inspired! The Mediterranean hot list is your monthly dossier of what’s shaping the cultural and creative landscape across the Mediterranean. From smart new openings and design-forward projects to events worth pencilling into your diary, we spotlight the ideas and initiatives that matter. Whether you’re a local with a keen eye on your surroundings or a traveller seeking authentic inspiration, this is your curated guide to the things that are getting our attention (and deserve your’s, too).

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Top photography courtesy of Hugo Nogueira and Santa Joana

Santa Joana: Portuguese gastronomy in Lisbon

Santa Joana unfolds within a historic 17th-century convent, also home to the Locke de Santa Joana hotel, blending original stonework and vaulted ceilings with the design-led vision of Lázaro Rosa-Violán. The menu, crafted by Chef Nuno Mendes, showcases Portuguese gastronomy with dishes like grilled chicken hearts with pica pau sauce and Alentejo pork presa with walnut sauce. Communal plates such as seafood rice with crab and lobster embrace convivial dining. Three distinct bars, developed with Spiritland, offer immersive soundscapes alongside signature cocktails like Red Pepper & Tomato. Art by Carolina Vaz and ceramics by Grauº Cerâmica reflect the building’s history, while vintage tableware adds a tactile nod to the past. Santa Joana offers a space where cuisine, history, and design converge.

Santa Joana
R. Camilo Castelo Branco 18
Lisbon
Portugal

Photography courtesy of Luís Moreira, Charles McCay and Santa Joana

Edgar Suites: urban living redefined in Cannes

Edgar Suites Cannes offers ten Urban Suites designed by Batiik Studio. These suites range from two to four bedrooms, averaging 70 square metres and feature fully equipped kitchens, premium bedding and spacious living areas. The four-bedroom duplex boasts an 85-square-metre interior and a 150-square-metre terrace with panoramic city views, a sauna and a jacuzzi. As a guest you have exclusive access to the rooftop terrace. The residence is a short walk from La Croisette and the Palais des Festivals, placing you right in the heart of Cannes’ vibrant scene.

Edgar Suites Cannes
85 Rue d'Antibes
Cannes
France

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Photography courtesy of Edgar Suites

Unsaid: A design landmark in Paris

Dimorestudio has designed Unsaid’s new three-storey flagship showroom in Paris, located on Rue Danielle Casanova near Place Vendôme. The 150-square-metre space features dark, glossy interiors with angular, theatrical lighting, creating an intimate atmosphere. The design incorporates burl wood, brass elements, and geometric motifs throughout. Jewellery pieces are displayed in pyramidal cases and illuminated by vintage Murano-glass lamps by Archimede Seguso. An exclusive lounge on the top floor is furnished with pieces by Serge Mouille, Pierre Chapo, Paul Evans, and bespoke designs from Dimoremilano. This blend of historical references and modernity captures the essence of Unsaid.

Unsaid
35, Rue Danielle Casanova
Paris
France

Photography courtesy of Unsaid

Palm Beach: Cannes-glam revival

The Palm Beach in Cannes, originally conceived in 1928, has been meticulously transformed into a 23,000 sqm entertainment complex under the direction of Caprini & Pellerin. Retaining its iconic Hispano-Moorish and Art Deco heritage, the revitalised venue now features a seawater pool, nine celebrated restaurants, and a grand casino opening in 2025. Highlights include the Jean-Paul Members’ Bar, a 1920s-inspired retreat with bespoke cognac leather seating and raku-enamelled tables. Sustainable materials blend seamlessly with intricate historical detailing, while panoramic sea views enhance the fitness centre and event spaces. Reimagined as a retro-futuristic destination, The Palm Beach harmonises its storied past with modern luxury on the Côte d’Azur.

Palm Beach
Pl. Franklin Roosevelt
Cannes
France

Photography courtesy of Caprini & Pellerin and Palm Beach

Koumkan: nocturnal sophistication in Athens

Koumkan, situated within the Semiramis Hotel in Kifisia, Athens, is a grand hotel bar conceptualised by chef Aris Vezené. The venue’s design, crafted by Andrea Kostopoulo and James Mcanally of Manhattan Projects, features a dark, marble-clad bar area leading into a high-ceilinged restaurant with cosmopolitan elegance. The cocktail menu, curated by head bartender Dimitris Kasvikis, includes signature creations such as The Kiss. The menu offers classic dishes like Peruvian anticuchos, arancini, beef tartare and rigatoni with truffle and caviar.

Koumkan
Char. Trikoupi 48
Athens
Greece

Photography courtesy of Koumkan

Làlia: culture and connection in Palma de Mallorca

Làlia, Palma’s first private members’ club, was co-founded by Tatjana von Stein, founder and creative director of her eponymous design studio, and Anna Karlen, who serves as the club’s Community Director. Von Stein led the interior design, collaborating with local artisans to create handcrafted furnishings that reflect Mallorcan culture. Karlen focuses on fostering a vibrant community within the club. Together, they have established Làlia as a creative hub for Mallorca-based thinkers and creators.

Làlia
Carrer d'En Morei, 2
Palma de Mallorca
Mallorca
Spain

Photography courtesy of Làlia

Loulou Courchevel: playful dining on the slopes

Piste-side, at Hôtel Barrière Les Neiges, Loulou Courchevel channels Alpine charm with a playful, artistic twist. Designed by Corinne Sachot, the space feels like a luxe family chalet, blending warm wood interiors with Savoyard craftsmanship and whimsical textiles featuring Alpine flowers and berries. Jean-Charles de Castelbajac’s vibrant pop-art branding elevates everything from menus to cigar rests, creating a unique visual narrative. Signature dishes by chef Benoit Dargère include black truffle pizza and fruit pavlova, offering sophisticated dining with a touch of fun. The sunny terrace boasts breathtaking views, while the downstairs lounge, dominated by a theatrical Hellmouth fireplace, completes this ski-in, ski-out destination’s cosy, fairy-tale allure.

Loulou Courchevel
422 Rue de Bellecôte
Courchevel
France

Photography courtesy of Loulou Courchevel

Can Bo: Barcelona’s new gastro-destination

Restaurant Can Bo, located within the Grand Hotel Central, bridges the El Born and El Gòtic neighborhoods. Helmed by esteemed Catalan chef Oliver Peña Luque, the restaurant offers a forward-thinking menu featuring tapas and sharing plates that highlight local Catalan produce with an Italian twist. The wine list, curated by sommelier Amador Marín, boasts over 150 selections from local, national, and international wineries. Designed by London-based studio Sagrada, the Mediterranean-inspired interiors feature warm blue and terracotta tones, large windows that flood the space with natural light and an eye-catching mosaic floor in Catalan ’trencadís style’. Named after the building’s original owner, politician Francesc Cambó, Can Bo is open daily for lunch and dinner.

Can Bo
Via Laietana, 30
Barcelona
Spain

Photography courtesy of Can Bo

Brasserie Benjamin: Megève steps up its cuisine

Brasserie Benjamin, housed in the Four Seasons Hotel Megève, offers an elegant dining experience with panoramic views of Mont Blanc. The restaurant’s interior features warm wood accents, soaring windows, and contemporary art, creating a refined yet inviting atmosphere. Chef Armando Acquaviva presents a menu that celebrates French gastronomy, highlighting local ingredients. Signature dishes include Cévennes sweet onion soup gratinated with Paccard Abondance cheese and Tournedos Rossini accompanied by Pont Neuf potatoes and truffled Périgueux sauce. Pastry chef Jonathan Chapuy crafts desserts such as the Rothschild chocolate soufflé with a hazelnut heart. The extensive wine cellar boasts over 14,000 bottles, enhancing the culinary journey.

Brasserie Benjamin
373 Chem. des Follières
Mègeve
France

Photography courtesy of Brasserie Benjamin

El Pòsit: inspired mediterranean dining in Tarragona

El Pòsit de La Pineda, located in the coastal resort near Tarragona, offers a tranquil setting for traditional Mediterranean cuisine. Designed by 05 Cristina Arnedo Interiorisme and MªAngeles Díaz, the interiors reflect the natural surroundings with organic shapes, neutral tones and sustainable materials like clay, wood and wicker. Large windows and natural fabric net curtains ensure uninterrupted views of the beach, while custom-made rope screens provide privacy. The rounded bar counter, crafted from local sand and stones, adds a unique touch. Guests can enjoy signature dishes such as fresh seafood and paella, seated at a range of comfortable dining setups, from round tables to benches.