There are restaurants that serve food, and then there are places like Zia at Odyssey, where eating feels more like stepping into a story — one filled with Italian roots, incredible skill, and effortless style.
Nestled beneath the Monaco sky at the Hôtel Métropole Monte-Carlo, just steps from Karl Lagerfeld’s iconic rooftop pool design, Zia is a masterpiece of Italian culinary artistry brought to life by chefs Manon Santini and Rocco Seminara. Now in their second season, the duo has refined and expanded their vision, transforming Zia into a full-day experience, from indulgent colazione to elegant sunset dinners.
The name Zia, Italian for “aunt”, conjures instant warmth and intimacy — a comforting embrace of nostalgia, tradition, and impeccable hospitality. But don’t be fooled by the softness of the name; what Santini and Seminara deliver here is nothing short of culinary virtuosity.
A breakfast that whispers of Capri mornings
There’s breakfast, and then there’s colazione da Zia. Imagine sitting beside a shimmering pool framed by aromatic gardens as the scent of just-baked almond croissants and citrus brioches wafts through the air. It’s not just a meal, it’s a Mediterranean morning ritual reimagined with panache.
From ricotta pancakes drizzled with wildflower honey to a panettone perdu layered with pistachio cream and vanilla chantilly, the dishes are as comforting as they are elevated. The eggs? Choose from soft-boiled, Benedict with a pesto waffle twist, or slow-cooked Florentine-style over sautéed spinach and Pecorino Mornay. Truffle and Kristal caviar? Naturally, they’re optional add-ons — but at Zia, they feel essential.
“We wanted to bring the authenticity of Italian mornings to Monaco,” explains chef Manon Santini, former World Dessert Pizza Champion. “Colazione is not just about food, it’s a state of mind — gentle, generous, elegant.”
Lunchtime like an Italian holiday
As the sun climbs and glints off the pool, Zia evolves. The terrace takes on the laid-back glamour of a Ligurian trattoria, and lunch becomes a sun-soaked celebration of Italy’s coastal bounty.
The Sicilian-style branzino is a standout, delicate and bright, paired with Taggiasche olives and pickled onions. Equally compelling are the Gamberoni rossi, dressed in lemon caviar and crowned with a spoon of Kristal caviar — luxury, lightly worn.
Vegetarians will delight in the Fregola Sarda Cacio e Pepe, a twist on the Roman classic, toasted for texture and finished with truffle. The Ravioli alla Parmigiana, filled with creamy Mozzarella di Bufala and slow-cooked eggplant, are simply sublime.
The Polpo grigliato, charred just so, and the Agnello in crosta di ‘Nduja, with its fiery glaze and citrus gremolata, speak to a kitchen unafraid of boldness. And then there are the pizzas — crafted and cooked live on the terrace — where Santini, a master pizzaiola, elevates the humble dish to art. Try the Cacio e Pepe pie for its simplicity, or the decadent Avocado & Caviar if you’re feeling indulgent.
Cocktails by intuition, desserts by emotion
Zia’s charm isn’t limited to its plates. The drinks menu is a playful, interactive affair. Guests are handed a deck of cards — each card hinting at a hidden aroma or ingredient — and the resulting negroni is crafted à la minute, guided by your chosen flavours.
End your meal with a dessert that’s more a composition than a course: the Crostata di Fragole with lemon-basil curd, or the Fragola & Pistacchio, where vanilla-infused strawberries meet Sicilian pistachio cream. Or better yet, opt for one of Santini’s famed sweet pizzette — playful, refined, and unlike anything else in Monaco.
An atmosphere to match the menu
Dining at Zia is a multisensory affair. The surrounding setting — Lagerfeld’s serene rooftop, the gentle splash of the pool, curated playlists that never intrude — makes for a Riviera reverie. It’s chic, yes, but never stiff. Every smile from the team feels sincere. Every detail, from linen to lighting, has been considered. Even the breadbasket and jam at breakfast seem touched by intention.
As the season progresses, Zia Cena — Zia’s intimate dinner concept — is set to launch on 28th May, offering an even deeper dive into the chefs’ culinary storytelling. Under the stars, expect gourmet antipasti, signature truffle pizzas, and those whimsical pizzette dolci — each one a poetic end to a sun-drenched day.
See more of Cassandra Tanti’s experience below in her Instagram post…
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Main photo: Zia granola, all images courtesy Hôtel Metropole