The Culture

Mareluna: A Michelin-Starred Journey Between Land, Sea, and Imagination

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by Natalia Bezruk Senior Contributor
September 03, 2025
Mareluna: A Michelin-Starred Journey Between Land, Sea, and Imagination

At Mareluna, dining is not simply about food—it’s about storytelling through flavors, textures, and emotions. Located within Hôtel Le Château de Théoule, this Michelin-starred restaurant has quickly become a gastronomic destination on the French Riviera, where the Mediterranean spirit is celebrated with a modern, global twist.

A Symphony of the Senses

Chef Francesco Fezza, the creative force behind Mareluna, believes cuisine should spark emotion as much as satisfy appetite. His dishes draw inspiration from Italy, France, and Japan, a trio of influences that shaped his culinary identity. After training in prestigious Italian kitchens and refining his craft in Paris alongside Japanese chef Ryuji Teshima, Fezza spent months in Japan, absorbing techniques that now add subtle Asian nuances to his Mediterranean foundations. Each dish at Mareluna reflects his philosophy of precision and authenticity. Ingredients are sourced from trusted small producers, many personally visited by the chef, ensuring both quality and a deep connection to the land and sea.

Signature Creations That Tell a Story
While menus evolve constantly to embrace seasonal produce, three signature dishes anchor the Mareluna experience: the oyster with celery granité as an amuse-bouche, cuttlefish tagliatelle, and the veal carré paired with sardine. These surprising combinations are designed to intrigue, challenge, and ultimately delight, embodying the chef’s belief that true fine dining should surprise the palate. 

Complementing Fezza’s cuisine, Pastry Chef Kevin Daraud closes each menu with desserts that are both elegant and inventive. His creations blend textures and flavors with finesse, ensuring every meal ends on a refined, memorable note.
 


A Culinary Voyage
Mareluna offers three tasting journeys: a six-course menu, an eight-course exploration, and a vegetarian menu—each adapted for intolerances and tailored to the moment’s finest ingredients. With a clientele of loyal regulars, innovation is key; no two visits are ever the same. 

The restaurant also embraces the seasons, closing in winter and reopening in spring with new creations, often enriched by exclusive collaborations. Past summer menus have featured champagne pairings with prestigious houses like Billecart-Salmon, alongside luxurious ingredients such as wagyu beef and blue lobster.


Awarded its first Michelin star just seven months after opening, Mareluna continues to refine its craft. For Chef Fezza, the goal is clear: constant evolution, driven by curiosity, creativity, and respect for nature. In his words, cuisine should be “original, daring, and always surprising.” Mareluna is not simply a restaurant—it is a destination for those who seek not only to taste but to feel, to discover, and to embark on a journey guided by emotion and artistry.

Address: 55 Av. de Lérins, 06590 Théoule-sur-Mer

Reservation: 04 81 09 50 99


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Natalia Bezruk

Senior Contributor

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