Nikki Beach Hospitality Group is proud to announce the opening of Maison Mer, coming November 2025, the latest addition to its expanding portfolio of luxury lifestyle brands. The restaurant is a homage to Provence and the French Riviera. Meaning “House of the Sea” in French, the restaurant offers stunning views of the gulf, while the name also subtly nods to “mère,” the French word for “mother,” symbolizing the nurturing comfort of home-cooked meals.
Under the leadership of France-based Corporate Executive Chef Alessandro Pizza, and Dubai-based Head Chef Kavish Chimajee, the culinary team will embrace classic French techniques and subtle seasonings to showcase the essence of each ingredient and preserve the authentic flavors of Provence. Chef Alessandro Pizza, with over 20 years of experience on the French Riviera, is eager to share his take on the region’s exceptional cuisine with Dubai. The menu will capture the essence of family traditions and the joy of long, shared meals around the table, common in the South of France.
The Riviera-inspired menu, spanning from Nice to Marseille, celebrates regional traditions and timeless flavors. Anchovies, goat cheese, artichokes, garlic, and figs are central to the menu’s flavor profile, offering an authentic taste of the South of France. The signature Linguini aux Tomate cerise et Poisson Frais du Jour takes center stage, featuring homemade pasta in a silky tomato coulis paired with the day’s market-fresh fish, created as a generous dish to be shared at the table. Another highlight is the Parmigiana de Courgette, featuring layers of zucchini, oven-baked until meltingly tender, cloaked in a rustic “casalinga” tomato sauce with smoked scamorza, parmesan, and crisp zucchini chips. Baby artichokes, braised à la Barigoule in white wine and olive oil, also make an appearance. Additional favorites include Fougasse Bread with Anchovy Butter, Crispy Socca Chips, and a Pain Perdu infused with lavender and Provençal honey, paired with Calisson ice cream. To finish, the menu pays homage to Saint-Tropez with a decadent Tarte Tropézienne, filled with crème pâtissière and buttercream – très gourmand.
Maison Mer’s cocktail menu also channels the spirit of the South of France: sunlit terraces, herb gardens, and seaside apéritifs. Classics are reimagined with a Riviera twist, like the Château Negroni, a moody take on the original with Aperol, gin, dry red wine, and orange bitters, or the Mistral Whisper, a smooth blend of whisky, lavender, lemon, and honey that captures the region’s floral warmth. From sparkling wine spritzes to spirit-free blends with fig, hibiscus, and thyme, the menu balances freshness and depth, with Provençal ingredients and playful complexity in every glass.
“For many years, the South of France has felt like a second home, and I’ve always dreamed of sharing that way of life with the world,” shared Lucia Penrod, CEO, Cofounder & Owner of Nikki Beach Hospitality Group. “The ease of mornings at the market, long afternoons with a glass of rosé, and evenings surrounded by friends have shaped the spirit of Maison Mer. I’m thrilled to now bring this lifestyle to Dubai, where guests can experience a taste of Riviera living by the sea.”
Designed by Nikki Beach Hospitality Group’s Interior Design Architect, Remi Viale, Maison Mer is a modern interpretation of a Provençal home by the sea. The design blends Mediterranean elegance with rustic charm, inspired by summer days in the South of France. Guests arrive through a limestone archway and follow a garden path lined with native plants. Inside, vaulted ceilings, arched sea-view portals, classic iron chairs, and hand-tiled tables in shades of thyme and basil create a fresh, refined atmosphere. Outdoors, scalloped parasols and unobstructed views of the water set the scene for relaxed, waterfront dining, a rarity in Dubai and one that evokes the open vistas of the French Riviera. Select pieces will be sourced by Viale directly from the antique boutiques and quiet corners of Provence, adding a sense of place and curated charm.
As part of the design identity, the restaurant incorporates a modern twist on the classic Provençal paisley pattern, itself a French adaptation of Persian and Indian boteh or buta motifs. Known in France as indiennes, these textiles are defined by their bright colors and use of cotton fabric, a hallmark of Southern France’s heritage. Maison Mer reinterprets this iconic design in a fresh, modern way for its logo and extends it across custom-designed plates and other details throughout the restaurant, weaving history into the brand’s contemporary aesthetic.
The opening marks a significant expansion for Nikki Beach Hospitality Group, as it continues to introduce new concepts and elevate luxury dining experiences around the world. Maison Mer is a new standalone restaurant concept from Nikki Beach Hospitality Group, launching within Nikki Beach Resort & Spa Dubai. Like the group’s recently introduced Lucia brand, Maison Mer is designed to evolve independently and may open in additional destinations in the future.
The Dubai location will be open Tuesday – Sunday for lunch and dinner, with extended hours on weekends and during special events. The restaurant entrance is conveniently located just beside the beach club entrance.
