St Tropez is not a budget destination for eating. The waterfront restaurants charge Paris prices for the view, and the beach clubs charge more still. That said, there are genuine restaurants in the backstreets that serve Provençal food at less absurd prices.
La Vague d'Or at the Résidence de la Pinède holds three Michelin stars — chef Arnaud Donckele's cooking, intensely local and technically brilliant, is the best in the area by some distance. This is a special-occasion restaurant with special-occasion prices.
Chez Maggi on rue Sibille is a long-running favourite — a lively, informal restaurant serving good Provençal food at prices that don't require a yacht. The terrace fills fast.
Le Café on the Place des Lices serves solid brasserie cooking with a good wine list and a terrace facing the square. Rosé from the surrounding Côtes de Provence vineyards is the obvious choice.
Bar du Port near the harbour is good for simple grilled fish and local seafood — moules marinière, grilled sea bass, bouillabaisse made properly. Order the tapenade and bread while you wait.