Must-see restaurants in Nice

  • Bar des Oiseaux

    Nice

    Hidden down a narrow backstreet, this old-town classic has been in business since 1961, serving as a popular nightclub before reincarnating itself as a…

  • La Femme du Boulanger

    Nice

    This back-alley gem with pavement seating is a vision of French bistro bliss. Mains like duck à l'orange, honey-balsamic glazed lamb shank, or perfect…

  • Mama Baker

    Nice

    Great bakeries abound in France, but even here, truly creative artisanal ones stand out. Witness Mama Baker, where organic grains and speciality…

  • Peixes

    Nice

    This chic modern seafood eatery is the latest jewel in the crown of Niçois master restaurateur Armand Crespo. All done up in white-and-turquoise nautical…

  • Franchin

    Nice

    White linen tablecloths give this upmarket brasserie an air of formality, but the friendly service dispels any notions of stuffiness, and the food is…

  • Chez Palmyre

    Nice

    Look no further for authentic Niçois cooking than this packed, cramped, convivial little space in the heart of the old town. The menu is very meat-heavy,…

  • La Rossettisserie

    Nice

    Roast meat is the order of the day here: make your choice from beef, chicken, veal or lamb, and pair it with a choice of mashed or sautéed potatoes,…

  • La Fougasserie

    Nice

    Vieux Nice's finest baked goods emanate from this little corner boulangerie, which also operates a stall in the Cours Saleya food market. Quality organic…

  • Flaveur

    Nice

    Run by brothers Gaël and Mickaël Tourteau, this small restaurant has big culinary ambitions (and a second Michelin star as of 2018). In a Zen dining room…

  • Acchiardo

    Nice

    Warm service and irreproachable quality are the hallmarks of this traditional neighbourhood restaurant, in the same family since 1927. Locals and tourists…

  • Jan

    Nice

    For the full-blown fine-dining experience, make a pilgrimage to the Michelin-starred restaurant of South African chef Jan Hendrik van der Westhuizen…

  • Olive et Artichaut

    Nice

    There’s barely enough room to swing a pan in this tiny street bistro, especially when it’s full of diners (as it often is), but it doesn’t seem to faze…

  • Café Paulette

    Nice

    Chilled and classy Café Paulette has become one of the Petit Marais's favourite hang-outs since opening in 2017. Part cafe, part convivial lunch spot and…

  • Le Bistrot d’Antoine

    Nice

    A quintessential French bistro, right down to the checked tablecloths, streetside tables and impeccable service – not to mention the handwritten…

  • Fenocchio

    Nice

    There’s no shortage of ice-cream sellers in the old town, but this maître glacier (master ice-cream maker) has been king of the scoops since 1966. The…

  • La Merenda

    Nice

    Simple, solid Niçois cuisine – stockfish, calf tripe à la Niçoise with panisse (chunky, pan-fried sticks of chickpea batter) and the like – by former…

  • La Cave du Fromager

    Nice

    Fromage is what fuels the convivial mood at this candlelit, brick- and stone-vaulted cellar bistro. The menu changes with the seasons but always revolves…

  • Socca du Cours

    Nice

    In the heart of the cours Selaya market, this no-frills stand draws crowds every morning for its hot-from-the-oven socca (chickpea-flour pancake; brought…

  • La P'tite Cocotte

    Nice

    Everyone loves this intimate backstreet hideaway, named for its trademark dessert, a sinfully tasty chocolate fondant baked in a p'tite cocotte (mini…

  • Koko Green

    Nice

    At this popular Vieux Nice newcomer, a New Zealander and a naturopath whip up an awesome array of veggie, raw and vegan treats. Weekly specials are…

  • Chez René Socca

    Nice

    Don’t expect service with a smile at this chaotic, no-frills corner restaurant – but do expect a slice of socca (chickpea-flour pancake) or a plate of…

  • Socca d'Or

    Nice

    Locals swear by the authentic Niçois specialities served at this low-key neighbourhood eatery: pan bagnat (southern France's iconic tuna sandwich) on…

  • Voyageur Nissart

    Nice

    There's a sense of rote predictability about this checked tablecloth bistro that's been cranking out Niçois favourites for the past several decades. The…

  • La Gauloise

    Nice

    With red and black booths and lashings of exposed brick, this cheerful place in the heart of the Libération neighbourhood serves up solid brasserie food…

  • Le Canon

    Nice

    Elmahdi Mobarik and Sébastien Perinetti take locally sourced cuisine to the next level at this cosy neighbourhood bistro. Every farmer is listed by name…

  • La Casa di Giorgio

    Nice

    Don't let Giorgio's informal mom-and-pop vibe fool you! Snagging a seat at one of its red-and-white checked tables requires serious advance planning. With…

  • Maison Gusto

    Nice

    At this serious mozzarella-lover's bar, tasting platters of burrata, stracciatella, mozzarella di bufala, charcuterie and salad can keep you busy all…

  • Le Comptoir du Marché

    Nice

    With its vintage kitchen decor and great-value prices, the Comptoir does predictably well. There are five or six daily mains, scribbled on a chalkboard…

  • Le Chantecler

    Nice

    Housed in a sumptuous pink Regency dining room, the two-starred Michelin restaurant at the Hôtel Negresco, run by locally trained chef Jean-Denis…

  • Café de Turin

    Nice

    For a lavish seafood platter loaded with oysters, lobster, crab, cockles and more, Café de Turin is a longstanding Niçois tradition. You can also buy…

  • Au Petit Libanais

    Nice

    This family-run Lebanese place offers a delicious break from Nice's ubiquitous French and Italian fare. Platters of marinated and grilled meat (kafta,…

  • La Table d'Etsuko

    Nice

    Market-fresh cuisine takes on new meaning at this lovely table d'hôte (home kitchen serving meals). Three times a week, Japanese chef Etsuko invites up to…

  • Arlequin Gelati

    Nice

    A five-minute walk from Nice Ville train station brings you to this fab ice-cream shop founded by Milanese gelato master Roberto. Grab a scoop of…

  • Déli Bo

    Nice

    This hybrid coffee shop–bistro is a perennially popular hang-out for discerning Niçois hipsters. It’s good for bagel sandwiches, lunchtime salads and…

  • L’Uzine

    Nice

    The pop-art prints and artfully distressed decor set the tone at this hip little Port Lympia place (the name means ‘The Factory’), which is equally…

  • Chez Pipo

    Nice

    Everyone says the best socca (chickpea-flour pancakes) can be found in the old town, but don’t believe them – this place near Port Lympia has been in the…

  • Badaboom

    Nice

    Vegans and vegetarians are in heaven at this little cafe specialising in fresh cold-pressed juices, whole grains, local organic produce and raw desserts…

  • Kiosque Chez Tintin

    Nice

    A true local institution, this friendly little kiosk makes some of Nice's best pan bagnat – Niçois sandwiches piled high with tuna and veggies and…

  • Gelateria Azzurro

    Nice

    Next door to the cathedral, this venerable Vieux Nice gelateria is beloved for its ice cream, yes – but even more so for its homemade waffle cones, made…

  • Sporting Plage

    Nice

    Straddling a prime stretch of beachfront at the heart of the Promenade des Anglais, Sporting serves up unbeatable Mediterranean views along with pizza,…

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