Two women outside a cafe in Nice

Eating in Nice: Our favorite places

From local specialties to delicious pastries.

April 2023
The coastal city of Nice is full of great restaurants offering everything from traditional specialties like socca, salade niçoise and ratatouille, to modern and creative dishes that combine the best of the local cuisine with international influences. Discover the 10 best restaurants in Nice and indulge in the city's gastronomic charm.
The bell tower of Nice Cathedral

Elegant yet comfortable

Bistrot Marin

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11bis Rue Grimaldi
Nice
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The food here is mouth-watering, the atmosphere elegant yet comfortable, the service attentive and relaxed and the prices won’t break the bank. It’s in the 2016 Michelin Guide.

French eclairs

Heavenly pastries

Deli Bo

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11 Rue Fodéré
Nice
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Don’t be discouraged by the lines for lunch or Sunday brunch at Deli Bo – they move fast and you’ll be rewarded by the comforting food and lively atmosphere. Perfect for people-watching in Nice’s trendy, so-called “Marais” area.

The chickpea pancake Socca
Photo: iStock

The best socca in town

L’atelier

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17 Rue Gioffredo
Nice
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Socca is a specialty in the south of France, especially in Nice, so no visit is complete without tasting at least one. L’Atelier takes this pancake or crêpe made of chickpea flour and turns it into a culinary event with a choice of eclectic toppings and combinations.

A cat sitting outside a cafe

Coffee, cookies and cats

La Ronronnerie

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4 Rue de Lépante
Nice
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If you’re a cat lover, this café is the place for you. Enjoy your coffee and pastry in the company of the resident cats. If you’re allergic to the feline creatures, there’s always Charlie’s & Co next door. No cats, but good, simple lunches at this homey café with plenty of students from the local ‘lycée’.

Macarons in different colors

Extra sweet

Patisserie Canet

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7 Rue Longchamp
Nice
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Patisserie Canet elevates pastry to an art. Choosing just one treat to go with your coffee or tea will be extremely difficult – so taste two.

The sea view from Le Meridien in Nice

Fantastic sea view

Le Meridien

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1 Prom. des Anglais
Nice
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Yes it’s touristy, but it’s good too! Le Meridien hotel’s La Terrasse restaurant and adjoining rooftop bar are definitely worthwhile, especially for the sea view.

The Old Town in Nice

Popular bar in the Old Town

Cave de la Tour

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3 Rue de la Tour
Nice
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Stop in for an “apéro” at this busy bar in the Old Town bursting with character and good cheer. Grab a bar stool outside if it’s too crowded.

A bowl of coffee beans

Coffee from around the world

Cafés Indien

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35 Rue Pairolière
Nice
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If coffee is more your thing, there’s Cafes Indien, also in the Old Town. They carry coffee beans from around the world. Try a cup of the ‘café du jour.’

Grilled octopus

Reasonably prices

Le Comptoir du Marché

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9 Rue du Marché
Nice
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Excellent food and value at this friendly restaurant in Nice’s Old Town. Slow-cooked beef, octopus: the chalkboard menu changes according to what’s fresh. The place can be crowded but the staff will try to accommodate you on the outdoor patio or indoors. Similar reasonably priced, good cookin’ options in the neighborhood are Chez Palmyre at 5, rue Droite and Acchiardo on 38 rue Droite.

A female singer performing on stage

A jazzy end to the evening

Le Shapko Bar

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5 Rue Rossetti
Nice
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Top off the evening with jazz, soul, or why not funk music, at Le Shapko Bar in the Old Town. Live music every evening with a happy hour from 18:00-21:00.

Text by Cari Simmons