All restaurant tips for Nice, Côte d’Azur
Things that make me happy in life: sun, food, and wine. That's often all I need, especially not with a weekend (or week) away. Preferably by the sea, because enjoying the sun in a sweltering city is often not very pleasant. But well, when my girlfriend group planned a weekend away (and we had closed the hellish phase of 'picking a date'), we ended up in Nice. I can tell you: we couldn't have chosen a better destination. Because: tickets are not expensive (thanks Transavia), the city itself is small but nice (and thus by the water), you can eat deliciously, enjoy the light rosés, and it's also a top base for some day trips (jet-setting in Monaco, looking looking, not buying). So yes, of course, you see a lot of people on Instagram who always go to Cannes , but I can tell you: they just don't get it. Nice is nice (ha ha ha). Check out the best tips and addresses below for the best baguettes, cheeses, and of course wines! Neighborhoods
Vieille Ville:
This neighborhood is the old part of the city and absolutely the most fun. So make sure your Airbnb or hotel is a bit nearby (mine was within walking distance; stretch your legs between all the terraces). You will find the cutest restaurants, bars, and of course the beach here. The harbor is also within walking distance. Promenade des Anglais:.
The most famous street along the beach of Nice. Maybe handy to know: it is a pebble beach. I am quite a walker on vacation and walking along this promenade towards the harbor is a nice trip. You walk via Castle Hill, from where you have a beautiful view of the city and the harbor. Place Garibaldi & Vieux Port:.
The harbor of Nice is the main harbor for ships sailing across the Mediterranean Sea. So it's quite busy. For seafood restaurants, you are in the right place here, but I also found Place Garibaldi a great spot. There are terraces where you have sun all day and it's a bit less touristy than Vieille Ville. Jean Médecin & Place Masséna:.
Just before you enter Vieille Ville, there is a long shopping street mainly with the larger chains like Lafayette. That street leads to Place Masséna, where the large Fontaine de Soleil stands in the middle. So you mainly shop here (or in Vieille Ville at the cute boutiques). Monaco & Ventimiglia:.
Tips
These two cities (villages) are easy to reach by train from the station in Nice. And that train is not like the Sprinter we know in the Netherlands; it's really a journey in itself. It goes right along the sea through the mountains, costs hardly anything (around two euros for a one-way ticket) and you get there quickly. Ventimiglia is in Italy and is really nice for a day trip. Monaco probably needs no explanation and is also special to see. Extra tip from me, because I made this mistake as a blonde: don't go on Sunday. Everything, yes, really everything is closed. Except for the very expensive restaurants. Cours Saleya:.
In Vieille Ville, you will find a daily market on Cours Saleya with flowers, herbs, and more. Be sure to try the dish that comes from Nice: the Socca. It's a pancake made from chickpeas and it sounds strange, but it's really delicious. Antibes, Grasse, and Menton:.
These villages are easy to do if you have a rental car. Smaller than Nice, but all three are really beautiful. Grasse is known for its perfume, so definitely book a visit to a perfumery (really worth it!). A post shared by La Cave du Fromager (@lacavedufromager).
Restaurants
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Cave du Fromager The name says it all: if you love cheese, then you should go here. Do make a reservation, because this spot in Nice has been very popular for years. Inside, it's cozy with stone walls and many bottles of wine on the wall. Every dish has something to do with cheese, but you can also go for the daily seasonal menu. The concept of 'too much cheese' is personally unknown to me, so I can wholeheartedly recommend this place. J’adore: plus de fromage. 29 Rue Benoît Bunico.
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A very nice, cozy tapas bar with French influences. Fun: the menu changes with the seasons and many of the ingredients come from the local market. The wine list mainly features organic wines.: 11 Rue du Pont Vieux.
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Le Vingt4:
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If you love classic French cuisine, then you definitely want to go to this hotspot in the old part of Nice. The prices are very reasonable and the restaurant itself looks very cute (and typically French). Hou je wel van de klassieke Franse keuken, dan wil je zéker naar deze hotspot in het oude gedeelte van Nice. De prijzen zijn heel redelijk en het restaurant zelf ziet er ook te schattig (en typisch Frans) uit.
27 Rue de la Préfecture
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Restaurant JAN: Fine dining in Nice? Of course. And you do that at Restaurant JAN. Every dish here is truly a work of art, and definitely have a cocktail, because they also look really beautiful. It's not cheap, but very special: the menu is a mix of South African and French cuisine. Yep, you want to taste this.
12 Rue Lascaris
Le Canon: Such a fun concept here, especially if you like surprises. They don't have a fixed menu here, but it varies what ingredients they have been able to source from local markets. Also, the wine list is completely natural, and it is currently one of the most popular restaurants in Nice. Definitely worth a visit.
23 Rue Meyerbeer
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Oliviera: Mediterranean dishes, very friendly owners, and still quite undiscovered. However, your time management is put to the test here; they are only open for lunch and closed on Sundays and Mondays. And that lunch is from 12:00 to 14:00. As I said: time management, because if a restaurant can manage to be open for such a short time and still be very successful, the food must be good, right? Exactly, that's what I thought too.
8 Bis Rue du Collet
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Les Sens: Very affordable food, but especially very tasty food. Definitely go in the evening for the full menu and enjoy the avocado cream with shrimp or my favorite: steamed artichoke with poached egg and bacon. Yes please, every day if possible.
37 Rue Pastorelli
La Roustide: Fine dining à la Français. About a ten-minute walk from Place Garibaldi, so a great idea to end your day here in the harbor. Again, it's a good idea to make a reservation here (which is recommended everywhere in Nice). They are especially praised for their truffle dishes. In fact, they have a complete truffle menu. So if you have a grande amour for that (I can see my old French teacher shaking his head and looking disappointed at me): on y va.
34 Rue Beaumont
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Maïdo: And when you are completely fed up with French cuisine, you just go to this Japanese Izakaya. Not for the sushi, but for the real Japanese dishes. With sake or one of the natural wines they serve here.
29 Rue Tonduti de l’Escarène
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La Terrasse: A list of tips from me without a rooftop bar is like a Frenchman who doesn't like baguette: that just can't be, right? That's why this one is also on the list. You have a view over the entire Promenade des Anglais and it is located on top of hotel Le Méridien. I haven't eaten there, so I can't give you any tips about that, but for a drink at the end of the day, this is a very good spot.
1 Prom. des Anglais
