10 Great Restaurants in Nice

<p>Like the city’s stunning architecture, the great restaurants of Nice are varied, colorful, and easy to enjoy for hours at a time. As one of the French Riviera’s most popular and glamorous destinations, it’s little wonder that <a href=“/go/france/nice”>Nice</a> is packed with so many stylish places to eat.</p><p>Mediterranean food is high on the menu here, with a unique blend of both French and Italian influences. While the city might be best known for its salads and ratatouille, there’s far more to discover from the <em>cuisine niçoise.</em> From fine dining experiences to local haunts and hidden gems, here are some great ideas on where to eat in Nice and what to try.</p>

Nice Hotels

1. Casa Leya

Casual family dining near the beach

Good for: Couples, Families, Food

<p>Casa Leya is one of the most popular places for families to eat in Nice. The laidback restaurant serves classic Italian and Mediterranean dishes over 2 floors, right next to the beach.</p><p>Known for its no-fuss pizzas, pasta, and seafood, everything at Casa Leya is homemade from ingredients gathered fresh on the Côte d’Azur. The restaurant has an impressive selection of wines from some of Italy and France’s top grape-growing regions. If you happen to be visiting on a Sunday, you’re in luck, because Casa Leya offers a great-value brunch, which includes their famous scrambled eggs with mascarpone.</p>

Location: 36 Cr Saleya, 06300 Nice, France

Open: Daily from 11.30 am to 10.30 pm

Phone: +33 (0)4 92 47 80 90

2. Le Plongeoir

An Instagram-worthy seafood spot on a rocky outcrop

Good for: Couples, Photo, Food, Luxury

Le Plongeoir is one of Nice’s most iconic restaurants overlooking the harbor. Formerly home to a much-photographed fishing boat perched atop its rocky ledge, Le Plongeoir now offers 3 unique dining neighborhoods. Soak in the stunning coastal views from the sea-level lounge bar, find a table set into the cliffside or eat under the gazebo on top of the rocky pillar.

The menu at Le Plongeoir is loaded with local flavors and heavily influenced by the sea – broiled octopus, sea bream and sea bass are among the most popular dishes. Don’t forget to check out the cocktail menu - Le Plongeoir’s signature cocktail is a local favorite.

Location: 60 Bd Franck Pilatte, 06300 Nice, France

Open: Monday–Saturday from 5 pm to 10 pm, Sunday from noon to 1.45 pm and 5 pm to 10 pm

Phone: +33 (0)4 93 26 53 02

3. Peixes

A top spot for Mediterranean dining in Nice

Good for: Families, Food, Group

Peixes is a Mediterranean restaurant just moments away from the Nice Opera House and the Promenade du Paillon. Named after the Portugese word for ‘fish’, which is the restaurant’s specialty, you’ll have to move quickly if you want to grab a table on Peixes’ popular outdoor terrace.

Mediterranean classics are prepared with French flair, but it’s the clear passion for fresh seafood that really sets Peixes apart. Meals are served tapas style on small plates, with a fine selection of wines to match. If you’re a dessert person, try their special banana-flavoured take on crème brûlée.

Location: 4 Rue Jacques Médecin, 06300 Nice, France

Open: Monday–Saturday from noon to 2 pm and 7 pm to 10 pm (closed on Sundays)

Phone: +33 (0)4 93 85 96 15

4. Les Sens

Stylish dining with a seasonally-inspired menu

Good for: Families, Food, Luxury

<p>Les Sens is an example of a classic <em>niçoise</em> restaurant, serving upscale food in unpretentious surroundings with a focus on fresh, locally-sourced ingredients. The restaurant is located on the stylish Rue Pastorelli, in the heart of Nice.</p><p>Everything at Les Sens is made from scratch, including the bread they bake in-house. Traditional Mediterranean dishes are prepared with a modern twist, from entrees like cucumber mille-feuille with cream, smoked monkfish, and red peppers, to mains like pan-fried veal liver with capers. You’ll be in good company, as there’s usually a mix of discerning travelers and locals celebrating special occasions in the chic, exposed-brick restaurant.</p>

Location: 37 Rue Pastorelli, 06000 Nice, France

Open: Monday–Friday from noon to 2 pm and 7.30 pm to 9.30 pm, closed Saturday and Sunday

Phone: +33 (0)9 81 06 57 00

5. Le Panier

Modern cuisine in the heart of Nice’s Old Town

Good for: Couples, Food, Luxury

<p>Le Panier is considered one of Nice’s culinary hidden gems, known for its unique tasting menus and flavor combinations. The cozy restaurant is near the Marché aux Fleurs, Nice’s biggest flower market, and Plage des Ponchettes (Ponchettes Beach).</p><p>Watch the chefs at work in the open kitchen or grab a space on the relaxed terrace. Dishes at Le Panier are created from the region’s seasonal produce with specially-crafted cocktails to pair. Wine connoisseurs will also be impressed with the expertly-matched vintages.</p>

Location: 5 Rue Barillerie, 06300 Nice, France

Open: Thursday–Friday from 7 pm to 9.15 pm, Saturday–Sunday from noon to 1.15 pm and 7 pm to 9.15 pm, Monday from noon to 1.15 pm and 7 pm to 9 pm (closed Tuesday–Wednesday)

Phone: +33 (0)4 89 97 14 37

6. Restaurant JAN

Intimate fine dining in the Port of Nice

Good for: Couples, Food, Luxury

<p>Restaurant JAN is a Michelin-starred restaurant in Nice offering a unique mix of Mediterranean and South African flavors. Diners can choose from seasonal tasting menus of either 4 or 7 plates, paired with excellent wines.</p><p>Inside, the vibe is more museum-like than a restaurant, with decadent furnishing and fine artwork on the walls. And that’s before adding the exquisitely-presented plates. For a romantic dinner or special treat, few places in Nice can compare to JAN. Find it in the up-and-coming district of Nice Port, close to the Terra Amata Museum and the Cimetière du Château.</p>

Location: 12 Rue Lascaris, 06300 Nice, France

Open: Tuesday–Saturday from 7 pm to 10 pm (closed Sunday–Monday)

Phone: +33 (0)4 97 19 32 23

7. Le Bouchon

An affordable local bistro in Nice

Good for: Budget, Families, Food

<p>Le Bouchon is a neighborhood bistro in Nice that serves mainly classic French dishes created with fresh, local Mediterranean ingredients. It is a rare thing in Nice, as not only is it kind to the budget but it’s also known for its unfailingly friendly serving staff. You can find it a little off Nice’s tourist track, to the west of Parc du Vinaigrier.</p><p>Don’t be fooled by Le Bouchon’s small size and laidback feel, there are more than a few standout dishes on the menu. Try the appetizer of fresh tomatoes and strawberries served with burrata cheese, then continue with the grilled <em>andouillette</em> or polenta with mushrooms and black truffle for the main. Then finish with a Paris-Brest for dessert.</p>

Location: 34 Rue Mgr Alfred Daumas, 06300 Nice, France

Open: Tuesday–Saturday from noon to 2 pm and 7 pm to 9.30 pm (closed Sunday–Monday)

Phone: +33 (0)4 93 01 72 19

8. Le Chantecler

Luxury fine dining in Nice’s most iconic hotel

Good for: Couples, Food, Luxury

<p>Le Chantecler is one of the most famous restaurants in Nice. The Michelin-starred spot can be found inside the iconic, pink-topped Hotel Negresco, just opposite Blue Beach and next to the Villa Masséna museum.</p><p>Inside, the restaurant is decorated in an opulent 18th-century French style, with glittering chandeliers and glossy wood paneling. The food, on the other hand, has a very modern flavor, with contemporary twists on classic French dishes like roasted blue lobster. For a unique dining option, ask for the chef’s surprise menu, which comes with a selection of hand-picked dishes and wines to match.</p>

Location: 37 Prom. des Anglais, 06000 Nice, France

Open: Wednesday–Sunday from 7 pm to 9.30 pm (closed Monday–Tuesday)

Phone: +33 (0)4 93 16 64 10

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9. Le Millésime

A popular Nice bistro known for its truffle dishes

Good for: Couples, Food, Unusual

<p>Le Millésime is a charming, hidden-away bistro in Nice. It might not look like much from the outside, but book a table and you’ll soon discover why it’s such a firm favorite with visitors and locals alike.</p><p>Choose the chef’s special tasting menu for a real treat. Featuring 5 beautifully-presented dishes, each meal makes use of truffles in some way, including the optical illusion dessert, a fun finishing touch for a unique dining experience. The restaurant is just a 5-minute walk from the Palais des Congrès Acropolis and 10 minutes from the Modern and Contemporary Art Museum (MAMAC).</p>

Location: 17 Rue Smolett, 06300 Nice, France

Open: Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from noon to 1.30 pm and 7 pm to 9.30 pm, Wednesday and Saturday from 7 pm to 9.30 pm (closed Sunday–Monday)

Phone: +33 (0)4 93 56 00 13

10. Nuances

A sleek gastropub serving playful French dishes

Good for: Couples, Food, Luxury

<p>At Nuances restaurant there’s no menu to choose from. Instead, the Port Quarter eatery offers diners 6 surprise courses, each presented to high standards. Every dish is carefully created with locally-sourced ingredients and fine-quality produce.</p><p>Not knowing what you might be served is half the fun but, no matter what arrives on your plate, you can expect it to be served with the establishment’s signature flair. Those with allergies or dietary requirements are also catered for, as you’ll be asked when you arrive if there are any ingredients you can’t or don’t want to be included in your creatively-prepared carte blanche menu.</p>

Location: 15 Rue Cassini, 06300 Nice, France

Open: Tuesday and Saturday from noon to 3 pm and 7 pm to midnight, Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday from 7 pm to midnight (closed on Sundays)

Phone: +33 (0)7 88 93 67 88

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