What are the best restaurants in Nice Here's our top 10
Nice It is not only visited with the eyes, it is savored. Between the ochre alleyways of the Old TownNice And beyond the elegance of the Promenade des Anglais, the capital of the French Riviera hides culinary treasures jealously guarded by locals. Fancy tasting an authentic socca or enjoying a Michelin-starred experience overlooking the sea? We've selected the 10 best restaurants for you. Nice.
The best restaurants in Nice offering "Niçoise cuisine" or traditional cuisine
Here you will find local establishments that celebrate traditional Niçoise recipes (socca, daube, stuffed vegetables, etc.), often in a simple yet authentic setting. Some of these establishments have been awarded the "Cuisine Nissarde" label, a distinction created in 1998 that recognizes restaurants that preserve, perpetuate, and promote Niçoise gastronomy in its finest form.
At Acchiardo's
In the heart of Old TownNice, At Acchiardo's A true local institution, almost a must-visit for anyone wishing to understand the culinary soul of Nice. Founded in 1927 by Giuseppe and Madalin Acchiardo, the establishment has remained family spanning four generationsIt is currently run by Virginie Acchiardo with the help of her brothers Raphaël and Jean-François.
As soon as you step inside, the atmosphere sets the tone: stone walls, a warm and inviting room, and simple yet genuine service. This is a far cry from your typical, cookie-cutter restaurant. It's a lively Niçoise house, where locals and regulars mingle with visitors.
In the kitchen, the restaurant holds the "Cuisine Nissarde" label and offers hearty and authentic recipes that remain true to tradition and local ingredients. For starters, enjoy a homemade pissaladière or a generous platter of Niçoise cheese. For your main course, indulge in a farm-raised duck breast and finish with a delicate tarte tatin.
Address : 38 Rue Droite, 06300 Nice, France
Restaurant Chez Davia
Established since the 50s, this bistro is another legendary address in Nice, not to be missed under any circumstances if you are a fan of Niçoise specialties with a modern twist. Today, it is expertly managed by Pierre Altobelli (grandson of Davia), representing the third generation. Trained in Michelin-starred restaurants (notably Ducasse and Troisgros), he brings a technical and creative dimension without ever turning his back on the family heritage.
The establishment brilliantly revisits great classics mediterranean like the zucchini blossom, a bestseller, ratatouille, or even daube. Iconic dishes, meticulously reworked without ever betraying their essence. All enjoyed in a lively Niçoise bistro, both authentic and elegant with checkered tablecloths, warm atmosphere, retro decor…
Address : 11 bis Rue Grimaldi, 06000 Nice, France
The Merenda
Located in the Old TownNiceLocated not far from the Promenade des Anglais, La Merenda is a cult spot with a distinctly old-fashioned charm. Here, there are no flashy signs or sophisticated window displays: you almost have to know where you're going. And that's precisely what makes it so appealing.
Founded by the chef Dominique Le StancThe former Michelin-starred chef of the prestigious Le Chantecler, the restaurant was born from a radical choice: to return to the essentials. Out with codified haute cuisine, in with a simpler approach. raw, sincere and deeply NiçoiseOnce you step inside, the experience is surprising. The dining room is tiny, with barely twenty seats. There's no phone, and no credit cards accepted. Everything is deliberately simplified to refocus attention on the essentials: the product, the technique, the taste. It's almost like being in a home kitchen, where each dish tells a story.
In terms of cuisine, La Merenda is often considered one of the temples of... traditional Niçoise cuisineIt features the great classics, executed with remarkable precision:
- Stuffed vegetables from Nice,
- the rubbish,
- stockfish,
- or even the famous chard pie.
Address : 4 rue Raoul-Bosio, Nice06000, France
Antoine's Bistrot
When it comes to talking about bistros with a warm atmosphere and delicious cuisine, Antoine's Bistro is a very frequently recommended address. Not far from the Rue de la Préfecture, near the Cours Saleya and the lively alleyways of the Old TownNiceThis establishment is neither totally traditional nor truly gastronomic, but cultivates a precise positioning: that of a modern, demanding bistro… but accessible.
Behind this welcoming facade lies a long history. Originally a simple neighborhood bar opened in 1904, the establishment was transformed in 2006 by Armand Crespo, which has transformed it into a contemporary bistro that retains its convivial spirit. Today, it is regularly recognized by the Bib Gourmand from the Michelin Guide which rewards restaurants offering excellent cuisine at reasonable prices.
The signature of Bistrot d'Antoine rests on a subtle balance:
- classic French bistro dishes
- flawless technical execution
- fresh, seasonal produce.
From the menu (often written on a chalkboard), you will find:
- a hand-cut beef tartare
- an old-fashioned pork casserole with polenta
- grilled veal kidneys, etc.
Address : 27 rue de la Préfecture, Nice06300, France
Bistronomy and modern, accessible cuisine take center stage.
In this selection, you'll find more contemporary cuisine featuring seasonal produce and elegant presentation, but without any rigid gastronomic approach. Discover trendy restaurants that offer a good balance of creativity and accessibility.
The Locksmiths' Bistro
Considered the soul of the locksmiths in NiceThe eponymous bistro perfectly embodies this new generation of bistros: authentic in spirit, but demanding in execution.
From the moment you step inside, the atmosphere is captivating. Stone walls, vintage furniture, soft lighting… the place evokes a old-fashioned coffee, almost frozen in time. You immediately feel at home there, like in an address that the locals would jealously guard.
Located beneath the elegant Hôtel du Couvent, the bistro benefits from a unique setting while retaining a true neighborhood bistro identityaccessible and user-friendly.
The kitchen adheres to a clear principle: seasonal produce, short and local sourcing, simple and precise recipes. Under the guidance of Endy Le Page, who trained with Anne-Sophie Pic, Mediterranean and Niçoise dishes are revisited with precision: stuffed vegetables, pissaladière, terrines, fish or homemade pasta depending on availability.
Address : 16 Rue des Serruriers, 06300 Nice, France
Lavomatique
Nice's gastronomic scene boasts several gems, among which the atypical stands out. Lavomatique, one of the best restaurants in Nice created by the "Louber"t Brothers." Here, the concept is clear: shake up the codes of the traditional bistro to offer a friendly, free and decidedly contemporary experience.
Housed in a former laundromat whose spirit has been preserved, the place plays on a strong identity with a raw and minimalist decor, an open kitchen that showcases the work of the chefs and a lively atmosphere like a "culinary workshop".
At the helm, the chef Hugo Loubert offers Mediterranean-inspired cuisine that breaks the mold and creates a menu that evolves according to the seasons and inspirations:
- BBQ pork ribs
- Cabbage with citrus vinaigrette
- Homemade sausages, carefully prepared mashed potatoes
- Homemade desserts like lemon tart.
Address : 11 Rue du Pont Vieux, 06300 Nice, France
At Cane's
Located on the heights of Nice, far from the hustle and bustle of the city center, At Cane's offers a very different experience from the restaurants of the Old TownNiceYou will be immersed in a almost a rural atmospherewhere Niçoise cuisine is experienced in a verdant and peaceful setting. Founded in the 1950s by the grandfather of the current Chef, Alain Marcucci, the restaurant has remained family generation after generation while ensuring that culinary expertise is preserved and deeply rooted in local tradition.
Upon arrival, the setting gives the impression of being in the countryside, but in the middle of Nice with a large shaded terrace, a friendly atmosphere and that "Nice-style open-air café" spirit.
In the kitchen, simple but carefully prepared products are favored. Local produce is widely represented on the menu with suggestions such as courgette flower fritters, stuffed vegetables, homemade gnocchi and ravioli, or the ever-popular pissaladière.
Address : 317 Av. de Fabron, 06200 Nice, France
The best restaurants in Nice for a gourmet dinner
In this list, you will discover high-end and Michelin-starred restaurants that combine technique, artistry and a complete experience (tasting menu, food and wine pairings, premium service) to tantalize all your senses.
The Chantecler
Located within the legendary Hotel Negresco, on the famous Promenade des Anglais, The Chantecler is a powerful symbol of the haute French gastronomy Nice, awarded one star in the Michelin Guide. From the moment you enter, the place is impressive. 18th-century woodwork, crystal chandeliers, fine porcelain… the restaurant evokes a true period salon, both sumptuous and intimate.
At the helm, the chef Virginie basselot, Meilleur Ouvrier de France 2015, offers a modern and creative cuisine made from very high quality products, which she selects with the greatest care from producers in the region.
Each dish tells a story and showcases Mediterranean flavors with precision and finesse. For example, you'll find subtle combinations of Mediterranean fish, delicate sauces, and elegantly prepared seasonal produce. On the menu: Cians truffle followed by farm-raised sweetbreads, finishing with Valrhona chocolate.
Address : 37 Promenade des Anglais, 06000 Nice, France
🔗The Chantecler of the Negresco Hotel
The Agitators
Nice's culinary scene never ceases to amaze. Another Michelin-starred restaurant not to be missed: Les Agitateurs. Its very name evokes dynamism and unexpected flavors. This neo-bistro is located in the port district of Nice has been championing Mediterranean cuisine with a modern twist and travel influences for about ten years now. At the helm is the chef Samuel Victori develops its own signature style:
- rigorously selected local products;
- unexpected but controlled associations;
- precise work on textures and cooking methods.
Each dish is designed as a complete culinary construction, often explained in the dining room, strengthening the link between kitchen and customer.
One detail that makes all the difference: here, there is no traditional menu. The meal is built around tasting menus in several stages. Each sequence tells a story, with a progression designed to surprise and balance the flavors from beginning to end.
Address : 24 Rue Bonaparte, 06300 Nice, France
JAN
Looking for flawless cuisine? Head straight to JAN. Founded in 2013 by South African chef Jan Hendrik van der Westhuizen, the restaurant quickly gained recognition. one star in the Michelin Guide and becomes one of the best restaurants in NiceWith a deliberately limited capacity (around twenty seats), JAN offers an experience intimate and immersivewhere every detail is designed to create an exclusive moment, near the port.
His signature style, JAN, is based on a rare concept: a a fusion of French cuisine and South African influencesThe chef draws on his roots to offer a deeply personal cuisine, featuring inspirations such as reimagined bobotie, biltong, and melktert. The meal concludes with an impressive selection of over twenty cheeses to be enjoyed overlooking the sea.
Address : 12 Rue Lascaris, 06300 Nice, France
🔗JAN
Arrive in style for your exceptional evening.
For dinner in one of the Michelin-starred establishments of NiceLeave nothing to chance. Fully enjoy your food and wine pairings and let EDEN CAB We will ensure your transport in a luxury sedan. Your driver will drop you off at the restaurant and take you back efficiently and professionally.
