10 Best Local Restaurants in Nice
Where to Find Nice’s Best Local Food?
The best local restaurants in Nice are fantastic places to sample some of its many local dishes, which showcase sun-grown vegetables, freshly made ravioli and gnocchi, and quality seafood. You’ll discover dishes that are famous all across France and the rest of the world, such as ratatouille, capon (stuffed cabbage leaves), and pelotons à la blette (veggie balls made with shredded chard, eggs, and cheese, with homemade tomato sauce).
Check out our guide to the best local restaurants in Nice. From Old Nice to the Promenade des Anglais, with a little detour off the beaten path, we have a mix of authentic and family-friendly restaurants, as well as high-end establishments in great locations.
1. Cave de la Tour
A great place for local wines and Nice specialties
Good for: Couples, Food, Unusual
Cave de la Tour serves local dishes at lunchtime in a cozy tavern setting. Located in Rue de la Tour at the edge of old Nice and Boulevard Jean Jaurès, the wine bar’s maroon awning and facade make it easy to spot.
It’s a great place to enjoy some time with friends with a bottle of terroir wine and a plate of cold cured meats or socca (traditional chickpea-flour flatbread). Cave de la Tour’s daily specials vary according to the chef’s preference and market produce. Arrive early so that you can have your pick.
Location: 3 Rue de la Tour, 06300 Nice, France
Open: Tuesday–Saturday from 8 am to 8 pm, Sunday from 8 am to 12.30 pm (closed on Mondays)
Phone: +33 (0)4 93 80 03 31
Cave de la Tour
2. Castel Plage
Provence-style cuisine overlooking the Bay of Angels
Good for: Photo, Food, Luxury
Castel Plage serves Nice-style cuisine for lunch and dinner on the private Castel beach. The restaurant, located at the end of Promenade des Anglais, is open from spring until the end of summer.
Dishes are inspired by the sea and the sun, with standouts such as fricassée de pouple à la nissarde (Nice-style octopus stew), roasted seabass, and chickpea salad with broiled vegetables. Castel Plage has an idyllic art deco-style setting that overlooks the Bay of Angels, making it a beautiful spot for a romantic sunset dinner.
Location: 8 Quai des États-Unis, 06300 Nice, France
Open: Hours vary by season
Phone: +33 (0)4 93 85 22 66
Castel Plage
3. Le Chantecler
A luxurious dining experience in an 18th-century building
Good for: Couples, Food, Luxury
Le Chantecler is a Michelin-starred restaurant renowned for its gourmet cuisine made with quality regional produce. Diners can opt for a set menu featuring either 5 or 8 courses, or choose à la carte selections such as Mediterranean wild sea bass or Nice-style ravioli. For dessert, the pastry chef offers an elegant twist on trusted classic flavors like chocolate and raspberry.
Here, you’re guaranteed a luxurious dinner with impeccable service. Le Chantecler is located within the prestigious Hotel Negresco, situated on the Promenade des Anglais, near the seafront district of Le Carré d’Or.
Location: 37 Prom. des Anglais, 06000 Nice, France
Open: Wednesday–Sunday from 7 pm to 10 pm (closed on Mondays and Tuesdays)
Phone: +33 (0)4 93 16 64 10
Le Chantecler
4. Le 3e
Mediterranean flavors with scenic ocean views
Good for: Photo, Food, Luxury
Le 3e serves seasonal dishes inspired by regional produce in an ambiance that’s equally elegant and friendly. The restaurant is located on the 3rd floor of Hyatt Regency Palace Nice in the magnificent Palais de la Méditerranée on the Promenade des Anglais.
Along with the Mediterranean catch of the day and local produce that varies season to season, you can taste gourmet classics, such as an appetizer that pairs poached eggs with wild mushrooms and hazelnuts, or a main dish of delicious broiled gnocchi with squash cream and blue cheese. You can choose to eat in the comfortable, warm-toned dining room or enjoy the panoramic view over the Mediterranean from the raised terrace, depending on the weather and season.
Location: 13 Prom. des Anglais, 06000 Nice, France
Open: Daily from noon to 2.30 pm and from 7 pm to 10 pm
Phone: +33 (0)4 92 14 76 00
Le 3e
5. La Ratapignata
A local favorite for traditional Nice cuisine
Good for: Families, Food, Unusual
La Ratapignata is a lovely family restaurant that serves local cuisine made from fresh produce. Located in the Nice Nord district near Le Parc du Ray, it’s easily accessible from the city center via the L1 streetcar. Look for its distinctive bat logo on the façade, named ratapignata in the local dialect.
La Ratapignata is mainly frequented by locals, thanks to its extensive menu of traditional Nice dishes. Standouts include pistou ravioli with walnuts and bacon, homemade gnocchi, and Nice-style beef tartare.
Location: 63 Avenue du Ray, 06100 Nice, France
Open: Tuesday–Thursday from noon to 2 pm, Friday–Saturday from noon to 2 pm and from 7 pm to 9 pm (closed on Mondays and Sundays)
Phone: +33 (0)4 92 15 06 39
La Ratapignata
6. La Table Alziari
Great for a romantic dinner in Old Nice
Good for: Couples, Food
La Table Alziari showcases local produce, which is the core of authentic and good-quality Nice cuisine. It’s located in Old Town Nice, close to the St. Martin and St. Augustin Church. The restaurant occupies a traditional Nice-style building with attractive green shutters on its earthy-toned facade.
Don’t miss the morue à la niçoise (cod stew) and capon (cabbages stuffed with meat, rice, and vegetables). La Table Alziari is also known for its lou piech (veal stuffed with rice, 2 eggs, chard, broad beans, and pine nuts). Visit in summer to enjoy a romantic dinner in the cool evening air at one of its small terrace tables.
Location: 4 Rue François Zanin, 06300 Nice, France
Open: Tuesday–Saturday from noon to 1.45 pm and from 7.30 pm to 9.15 pm (closed on Mondays and Sundays)
Phone: +33 (0)4 93 80 34 03
La Table Alziari
7. Chez Palmyre
Traditional French and Mediterranean cuisine in an intimate setting
Good for: Couples, Food, Budget
Chez Palmyre is a simple and authentic French restaurant in Old Nice, between Place Centrale and Chapelle Sainte-Croix. Behind its traditional French brasserie-style glazed entrance, you’ll find a small dining room with a decor of a bygone era.
House specialties include tripes à la niçoise (Nice-style tripe strew), paupiettes de veau (veal rounds), and rillettes de sardines (finely chopped sardine paté). Chez Palmyre’s chef also offers a seasonal fixed menu with an appetizer, main dish, and dessert. The restaurant is often fully booked as its dining room has only 25 seats.
Location: 5 Rue Droite, 06300 Nice, France
Open: Monday–Tuesday and Thursday–Friday from noon to 1.30 pm and 7 pm to 9.30 pm (closed on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays)
Phone: +33 (0)4 93 85 72 32
Chez Palmyre
8. Lou Balico
A family-owned restaurant serving Nice specialties
Good for: Families, Food
Lou Balico is a friendly place that serves traditional dishes from Nice, from appetizers to desserts. The family-run restaurant is a great place to eat before or after a cultural outing in the city center, as it’s just opposite the MAMAC (Modern and Contemporary Art Museum).
On the menu, you can find beignets de fleurs de courgettes (fried zucchini flowers) and fresh pasta and homemade ravioli. For dessert, Lou Balico serves a sweet version of la tourte de blettes (Swiss chard tart). If you want food on the go, try the pan bagnat, a Provençal tuna sandwich packed with anchovies, raw vegetables, hardboiled egg, and black olives.
Location: 20 Avenue Saint-Jean-Baptiste, 06000 Nice, France
Open: Sunday–Monday from 11 am to 2.30 pm, Tuesday–Saturday from 11 am to 2.30 pm and 7 pm to 10.30 pm
Phone: +33 (0)4 93 85 93 71
Lou Balico
9. Le Plongeoir
Well-prepared regional dishes
Good for: Couples, Photo, Food
Le Plongeoir perches above the Mediterranean Sea, offering fresh seafood and French dishes in idyllic surroundings. It’s right at the end of Cap de Nice, just beyond the port in the direction of Villefranche-sur-Mer. This elevated location was a legendary diving platform in the 1950s.
These days, you can visit Le Plongeoir to enjoy a sea bream filet or a seabass filet, while admiring the beautiful landscape. The lunchtime menu is especially interesting, as it consists of daily specials and emphasizes seasonal produce. In the evening, you can have a drink in the bar lounge with sunset views of Nice.
Location: 60 Boulevard Franck Pilatte, 06300 Nice, France
Open: Hours vary by season
Phone: +33 (0)4 93 26 53 02
Le Plongeoir
10. Oliviera
Unusual casual fare in an olive oil shop
Good for: Food, Unusual
Oliviera restaurant is tucked within an olive oil shop and offers French cuisine in a relaxed, bistro-like setting featuring unique and unusual dishes. Some of the menu highlights here include their rabbit and pasta broth, pumpkin lasagna, and the eggplant appetizer.
Their ratatouille is a highlight because they say they have a thousand and one recipes for it. While main ingredients include staples like tomato, peppers, onion, garlic, and thyme, they also add carrots, leeks, and the best olive oil of Haute Provence.
Location: 8 Bis Rue du Collet, 06300 Nice, France
Open: Tuesday–Saturday from noon to 2 pm (closed on Mondays and Sundays)
Phone: +33 (0)4 93 13 06 45
Oliviera
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