€€Farm to table
Picture an attractive vintage interior paired with a culinary repertory that shines the spotlight on locally sourced, often organic produce: tomato gazpacho, mozzarella di bufala and peppers; locally fished mullet, ratatouille of local veg and black rice; pear and hazelnut tart… More sophisticated in the evening and 100% natural wines.
€€€Mediterranean Cuisine
The rotunda-shaped brasserie of the legendary luxury hotel has resolutely entered the modern world. In this light-filled space (with a terrace), you choose from a menu (designed by Michelin-starred chef Virginie Basselot) that celebrates a flavoursome and colourful cuisine full of Mediterranean flair, with nods to Nice's traditions.
🕐 Mo-Su 12:00-14:00, 19:00-22:00
€€€Mediterranean Cuisine, Modern Cuisine
Nestling in a chic neighbourhood, this bistro with a navy blue decor is home to a Piedmontese chef. He prepares market cuisine, Mediterranean – as you might expect, with Italian influences: fillet of bass accompanied by a crushed courgette trumpet and Taggiasca olives. The suggestions on the blackboard change according to the season and to the chef's inspiration. Everything is house-made, with the exception of the artisan bread, which comes from an excellent bakery.
€€french
Shelves filled with books, trinkets and plants, paintings and photos on the walls set the scene for what feels like the inviting sitting room of a lovely private mansion. Now let’s add the appeal of market-fresh cuisine, an abundance of culinary delights and a commitment to respecting the seasons, without forgetting the gracious welcome and service.
🕐 Mo off;Tu-Sa 12:00-13:30, 19:30-21:30;Su off
€€€Mediterranean Cuisine
High up on the sixth floor of Maison Albar - Le Victoria hotel, this restaurant boasts a picture-postcard panoramic view, with the city on one side, the sea on the other. In this elegant, light-filled dining space dotted with maritime details, Glenn Viel and his associate Fred Grava put their own spin on Southern French cuisine, using local produce and intensely flavoured jus. Dishes such as catch of the day and confit lamb shoulder are presented tableside by the attentive and friendly team, adding theatricality to a dining experience that allows diners to savour the Mediterranean.
🕐 Mo-Su 12:00-14:30, 19:00-22:30
€€€japanese
Post-renovation, Onaka is now Onakaya, in a nod to Japan's izakayas – casual dining spots where simple food is made to be shared. At this Nice establishment tucked away at the end of a cul-de-sac (accessed via rue de la Liberté), the serve vegetable tempura, salmon lightly seared with yuzu-miso, maki and sushi, as well as playful twists on local culinary tradition: prawn socca tacos and inventive takes on dragon rolls. Chic decor, an in-house cocktail bar and a fine sake selection. Upstairs, Onakasé offers an intimate dining experience with a 12-seat counter and a high-end tasting menu. Bookin
€€seafood
Near the town hall and the opera house is Peixes – pronounced "pesh" (i.e. "fish" in Portuguese). In a dinky bistro interior adorned in blue and white tiles, fish and seafood is served in the form of tapas-style dishes (ceviche, carpaccio, tataki fried fish, cod fritters). Mediterranean and South American accents are joyfully blended into dishes that are packed in fresh, vibrant flavours. Extremely popular, non-stop service from noon to midnight with a concise slate menu from 2-7pm, no bookings; the terrace is frequently taken by storm.
🕐 Mo-Sa 12:00-14:00,19:00-22:00;Su off
€€Modern Cuisine
Under the management of a Japanese chef who lacks neither experience nor enthusiasm, this smart establishment can be relied upon to deliver the goods. The lunchtime menu is something of a bargain for Nice! The score is Mediterranean, minimalist, fresh and wonderfully delicate, with a scattering of Japanese twists.
🕐 Mo off;Tu-Th 12:00-14:00;Fr-Sa 12:00-14:00,19:30-22:00;Su off
€€Traditional Cuisine
In Nice's old town, opposite the town hall, this restaurant's newly refurbished interior is organised around an open kitchen and a counter where customers can sit to eat. But the real pleasure is to be found in the food, with traditional dishes chalked up on the board each day, including for starters the home-made pissaladière, devilled eggs or calamari a la plancha.
€€Japanese
An intimate sushi counter in pale-coloured wood and another small, pared-back space through a stone archway – this is where Shintaro Suzuki, the meticulous and focused chef, presents his no-nonsense authentic Japanese cuisine at very reasonable prices. The must-try dishes include confit aubergine marinated in soy sauce and ginger, beef tataki with onion yakiniku sauce, and yuzu-miso tuna katsu. A simpler set menu is available at lunchtime; reservation required.
€€Traditional Cuisine
In the heart of bustling historic Nice, casual and friendly are the watchwords of this vintage-inspired market counter, whose name is equal to the chef’s colourful, flavoursome dishes. Concise menu, unfailingly fresh and reasonable rates: it is always a pleasure to spend time here.
🕐 Mo off;Tu-Sa 12:00-14:00,19:00-22:00;Su off
€€Traditional Cuisine
In this small corner house, Armand Crespo's "Bird Bar" won't fail to have foodies flapping with delight. Fine traditional French dishes (brandade, bourride) feature alongside delicious artisanal pasta: ravioli and stuffed chicken, seafood linguine etc. All at reasonable prices, in a decor inspired by pop art.
€€€french
Originally from Vendée, chef Stéphane Chenneveau must have been a little crazy – or "fada" in the Nice dialect, to dare to revisit the city’s ubiquitous socca, flatbread made with chickpea flour... And yet it remains a firm fixture of the menu. The chef has never ceased to evolve, crafting flavoursome regional recipes, together with a more ambitious carte blanche menu which is seasonal and reflects his mood of the moment. Splendid biodynamic wine list.
🕐 Tu-Fr 12:00-14:00, 18:30-22:00; Sa,Su,Mo off
€€Modern Cuisine
At a remove from the tourist trail, this unassuming gourmet bistro has opened its doors opposite the Docks de la Riviera covered market, in the area around the market (Marché de la Libération) and the Gare du Sud food hall. The local clientele, who delight in the cuisine of chef Nicolas Mendjisky, have given it their seal of approval. Presented on a blackboard, his mouth-watering short menu showcases fresh, local ingredients. Dishes such as market vegetables on crostini or sea bass with lemon butter embody refined yet generous cuisine that draws on seasonal Mediterranean flavours. The chef's p
€€Mediterranean Cuisine
Located between Nice's port and the Colline du Château, this restaurant brings together the flavours of Colombia and Italy in bright and colourful fusion dishes cooked up by chefs Carlos and Daniele. Diners soak up the warm, relaxed atmosphere on the spacious terrace with orange seating or in the narrow indoor dining space done out in terracotta hues. In the visible kitchen, it is all about open-flame cooking – on plancha and parrilla grills. Grilled octopus, braised veal chop and sardines in a chimichurri sauce deliver intense flavours; a vibrant and well-balanced Peruvian ceviche combines wh
€€seafood
Between Place Garibaldi and the port, this offshoot of the Peixes Opéra also boasts a huge terrace that is taken by storm on sunny days! The Bonaparte deploys the same winning formula of seafood dishes (fish, tataki, sashimi, accras, oysters) and ceviche specialities. The updated blue and white seafaring bistro decor calls to mind Portugal or Greece. Behind the bar, a mixologist conjures up cocktails. The lunch menu is a steal. Open all day long, albeit with a more concise menu until 7pm.
🕐 Mo-Sa 12:00-22:00;Su off
€€Modern Cuisine
Set back from Place Garibaldi, this little bistro has found its place on Nice's restaurant scene. It is run by a team of two chefs who have experience working in top establishments: chef Dominique Roca (L'Atelier Robuchon Étoile, for example) and, front of house, her partner Mikhaël Lyoubi (Flaveur in Nice with the Tourteaux brothers, to cite but one). Carefully chosen, good-quality fresh ingredients, such as the red mullet on this occasion, a choice of accompaniment (eg sautéed potatoes or roasted vegetables), a fine selection of wines that covers all the regions – and with that the deal is s
€€€Asian, Fusion
Almost directly opposite their original restaurant, the pair behind Les Agitateurs have opened this tiny place centred on an open kitchen and done out in a palette evoking lava stone and magma. The culinary concept, as enticing and colourful as the dining room is dark and brooding, involves reimagining Mediterranean produce through the prism of Asian traditions with all their spices, chilli and freshness. They pull it off, with pork ravioli in a phở-style beef broth with tenderstem broccoli and fresh herbs; duck breast, marinated then grilled, with a spring onion-infused jus, spring rolls of c
€€Mediterranean Cuisine
In a side street set back from the port, chef Claudio Marsico, who hails from southern Italy, and Jacopo Marini, a sommelier from Lombardy, have transformed a former burger joint into this charming, bright and welcoming Mediterranean restaurant. The fresh, spontaneous cuisine, with spicy notes and hits of citrus flavour, takes daily inspiration from the neighbouring Saleya Market: fried artichokes, lemon vinaigrette and carrot ketchup; duckling fillet, sweet potato, leeks sautéed in butter and white wine. A constantly evolving European wine list completes this pleasant culinary interlude.
€€€Modern Cuisine
This intimate bistro was a grocery shop in a former life. Opened by the team behind Nice restaurant Les Agitateurs, this place serves up seasonal and fresh dishes playfully drawing inspiration from both classic and more exotic dishes: lamb in lettuce-leaf "tacos", "River Kwai" ravioli or, a classic if ever there was one, pigeon pithiviers and foie gras… On this short menu, most dishes are designed for sharing (for two people), to a background of trendy music. The "living" wine list also embraces the orange wine craze.
€€lebanese
The many lovers of Lebanese cuisine will not want to miss out on this restaurant nestled next to the exhibition centre (Palais des Expositions). The culinary repertoire of the "Land of the Cedars" is made with excellent fresh, sun-ripened produce – as in the tabbouleh (parsley, juicy tomatoes, red onion and lemon juice) – and impeccable technical skill, as exemplified by the wonderfully creamy baba ganoush with its delicious smoky aubergine flavour. For dessert, the pistachio and almond pastries, which are of course made in-house, are best enjoyed with a mint tea. Don't hesitate to come with f
🕐 Su,Mo off; Tu-Th 12:00-14:00,19:00-22:00; Fr 12:00-14:00,19:00-23:00; Sa 19:00-23:00
€€italian
A stone's throw from the port, Alessandra and Marco's restaurant charms foodies with its traditional Roman cuisine. The house-made linguine, cooked al dente and served with tender ventrèche, a spicy tomato sauce and fresh herbs, channel the spirit of an authentic trattoria. The tuna tataki, accompanied by fried artichokes and a creamy wild garlic sauce, is beautifully balanced. For dessert, the lemon and vanilla millefeuille, served with a strawberry and basil sorbet, is light and fresh. This welcoming venue also has a jazzy atmosphere, bohemian decor and cordial service.
€€€€Modern Cuisine
Elegant, Art Deco cruise liner - inspired decor. Enjoy refined cuisine and superb views of the Bay of Angels and the Estérel mountains.
€€€Seafood
Jean Cocteau used to eat at this local institution, which has been serving fresh fish and seafood since 1938. It is lovely just to sit on the terrace and gaze out over the harbour!
€€€€Mediterranean Cuisine
Located at the entrance to the Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat peninsula, looking out over the Baie des Fourmis, the Hotel Royal Riviera gracefully cultivates the timeless elegance of the Riviera. Its refined terrace, fringed by greenery, is conducive to a peaceful dinner in an intimate setting. In the kitchen, Geoffroy Szamburski composes a generous Mediterranean menu that is mindful of short supply chains: San Remo gamberoni, vegetables from Ventimiglia, fish from local small-scale fisheries… A fine tribute to ingredients from the region. To finish, Lucas Simoncini serves up an enchantingly fresh citr
€€Traditional Cuisine, Seasonal Cuisine
After honing her skills in top restaurants (including La Vague d’Or), chef Anne-Sophie Sabini has struck out on her own in this modern, colourful gastropub, flanked by a lovely terrace. She has devised a concise menu that changes monthly, in which she adds a feminine, modern touch to Gallic standards: cream of green peas with a 64° poached egg, coppa, crunchy croutons and organic olive oil from Provence; roast squid and black pudding, purée of carrots, citrus-flavoured dressing; sorbet of Beaulieu mandarin, anis-flavoured biscuit, praline and drizzled citrus fruit and bergamot … Slick service,
€€Mediterranean Cuisine
Supervised by chef Julien Roucheteau, this restaurant is a welcome addition to the fine dining options offered by this high-class establishment, in particular, thanks to a bargain-priced menu that changes weekly. The contemporary Mediterranean repertory takes inspiration from the local terroir – hence a crudo of marinated line-fished white tuna; stuffed provençal aubergines; melt-in-the-mouth beef stew with Swiss chard and house gnocchis. You might also like to sample their bouillabaisse (Fri and Sat), traditional octopus dishes from the Mediterranean or rockfish soup. Diners are seated in a b
€€€€Mediterranean Cuisine
This establishment, located in the Chèvre d’Or Château, ticks all the boxes: a modern, comfortable cliffside terrace with a jaw-dropping view of the Mediterranean and Saint Jean Cap Ferrat, paired with high-flying, decadent Mediterranean fare. Ceviche of first-class fish, aloe vera jelly and a citrus-fruit dressing; grilled greater amberjack, stuffed courgette blossoms and bourride sauce, and a wickedly tempting trolley of ices and pastries to finish.
€€Modern Cuisine
Japanese chef Takayuki Kamiya and pastry chef Claire, his French-Japanese wife, have set up shop on the seafront of Cagnes-sur-Mer. The food is inspired by their adopted homeland (Provence) and their family backgrounds. Their set menus feature dishes inspired by France and Provence (sea bass in an almond crust, courgettes and pistou) and elevated by discreet Japanese touches (wakame, oloshi sauce, yuzu). Both the delicious peach dessert with verbena jelly and the rum baba, a house classic, are out of this world.
€€Modern Cuisine
In their small seafront restaurant with just 20 spots available, Morgane David and her partner, the accomplished chef Guillaume Winterstein, are always fully booked – so be sure to make a reservation. The menu, which changes every two months, features an abundance of fresh, seasonal and local ingredients. We enjoyed the chicken raviolo served with vegetable stock and barley miso; shoulder of confit suckling lamb with navarin-style early vegetables; and, for dessert, the scrumptious riz au lait with Madagascar vanilla and salted caramel. Great value for money at lunchtime, and a warm welcome.
€€Modern Cuisine
Fleur de Sel, taken over by a couple of young industry professionals, Alexis Cachat and Chloé Feuillet, has the requisite crunch, freshness and flavour. The promising pair met while plying their trade at a MICHELIN-starred restaurant in the Massif de l'Estérel, and are now delighting their own guests with meticulous Mediterranean cuisine. Taking their cue from the seasons, they offer good value for money: courgette flower stuffed with ricotta, olives, anchovies, fresh herbs, gazpacho and crunchy local courgette. Chloé not only provides cordial service, she is also in charge of desserts: think
🕐 Fr-Tu 19:00-21:00
€€Mediterranean Cuisine
Chef Alain Llorca has dropped anchor in an inn at the entrance to this picture postcard village, which also found favour with iconic figures ranging from Matisse, Braque and Chagall to novelist James Baldwin and the legendary Montand-Signoret duo. In a 17C former oil mill whose millstone and press are still visible, the kitchen sings an ode to bistro fare (veal blanquette and pilaf rice, beef tartare and fresh fries, black pudding with apples) and specialties from Nice like roast squid and risotto of Nice courgettes.