Cave de la Tour is a family-run wine bar at 3 Rue de la Tour in Vieux Nice, open since 1947 and one of the older drinking addresses in the old town of Nice, in the Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur region of France. It is a traditional cave a vin rather than a nightclub: a small, simple room with barrels, bottles and a counter where locals and visitors stand or sit to drink wine by the glass. The focus is on Bellet, the tiny appellation in the hills above Nice, along with other local and Provencal wines, and the glasses are accompanied by Nicoise dishes such as socca, pissaladiere, charcuterie and cheese plates.
The atmosphere is convivial, traditional and unhurried. The crowd mixes long-standing neighbourhood regulars, older Nicois and curious travellers, usually from the 30s upward, although younger wine drinkers visit too. There is no dress code, and the setting is casual. Music is incidental or absent, and conversation is the main entertainment. The wine programme is the draw, with Bellet whites, rosés and reds poured by the glass and available by the bottle, and prices that are modest compared with newer cocktail venues in the old town.
Opening hours are daytime and early evening rather than late night. Reported hours are Tuesday to Saturday from 8AM to 8PM, Sunday from 8AM to 1PM, and closed on Monday, so the cave suits a late-morning tasting or an aperitif before dinner, not a night out. Visitors should confirm hours, as small family businesses sometimes adjust them. There is no cover charge, reservations are generally unnecessary for a drink, and bottle service is not part of the format, though bottles can be bought to take away. Seating is limited, so groups may wait at peak aperitif time, around 6PM on Friday and Saturday. Staff can usually explain the differences between local wines for visitors unfamiliar with the region.
| Hours | Reported Tue-Sat 8AM-8PM, Sun 8AM-1PM, closed Monday; an early-evening aperitif stop rather than a late bar |
|---|---|
| Address | 3 Rue de la Tour, 06300 Nice |
Good to know
- Signature
- Family wine bar open since 1947 serving Bellet and local wines by the glass with Nicoise dishes
Location
3 Rue de la Tour, 06300 Nice
43.6996, 7.2784 View on map
Highlights
- Family wine bar operating since 1947
- Bellet and local Provencal wines by the glass
- Nicoise dishes served alongside the wine
- Traditional old-town setting on Rue de la Tour
Tips for visiting
- Visit between Tuesday and Saturday, as the bar is reported closed on Monday.
- Go for an aperitif before 8PM, because the cave is not a late-night venue.
- Ask the staff to suggest a Bellet wine, since the appellation is small and rarely found elsewhere.
- Arrive early on Friday and Saturday at about 6PM, when seating is limited.
- Sunday hours are short, with closing reported around 1PM.
When to visit
Late afternoon and early evening before 8PM suit an aperitif, and the venue is quietest on weekday mornings.
Accessibility
The bar is in the old town, where narrow streets and uneven paving can limit wheelchair access. The small interior may also be tight when busy.
Frequently asked questions
What wines does Cave de la Tour serve?
The bar focuses on Bellet, the local appellation above Nice, together with other regional wines poured by the glass.
Is Cave de la Tour open late?
No. Reported hours are Tuesday to Saturday 8AM-8PM, Sunday 8AM-1PM, and closed Monday.
Is food available?
Yes, Nicoise dishes are served with the wine, though the menu is simple and designed for sharing.