Nice travel guide - where to stay, what to do, and where to eat in Nice, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France.
Niçoise cooking belongs to the former County of Nice, not to Provence or Italy alone. It runs on olive oil from Cailletier olives, anchovies, chickpea flour, Swiss chard, tomatoes, courgette flowers and slow-cooked beef. Socca (a chickpea pancake baked in a wood oven), pissaladière (onion and anchovy tart), pan bagnat (a tuna-and-vegetable sandwich), petits farcis (stuffed vegetables), daube with ravioli, stockfish stewed with tomato and chard gnocchi called merda de can define the table. A genuine salade niçoise uses raw vegetables, tuna or anchovies, eggs and olives, and is traditionally made without cooked potatoes or green beans.
Top restaurants
Handpicked picks for the best dining experiences.
Restaurants by cuisine
Browse picks grouped by cuisine type.
French
Niçoise
Food tours & tastings in Nice
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Street food
Local flavours at affordable prices.
Socca
Thin chickpea-flour pancake baked in a wood-fired oven and eaten hot with black pepper.
Price: Price varies by stall; check the board
Pissaladière
Bread-dough tart topped with slow-cooked onions, anchovies and black olives.
Price: Price varies by stall; check the board
Pan bagnat
Round roll soaked in olive oil and filled with tuna, tomato, radish, pepper, egg and olives.
Price: Price varies; check the board
Petits farcis
Stuffed vegetables, served warm or at room temperature.
Price: Price varies; check the board
Tourte de blettes
Swiss chard tart, sweet with pine nuts and raisins or savoury; Fenocchio (2 Place Rossetti) also sells it as an ice cream flavour.
Price: Price varies; check the board
Food markets
Where locals shop and graze.
Cours Saleya market
Nice's best-known open-air market in the old town, with produce, olive oil, socca stalls and flowers.
Hours: Fruit, vegetable and flower stalls run in the morning from Tuesday to Sunday; on Monday the square hosts an antiques market. Confirm times locally as they shift with season.
Marché de la Libération
A neighbourhood market north of the station used by residents, with produce and fish.
Hours: Morning market; confirm days and times locally.
Marché aux poissons, Place Saint-François
Small fish market in the old town where local boats' catch is sold.
Hours: Morning fish market; confirm days locally.
Dining etiquette & tips
Navigate the local food scene confidently.
Reserve La Merenda in person and Acchiardo, Chez Davia and Chez Palmyre by phone; all are small and fill days ahead
La Merenda accepts no credit cards; carry cash
Many old-town Niçoise tables close Saturday and Sunday, and some close for all of August
Eat socca the moment it leaves the oven; Chez Pipo is closed Monday and Tuesday
Fixed lunch menus at traditional tables cost far less than evening service
Walk a street away from the Cours Saleya terraces for better value
Phone the number printed on the listing to confirm hours; several venues' published hours conflict between sources
- Vegetarian
- Pissaladière contains anchovies; socca, ratatouille, pasta au pistou and chard gnocchi are the usual vegetarian choices, and petits farcis often contain meat.
- Vegan
- Chez Thérésa and Lou Pilha Leva are listed with vegan options on OpenStreetMap; socca is naturally vegan.
- Gluten free
- Socca is chickpea-based and naturally gluten-free, but the oven surface may be shared with pizza dough, so ask at the stall.
Food budget guide
What to expect at different price points.
| Level | Price | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | Street food Socca, pissaladière and pan bagnat at counters; prices are posted on the boards and were not confirmed online, Note Counters such as Chez Pipo and Lou Pilha Leva are the cheapest hot meals in the old town | Street food, local eateries, and simple restaurants. |
| Mid-range | $15-40/meal | Sit-down restaurants with good service and varied menus. |
| Upscale | $40+/meal | Fine dining, international cuisine, and premium experiences. |