Chez Pipo

Chez Pipo is a socca house at 13 Rue Bavastro, close to Port Lympia in Nice, in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region of France. It is one of the best-known places for socca, the thin chickpea-flour pancake that is the signature street food of the city, and the kitchen bakes it in a wood-fired oven, which gives the pancake its blistered, smoky edges. The cuisine is Niçoise street food served in a sit-down setting rather than from a market stall, so it suits visitors who want to try the local specialities in comfort. Beyond socca, the menu includes pissaladière, the onion and anchovy tart, as well as tartinades, spreads for bread, and pizza. Socca arrives hot and is eaten with the fingers, usually seasoned with black pepper and shared between the table, with a glass of cold local rosé or a beer as the standard accompaniment. The dining room is informal and casual, with a bustling, noisy atmosphere at peak times, simple furnishings and no dress code. The price range is inexpensive, which makes it popular with locals and with budget-conscious visitors who want an authentic Niçoise meal. The restaurant does not take reservations; guests walk in and queue at busy times, particularly at weekend lunch and on summer evenings when the port quarter is full. Opening days are Wednesday to Sunday, from 11:30 to 14:30 and from 17:30 to 22:00, with the restaurant closed on Monday and Tuesday, so planning around those closures matters. The telephone number is +33 4 93 55 88 82 and the restaurant maintains its own website at chezpipo.fr. The location by the port, away from the busiest old-town streets, makes it a practical stop after a walk around the harbour, and the short menu keeps service quick, which helps manage the queue. Visitors are advised to arrive slightly before the main lunch or dinner rush to avoid longer waits.