Restaurants and Bars

Just about everyone has heard of Nice's most famous culinary export, the salade niçoise. It's made of fresh tomatoes, mixed greens, anchovies, tuna, beans and olive oil... but it is only the tip of the iceberg of the city's delectable specialties. Local cuisine draws from the mild Mediterranean climate, resulting in a light style of cooking based on fresh fish and seasonal vegetables. In addition to regional dining options, Nice boasts a dizzying number of restaurants serving traditional French gastronomy, seafood specialties, as well as international cuisine. If you need to quench your thirst, choose one of the welcoming taverns in the old town or a delightful sun-drenched cafe terrace... and don't forget the ice cream parlors!

North Nice

A visit to the French Riviera really wouldn't be complete without sampling la socca—a delicious savory pancake made from chick peas. Other distinctive regional dishes include les petits farcis (stuffed vegetable parcels), morue à la niçoise (cod cooked with tomato and olives), pissaladière (which resembles a pizza made with onion rather than tomato), fleurs de courgette cuisinees (cooked baby zucchini), raviolis and pan-bagnat, Nice's twist on the sandwich using two round slices of bread soaked in olive oil enveloping a miniature salade niçoise. You can discover the flavors for yourself at Chez Simon and Au Rendez-vous des Amis, both of which have great views overlooking the city.

Vieux-Nice (Old Town)

If you're hankering for a cold one, the old town (Vieux-Nice) is positively overflowing with cozy, welcoming pubs like De Klomp or Master Home. The sweeping terraces at Brasserie L'F and Civette du Cours, both located in Cours Saleya, are also extremely popular. Famous for the Theatre en Niçois (a show performed in the local dialect), the Bar des Oiseaux will captivate you with its vibrant local color. Last but not least, Nice's dedicated gourmet cannot go without the flavors of Fenocchio, arguably the best ice cream parlor in town. With an endless selection of flavors, it is set amid one of the old town's charming squares, Place Rossetti, where the beautiful Cathedrale Sainte-Reparate stands.

For simple yet delicious dining, check out Chez Rene. Restaurants specializing in regional cuisine are tucked into neighborhoods throughout the city. Try Don Camillo or Petite Maison. All are centrally located and serve excellent French dishes à la carte and via set menus, in pleasant and contemporary settings. Slightly off the beaten path, the beautiful vaulted cellar of Baud et Millet offers cheese-based dishes accompanied by fine wines. For the best of fruits de la mer (seafood), the Grand Cafe de Turin is in a class of its own. Nice also has many options for those seeking international flavors. To sample the flavors of neighboring Italy, try Bistro Romain. For Lebanese, try the always-satisfying Byblos.

The Port

For a great meal in this area, try Pipo Socca. For international flavors, try Zucca Magica for flavorful vegetarian cuisine, or seek out fine dining at Allegro.

Massena-Town Center

Fans of traditional French cuisine have many dining options in Nice. Restaurants of note include L'Horloge, and Epicuriens. If you're a fan of fresh, unpretentious fish dishes, you should book a table at Boccaccio. For tasty Italian in this area, try Quebec, which serves wonderful pizzas and pasta that are perfectly al dente. For flavors of Alsace, try the Taverne Alsacienne, or sample the cuisine of the Indian Ocean at Barachois. Casbah carries patrons to Morocco, the Petite Sirène to Denmark, Raja to India, and the Transsiberien serves the cooking of Russia!

Sea Front

For the finest and fanciest dining, there are two restaurants in town that stand out above all others. The prestigious reputation of the Chantecler befits the palatial hotel where it is located, Hôtel Negresco. The service, the ambiance, and the cuisine are all of the highest caliber.

Mont-Boron

Nice's other grand hotel, the Maeterlinck, boasts a similarly exceptional restaurant, the Melisande, which overlooks the sea. The menus in both establishments are regularly updated with fresh seasonal fare, serving dishes like lamb cutlet with mozzarella and aubergine, fillet of sole and foie gras with fresh pasta. For seafood, try Coco Beach, which is located just below Mont-Boron Park near the Cape of Nice.