Nice Must-See and Do
Specialités Niçoises / Nissarde Cuisine
Nice is famous for a lot of things and one of them is its culinary specialties. Make sure you get a taste of them!
"Cuisine Nissarde" is a label awarded to restaurants working to preserve the cuisine of Nice, while respecting the region's traditional recipes. The gastronomy of Nice is influenced by Italian cuisine and products from the region – and is unique in its kind in France.
"Aquì, si manja la socca" since 1923. Try socca, tartinades and pissaladiere - Make sure to check hours online! Can get very busy!
469 locals recommend
Chez Pipo
13 Rue Bavastro"Aquì, si manja la socca" since 1923. Try socca, tartinades and pissaladiere - Make sure to check hours online! Can get very busy!
A good place to get a snack of Nissard Cuisine - Definitely get the socca if nothing else.
The line can be long!
Tip 1: if you don't want socca, you can usually just ask for other things outside of the socca line.
Tip 2: Take it to go to enjoy on the beach. Note if you want to use the tables you must order a drink.
(2 Rue Miralheti, 06300 Nice)
142 locals recommend
Chez Rene Socca
2 Rue MiralhetiA good place to get a snack of Nissard Cuisine - Definitely get the socca if nothing else.
The line can be long!
Tip 1: if you don't want socca, you can usually just ask for other things outside of the socca line.
Tip 2: Take it to go to enjoy on the beach. Note if you want to use the tables you must order a drink.
(2 Rue Miralheti, 06300 Nice)
Food in the Neighborhood
Restaurants next door, walk-ins welcome
Italy is so close to Nice, that you have your choice of fantastic Italian restaurants, but sometimes you just want a pizza. La Chamade is around the corner from the apartment and is both a real Italian restaurant (everyone speaks Italian) and a great pizza place. You can have your pizza to go and carry over at our place to eat at home. You can also eat there. If you are 4 or more, try the “pizza au metre” (a 3ft long pizza, which is the specialty). Pizzas are Neapolitan-style pizza which means thin crust, cooked in a very hot oven, with not a lot of cheese on it. (17 rue Saint Philippe, 06000 Nice).
13 locals recommend
La Chamade
17 Rue Saint-PhilippeItaly is so close to Nice, that you have your choice of fantastic Italian restaurants, but sometimes you just want a pizza. La Chamade is around the corner from the apartment and is both a real Italian restaurant (everyone speaks Italian) and a great pizza place. You can have your pizza to go and carry over at our place to eat at home. You can also eat there. If you are 4 or more, try the “pizza au metre” (a 3ft long pizza, which is the specialty). Pizzas are Neapolitan-style pizza which means thin crust, cooked in a very hot oven, with not a lot of cheese on it. (17 rue Saint Philippe, 06000 Nice).
An Italian restaurant where the pasta is homemade. Seasonal and vegetarian menus available. Pasta is amazing but be aware that the pasta is cooked “Italian” style, i.e. al-dente (a little bit firm). The “cafe gourmand”, an espresso and 2 small cakes is something not to be missed. (18 rue Saint Philippe, 06000 Nice).
17 locals recommend
Davisto Restaurant Italien
18 Rue Saint-PhilippeAn Italian restaurant where the pasta is homemade. Seasonal and vegetarian menus available. Pasta is amazing but be aware that the pasta is cooked “Italian” style, i.e. al-dente (a little bit firm). The “cafe gourmand”, an espresso and 2 small cakes is something not to be missed. (18 rue Saint Philippe, 06000 Nice).
It’s right downstairs from our place. Good food, Good decor. People smoking around the restaurant might be an issue. Tell the woman you are coming from the airbnb above and she might offer you a “digestif” after your meal. Check opening hours it changes quite often (70 rue de France, 06000 Nice).
PAMPAM
It’s right downstairs from our place. Good food, Good decor. People smoking around the restaurant might be an issue. Tell the woman you are coming from the airbnb above and she might offer you a “digestif” after your meal. Check opening hours it changes quite often (70 rue de France, 06000 Nice).
Arriving Late?
In season, usually opens till 8pm weekdays - Local Tip: you can use the back entrance on Rue Saint Philippe.
70 locals recommend
Carrefour Market
9 Bd GambettaIn season, usually opens till 8pm weekdays - Local Tip: you can use the back entrance on Rue Saint Philippe.
Pizza Bisso
4 Bd François GrossoUsually opens till midnight
Casino supermarché
29 Rue Alphonse KarrOpen everyday 7am-11pm
Our Favorite Food places
These are the restaurants we go to when we want to enjoy the food and the place. They are a little bit more expensive than the neighborhood restaurants. Some are reachable by foot, some are in "old town" but Bus #12 will take you there, the bus stop is on the "Gambetta/Promenade". To get to the ones near Garibladi or the Harbor, Tram line 2 is the best. Remember that parking is very limited.
Any place that features Poillane bread from Paris gets our attention. The funky chandeliers, decor out of a somewhat chic brocante shop, the tight space, tables that require a jigsaw puzzle approach, the staff, and clientele who seem to have forgotten the minute hand on the clock-very French, even with a large mix of tourists. It's a good address to know, down an alleyway filled with rather transient restaurants and bars. Try the homemade jam with Poilane Bread.
3 rue Commandant Raffalli, 06000 Nice
20 locals recommend
La Femme du Boulanger
3 Rue du Commandant RaffalliAny place that features Poillane bread from Paris gets our attention. The funky chandeliers, decor out of a somewhat chic brocante shop, the tight space, tables that require a jigsaw puzzle approach, the staff, and clientele who seem to have forgotten the minute hand on the clock-very French, even with a large mix of tourists. It's a good address to know, down an alleyway filled with rather transient restaurants and bars. Try the homemade jam with Poilane Bread.
3 rue Commandant Raffalli, 06000 Nice
Seasonal and Mediterranean inspired small menu, this is a very busy place next to Nice Harbor (use the tram Line 2 to get there as parking is challenging). Reservations highly recommended.
18 Rue François Guisol
79 locals recommend
l'Uzine
18 Rue François GuisolSeasonal and Mediterranean inspired small menu, this is a very busy place next to Nice Harbor (use the tram Line 2 to get there as parking is challenging). Reservations highly recommended.
18 Rue François Guisol
Known for its large pasta dishes, this restaurant is on the beach! Enjoy a French lunch with an incredible view of the Mediterranean sea. Reservation is highly suggested if you don’t want to wait 45 minutes to get a table. A local tip: try the cocktail Galet Spritz made with freshly squeezed orange juice, it’s amazing. (3 Prom. des Anglais, call between 11:30 and 1 for the next day or check online).
Le Galet
Known for its large pasta dishes, this restaurant is on the beach! Enjoy a French lunch with an incredible view of the Mediterranean sea. Reservation is highly suggested if you don’t want to wait 45 minutes to get a table. A local tip: try the cocktail Galet Spritz made with freshly squeezed orange juice, it’s amazing. (3 Prom. des Anglais, call between 11:30 and 1 for the next day or check online).
Traveler advice
Customs and culture
Stores Opening Hours
More and more stores are opening every day including Sundays and are also opening late but opening hours change during the time of the year so don't be surprised if shops are closed. A good tip is to check opening hours of a specific place the day before.
What to pack
Sun and Mosquitos
We have a lot of sunscreen bottles that previous travelers have left in the downstairs bathroom, but if you like a specific brand or SPF, make sure to take it with you. June to October is mosquito season and they are pretty aggressive.
Customs and culture
Restaurants and Coffee Shops
Bars serve as coffee shops, although you can find now bakeries and other specialties coffee shops. Be aware of opening hours. Even in season, many restaurants will not serve food before 11:30 or even noon.
Customs and culture
Monday is most stores off-day
Many stores that are opened on weekends are closed on Mondays. You will still find opened stores but maybe not the ones you are used to.
Ways to save
Using the Tram
If coming from the airport, use the tram and instead of getting a round trip airport ticket, get a 1,2 or 7 days pass. It includes the airport ticket and is valid for 24h,48h or 7 days. Note that the airport round trip is 10 euros and buying a 1 day pass + return will cost 7 + 1.7 euro, so it's cheaper and also the 24h pass is valid 24 hours as the airport round trip ticket only allows you 1h40 travel duration from the airport (and the same back) - Go to the Lignesdazur website and look for day tickets to have more information
Getting around
Airport Tram
From the Airport: Take Tram Line T2 in direction of Port Lympia / Centre Ville and exit at “Centre Universitaire Mediterranean”. Make sure you read the section about saving money to know which ticket to buy
Ways to save
French Riviera Pass
If you think you are going to do group activities or visitng a lot of museum, you can look into the French Riviera Pass. If you live in a european country you can have it shipped to you and if you take the transportation option, it includes the airport ticket. Unfortunately you cannot buy it at the airport. But you can buy it downtown if you later change your mind and the transportation is optional.