10 Best Local Restaurants in Nice

Cave de la Tour serves local dishes at lunchtime in a cosy tavern setting. Located in Rue de la Tour at the edge of old Nice and Boulevard Jean Jaurès, the wine bar's maroon awning and facade make it easy to spot.

It's a great place to enjoy some time with friends with a bottle of terroir wine and a plate of cold cured meats or socca (traditional chickpea-flour flatbread). Cave de la Tour's daily specials vary according to the chef's preference and market produce. Arrive early so that you can have your pick. 

Castel Plage serves Nice-style cuisine for lunch and dinner on the private Castel beach. The restaurant, located at the end of Promenade des Anglais, is open from spring until the end of summer.

Dishes are inspired by the sea and the sun, with standouts such as fricassée de pouple à la nissarde (Nice-style octopus stew), roasted seabass and chickpea salad with grilled vegetables. Castel Plage has an idyllic art deco-style setting that overlooks the Bay of Angels, making it a beautiful spot for a romantic sunset dinner.

Le Chantecler is a Michelin-starred restaurant renowned for its gourmet cuisine made with quality regional produce. Diners can opt for a set menu featuring either 5 or 8 courses, or choose à la carte selections such as Mediterranean wild sea bass or Nice-style ravioli. For dessert, the pastry chef offers an elegant twist on trusted classic flavours like chocolate and raspberry.

Here, you're guaranteed a luxurious dinner with impeccable service. Le Chantecler is located within the prestigious Hotel Negresco, situated on the Promenade des Anglais, near the seafront district of Le Carré d’Or.

Le 3e serves seasonal dishes inspired by regional produce in an ambiance that's equally elegant and friendly. The restaurant is located on the 3rd floor of Hyatt Regency Palace Nice in the magnificent Palais de la Méditerranée on the Promenade des Anglais.

Along with the Mediterranean catch of the day and local produce that varies season to season, you can taste gourmet classics, such as a starter that pairs poached eggs with wild mushrooms and hazelnuts, or a main dish of delicious grilled gnocchi with squash cream and blue cheese. You can choose to eat in the comfortable, warm-toned dining room or enjoy the panoramic view over the Mediterranean from the raised terrace, depending on the weather and season.

La Ratapignata is a lovely family restaurant that serves local cuisine made from fresh produce. Located in the Nice Nord district near Le Parc du Ray, it’s easily accessible from the city centre via the L1 tram. Look for its distinctive bat logo on the façade, named ratapignata in the local dialect.

La Ratapignata is mainly frequented by locals, thanks to its extensive menu of traditional Nice dishes. Standouts include pistou ravioli with walnuts and bacon, homemade gnocchi and Nice-style beef tartare. 

La Table Alziari showcases local produce, which is the core of authentic and good-quality Nice cuisine. It's located in Old Town Nice, close to the St. Martin and St. Augustin Church. The restaurant occupies a traditional Nice-style building with attractive green shutters on its earthy-toned facade.

Don't miss the morue à la niçoise (cod stew) and capon (cabbages stuffed with meat, rice and vegetables). La Table Alziari is also known for its lou piech (veal stuffed with rice, 2 eggs, chard, broad beans and pine nuts). Visit in summer to enjoy a romantic dinner in the cool evening air at one of its small terrace tables.

Chez Palmyre is a simple and authentic French restaurant in Old Nice, between Place Centrale and Chapelle Sainte-Croix. Behind its traditional French brasserie-style glazed entrance, you'll find a small dining room with a decor of a bygone era.

House specialities include tripes à la niçoise (Nice-style tripe strew), paupiettes de veau (veal rounds) and rillettes de sardines (finely chopped sardine paté). Chez Palmyre's chef also offers a seasonal fixed menu with a starter, main dish and dessert. The restaurant is often fully booked as its dining room has only 25 seats.

Lou Balico is a friendly place that serves traditional dishes from Nice, from starters to desserts. The family-run restaurant is a great place to eat before or after a cultural outing in the city centre, as it's just opposite the MAMAC (Modern and Contemporary Art Museum).

On the menu, you can find beignets de fleurs de courgettes (fried courgette flowers) and fresh pasta and homemade ravioli. For dessert, Lou Balico serves a sweet version of la tourte de blettes (Swiss chard tart). If you want food on the go, try the pan bagnat, a Provençal tuna sandwich packed with anchovies, raw vegetables, hardboiled egg and black olives.

Le Plongeoir perches above the Mediterranean Sea, offering fresh seafood and French dishes in idyllic surroundings. It's right at the end of Cap de Nice, just beyond the port in the direction of Villefranche-sur-Mer. This elevated location was a legendary diving platform in the 1950s.

These days, you can visit Le Plongeoir to enjoy a sea bream filet or a seabass filet, while admiring the beautiful landscape. The lunchtime menu is especially interesting, as it consists of daily specials and emphasises seasonal produce. In the evening, you can have a drink in the bar lounge with sunset views of Nice. 

Oliviera restaurant is tucked within an olive oil shop and offers French cuisine in a relaxed, bistro-like setting featuring unique and unusual dishes. Some of the menu highlights here include their rabbit and pasta broth, pumpkin lasagna and the eggplant starter.

Their ratatouille is a highlight because they say they have a thousand and one recipes for it. While main ingredients include staples like tomato, peppers, onion, garlic and thyme, they also add carrots, leeks and the best olive oil of Haute Provence.