I’ve been working in travel and tourism for more than a decade, and no matter how many cities I’ve visited, there’s something special about eating in Nice. The city’s culinary culture is more than just food—it’s identity, history, and lifestyle combined into a plate of sunshine. Nestled between the Mediterranean and the Alps, Nice has always been influenced by both French and Italian traditions, and you can taste it in every bite.
During my most recent visit, I set out to explore traditional Niçoise cuisine, restaurant by restaurant. I wasn’t interested in tourist traps or generic “French” menus. I wanted the real thing—places where locals still go, where the socca is hot off the griddle, and where every forkful comes with a story.
I’ll share with you five real restaurants in Nice, their signature dishes, prices, locations, and most importantly, my personal experiences eating there. I’ll also add tips on reservations, food safety, budgeting, and even the little mistakes I made so you don’t have to.
- Chez Pipo – The Temple of Socca
📍 Address: 13 Rue Bavastro, 06300 Nice
💶 Price range: €10–€20 per person
🍴 Signature dish: Socca (chickpea pancake) – €3.50 a portion
My Experience
If there’s one dish every visitor must try in Nice, it’s socca—a thin, crispy, slightly charred pancake made from chickpea flour, olive oil, and water. Locals eat it as a snack, hot and fresh from the oven. And if you ask anyone in Nice where to get the best socca, they’ll say: Chez Pipo.
I went on a sunny afternoon, and already there was a queue of both tourists and locals. The smell hit me before I even stepped inside—nutty, smoky, almost like roasted chestnuts. When my socca arrived, I burned my fingers a little because I couldn’t wait. It was crispy on the outside, soft in the middle, and dusted lightly with black pepper.
I paired it with a glass of chilled rosé de Provence (€4.50) and honestly, it was one of the simplest yet most satisfying meals I had in Nice.
Pros
• Authentic socca, baked in traditional wood-fired ovens
• Very affordable
• Lively, authentic atmosphere
Cons
• Gets extremely crowded—expect to wait
• Limited menu (but that’s part of the charm)
- Lou Balico – A Taste of Niçoise Pasta
📍 Address: 20 Avenue Saint-Jean-Baptiste, 06000 Nice
💶 Price range: €15–€25 per person
🍴 Signature dish: Merda de Can (handmade Niçoise gnocchi) – €14.50
My Experience
With a name that might raise eyebrows (“merda de can” literally means “dog droppings” in the Niçard dialect), these green gnocchi made with Swiss chard and potatoes are a true local specialty. And Lou Balico, a family-run restaurant, is famous for them.
When my plate arrived, steaming hot, I laughed at the unappetizing name but quickly realized why locals love it. The gnocchi were light yet filling, coated in a rich daube (beef stew) sauce. The combination of earthy chard and savory beef was unlike any pasta I’ve had in Italy or France—it was uniquely Niçoise.
The service was warm and unpretentious. A middle-aged waiter teased me when I mispronounced “merda de can,” and then recommended I try the pan bagnat (Niçoise sandwich, €7.50) for lunch the next day.
Pros
• Traditional recipes, lovingly made
• Good value for the quality
• Family-style atmosphere
Cons
• Location slightly off the beaten track
• Service can be a bit slow when full
- La Merenda – Old Town Charm
📍 Address: 4 Rue Raoul Bosio, 06300 Nice
💶 Price range: €20–€40 per person
🍴 Signature dish: Pissaladière (onion tart with anchovies) – €12
My Experience
La Merenda is not a place you stumble into. Hidden in the narrow streets of Nice’s Old Town, it has no phone, no reservations, and no credit card machine. You show up, hope for a spot, and pay in cash. But if you’re patient, it’s worth it.
The highlight for me was their pissaladière—a thick tart made with caramelized onions, anchovies, and black olives. Sweet, salty, and deeply savory, it tasted like the Mediterranean on a plate. I also tried the stuffed vegetables (petits farcis, €16), zucchini and tomatoes filled with seasoned meat and herbs.
I sat at a tiny wooden table, shoulder-to-shoulder with strangers, and struck up a conversation with a retired French couple who’d been coming here for 20 years. That’s when I realized: La Merenda isn’t just food, it’s tradition.
Pros
• Authentic Niçoise home cooking
• No frills, all flavor
• Great atmosphere in Old Town
Cons
• Cash only
• No reservations—arrive early or be prepared to wait
- Restaurant Acchiardo – A Family Legacy
📍 Address: 38 Rue Droite, 06300 Nice
💶 Price range: €20–€35 per person
🍴 Signature dish: Daube Niçoise with ravioli – €18
My Experience
Walking into Acchiardo, I immediately felt like I was entering someone’s family home. Wooden tables, vintage photos on the walls, and a buzz of conversation filled the room.
I ordered the daube Niçoise—a slow-cooked beef stew made with red wine, herbs, and olives—served over pillowy ravioli. The portion was generous, and the sauce clung perfectly to the pasta. It reminded me of Italian braised beef but with the distinctly Niçoise twist of olives and local wine.
The owners, the Acchiardo family, still run the restaurant. I chatted with one of the brothers, who told me the recipe has been in the family for generations. That personal touch made the meal feel even more special.
Pros
• Family-owned with authentic recipes
• Great atmosphere in Old Town
• Friendly service
Cons
• Very popular—reservations strongly recommended
• Closed on weekends (a common surprise in Nice)
- Le Safari – Dining on the Cours Saleya
📍 Address: 1 Cours Saleya, 06300 Nice
💶 Price range: €25–€40 per person
🍴 Signature dish: Bouillabaisse – €28 per portion
My Experience
Located right on Cours Saleya, the heart of Nice’s market district, Le Safari is perfect if you want to combine people-watching with hearty Niçoise food. I went on a Saturday evening, and the square was buzzing with energy.
I ordered the bouillabaisse, a Provençal fish stew that’s rich, aromatic, and brimming with seafood. My bowl came with chunks of monkfish, mussels, and potatoes, served with garlicky rouille and crusty bread. At €28, it wasn’t cheap, but the portion was generous, and the flavors were bold.
The highlight wasn’t just the food—it was the atmosphere. Street musicians played nearby, the scent of flowers from the market still lingered, and locals and tourists alike filled the terraces.
Pros
• Fantastic location in the heart of Old Town
• Great for traditional fish dishes
• Vibrant atmosphere
Cons
• Slightly pricier due to location
• Service can feel rushed in peak hours
Traditional Niçoise Dishes You Should Try
Beyond the restaurants, here are a few staples of Niçoise cuisine that I encourage every traveler to taste at least once:
• Socca – Chickpea pancake, best eaten hot (Chez Pipo).
• Pissaladière – Caramelized onion tart with anchovies (La Merenda).
• Petits Farcis – Stuffed vegetables (La Merenda or Lou Balico).
• Daube Niçoise – Beef stew with olives and red wine (Acchiardo).
• Bouillabaisse – Provençal fish stew (Le Safari).
• Pan Bagnat – Niçoise salad in sandwich form (Lou Balico).
Practical Tips for Eating in Nice
Reservations
• Many traditional restaurants are small—book ahead whenever possible.
• La Merenda doesn’t take reservations, so arrive early.
Prices
• Expect €15–€20 for lunch and €25–€40 for dinner in mid-range places.
• Socca and snacks are affordable (€3–€7).
Payment
• Always carry cash—several traditional spots don’t take cards.
Food Safety
• Stick to busy places with high turnover, especially when buying street food.
• Avoid socca that’s been sitting too long—it should always be hot.
Timing
• Dinner service usually starts around 7:30 pm.
• Many restaurants close Sundays and Mondays.
For me, eating in Nice was more than just trying new flavors—it was about connecting with the soul of the city. Every dish told a story: the humble origins of socca, the family pride behind daube, the balance of land and sea in bouillabaisse.
Each restaurant I visited—Chez Pipo, Lou Balico, La Merenda, Acchiardo, and Le Safari—offered a different lens into Niçoise culture. Some were rustic and unpretentious, others bustling and atmospheric, but all were authentic.
If you’re visiting Nice, don’t just skim the menus on the Promenade des Anglais. Venture into the Old Town, find the tucked-away family-run spots, and order dishes you’ve never heard of. That’s where the magic happens.
And one final tip from me: always leave room for socca. Because once you’ve tasted it fresh from the oven at Chez Pipo, you’ll understand why locals have been eating it for generations.