Nice, the jewel of the French Riviera, is not only known for its stunning views and charming streets but also for its incredible cuisine. The city’s culinary scene is a blend of Mediterranean flavors, local Provençal ingredients, and Italian influences. Whether you're wandering through the Old Town (Vieux Nice) or relaxing by the sea, there’s always something delicious to try. Here's the ultimate food guide to help you discover the best dishes in Nice.
1. Socca
A must-try street food, socca is a crispy, savory chickpea flour pancake that originated in Nice. It’s traditionally cooked in a large, round pan over a wood fire, giving it a slightly smoky flavor. Served in large slices, socca is typically enjoyed with a sprinkle of black pepper. You’ll find it at local eateries and outdoor markets like Cours Saleya.
This iconic dish hails from Nice and is a light, healthy salad that combines fresh vegetables, hard-boiled eggs, anchovies, and tuna, all tossed in olive oil. Variations of the salad may include ingredients like green beans, potatoes, or olives. It’s perfect for a quick, refreshing lunch while soaking in the Mediterranean atmosphere.
A close cousin of pizza, pissaladière is a savory pastry topped with caramelized onions, anchovies, olives, and a hint of thyme. It’s typically served as a snack or appetizer and is beloved by locals as a casual, flavorful bite. The dish comes from the region of Provence and showcases the area’s love for simple, bold flavors.
A favorite among locals, pan bagnat is a sandwich that’s essentially a salad packed inside a crusty, round loaf of bread. It’s made with the same ingredients as a Salade Niçoise, including tuna, hard-boiled eggs, olives, tomatoes, and lettuce. The bread is soaked in olive oil, making each bite a burst of flavor. It’s often eaten as a picnic food, ideal for enjoying by the sea.
While ratatouille is well-known around the world, the dish is deeply tied to the region of Provence, with Nice at its heart. This vegetable medley typically includes eggplant, zucchini, peppers, tomatoes, onions, and herbs. The ingredients are slowly cooked to create a flavorful, stewy dish that highlights the best of the Mediterranean garden.
This hearty dish is a perfect comfort food. Daube Niçoise is a slow-cooked beef stew made with red wine, vegetables, and a blend of Provencal herbs. The dish is simmered for hours, resulting in tender, flavorful meat and a rich, aromatic sauce. It’s often served with polenta or crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce.
A sweet treat created in the town of Saint-Tropez, tarte tropézienne is a dessert made of two layers of soft brioche filled with a rich cream and sprinkled with sugar. While it's not exclusive to Nice, it's widely enjoyed throughout the French Riviera. The combination of the soft brioche and creamy filling makes it a perfect dessert to enjoy with a cup of coffee.
Fougasse is a type of Provençal flatbread, often flavored with olives, garlic, rosemary, or even cheese. It’s typically served as an appetizer or a side dish to accompany meals like soups or stews. The dough is light and airy, and it’s sometimes topped with crispy onions or olives for extra flavor.
This traditional vegetable soup from Nice is made with a variety of fresh, seasonal vegetables, beans, and a generous spoonful of pistou, a basil-based sauce similar to pesto. It’s a comforting, filling dish perfect for cooler evenings. The flavors come together beautifully, offering a taste of Provence with every spoonful.
Nice is located in the heart of the Côte d'Azur wine region, and its local wines are a must-try. The Bellet wine region, just outside the city, is known for its excellent white, rosé, and red wines. Don’t miss a glass of rosé from Nice or the red wines made from the Tibouren grape.