Nice specialties: 9 typical dishes you absolutely must try in Nice

Category : Where to eat in Nice ?, Published on 15 August 2025

Nice, the jewel of the French Riviera, attracts visitors with its beaches, its light, and its art of living… but its gastronomy is a journey in itself. Inheriting the traditions of Provence and Italy, Niçoise cuisine is colorful, fragrant, and deeply rooted in local history.
In this article, discover the 9 must-try specialties during your stay, along with our favorite spots to enjoy them like a true local.

1. Socca: the soul of Nice in a pancake

A thin, golden pancake baked in a wood-fired oven, socca is made from chickpea flour, water, olive oil, and plenty of pepper.

How to enjoy it: hot, on a corner table at the Cours Saleya market.
Where to eat it: Chez Theresa (Cours Saleya market) or Chez René Socca (Old Town, Vieux-Nice).

2. Niçoise Salad: Mediterranean freshness

A true culinary icon, the Niçoise salad combines tomatoes, peppers, spring onions, violet artichokes, anchovies, Niçoise olives, hard-boiled eggs, and tuna.

Perfect pairing: a chilled rosé from Provence.
Where to try it: Chez Acchiardo (Old Town, Vieux Nice).

3. Pissaladière: the emblematic savory tart

On a soft pastry, slowly caramelized onions with olive oil, anchovies, and black olives.

When to eat it: perfect for a quick lunch.
Where to find it: bakeries around Cours Saleya or directly at the market.

4. Small Niçoise Stuffed Vegetables (Petits Farcis)

Zucchinis, eggplants, tomatoes, or onions stuffed with a flavorful mixture of meat, garlic, breadcrumbs, and parsley.

Vegetarian version: stuffed with Swiss chard and goat cheese.
Where to try it: Lou Balico or Chez Acchiardo, two Niçoise institutions.

5. Pan Bagnat: the Niçoise salad in a sandwich

A round bread generously filled with Niçoise salad, drizzled with olive oil so all the flavors soak in.

Local tip: prepare it the day before so the juice penetrates the bread.
Where to enjoy it: Chez Tintin (Libération Market).

6. Niçoise Daube: lovingly slow-cooked

Beef stewed in a full-bodied red wine, flavored with Provence herbs, olives, mushrooms, and sometimes orange zest.

Tradition: served with homemade gnocchi.
Where to eat it: L’Escalinada (Vieux-Nice).

7. Niçoise Ravioli

Stuffed with daube or Swiss chard, served with homemade tomato sauce.

Specialty: thin pasta with a generous filling.
Where to try it: Chez Acchiardo.

8. Swiss Chard Pie (Tourte de Blettes): sweet or savory

A bold combination of Swiss chard, Parmesan, and onions.

Why try it: unique in France, this dish blends lightness and sweetness.
Where to taste it: bakeries in Old Town, Vieux-Nice.

9. Local Wines and Drinks

Bellet AOP: a rare wine grown on the hills around Nice
Rosé from Provence: the ideal companion for summer dishes
Limoncello: an Italian heritage digestif

Tips for enjoying Niçoise cuisine

Favor the markets (Cours Saleya, Libération)
Avoid tourist traps: watch out for menus in multiple languages that seem generic
Share dishes: try several dishes by sharing portions

Where to stay to fully experience Nice’s cuisine

To make the most of the local gastronomy, staying in the city center is ideal.
AMMI Hotels and aparthotels in Nice offer:

A strategic location, just minutes from markets and restaurants
Elegant and comfortable rooms
Passionate teams sharing their best local addresses

Niçoise cuisine is a Mediterranean concentrate: simple, generous, and colorful. Each dish tells a story and reflects the soul of the city.
Book your stay at AMMI Hotels and savor Nice with all your senses.