Eating well in Nice doesn't require a gastronomic restaurant budget. Traditional Niçois cuisine — one of France's richest and most flavourful — is also one of its most economical, provided you know where to go. Our guide to eating authentic Niçois food for under €15 per meal.
Socca — Chez Pipo (rue Bavastro, Port)
Socca is Nice's emblematic chickpea flour galette. Chez Pipo (13 rue Bavastro, Port Lympia) is the absolute reference — open since 1923, with an unmissable weekend morning queue from 8am. The socca comes out of the wood oven burning hot, crispy and peppery. Expect €3–5 for a generous portion. Avoid soccas served in tourist restaurants on Cours Saleya — they're reheated.
Pan Bagnat — At the Market
Pan bagnat (literally 'bathed bread') is the quintessential Niçois sandwich — a round bread soaked in olive oil, filled with tuna, anchovies, hard-boiled egg, tomatoes, peppers and basil. Stalls at Cours Saleya market and Liberation Market offer the finest pan bagnats for €5–7.
Pissaladière — Local Bakeries
This tart made from bread dough, confit onions and anchovies is sold by the slice in all Old Nice bakeries for €2–3 per slice. Boulangerie Espuno (rue Pairolière) is cited by locals as the finest. To be consumed standing in the alley, like a true Niçois.
For a Full Sit-Down Meal
For a complete table meal with traditional Niçois dishes, seek out the small restaurants away from the tourist axes — rue Pairolière, rue du Collet and rue de la Préfecture in Old Nice — where daily menus (starter + main or main + dessert) range between €12 and €15.
