Hello Fodorites,

My husband and I will be in Nice for one night early July before returning to NY the next day (Provence trip the previous few days). Does anyone have an special wine bars/restaurants that they like in Nice? Nothing fancy just something that was memorable for you. We have been to Nice before but not for very long (as this time) so anything else that you might recommend while there for the limited time would be appreciated....just some things that were special for you....we will only be there for the one day.

Thank you.

Nothing specific but the Old Town area by the old port and cathedral - along the coast is like a Latin Quarter of Nice - dozens of restaurants and cafes of all types. Suggest going there for sure. For snacks the Nice specialty Pan bagnat is a great starter.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pan_bagnat

ChatNoir,ChatBlanc is near Cours Saleya but not in it. It is a charming little place, very good Mediterranean food. We were able to sit outside in their alley both times we ate there.
We discovered it several years ago through an article in the NYT.

ChatNoir, ChatBlanc sounds good -- hopefully it is open for lunch, going through Nice in early September on a one-day off cruise, dont remember where we used to go, it's been many years since we stayed at La Perouse. And hubby will probably not go for the prices up in Colombe D'or in St. Paul de Vence where we're going for the Maeht (sp??) Fondation.

Thanks very much all. Would you suggest a reservation for ChatNoir do you think?

If you are in Vieux Nice/Vieille Ville, you can try Bistrot Gourmand, Bar des Oiseux, Comptoir du Marche, Olive et Artichaut. Advance booking is recommended for these restaurants.

If you are there for lunch at the Cours Saleya market, the Le Safari cafe is very popular. For something unusual, Le Plongeoir in the Port area (next to the high end La Reserve) has a dining are built on a platform right over the water. You can also have lunch directly on the beach -- of the restaurants Beau Rivage and Le Galet are my favorites.

BTW, the Port area and Old Town/Vieux Nice are considered separate districts. If you are in the Port area I can give specific recommendations. We have a place in Nice.

@Gooster Le Plongeoir is on my list to try in July. Looks amazing.
Also second the recommendation for Beau Rivage's beach restaurant.

Le Plongeoir is indeed special and it has its own bar area, “ Le Vivier” at sea level for a pre- dinner drink.

A cheaper version, with about the same view as Le Plongeoir, is the nearby, “ Club Nautique de Nice” . It is a private club but anyone can have a drink and eat there - restaurant is on the top floor.

As you only have one day in Nice you might prefer soaking up the atmosphere of the Old Town; however the area from Place Garibaldi, down Rue Bonaparte to Rue Lascaris and the port has been developed over the last few years, with now many good restaurants and wine bars.

Meant to say that Gooster’s other recommendations were good!

Good recommendations from Gooster.

Le Plongeoir is indeed special and it has its own bar area, “ Le Vivier” at sea level for a pre- dinner drink.

A cheaper version, with about the same view as Le Plongeoir, is the nearby, “ Club Nautique de Nice” . It is a private club but anyone can have a drink and eat there - restaurant is on the top floor.

As you only have one day in Nice you might prefer soaking up the atmosphere of the Old Town; however the area from Place Garibaldi, down Rue Bonaparte to Rue Lascaris and the port has been developed over the last few years, with now many good restaurants and wine bars.

Thank you for all of these great suggestions. We are staying at the Westminster on the Promenade des Anglais Gooster. and I'm honestly not sure what area that is considered to be...we've stayed in the same area in the past and liked it very much though.

Thanks again.

@mikster. The Westminster is in the "Carre d'Or", or the Golden Square, and is one of the recommended neighborhoods to stay in (along with the old town).

If you arrive late, or get tired (or for future use), some good choices nearby your hotel (like within two blocks) are Octopussy (actually Corsican) and French at Le Canon on Rue Meyerbeer, Coco e Rico on Rue DalPozzo and Le Franchin on Rue Massenet. Cafe Sejour is also quite good, a little further away. Note that some of the restos I mentioned may be closed on Sunday, Monday or Tuesday nights. Our place is about a block away from your hotel.

The Westminster's area is the Promenade des Anglais. We liked the nearby restaurant Barracuda, with excellent fish and other dishes (my chicken in lemon sauce was terrific, as were the mussels).

Great! Thank you.