Get Your Caffeine Fix at Nice’s Best Cafés and Coffee Shops

This tucked-away spot is full of charm: painted in a saffron colour with rouge window shades, it warmly beckons in all who walk by. Swing by on a Saturday or Sunday – the café is close to the sights and sounds of the Old Town, and a stone’s throw from the bustling weekend fruit and flower markets. Brunch here is always packed, and particularly popular with the Niçois. On weekdays, you will find a couple of menu dishes such as soups, sandwiches and salads, and coffee brewed fresh to order.

Many flock to this lovely small café for its stylish decor – think cerulean-blue walls, modernist furniture and soaring ceilings. Though its design caters to the Instagram crowd, the café doesn’t skimp on quality: sweet and savoury crêpes are made to order and are best paired with mochas topped with whipped cream and drizzled with caramel. Spacious seating makes FrenchCafé perfect for catching up on reading or answering emails.

Déli Bo is a traditional French café: rich coffee, streetside seating and a neighbourhood feel. But the real draw is its range of pastries, where presentation is key. Delicate chocolate cakes are topped with pear confit and fluffy caramel mousse; millefeuille is stacked with fresh raspberries, crumbling pastry and zesty citrus flavours. If you’re in the mood for something more savoury, Déli Bo also offers a range of Asian-inspired brunch dishes, including tempura shrimp and beef bowls.

For a taste of North America, head to Emilie and the Cool Kids. Here, you’ll find American breakfast dishes with a French accent – bagels filled with bacon and eggs or smoked salmon and cream cheese, and banana pancakes served with whipped cream and chocolate. Expect an extensive selection of American desserts, including hefty cinnamon buns and indulgent cakes topped with American chocolates. The charming chain has two locations: one in the heart of the Old Town and one by the Musée du Palais Lascaris.

This historic coffee shop is one of the city’s oldest, and has been pouring lattes and pulling espresso shots since 1820. The interior has been meticulously kept up to give the air of its past, from a grand stained-glass ceiling to statues and chandeliers from the Renaissance era. Customers here can get their caffeine fix while tucking into luxury chocolate. The shop also specialises in high-end tea, shipped from artisans across the world. Prices are on the higher side, but the candied nuts, cocoa, chocolates, chestnut spreads and fruit jellies make excellent souvenirs.

Head to this low-key spot just off the busy Boulevard Victor Hugo for your morning cup of coffee. It’s one of the few places in the city that does drip coffee (most will serve only espresso-based drinks), though the americanos, espressos and lattes are equally delicious. Food-wise, the café keeps it simple, offering breads and pastries for breakfast. The shop is tiny, but there’s plenty of outdoor seating in the warmer months. Like many spots, coffees are cheaper when you take them standing up at the bar.

This small coffee shop is a favourite among Nice’s residents as it stocks beans and tea leaves from around the world. Each wall is lined with cases and cases of beans, and blends of black, green and red teas from different international makers. The staff are happy to walk guests through descriptions and offer taste tests. Keep in mind, while you can get a cup of coffee or tea to go, the shop is a better place to pick up beans and tea leaves for home.