The Best Cafes in Nice, France

Pain & Cie is loved by Nice’s locals, not least because it is always open, offers an international twist on French favourites and is one of the few places you can get eggs for breakfast. They also offer tartines (open sandwiches), fresh pastries and hot bread with chocolate spread. The atmosphere is friendly and very relaxed; a place to bring the paper or chat with friends.

La Maison Auer has been in business since 1820. It’s one of the most loved chocolate shops in Nice and has a cafe next door. The highlight is really the teas (ask for milk if you need it), that you can sample with a little high-end fois gras or a smoked salmon salad. And of course, the delicious puddings. Inside and outside tables are available.

Manao is a small juice bar, offering pure fruit juices and smoothies. It’s worth dropping by to get some much-needed vegetables and fruits into your diet (as well as the ice cream). Time Out called them ‘fun, funky and, above all, healthy.’

This little place, Cafés Indien, has been roasting their own beans since the 1940s and is one of the most divine coffee bars in Nice (many think it has the best coffee). It sells bags of coffee, and there is a little coffee bar to taste it fresh. They also have a great selection of teas.

The Scotch Tea House is a firm favourite with the ladies who lunch, situated at the top of one of the major shopping street in Nice. It has a wide selection of lunch options as well as desserts. People like the laid back vibe and the friendly service.

Déli Bo is a little coffee shop in Nice that serves wonderful drinks and great pastries that are very imaginative. The coffees are organic and the teas are interesting. It’s small but perfectly formed. Check out their Facebook page for daily images of interesting delights.

Emilie and the Cool Kids is a place for great cookies that consistently ranks highly in visitor lists. There are a few branches all over the region now — it’s that good — and the two in Nice are a great pitstop for delicious freshly-baked cookies and great drinks. This is a franchise for people who like a little bit of individuality with their chain stores and a great cup of coffee to boot.

Every week, between 11 am and 3 pm, the restaurant on the beach at Plage Beau Rivage hosts a lovely lunch with an amazing view. There are 2 choices: the Petit Dejeuner Complèt (‘full breakfast’) or the Grande Assiette Complète (‘the big plate’). The first is a continental breakfast with pastries, chocolate, different bread and jams while the second has eggs, ham and potatoes. Both include a hot drink and a freshly-squeezed orange juice. All overlooking the beach on the Promenade des Anglais. Bliss.