With so many cafes and restaurants in Nice, it’s hard to separate the good from the bad, the worthy from the unworthy. Vacation time is precious, money should be well spent and I’m here to help you with that, at least where coffee is concerned! I’ve drank A LOT of it in Nice, usually going out at least once per week, if not more. There are some spots I go back to repeatedly with friends, and other places I’ve vowed never to set foot in ever again. To help visitors to my city, I put together a list of favorite coffee spots in Nice.
And it’s not just my opinion that went into the compilation of this list, but also the opinion of friends whose nationalities include Aussie, Nigerian, British, American, and French. I also searched online to find spots to try that other travelers and locals recommend.
For this list, I’ve targeted the Old Town and surrounding areas. Besides location, price was also a factor. You shouldn’t have to overpay for a good cup of coffee in France – unless the view is worth it. And even then, it better be good!!
Before sharing my favorite coffee spots, I want to share a few types of coffee in France.
- Un Café is an espresso. This is a shot of espresso in a small cup.
- Une Noisette is an espresso with a little bit of milk. It’s served in the same size cup as a café.
- Un Café Crème is essentially a cappuccino but the word Cappuccino is actually Italian. In Nice you’ll typically see cappuccino listed on the menu (we are right next to Italy). If not, look for Café Crème. Café Crème is an espresso with foamed milk on the top served in a large bowl cup.
- Un Café Americain is the closest you will get to typical American style filter coffee but they won’t just bring you milk or cream with it. Occasionally, a pot of hot water is delivered to your table with the cup to allow you to further dilute the espresso. Also note, there are no free refills.
- Un Café au lait is a large coffee with milk added.
- Un déca is a decaf espresso.
The French typically only drink a milky version of coffee (such as Café au lait) with breakfast. For the rest of the day, it’s a café. You also won’t find a lot of places offering coffee to-go or à emporter. The French like to sit and relax while drinking their coffee.
I still have more cafes to visit, but for now, these are my picks for the best coffee in Nice.
Brulerie des Cafes Indien
35 Rue Pairolière
Here they roast their own beans and the delectable scent of coffee wafts through the streets of Old Town. They also serve huge croissants, so it’s a nice spot for a quick and tasty breakfast to go with your coffee as well.
Closed Sunday and Monday.
Déli Bo
5 Rue Bonaparte
Good coffee and tasty treats makes Déli Bo a great coffee spot. Sometimes we even buy a bag of the mini cookies that are served along side the coffee. If you’re hungry, the mini croissants are also yummy. I’ve heard it’s a good spot for lunch as well, but I haven’t eaten here yet.
Chez Pauline
4 Rue Bavastro
Located near Place Garibaldi, this new restaurant serves great Italian style coffee. They have a seriously good cappuccino! You’ll find indoor and covered outdoor seating, so you can enjoy the view without dealing with the weather. The food is also good and reasonably priced.
Closed Monday and Tuesday.
O’Quotidien
2 Rue Martin Seytour
Just outside of the Old Town, near Place Garibaldi is the Italian owned restaurant/grocery store, O’Quotidien. I love to come here for a fabulous cappuccino (only 2€!) in the morning and sometimes a fresh, natural lunch in the afternoon. Check Facebook for the daily menu.
I also recommend grabbing some organic wine or pick up organic fruits and veggies for your evening meal.
Closed Sunday and Monday.
Cafe Frei
52 Rue de France, 06000
The cool thing about Cafe Frei is you can try coffees from around the world. Are you in the mood for Italian, French, Arabic, American or Japanese? How about tea or iced coffee? You’re sure to find a unique blend to kick start your day.
Café des Fleurs
13 Cours Saleya
Located on Cours Saleya, the cafe starts serving at 7am, so it’s great for early risers. In all honesty, this isn’t amongst my favorite coffee in Nice. However, it’s the best I’ve found so far on Cours Saleya.
Casa Elli
11 Rue Maccarani, 06000
This one makes the list because it’s the best price. The coffee was good and only 3.40€ for TWO cappuccinos! That’s insanely cheap. They also sell real gelato. I plan to take the kids back to give that a try, as it was a bit early for gelato when we visited.
If you’re on Rue France, you can pop off the main drag to enjoy a cup of coffee here.
Emilie’s Cookies
Multiple locations – the Port, Vieux Nice at Palais de Justice and Rue Albertini
This coffee shop has a cool vibe and even offers coffee to go. A rare treat. It’s also kid friendly, so it makes a nice spot for families. Kids can get a treat or milkshake and parents can recharge with a coffee.
Fenocchio
Place Rosetti, Vieux Nice
The famous ice cream shop, Fenocchio’s is said to have good coffee. There are 3 Fenocchio locations, but the one in Place Rosetti was recommended to me twice. I haven’t been here, but I’ll take a Frenchman’s word for it and add it to my list. While the kids are trying unusual ice cream flavors, adults can get a pick-me-up.
Open seasonally
*Please note that all closing days can change.
It’s not always easy finding good spots for coffee while traveling. That’s why I wanted to put together this list. I know it’s important to have places conveniently located to your accommodation, reasonably priced, and great tasting fare. There are still spots that I want to visit, so I’ll continually update this post, as I discover more of the best coffee in Nice.
You might also enjoy, the 10 Must Eat Foods in Nice, France. Discover some of the Niçoise specialties during your visit.
Do you have another recommendation on where to get the best coffee in Nice, France? Share with us in the comments.
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