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.
