Port Lympia & Culinary Highlights
The Old Port
The Port Lympia (also Port de Nice) is Nice's old port at the foot of the castle hill. Colorful houses in Genoese style, fishing boats next to yachts, and on the north side, the restaurants line up. The port has a completely different character than the Promenade — quieter, more authentic, with an atmosphere reminiscent of an Italian fishing village.
From here, the ferries to Corsica (Corsica Ferries, 6–8 hours to Bastia) and the excursion boats to the bays along the coast depart. On the east side of the port begins the emerging district Port with new restaurants, bars, and galleries.
Nice's Culinary Highlights
Nice has perhaps the most independent local cuisine in France — shaped by its proximity to Italy, the sea, and Provence:
The Best Restaurants & Addresses
- Chez Pipo — The best Socca in Nice since 1923. Wood-fired, crispy, with black pepper. Simple place, authentic and affordable (Socca from 3€). Plus a glass of Bellet wine.
- Acchiardo — The oldest tasca in the old town (since 1927). No menu — the daily specials are on the board: Raviolis à la daube, stockfish, Estocaficada. Reservation recommended. Main courses 12–18€.
- La Merenda — No phone, no credit card, no reservation — just go and queue. Dominique Le Stanc (former Negresco chef) cooks Niçoise classics at Michelin level for bistro prices. Legendary.
- Oliviera — Restaurant and olive oil boutique. Nadim Beyrouti serves dishes composed around top-quality olive oils. A culinary revelation.
- Le Safari — At Cours Saleya: the terrace is touristy, but the cuisine is authentic. Salade Niçoise (the real one, without potatoes!), stockfish, ratatouille. Good value for money at lunchtime.
The Salade Niçoise — A Matter of Belief
The real Salade Niçoise contains: tomatoes, hard-boiled eggs, tuna (or anchovies), olives (Niçoises!), green peppers, radishes, spring onions, and olive oil. No potatoes, no green beans, no corn. In Nice, this is a serious matter — the city even adopted an official recipe.