Nice Cafes | TravelSavvy city guide to Nice France holidays

There’s no finer way to enjoy France than sitting in a cafe nursing a coffee or beer and watching the world go by. Add in the fabulous climate Nice enjoys and this is the perfect way to pass your time. The old town is overflowing with pubs, bars and cafes, but cafe terraces abound throughout Nice.

Cafes in Nice

For a taste of the real Nice try the cafes in the Place Rosetti in front of the Sainte-Réparate Cathedral. The square is right in the heart of the old town and is bustling with life, with not only street cafes but restaurant terraces and ice cream parlours.

One of the best is La Claire Fontaine, a large cafe cum restaurant occupying the eastern side of the square with, as you’d expect, a lovely fountain. It’s an excellent spot for an inexpensive lunch with a large seating area on the square itself and the menu features nicoise specialities.

Another favourite is the Bar des Oiseaux in rue St Vincent, so named for the birds nesting in the loft and a pet parrot and mynah bird that regale customers at the door. Staff serve delicious baguettes and sandwiches and the cafe holds jazz music evenings in the summer.

The pedestrianised rue Masséna, and its extension rue de France, are also fine for people watching and relaxing after some tough shopping. As well as cafes, there are many pasta and pizza restaurants to choose from.

Cafes on the beach

Down on the beach, try some of the ‘private beaches’ offering mattresses, parasols, changing rooms and showers. Most also have excellent restaurants as well as relaxing seating for a coffee or other drinks - Beau Rivage has 1,000 seats, while many have 200 or so seats. It's a sophisticated way to enjoy the beach but watch out for the prices as it can be expensive

Pubs, bars and music in Nice

Pubs have been popular in Nice for many years, a favourite with young people, and many are noted for live music. The more affluent head for the hotel bars which host jazz singers and hold other regular music events. Discos and clubs tend to cluster in the old town with a wide variety of venues for dancing and clubbing. The music though tends to middle of the road Euro-pop.

Ice cream parlours

Apart from the splendid cafes, Nice is also noted for its speciality ice cream parlours. Most head for Fenocchio, considered by most to be the best ice cream parlour in town. Set in the Place Rosetti in the old town, it has an enormous range of ice cream flavours.