10 best Michelin star restaurants in Nice

Dining out in Nice is a real pleasure: France being one of the foodie capitals of the world, for starters.

Then you have the natural larder created by the surrounding mountains, countryside, and Mediterranean Sea.

Add sea views, an open kitchen, or a cosy bistro-style setting, and you have the recipe for a meal to remember. 

My curated list of the best Michelin star restaurants in Nice has been crafted with the help of keen foodies, and features only the finest eateries in the capital of the French Riviera.

Which of the following Michelin-starred or Bib Gourmand restaurants will you be sampling first? 

1. Flaveur

Address: 25 Rue Gubernatis, 06000 Nice

Accolade: Two Michelin Stars

Best for: Playful flavours

As the only restaurant in Nice with two Michelin stars to its name, I know you can expect a stand-out experience when dining at Flaveur.

Both the decor and the food are bold, with wooden shapes adorning the walls and vibrant printed fabrics. 

Flaveur is the brainchild of brothers Gaël and Mickaël Tourteaux, who aren’t afraid to experiment with seasonings.

Typically, local ingredients such as fish and seafood are enhanced by spices from exotic locations like India.

Deliciously different, and most definitely special occasion worthy. 

2. Racines – Bruno Cirino

Address: 3 Rue Clément Roassal, 06100 Nice

Accolade: One Michelin Star

Best for: Sustainable, seasonal produce

Ably supported by fellow chef José Vidal, Bruno Cirino showcases simple, flavoursome seasonal fare via a great value set menu.

At Racines, ripe ingredients from the kitchen garden are used to create Mediterranean cuisine with inventive touches. 

You can also expect service with a smile, a good selection of wines at reasonable prices, and decent vegetarian options.

I love that local, sustainable produce is the true star of the show, with the set menu reflecting the changing seasons.

3. ONICE

Address: 5 Rue Antoine Gautier, 06300 Nice

Accolade: One Michelin Star

Best for: Mixing things up

United by a shared love of food, Lorenzo and Florencia have crafted two tasting menus for guests of Onice. One comprises five courses, while the other consists of seven.

Coming from Argentina and Italy, the couple draw on global influences while cooking with local, seasonal produce. 

At Onice, the flavours are as fresh and modern as the decor. A range of Mediterranean ingredients, meanwhile, gives dishes a European feel.

You can always expect bold combinations and innovation from this inventive pair of chefs. 

4. JAN

Address: 12 Rue Lascaris, 06300 Nice

Accolade: One Michelin Star

Best for: South African fare

Whether you’ve had your fill of French cuisine while staying locally or simply fancy something different, I’d recommend heading to Restaurant JAN.

The chef at this 20-cover eatery specialises in South African food made with produce from the Cote D’azur.

The result is a unique take on modern dining, combining French and South African influences to create palate-pleasing dishes.

These are delivered via five or seven course set menus, and can be followed by a cheese tasting at Jan’s cheese bar across the road.

From sweet or sour to salty and smoky, you can expect a close encounter with the South African culinary scene here.   

5. Les Agitateurs

Address: 24 Rue Bonaparte, 06300 Nice

Accolade: One Michelin Star

Best for: Unique twists

The decor is rustic with a glamorous edge, while the food reflects the seasonal produce available from local suppliers.

From fishermen to florists, all ingredients used at Les Agitateurs are fresh, and come from artisan producers. 

Every single dish is flawlessly executed, featuring subtle flavour combinations and contrasting textures.

You can also expect a vibrant atmosphere, friendly service, and original, boundary-pushing cuisine at this eatery by the port. 

6. Le Chantecler

Address: Le Negresco, 37 Promenade des Anglais, 06000 Nice

Accolade: One Michelin Star

Best for: A French classic

Step inside Le Chantecler in Nice, and you can enter 18th century France. At least that’s the way it feels, due to the classical design of the interior.

From the delectable entrees to the decadent wine list, everything here screams luxury – and of course gourmand. 

The oceanfront location of Le Negresco, the hotel in which Le Chantecler is sited, adds to the sense of occasion when dining here.

You can choose between set and a la carte menus. Both feature surprisingly contemporary cuisine, given the setting. 

Read my review of staying at Le Negresco.

7. L’Aromate

Address: 2 Rue Gustave Deloye, 06000 Nice

Accolade: One Michelin Star

Best for: A glass-walled kitchen

Close to the popular Place Masséna in Nice is L’Aromate, a modern Michelin-starred restaurant with a monochrome interior warmed up by swathes of gold.

I love the glass-walled kitchen that sits at the centre, so you can see the culinary mastery in action. 

Ambitious chef Mickaël Gracieux draws upon his experience in cooking at top-rated restaurants to create L’Aromate’s signature cuisine.

Local seafood such as green crab and prawns from San Remo, plus fresh produce, ensure dishes are bursting with fresh flavour. 

8. Pure & V

Address: 7 Rue du Lycée, 06000 Nice

Accolade: One Michelin Star

Best for: Natural wines

If clean, simple Scandi style appeals to you, then you really need to sample what Pinja Paakkonen serves up at Pure & V.

The wine list is also exceptional, with natural wines a key focus of sommelier Vanessa Masse. 

There are five or seven course tasting menus available at Pure & V, which you can savour while soaking up the lively, youthful ambience.

Food centres on fresh vegetables, which are treated to a light, experienced touch, creating unfussy yet flavoursome dishes. 

It’s one of my absolute favourite Michelin star restaurants in Nice.

9. L’Alchimie

Address: 14 Rue Maccarani, 06000 Nice

Accolade: Bib Gourmand

Best for: A gourmet bistro

Whether you’ve exhausted Nice’s list of Michelin-starred eateries or want to try somewhere up-and-coming, L’Alchimie comes with a Bib Gourmand award.

The bistro-style setting creates a laid-back vibe, while allowing the food to take centre stage. 

L’Alchimie offers great value for money, yet clever culinary flair is evident throughout the menu.

I’d recommend booking ahead if you want a slice of the action, as tables are snapped up fast. Gourmet food enhanced by global flavours is the restaurant’s speciality. 

10. Olive & Artichaut

Address: 6 Rue Sainte-Reparate, 06300 Nice

Accolade: Bib Gourmand

Best for: Locally-inspired food

Olive and Artichaut may be diminutive in dimensions, but it certainly packs a punch when it comes to flavour.

The head chef here returned to his home city after working in a series of overseas restaurants.

The food here is inspired by the surroundings, namely the Mediterranean and the mountains.

Padded banquettes, patterned wall tiling, marble-topped tables, and wooden flooring create a stylish setting. And trust me, every course is music in the mouth. 

Have you visited any of these Michelin-star restaurants in Nice? Let me know in the comments! 

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