Discover the culinary specialities of Nice
6 September 2024
The cuisine of Nice, rooted in Mediterranean tradition and enriched by Italian influences, is an explosion of flavours and colours. Reflecting the art of living on the Côte d'Azur, it uses fresh, local ingredients to create dishes that are as delicious as they are varied. Here's a rundown of the culinary specialities of Nice that are a must-try.
1. Socca
Socca is a thin, crispy cake made from chickpea flour, water, olive oil and salt. Cooked over a wood fire in a pizza oven, it is served hot and sprinkled with black pepper. Simple and tasty, it is often eaten as an aperitif or snack.
2. Salade Niçoise
This emblematic Nice salad is a colourful and fresh mix of tomatoes, boiled eggs, olives, anchovies, tuna, radishes, onions and peppers, sometimes accompanied by broad beans and celery. Seasoned with olive oil and Provençal herbs, it is a perfect representation of the freshness and flavours of the Mediterranean.
3. Pissaladière
Pissaladière is a savoury tart topped with caramelised onions, anchovies and black olives on bread dough. Its mild, salty flavour makes it an ideal aperitif or starter. It can be eaten hot or cold, and every bite is reminiscent of the sunny markets of Nice.
4. Petits Farcis Niçois
stuffed vegetables (courgettes, tomatoes, peppers, onions) are stuffed with a mixture of minced meat, rice, aromatic herbs and sometimes cheese, then baked in the oven. This comforting dish is a real tribute to local produce and home cooking.
5. Ratatouille
Ratatouille is a vegetable stew comprising aubergines, courgettes, peppers, tomatoes and onions, simmered with garlic and herbes de Provence. This colourful vegetarian dish is often served as a side dish, but can also be enjoyed on its own with a little bread.
6. Daube Niçoise
Daube Niçoise is a beef stew simmered slowly in red wine with carrots, onions, garlic, tomatoes and herbes de Provence. Served with pasta, gnocchi or polenta, this comforting dish is perfect for family meals.
7. Courgette Blossom Fritters (Beignets de Fleurs de Courgettes)
These light, crispy fritters are made with courgette flowers dipped in a light batter, then fried until golden. They are often served as an aperitif and are particularly appreciated for their delicacy and unique flavour.
8. Pan Bagnat
The pan bagnat is a typical Nice sandwich, made with farmhouse bread topped with Niçoise salad (without lettuce) and drizzled with olive oil. It's a practical and tasty lunch, perfect for a picnic on the beach.
9. Chard pie
Chard pie is a sweet and savoury tart made with chard, pine nuts, sultanas, apples and Parmesan. Unique in its kind, this traditional dessert surprises with its balance of flavours.
10. Trouchia
Trouchia is a thick omelette with chard and onions, often served cold as an aperitif or starter. It's a simple but tasty dish that makes the most of fresh, local produce.
11. Ganses
Ganses are sweet doughnuts, often flavoured with orange blossom, traditional to Nice and eaten especially during Carnival. Their soft texture and delicate flavour make them an irresistible dessert.
12. Le Gibassier
Gibassier is a brioche flavoured with orange blossom, typical of the Nice region and often eaten during the festive season. Soft and aromatic, it's perfect for breakfast or a snack.
Whether you're visiting Nice or just want to bring a bit of the Côte d'Azur into your cooking, these specialities from Nice are a must. Bon appétit!
1. Socca
Socca is a thin, crispy cake made from chickpea flour, water, olive oil and salt. Cooked over a wood fire in a pizza oven, it is served hot and sprinkled with black pepper. Simple and tasty, it is often eaten as an aperitif or snack.
2. Salade Niçoise
This emblematic Nice salad is a colourful and fresh mix of tomatoes, boiled eggs, olives, anchovies, tuna, radishes, onions and peppers, sometimes accompanied by broad beans and celery. Seasoned with olive oil and Provençal herbs, it is a perfect representation of the freshness and flavours of the Mediterranean.
3. Pissaladière
Pissaladière is a savoury tart topped with caramelised onions, anchovies and black olives on bread dough. Its mild, salty flavour makes it an ideal aperitif or starter. It can be eaten hot or cold, and every bite is reminiscent of the sunny markets of Nice.
4. Petits Farcis Niçois
stuffed vegetables (courgettes, tomatoes, peppers, onions) are stuffed with a mixture of minced meat, rice, aromatic herbs and sometimes cheese, then baked in the oven. This comforting dish is a real tribute to local produce and home cooking.
5. Ratatouille
Ratatouille is a vegetable stew comprising aubergines, courgettes, peppers, tomatoes and onions, simmered with garlic and herbes de Provence. This colourful vegetarian dish is often served as a side dish, but can also be enjoyed on its own with a little bread.
6. Daube Niçoise
Daube Niçoise is a beef stew simmered slowly in red wine with carrots, onions, garlic, tomatoes and herbes de Provence. Served with pasta, gnocchi or polenta, this comforting dish is perfect for family meals.
7. Courgette Blossom Fritters (Beignets de Fleurs de Courgettes)
These light, crispy fritters are made with courgette flowers dipped in a light batter, then fried until golden. They are often served as an aperitif and are particularly appreciated for their delicacy and unique flavour.
8. Pan Bagnat
The pan bagnat is a typical Nice sandwich, made with farmhouse bread topped with Niçoise salad (without lettuce) and drizzled with olive oil. It's a practical and tasty lunch, perfect for a picnic on the beach.
9. Chard pie
Chard pie is a sweet and savoury tart made with chard, pine nuts, sultanas, apples and Parmesan. Unique in its kind, this traditional dessert surprises with its balance of flavours.
10. Trouchia
Trouchia is a thick omelette with chard and onions, often served cold as an aperitif or starter. It's a simple but tasty dish that makes the most of fresh, local produce.
11. Ganses
Ganses are sweet doughnuts, often flavoured with orange blossom, traditional to Nice and eaten especially during Carnival. Their soft texture and delicate flavour make them an irresistible dessert.
12. Le Gibassier
Gibassier is a brioche flavoured with orange blossom, typical of the Nice region and often eaten during the festive season. Soft and aromatic, it's perfect for breakfast or a snack.
Whether you're visiting Nice or just want to bring a bit of the Côte d'Azur into your cooking, these specialities from Nice are a must. Bon appétit!