general information
Best brunch spots in Nice
Breakfast in France tends to be lighter. The French like to go light on breakfast and save their appetites for a decent lunch. Traditionally you’ll find on a café menu a baguette with jam and butter, a croissant or pain au chocolate and a strong coffee. It tends to be heavy on sugar as a quick kickstart to the day, the more coffee the better.
However, times are changing and it’s now possible to find a range of brunch spots in Nice that offer healthier options. If you’re looking for a relaxed morning while on holiday in Nice, there are plenty of options beyond the traditional boulangerie. Here is a list of some of our favourite spots, not far from the Villa saint Exupéry hostel in central Nice. Ask Hostel reception for directions, we are always keen to help.
1. Miss B. Tearooms
20 Rue Gioffredo, https://missbtearoom.fr/
Opens weekdays 8.30 am – 5.30 pm, closed Sundays.
Our new hands down favourite is Miss B., offering healthy vegetarian and Vegan options with a range of options for brunch during the week: smoothies, quiches, fruit salads, granola with yoghurt, muffins, cakes and cookies. There is a special brunch on a Saturday that offers a fuller brunch experience, including pancakes. poached eggs and omelettes for a very reasonable 18 euros. Check out their website for more info. As it opens early, (8.30 am weekdays), we would recommend this place before or after our free walking tour (see https://www.villahostels.com/what-to-see/free-tour-nice/) to get a feel for the city. The walking tour is at 11 am and last approximately 1.5 hours, although you can duck out at any time.
2. Royal Riviera Hotel
3, avenue Jean Monnet, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat
www.royal-riviera.com/ (closes for the winter 17th November- 14 january).
Sometimes, you just need to splash out on a little luxury. Maybe it’s because your rich great uncle is coming to meet you in Nice, or it’s your birthday and you can arm-twist your friends into it, or you just need a bit of luxury after a particularly rough bit of backpacking. So if you want to go big, try the Royal Riviera hotel on a sunday for a blowout boozy brunch experience. It’s pricey at 54 euros (alcohol not included), with a full hotel buffet; smoked salmon and pancakes, a full english breakfast, exquisite patisseries made in house and much more. You can make a day of it. After eating, pay an extra 20 euros to use the pool for the afternoon, if the hotel is not too busy. Talk to their lifeguard discreetly on site to book in, or call the concierge in advance to let them know you’re interested in the pool option. There is also the private beach next to the pool, where you are able to rent chairs.
3. Badaboom
11 Rue François Guisol
www.badaboom.online Open 9am to 4pm, closed on Sunday
This is our all- time favourite. Only vegan and vegetarian options of all kinds are offered, in a relaxed and incredibly friendly atmosphere. It has a bit of a hippy vibe while having that elegant French touch that’s so hard to replicate. All large choice of great juices, breakfast bowls, and homemade cakes are just a few of the brunch choices. Based on the port, make sure you explore around the popular Place du Pin area nearby afterwards. Made up of a square with a dozen streets, this is where locals hang out, with a buzzing atmosphere and the best specialist food, fashion and design shops in Nice.
4. Café Marché
2 Rue Barillerie Open 12-2 pm weekdays, 10 am to 3pm Sundays, closed Wednesdays and Saturday
This place has been at the heart of the brunch scene for many years in Nice. Brunch is on a Sunday, starting at 10 am. It’s not far from Villahostels (www.villahostels.com), located in the old town, and is the perfect place to relax if you’re out and about exploring the fruit and flower market of old Nice (the market is the city’s must-see). Sourcing all ingredients locally, with the market next door, it’s a classic brunch experience at a reasonable price. There is a sweet and savoury fixed menu on a Sunday, as well as a combo option. Also worth checking out during the week for lunch, with just three or four menu options done expertly. Very popular with locals, so need to book in advance, especially on the weekend.
5. Gare du Sud
35 Avenue Malaussena, lagaredusud.com open 11 am to 11pm and later on weekends, closed Monday.
A few stops from Villahostels on the tram, the newly inaugurated Food Hall in Nice is a raving success. It’s beautiful from an architectural point of view and offers everything from vegetarian Indian brunch options to healthy breakfast food bowls. It opens at 10 am weekdays. There is a massive choice of brunch options. It’s only a few stops on the tram from our hostel (journey time 10 mns) and is another unmissable stop in Nice.
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