Nice, Shortlisted
Hi all,
I hope you're having a lovely June so far. It’s sunny + warm (enfin!) where I am and we’re keeping that sunshine energy going by heading to Nice this month!
I've spent a lot of time in Nice throughout the years (including while researching and writing le SUD!) and while its always been a city I've loved to explore, my most recent visit earlier this month (hosting this trip with Capital One and PRIOR — more below!) had me frantically adding a slew of new spots to this shortlist. While there are still the must-book classics (Chez Davia! La Merenda!), the past few years have seen many incredible openings and the city has gone from a quick daytrip in for lunch + time by the sea to a full on city destination.
A big, big thank you to Capital One for partnering with Shortlisted to sponsor this month’s newsletter. I had the absolute honor of partnering with Capital One x PRIOR on a truly epic South of France trip curated exclusively for their cardholders and we spent our time eating and drinking and bringing the pages of le SUD to life all around Nice (and a bit of the surrounding area — I’ve included a few of our stops below!). If you are interested in learning more about gaining exclusive access to unforgettable Capital One cardholder experiences like this one be sure to do that right here.
As always, thank you for being here, I have a beautiful rest of your month and see you in July!
xR
[restaurants | wine bars]
Chez Davia | This third generation-owned bistro might be my favorite lunchtime table in Nice. I like to order primarily off the entrée menu: barbajuans (a fried pastry typically filled with Swiss Chard from Monaco), fried zucchini flowers, and if it’s in season, the omelette. For the main I opt for the linguine au pistou, and for dessert, the silky, tart, platonic ideal of a tarte au citron. Definitely make a reservation in advance
La Merenda | La Merenda is a Nice institution and the pâtes au pistou — made here with tagliatelle and not a little butter — is rightfully legendary. (A quick heads up that this shortlist isn’t going to be lacking in various green pastas you should plan to order.) Also get the pissaladière (it’s one of the inspirations for the pissaladière in le SUD!) as well as a plate of coppa and the fried zucchini blossoms (which they serve with a dish of salt on the side), if they are in season. If it’s a colder day (or not bc it’s very very good) get the daube de boeuf served with panisse. If you have room for a cheese course, order the Banon. For dessert: the lemon tarte and/or the tourte de blette (a sweet pie made with chard, raisins, and pine nuts and dusted in confectioners’ sugar — and way better than the description on the page) / cash only
Le Bistrot des Serruriers | A newer opening in Nice and truly excellent (it’s part of Hôtel du Couvent but if you weren’t told, you wouldn’t know). A lovely bistro in its own right, the menu heavily features Niçois classics including…forgive me…a green gnocchi that is phenomenal. You should also order the eggs mayo or mimosa (whichever is on the menu — it changes depending on the day), the terrine (definitely ask for mustard and cornichons on the side), the pissaladière and the chicken. The wine list has a great selection of natural wines and get the nougat glacé for dessert
Lavomatique | Laundromat in Vieux Nice turned bar + open kitchen featuring natural wines, small plates of local ingredients and an excellent vibe. Sit at the counter!