Top 5 Vegan Restaurants in Nice, France
Writing a guide to vegan-friendly restaurants in Nice, France, is something I’ve been meaning to do forever. Why? Because this little gem on the French Riviera is a city I truly love.
Once you’ve wandered slowly beside its soft pastel-colored buildings with the warm sun on your face, feeling like the main character in a French romance, I have no doubt you’ll feel the same way too.
But I must be honest with you. Researching and composing this article left me wondering, did the movie have a happy ending, or not?
Many of the amazing vegan spots I once visited and bookmarked for my next visit have since closed their doors, the effects of lockdowns and the ever-present struggle to get plant-based eating into the mainstream taking their toll.
But here’s the thing. In no world does this mean Nice is not worth your time. It very much still is.
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Vegan Restaurants in Nice: A Smaller Scene but Still Full of Flavor
You may find yourself on a first-name basis with the waiters on your third or fourth visit to a café, but that’s really not so bad considering the plethora of delightful dishes on offer.
You might pack a picnic of vegan goodies for a beach day rather than expecting to be flattered by restaurants offering plant-based options, well then, you’ll fit right in with the locals.
I cannot stress enough that Nice is an absolute charm in the south of France, and there are more than enough vegan restaurants and vegan options to satisfy each and every one of us hungry herbivores.
Paper Plane
14 Rue Gubernatis, 06000 Nice, France
You may never have a better lunch after experiencing the utter joy of dining at Paper Plane. Although their website says they’re vegetarian rather than fully vegan, I did not find that to be the case. Almost everything on their roster is plant-based, packs a punch, and is absolutely scrumptious.
Picture fluffy pancakes and vibrant salads on a menu that rotates to make each week at Paper Plane an exciting adventure. Regular classics like their ‘fish’ burger, ‘salmon’ with scrambled tofu, and ‘steak’ with grilled potatoes, rock locals and tourists palates alike. Their tartar sauce was unbelievably tangy and creamy with a rich umami kick, hands down one of the best burgers I’ve ever had. Proof you don’t need seafood to enjoy traditional flavors beside the ocean.
And to top it off, their selection of cakes and desserts is vast. I told myself I was being healthy by going for a carrot cake, and wow, it was incredible (but it certainly didn’t redeem me for a day of gorging myself in the cafés and restaurants of Nice).
Less than a 15-minute stroll from the beach and in the heart of this stunning city, any vegan traveling to Nice would be crazy not to give Paper Plane a go. And I’d bet you anything, it won’t just be the one visit you make during your stay.
Amour
2 Rue Foncet, 06000 Nice, France
Just around the corner from Paper Plane, quite literally, is Amour Patisserie Vegetale. A place where vegan cuisine is being redefined one omelette at a time, and with each bite of their smooth banoffee pie. But that’s just the start of it.
This tiny, fully plant-based, gluten-free, and completely organic patisserie punches way above its weight. Even after consuming far more than you should have (which is very easily done here), it’s difficult to leave Amour not feeling fresh and revitalized.
Their pure artistry is something to marvel at too. I felt a slight sense of guilt as I rather ungracefully bit into what might be the best chocolate éclair in the world. It really is magic what they can make vegan, all the French classics from quiche to fruit tarts, and far beyond. But their no-egg omelette, which I already mentioned for a reason, is the perfect way to start your day.
What’s also nice about Amour is that although it’s vibrant and modern, it’s still got that classic French charm that adds to the whole experience. The staff are lovely and there are some furry, four-legged regulars that brighten the place up even more than it already is. I’ll certainly be back at Amour next time I’m in Nice, will you?
Saj by Milla
35 Rue Droite, 06300 Nice, France
As we’ve already explored two spots perfect for breakfast and lunch, I thought it only right to fast-forward to dinner, and boy do I have a treat for you. SAJ by Milla is a delightful Mediterranean restaurant with dishes inspired by Greece, Cyprus, and Lebanon.
It’s vegetarian, not vegan, but there are tons of plant-based options which take your taste buds on a flavor journey across the ocean, then right back to a setting that couldn’t be more perfect.
Let me start off with the restaurant itself, set on an adorable little side street, you’d struggle to find somewhere more ‘Nice’ if you tried. The vibes have already been set on your stroll in, then you’re met with beaming smiles and a real buzz when you walk through the door. It’s hard to describe, but there’s just a sense of excitement and life throughout the whole place.
Freshly baked flatbreads and tapas-style dining encourage sharing and conversation, which usually flows well with good wine and better people. And whatever you do, don’t miss their hummus or baba ghanoush.
SAJ is the best possible way Nice could celebrate the many cultures that have influenced and defined the city. It’s a restaurant I would be very proud of if I was a local, and is somewhere you will feel right at home, fed, and watered.
Vege Viver Bem
5 Rue Miron, 06000 Nice, France
Forget croissants and ratatouille for a moment, what’s the least likely cuisine you’d expect to eat on the French Riviera? I bet Brazilian would be a strong contender. But prepare to be surprised, bringing the sounds of samba and tastes from the streets of Rio to Nice is Vege Viver Bem.
Since I was last in Brazil over ten years ago, I’ve not yet had the pleasure of enjoying Brazilian flavors as vibrant and soulful as those at Vege Viver Bem. They transported me right back to warm evenings on the beachfront of Salvador, waves lapping and beer in hand.
Brazilian food is not always the best choice for us vegans. But, Vege Viver Bem has mastered this incredible cuisine without the use of meat. Granted, they are vegetarian rather than vegan, but there are some champion plant-based dishes that drew me back again and again.
Traditionally, feijoada is the furthest thing from a plant-based dish you could possibly find, yet it’s one of my absolute favorites, and Vege Viver Bem does it as well as anywhere (far better than when I’ve abysmally tried to recreate it at home). A black bean and seitan stew with greens and fried plantain may not sound like much, but it will be the first thing I eat on my return to Nice. Need I say more? Their moqueca is amazing too, and their whole menu is a joy to explore.
A word of advice though. If you are a soda drinker, one can of Guaraná will leave you dreaming of the stuff long after you’ve unpacked your suitcases. An absolute elite drink, be warned.
Eatsa
5 Rue Miron, 06000 Nice, France
My last restaurant on the menu today isn’t vegan. It’s not even vegetarian. But it’s earned its place on the list after a very special dish and memory I made eating it in Promenade du Paillon on a beautiful, sunny afternoon. Eatsa is essentially a salad bar with bowls and pitas that absolutely shine with fresh, quality ingredients.
We may not like to admit it, but it’s difficult to keep to a healthy diet at the best of times, let alone when we’re on holiday. So after one too many vegan pastries and that extra glass of wine you didn’t need, Eatsa is the perfect remedy.
As vegans, we’re used to adapting our orders in restaurants. At Eatsa, customization is the name of the game. Turning a vegetarian dish plant-based is no issue at all for the lovely staff who are always happy to help. Think falafels, creamy hummus, fried zucchini, roast potatoes, and much more. In a bowl, in a pita, the choice is yours. Just watch out for yogurt, cheese, and honey.
Eatsa is very much a lunch spot, and as lovely as the restaurant itself is, its ideal location next to some majestic parks and the turquoise waters of the Med makes it perfect for takeout. It’s less than a 15-minute stroll to the beach, so get out and enjoy some people-watching as you nourish your body with some really, really good food (weather permitting, of course).
Nice may not be breaking into any European top ten lists when it comes to being vegan-friendly, but honestly, it’s a very special city that has more than enough plant-based choices for us hungry herbivores to get our teeth into.
Don’t miss Nice. I love it, and I think you will too.
Exploring More of France?
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France Vegan Guide: Best Cities to Visit
Paris Vegan Guide: 20+ Restaurants to Try
Must Visit Vegan Bakeries in Paris
Where to Go for Vegan Brunch in Paris
