L'Auberge de Théo 52 av Cap-de-Croix tel 04.93.81.26.19. Pleasant Italian food up in Cimiez. €20 menu (except Sat & Sun evening). Closed Mon & third week Aug to second week Sept.Chantecler and La Rotonde Hôtel Negresco tel 04.93.16.64.00. Chantecler is the best restaurant in Nice and over €90 à la carte, but chef Dominique Le Stanc provides a lunchtime menu, wine and coffee included, for €50, which will give you a good idea of how sublime Niçois food at its best can be. At La Rotonde you can taste less fancy but still mouthwatering dishes on €22.50 and €29 menus. Closed mid-Nov to mid-Dec. La Criée 22 cours Saleya tel 04.93.85.49.99. A cut above the hordes of near-identical seafood places whose patios cram the cours de Saleya. Great service and good prices, with menus from €15. L'Escalinada 22 rue Pairolière tel 04.93.62.11.71. Tucked away among the bustle of Old Nice's market street, this is the place for down-home Niçois cooking in a relaxed and unpretentious atmosphere. Menus €20-25. Lou Pilha Leva Place Central and rue du Collet tel 04 93 13 99 08. The place to go for a light meal or late-night snack. Socca, beignets d'aubergines, and stuffed courgette are some of the delectable and inexpensive choices. Open daily till midnight. Nissa La Bella 6 rue Ste-Réparate tel 04.93.62.10.20. Incredible socca, pizzas and other real Niçois specialities make it well worth the wait. From €12.20. Closed Sun lunch. Poco Loco 2 rue Dalpozze tel 04.93.88.85.83, www.poco-loco.com. Lively place with authentic Mexican food at near-Mexican prices (€9–14 for a menu). Just off the promenade des Anglais. La Trapa 12 rue Jules-Gilly tel 04.93.80.33.69. Cuban tapas bar and restaurant featuring live music on summer evenings and a delicious plat du jour at €10. Virginie 2 place A.-Blanqui tel 04.93.55.10.07. Excellent plateau des fruits de mer in a truly local setting. From €9.15. La Zucca Magica 4bis quai Papacino tel 04.93.56.25.27. The Italian chefs here serve up some of the most sophisticated vegetarian fare on the Cotê; reservations several days in advance are essential. Menus at €13.75 and €23. Closed Sun & Mon.
| 