Great spots for a glass of wine, a sea-view apéro, or something a little stronger
Rosé is practically synonymous with the Côte d'Azur. The best part of the day here is apéro hour, where you slowly sip on something while the sun lowers and you ready your palate for dinner.
There are so many places in Nice to get a glass of wine, but these are the places I return to regularly. The spots that carefully curate their wine lists, offer small plates to pair with their glasses, and always work for entertaining friends.
And while wine is the focus, I've also included a few favorite spots for cocktails and craft beer at the end, because sometimes that's the mood, too.
Le Plongeoir Bar
Most visitors to Nice know about Le Plongeoir because of its dramatic setting. The restaurant sits on top of a huge rock jutting out into the sea, and it has become one of the most recognizable restaurant views in the city.
But what a lot of people don't realize is that you don't have to book a full meal at the restaurant to enjoy the setting. Below the restaurant, there is a bar set on a dock over the water, and it makes a pretty perfect spot for an apéro in Nice. You still get the sea views, the photos, and the feeling of being somewhere special, without needing to plan weeks in advance to get a reservation at the restaurant.
I think the best time to go is around 4 to 6 pm. Once it gets closer to dinner, it starts filling up with people having a drink before heading to their table upstairs. Go for the setting, the sea air, and the very specific pleasure of having a drink almost directly over the Mediterranean.
La Treille
I walked past La Treille so many times before finally stopping for a drink. It's one of those places that always caught my eye because it looked so charming from the outside, but I wasn't sure if it was just a pretty façade.
After finally trying it for apéro, I can say it is both pretty and genuinely good.
La Treille is a small natural wine bar in Nice's Old Town with a cozy, intimate feel. The space is small, so I would recommend making a reservation, especially if you want to sit outside. That said, if you go at a quieter time, you may get lucky and be able to walk in.
They have a stronger food offering than I expected for a place that feels more wine bar than restaurant. The menu changes seasonally, but you can usually expect a mix of cheeses, meats, tartes, grilled dishes, and a few desserts.
The wine list focuses on natural wines, and they are happy to guide you to the best choice depending on your mood at the moment. The last time I went, they introduced me to a sparkling rosé I had never tried before. It was super dry, refreshing, and exactly the kind of thing you want on a sunny afternoon in Nice.
Rouge
Rouge is always an easy choice because while it's close to the Port, it's a bit removed from the usual tourist restaurants. They serve food all day, which is not always easy to find in France, and the food is actually good. Some of my favorites are the tempura zucchini flowers and the beef tataki, but honestly, I've enjoyed everything I've tried here.
For wine, you can either choose from their curated list or let the owner guide you. If you explain what you usually like, they're happy to recommend a glass. It's a great option if you're looking for a calm spot to wind down in between meal hours.
Barrique
Barrique was the first wine bar I visited in Nice, so I have a soft spot for it. We happened to stop in on Beaujolais Nouveau day, and they had a special hot dog on the menu that has lived rent-free in my brain ever since. Sadly, the hot dog was only a seasonal special, but they usually have meat and cheese plates to go with the wine.
The space is friendly and relaxed. Inside, it feels cozy and warm in the winter, while the outdoor terrace is airy and inviting in the summer.
Barrique is another great spot for natural wine in Nice. They're always open to helping you find something you'll like, and I've often enjoyed their recommendations so much that we ended up buying a bottle to take home. This is the kind of place I'd recommend if you want a casual wine bar that feels welcoming and not overly polished.
Babel Babel
There are endless places to stop for a drink along the Promenade des Anglais, but I always find myself coming back to Babel Babel.
It's right by the sea, with tables facing the water, which makes it one of my favorite casual spots for a drink with a view in Nice. It's the kind of place you can stop at almost any time of day for a glass of wine, a small bite, a coffee, or something stronger. Babel Babel is also one of my go-to places to take friends when they first arrive in Nice.
The wine selection is solid, and they also have beers and some interesting cocktails, so it works well if not everyone in your group wants the same thing. If you want a low-effort, high-reward drink with a sea view, this is a very easy choice.
La Part des Anges
La Part des Anges is part wine shop, part small plates restaurant, and part wine bar, which makes it a great place to stop for both a snack and a really good glass of wine.
It has that cozy, friendly feeling that makes it all too easy to order a second glass and stay a bit longer. It's also a good option if you're looking to buy a bottle. Maybe you want a bottle for a special occasion, or maybe you just want to try something new and need someone to point you in the right direction. Their cellar list changes regularly, and they're happy to help you find something that fits what you're looking for.
This is one of the better places in Nice if you want the experience of a wine bar with the knowledge and selection of a proper wine shop.
Les Beaux Joueurs
Les Beaux Joueurs is one of the more unique places on this list. It's just north of the train station, on the edge of the Libération neighborhood, and it combines wine, cheese, and board games.
The shop is full of games for all different levels. Whether you want something casual to play while you drink, or something more strategic and competitive, they'll help you find the right game for the mood.
But this is not just a gimmicky board game bar. They also take the cheese and wine side very seriously. Every month, they do a tasting of new wines with cheese pairings, and it's where I've discovered some of my favorite French cheeses. From time to time, they have a cheesecake that feels a little like a Basque-style cheesecake, and it is absolutely amazing.
The owner speaks great English and is always happy to help, which also makes this a good option if you're visiting Nice and feel a little intimidated by French wine lists.
If You Want Cocktails or Craft Beer Instead
Wine is usually my default in Nice, but these two spots are worth knowing about if you're in the mood for something different.
Saint Cocktail Bar
Saint Cocktail Bar is one of the coolest and most inventive cocktail bars I've been to anywhere in Europe. The guys who run it are seriously nerdy about cocktails in the best possible way. Their drinks often sound a little bizarre on paper, but somehow they work.
Instead of organizing the menu by spirit or ingredient, they organize it by flavor, and the presentation often comes with its own surprises, too. The first cocktail we ordered here literally arrived with bubbles overflowing from the top of the glass. Another somehow combined champagne and cherry tomatoes into something that was unexpectedly delicious.
If you want a proper cocktail bar in Nice that feels creative rather than generic, this is the place I'd send you.
Beer District Libération
If you're looking for craft beer in Nice, Beer District Libération is the spot.
They have a rotating selection of specialty beers, with many from France, though you'll usually find beers from other countries on the menu too. Whether you want something dark, something sour, or something light and easy to drink, there are usually several interesting options.
It's a good one to know about if you're staying near Libération, or if you just need a break from wine for the evening.