One of the things I always find disappointing about beautiful beach destinations is that the restaurants with the best views often have the worst food. And while I love a beautiful view, I also think what's on my plate matters just as much.
If you're looking for somewhere to eat or drink with a view in Nice, you'll have plenty of options. This is the French Riviera, after all. But not all sea view restaurants in Nice are created equally.
Some are worth visiting for the setting alone. Others are better for a drink than a full meal. And then there are the rare places that actually manage to deliver both: gorgeous views and food that tastes as good as the setting looks.
These are my favorite restaurants in Nice with a view. They have beautiful terraces, rooftops, or waterfront settings, but most importantly, they're places I'd actually be excited to eat at.
Taulissa Restaurant
There's no doubt about it: Taulissa is a luxurious experience.
From the moment you walk into the building, on a street lined with some of the most expensive shopping in Nice, you'll know you're in for a treat. And as soon as the elevator doors open onto the spacious rooftop terrace, with panoramic views over the sea and the city, you'll know you made a good choice.
Taulissa has one of the best and most comfortable rooftops in Nice. The views are stunning, the table settings are beautifully designed, and unlike many fancy rooftop restaurants, the food actually holds up.
The menu is a mix of fresh seafood, meat, and a few vegetarian options. The stars of the menu are the "fishtank" offerings, featuring the day's freshest catches. They also have an impressive wine list and a sommelier who can help you choose the right pairing for your meal.
I also suggest saving room for dessert here. Their desserts are as beautiful and unique as they are delicious.
If you don't want to commit to a full meal but still want the view, Taulissa also has a poolside bar. It's a great spot for a sunset apéro or a nightcap with one of the best rooftop views in Nice.
Babel Babel
Babel Babel is one of my most recommended spots in Nice because it has the magic combination of beautiful views, great wine, and genuinely good food, while remaining reasonably priced for the French Riviera.
It's set right on the Promenade des Anglais, and if you're lucky enough to get a table on the upper balcony, you'll have uninterrupted views of the sea.
Babel Babel is also a solid recommendation because they serve food throughout the day, which is still surprisingly rare in France. If you're wandering around mid-afternoon, missed lunch, and need something to eat, this is one of the best places to go.
The menu focuses on thoughtfully crafted small plates. Everything I've had here has been good, and I especially love that they have a decent selection of natural wines.
Even if you don't want a full meal, Babel Babel is a great place to stop for a leisurely coffee or glass of wine while watching the waves roll in across the street.
Castel Plage
Castel Plage is impossible to miss. It's one of the most photographed spots in Nice.
As you walk along the Promenade des Anglais toward the Port, you'll notice the beach club first, then the cliffside restaurant that seems to balance almost impossibly above the sea.
It's good to know that there are actually two restaurants here. Castel Plage is the beachfront restaurant set just behind the chairs on the rocky beach, and it has a slightly more casual feel. Les Bains du Castel is the restaurant built into the side of the cliff, with a slightly pricier menu that matches the atmosphere.
Personally, I think Castel Plage is the perfect mix of a beautiful setting and delicious food.
I can highly recommend the sea bream ceviche, which was one of the most beautiful plates of food I've ever been served. Their truffle pasta is also excellent. The portions are generous, the service is friendly, and the location is hard to beat.
Overall, Castel Plage is a solid pick for a memorable beachside meal in Nice.
Bocca Nissa
Bocca Nissa is the original outpost from the Bocca group, which also runs Bocca Mar on the beach.
Bocca Nissa is their rooftop restaurant in Old Town, set above the Cours Saleya Market. The views here are more city than beach, but the rooftop is decorated so beautifully that it feels like an attraction on its own.
Their menu changes with the seasons, but it's always centered around shared plates and Niçoise ingredients. Think panisse, grilled prawns, seasonal vegetables, and large cuts of meat meant to be shared. They also offer set sharing menus, which are a good option if you can't decide what to order.
The atmosphere here is also part of the appeal. It's convivial, casual, polished, and fun without feeling too formal.
Bocca Nissa has become one of the places I often take visitors because it encompasses everything people want from a trip to the South of France.
The Bar at Le Plongeoir
Le Plongeoir is possibly the most Instagram-famous restaurant in Nice, and for good reason.
The restaurant sits high on a rock that juts out into the sea, giving it one of the most dramatic settings in the city. It's the kind of place that looks almost too beautiful to be real.
But the place I actually frequent more often is the bar on the lower level, which fewer tourists seem to know about.
The bar sits right above the water, so you still get the stunning sea view, the breeze, and the atmosphere, but without needing to book a full restaurant reservation weeks in advance.
Order a spritz or a glass of rosé, maybe add a snack, and just sit back and enjoy the view.
Check the hours before you go because they vary depending on the time of year. During the summer, I find it's best to go on the early side to avoid waiting for a table to open up.
La Réserve
La Réserve is the fanciest and most expensive option on this list, but once you see the setting, you'll understand why.
The restaurant is set directly in front of the sea, with floor-to-ceiling windows that open up to some of the most beautiful views in Nice. It feels elegant, old-school, and very French Riviera.
The menu here is very French and very luxurious. We're talking caviar, the fanciest green bean salad you've ever seen, and sea bass with local vegetables. It's the kind of place that makes you want to order a glass of Champagne and settle in for a long, lingering meal.
In addition to the restaurant, La Réserve also has a rooftop bar that takes reservations and offers wine, cocktails, and a few small plates.
They also offer a weekday lunch menu, which is a great way to experience the restaurant without completely breaking the bank.
If you want a memorable meal with an even more memorable view, La Réserve is one of the most special restaurants in Nice.
Final Thoughts: Where to Eat with a View in Nice
If you're looking for the best restaurants in Nice with a view, these are the places I'd recommend first.
There are plenty of restaurants in Nice with beautiful settings, but I always prioritize food first. A sea view is lovely, but if the food is forgettable, it's hard for me to recommend it.
These spots are different. Whether you want a rooftop dinner, a beachside lunch, a glass of rosé by the water, or a special occasion meal overlooking the Mediterranean, these are the restaurants in Nice that actually deliver on both atmosphere and flavor.