7 romantic restaurants in Nice for the best date night

Set on the stunning French Riviera, it's not hard to imagine Nice as a romantic place. Stunning vistas abound due to its setting on the Baie des Anges, and aside from the lovely scenery, there are plenty of great things to do here. From strolling along the iconic Promenade des Anglais to visiting museums to dining at an amazing restaurant, there's really nothing not to love about this city.

Anyone looking for a romantic dinner in Nice need not look very far. There are tons of centrally-located restaurants that will effortlessly serve you a delicious meal. Whether you want to dine inside or outside or go high-end or casual, Nice has you covered. If there was one thing that takes points away from the collection of romantic restaurants in Nice, it's that the food varieties are a bit lacking. If you don't want French classic cuisine for your romantic meal, the selection narrows considerably.

As you're out sightseeing or shopping in Nice, try to make things easy on yourself so that you can focus on the romantic location. One way to do that is to drop off any unneeded suitcases or shopping bags at a Bounce luggage storage in Nice before you head to the restaurant. We'll keep everything safe while you enjoy delicious dishes, the best local cuisine, and of course, the company of your date.

Here are our favorite date night spots in Nice:

Le Chantecler

When all you want is a cosy and intimate restaurant with two Michelin stars, the choice is super easy. Chantecler is the go-to spot for French haute cuisine and tops our list of the best romantic restaurants in Nice. The decor here is second-to-none, with white tablecloths that go all the way to the floor, impressive chandeliers, intricate wood paneling, colorful chairs, and luxurious carpets. In short, this place oozes opulence and stays as true as possible to its 18th-century aesthetic.

Given its status as one of the finest restaurants in the city, Le Chantecler is best saved for a special occasion when you're really prepared to splash around some cash. You'll find this gem in the five-star Le Negresco Hotel right on the Promenade des Anglais, so the setting just couldn't be any better.

As for the menu, Le Chantecler offers quite a selection of fancy dishes like caviar and Normandy oysters, and they are forthcoming right on the menu about where everything comes from.

Our recommendation

There are two tasting menu options here, which range in price from €175 to €220 without the wine pairings. The first tasting menu translates to "the song of flavors" and entails five courses. The second option is an eight-course surprise menu that, if you can swing it, is definitely our recommendation.

Location

37 Promenade des Anglais, Nice, France

Price level

$$$$

Le Figuier de Saint-Esprit

Another Michelin-starred restaurant in the area, Le Figuier de Saint-Esprit, also skews high-end and focuses on French haute cuisine. Although not in Nice, this location is worth a mention for its fabulous food, and the town of Antibes is not far from Nice at all. Antibes is more of a resort area popular for its beaches and nightlife, so it's possible this spot is already on your itinerary.

The restaurant's interior is lavish, with the somewhat typical chandeliers and white tablecloths. The tables are placed on different levels far enough apart to ensure the privacy of your dinner conversation. The service here is reliably good, and the excellent food will have you talking about your meal here long after you've gone home.

If you subscribe to the philosophy that your food should look good, there's nothing to worry about at Le Figuier. Everything is presented beautifully, as you might expect from a restaurant of this caliber.

Our recommendation

Christian Morisset, the two Michelin-starred chef that's in charge of the menu, definitely won't disappoint. You can order a la carte here, but the discovery tasting menu is the real winner. It has eight courses full of meat, fish, and even a pre-dessert dessert. This is a great way to impress your date for the hefty sum of €158 per person.

Location

14 Rue du Saint-Esprit, Antibes, France

Price level

$$$$

Au Moulin Enchanté

Coming in a little more affordable than the first two romantic restaurants in Nice we've mentioned, Au Moulin Enchanté offers a traditional French restaurant located a little bit outside of the Old Nice area.

Inside, the restaurant is dominated by a lovely bar area decked out with old-fashioned kitchen items. The space is fairly large for a French bistro, so the tables aren't too close together, which is ideal for date night. Menus are written on chalkboards and posted on the walls, so you can expect the items to change frequently based on the chef's inspiration and what's in season.

When the weather is favorable, as it often is in Nice, opt for a table on the sidewalk patio. The outdoor seating lets you and your date people-watch while you dine and leaves no doubt that you're lucky enough to be in France.

Our recommendation

Although the menu isn't extensive here, you can expect creativity and a touch of modernity to the typical French fare. Start with the Rocamadour toast with fig chutney and go with either the saffron risotto with mushrooms or the fresh fish with tomato coulis and pesto. If you have room for dessert after all that, the chocolate mousse is a classic for a reason.

Location

1 Rue Barberis, Nice, France

Price level

$$

Primo Amore by Pappagallo

When you're on the French Riviera, it might seem silly to seek out a romantic restaurant that doesn't serve French food. But when you want something different, head to Primo Amore for Italian fare at one of the most romantic restaurants around. Also, since a lot of French cuisine relies heavily on meat, this charming eatery is ideal if you or your date need vegetarian options.

Primo Amore isn't fancy, and when you head here for date night, it might feel like you're at a friend's house - just one that prepares amazing food. The restaurant's interior has a stately wooden bar area and round tables that will encourage you to stay close to your date. Some of the tables are too close to allow for much privacy, but when you taste the food, this detail is easily overlooked.

Our recommendation

When you see the menu here, it will be tricky to choose only one thing. If your budget allows, which it might since this restaurant isn't too pricey, get a few courses to sample as much as you can. Start with either the Angus beef carpaccio with truffles or the veggie balls if you're a vegetarian. They also offer an enviable selection of fresh mozzarella, burrata, and stracciatella, so you should consider this as well. As for your main, go for the gnocchi alla Romana, and you'll be almost too stuffed to walk out the door.

Location

9 Rue Boyer, Nice, France

Price level

$$

Les Jardins du Capitole

It would be a shame to visit Nice and not plan a romantic meal overlooking the scenic water. At Les Jardins du Capitole, that's exactly what you can have if you plan ahead and make a reservation on their bayside terrace. Even if you don't make a reservation, it's easier to get into this casual place than some of the other Nice restaurants on our list.

Somewhat of a rarity in the area, this restaurant, located on the Promenade des Anglais, offers non-stop service from 8 am to 11 pm. So if you like to dine early or late, this is a great option. They serve a menu full of modern, original food that complements the beautiful dining area full of simple furnishings and lush greenery.

When you and your date have conflicting preferences on French or Italian food, Les Jardins du Capitole is the perfect compromise. They definitely have a bunch of French classic cuisine on the menu, and those items are peppered in between pasta and pizza options.

Our recommendation

Since it's Nice, why not go for the Nicoise salad? We understand that salads aren't typically the most romantic of foods, so we can also recommend the French onion soup, vegetarian pizza, and beef tartare.

Location

52 Promenade des Anglais, Nice, France

Price level

$$

La Table du Royal

Another restaurant located just outside Nice in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat is La Table du Royal. Less than 10 km from the center of Nice, this restaurant is part of the Hotel Royal-Riviera and is worth the drive out of the city for its waterfront terrace alone. This is outdoor dining at its finest, and the menu isn't bad either. But truthfully, we'd settle for a plate of fries to have the chance to sit on this breathtaking terrace.

Depending on when you're in town, you may not have this restaurant as an option. It's only open seasonally from April to October, and as a result, their expert chef always creates his menu around what's in season. The restaurant also aims to highlight the best of the local food from the surrounding areas.

Our recommendation

A reservation is absolutely recommended at this popular seafront spot. You can easily make reservations online through their website.

Location

3 Av. Jean Monnet, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, France

Price level

$$$$

Cumin & Cannelle

We switch gears for our last romantic restaurant option and offer Cumin & Cannelle for your date night consideration. This Indian restaurant located inland in the Vernier neighborhood is a refreshing change from the abundance of French cuisine there is in this area.

When you dine here, you'll be seated in a somewhat informal dining room that's cozy and welcoming. The food is the star of the show, and with your lovely date, you won't be too bothered by the unadorned walls.

After you've had your meal, head out for a walk to the nearby Jardin Thiole to burn off a few calories and enjoy the usual warmth of a Nice summer evening.

Our recommendation

Since this is a romantic rendezvous, opt for the discovery menu for two people. It's a variety of dishes, four in total, plus all the typical accompaniments like rice and chapathi. The a la carte menu is stacked with all your favorites, like tandoori chicken, shrimp masala, and mixed vegetables in a spicy sauce. Just go easy on the spice if you're not used to it. And don't skip dessert - the mango and pineapple trifle cake is an absolute must-try.

Location

9 Rue Clément Roassal, Nice, France

Price level

$$

Conclusion

As you've gone through this list, you'll no doubt have been inspired to plan your romantic date night at one of these restaurants in Nice. While the options for French romantic restaurants seem almost endless, there are a few non-French restaurants for you if you prefer something a little unconventional. But since you're in France, the French restaurants should seem like a good fit.

To mix things up when it comes to food, you can always hit the tasty street food vendors in Nice for lunch before date night. And, when you don't want your memorable evening to end, prolong it by visiting one of the best rooftop bars in Nice. There's really no better way to watch the sun go down than with a view over the picturesque bay while sipping a creative cocktail.