Grocery Shopping in Nice, France

Food shopping in Nice offers a blend of modern convenience and traditional French charm. The central area of Nice is full of options for fresh, local, and high-quality ingredients, making it ideal for residents who enjoy cooking at home.

• Supermarkets are abundant in Nice and provide a wide variety of everyday essentials, including fresh produce, dairy, meats, and international goods. Popular supermarkets in the central area include:
  • Monoprix Centre Ville: A mid-range supermarket with everything from groceries to household items. Located in Place Masséna and along main streets.
  • Carrefour Market reasonably sized supermarket in Centre-Ville, Nice
  • Carrefour City: A smaller, urban version of Carrefour supermarkets, ideal for quick grocery runs.
  • Casino Supermarché: Another reliable chain offering fresh foods and pantry staples.
  • Intermarché Express: Convenient for quick, local shopping.

• Tips:
  • Many supermarkets close on Sundays or operate shorter hours, so plan shopping accordingly.
  • Bring your own reusable bags to avoid extra fees for plastic bags.
  • A resident buys many of the exact same items at the supermarket, almost every visit. Most supermarkets offer online shopping and home delivery. Home delivery saves carrying a couple six-packs of your favorite water, a large package of toilet paper, laundry detergent and more.

• For organic and natural foods, Nice has a variety of magasins bio (bio = organic) that cater to health-conscious shoppers:
  • Naturalia: A popular organic supermarket chain offering fresh produce, organic meats, dairy, and health products.
    • Naturalia Nice Gambetta, 10 boulevard Gambetta, Nice 09:00 - 20:00
  • La Vie Claire: A well-stocked organic store with local and international organic goods.
  • Biocoop: A cooperative-style organic store focusing on ethical and sustainable foods, including bulk grains, nuts, and spices.
    • Biocoop Grimaldi: 2, Place Grimaldi, Nice 09:00 - 20:00

• These stores are excellent for finding high-quality organic ingredients, including gluten-free and vegan options.

• Boulangeries in Nice are the cornerstone of daily life, offering fresh bread, pastries, and viennoiseries:
  • Baguette Tradition: A must-have for residents. Ask for “une tradition” for a high-quality baguette made without additives.
  • Croissants and Pain au Chocolat: Perfect for breakfast or an afternoon treat.
  • Local Specialties: Try fougasse, a flatbread often flavored with olives, herbs, or cheese.
• Recommended boulangeries in the central area include:
  • Boulangerie Roy Le Capitale excellent neighborhood boulangerie & pâtisserie with warm welcome.
  • Boulangerie Jeannot: Known for excellent baguettes and pastries near the Old Town.
  • Maison Boudet: A historic bakery offering artisanal breads and local specialties.

• Épiceries are small specialty grocery stores that offer high-quality items, often from local or regional producers:
  • Epicerie Fine: Gourmet stores featuring artisanal olive oils, cheeses, jams, spices, and dried goods.
  • Look for La Cave de la Tour, a shop with fine foods, local wines, and regional specialties.
  • L'Italien à Nice 75 Rue de France
, Nice

• For residents cooking at home, épiceries are perfect for finding unique ingredients and high-end products not available in supermarkets.

• Boucheries provide fresh cuts of meat and often offer prepared dishes like marinated roasts or charcuterie. Look for:
  • Boucherie Chez Francis: A local favorite offering high-quality meats and house-made pâtés.
  • Maison Balme: Specializes in fine meats and charcuterie, ideal for a dinner party or Sunday roast.

• Tips:
  • When ordering, specify the cut and amount you need (e.g., “Un kilo de boeuf haché” for a kilo of ground beef).
  • Ask for recommendations on cooking methods; local butchers are knowledgeable and helpful.

• Nice’s proximity to the Mediterranean makes it an excellent place for fresh seafood. Fishmongers, or poissonneries, offer the freshest catches, including:
  • Poissonnerie Bleu Marin: Known for its variety of fish, shellfish, and prepared seafood dishes.
  • Marché de la Libération: A market area with numerous fishmongers selling daily catches.

• What to Buy:
  • Local Favorites: Sea bass (bar), red mullet (rouget), sardines, and Mediterranean shellfish.
  • Ask for “filets” (fillets) if you prefer your fish prepped and ready to cook.

• Outdoor Fresh Markets are at the heart of food shopping in Nice, providing fresh produce, cheeses, meats, and more:
  • Cours Saleya Market:
    • Located in the Old Town, this vibrant market is ideal for fresh fruits, vegetables, flowers, and local products like olives and tapenade.
    • Open daily (except Mondays when it transforms into an antique market).
  • Marché de la Libération:
    • A more local market offering high-quality produce, meats, fish, and regional goods.
  • Local Tip: Arrive early for the freshest selection and best variety.

• Fromageries are dedicated cheese shops with incredible selections of French and local cheeses:
  • Fromagerie du Vieux Nice: Offers artisanal cheeses, including regional specialties like tomme, chèvre, and Brie.
  • Local Tip: Ask for a cheese recommendation based on your meal or wine choice, or select from our list of Artisanal Cheeses.

• Caves à vin specialize in local and French wines:
  • Cave Caprioglio: Known for its wide selection of wines, including Provence rosés.
  • What to Try: Local rosés, reds from the Rhone Valley, and sparkling Crémant de Bourgogne. Don't forget to chill at least one bottle of authentic French Champagne.

• Picard: specialty Frozen foods that are very good quality. Many locations in larger cities in France. Picard.fr
• Olive Oil Shops:
  • Nice is famous for its olive oil, and specialty shops like Alziari offer high-quality oils and tapenades.
• Spice and Herb Stores:
  • Herbes de Provence and local spices can be found at markets or stores like Epices & Saveurs.
• Delis: Shops like Maison Auer also sell fine sweets, jams, and chocolates.

• Excellent Video: Grocery Shopping in France
• France v US Grocery Stores
• Grocery Shopping in Nice and the South of France

• Shopping Hours: Markets are typically open in the mornings until early afternoon. Supermarkets stay open later, but many small stores close for lunch between 12:00 and 14:00.

• Always say, Bonjour and Merci, Au Revoir to the Cashier.

• Reusable Bags: Always carry a reusable bag for groceries, as plastic bags are rarely provided.
• Bag your own Stuff: Most Cashiers do not bag your stuff. Please step up and bag your purchases as it is scanned.

• Pay with a Bank Card as the quickest and most convenient way to pay.
• Avoid Paying with a Check because it is slow and not the same format as in the US
• Pay with Cash is OK as long as you Manage your Cash.

• Weekly Markets: Use the weekly markets to stock up on fresh produce and local specialties.
• Bring Cash for Open-Air Fresh Markets: Some market vendors only accept cash. Supermarkets always accept Cash or Card.

Shopping for food in Nice is both a practical and enjoyable experience. The variety of supermarkets, specialty stores, and traditional markets ensures that residents have everything they need to cook delicious meals at home, using some of the best ingredients the region has to offer.