Old Nice Food Tour: Socca, Cours Saleya Market & Provence Wine

The tangle of ochre lanes that make up Vieux Nice is the tastiest corner of the Côte d'Azur, from socca sizzling at the Cours Saleya market to the Italian-influenced dishes of the Niçois kitchen. Here is how to spend a food-lover's day in Old Nice — with the best-rated food tours, market walks and Provence wine tastings to book.

At a glance

1Cours Saleya morning market
2Socca & Vieux Nice food tour
3Old Town walking tour
4Provence wine tasting

Morning: the Cours Saleya market

Begin in the heart of Vieux Nice at the Cours Saleya, the city's legendary open-air market. From Tuesday to Sunday the stalls overflow with Provençal produce — sun-ripened tomatoes, olives, herbs, cheeses and cut flowers — while cafés spill onto the square. It is the perfect place to taste your first socca, the chickpea pancake that defines Niçois street food, and to get a feel for the flavours before a guided tasting.

A Vieux Nice food tour & socca

Old Nice & food tour — FAQ

What food is Nice famous for?

Nice's signature dish is socca, a thin chickpea-flour pancake sold hot from market stalls. Other Niçois specialities include pissaladière (onion tart), pan-bagnat (a stuffed tuna roll), salade niçoise, stuffed vegetables and the slow-cooked daube beef stew — best sampled on a guided food tour of the Old Town.

Where is the best food market in Nice?

The Cours Saleya market in Vieux Nice is the most famous, open every morning except Monday, when antiques take over the square. It is the classic spot to taste socca and browse Provençal produce, and the starting point for many food tours and tastings.

Are food tours in Nice worth it?

Yes. A small-group food tour is the fastest way to taste the Niçois classics — socca, pissaladière, local cheeses and wine — while a local guide shares the stories and leads you to spots you would miss on your own. Most last two to three hours and include enough tastings for a meal.