Nice & Cote d’Azur
What to Expect
Nice, the crown jewel of the Côte d'Azur, is experiencing a natural wine revolution. From the winding alleyways of Vieux Nice to the trendy port district and the Belle Époque boulevards, the city boasts over 40 natural wine venues. Expect to find local Bellet wines, Provençal grapes like Braquet and Folle Noire, and Italian border-crossers paired with Niçoise specialties like socca, pissaladière, and pan bagnat.
Vieux Nice (Old Town)
The Michelin-mentioned temple of natural wine and local produce. Run by Nice native Sébastien Perinetti, this tiny bistro with cherry-red 1970s Formica tables and dark banquettes focuses on hyper-local ingredients from carefully selected suppliers. The menu changes daily based on what's available from one specific fisherman, pork from Grasse, and surrounding farmers. The cellar is legendary—100% natural wines from France and Italy, including Château le Puy Marie-Cécile from Bordeaux and Domaine Léon Barral from Faugères. The food is home-style but refined: freshly shucked oysters, veal brains with apple slices, and hearty stews. Even without time for a full meal, stop in to buy bottles from their well-stocked cellar. Mentioned in the Michelin Guide and widely considered the best natural wine bar in Nice.
The 20-year-old natural wine institution of Nice. Opened by Olivier Labarde over two decades ago, this was one of the first wine shops and caves à manger of its kind in the city. The philosophy is strict: only organic or biodynamic grapes, indigenous yeasts, minimal sulfur (with no-sulfur options highlighted), and no additives. Browse 300+ bottles from independent winemakers lining the shelves, or take a seat at the family-style tables in back for the daily dish. The 10 wines by the glass rotate weekly. The afternoon transforms into an apéro hotspot with charcuterie and cheese plates. Look for rare bottles from Domaine Valette (Mâcon), La Roche Buissière (Southern Rhône), Marc Kreydenweiss (Alsace), and the legendary L'Anglore from Tavel. Essential for understanding the depth of Nice's natural wine history.
The Corsican spirit in the heart of the Cours Saleya. From the same owner as Le Maquis (a popular Corsican restaurant), this cave à vin brings authentic island energy to Nice's main market square. Out goes the typical tourist-centric Niçois fare; in comes shareable plates of charcuterie, wood-fired pizzas, and homemade gnocchi. The wine selection focuses on Italian, French, and Corsican bottles—mostly organic and family-owned. There's a small selection by the glass, but this is a bottle place: take your time choosing, then settle onto the back terrace or play a round of pétanque at the indoor court. It's one of the few spots on the Cours Saleya where locals actually hang out. The double terrace offers prime people-watching while maintaining authenticity.
The arched cave-like space behind the market. From restaurateur Armand Crespo (of Bistrot d'Antoine and Comptoir du Marché fame), this bar à vin is housed in a cave-like space with vaulted ceilings. Open Thu-Sat evenings, it's lined with bottles starting around €16 and going up to €150+, though most are under €30. Wines by the glass average €5. There's no official menu—take your pick from what you see on the shelves. Each order comes with complimentary homemade pâté, goat cheese, and coppa served in true aperitivi style. The focus is on biodynamic wines, mostly French, with the team happy to guide you to the perfect Provençal rosé or Burgundy Aligoté. Go early—the communal table fills fast, and people lean against any counter space or barrel they can find.
The new wave wine bar in the Old Town. Located on Rue de la Préfecture near Place de la Préfecture, Berco offers a large choice of wines with an owner who makes excellent recommendations. The tapas are perfect for sharing, and the decoration is stylish and contemporary. It's crowded in a good way—the ambiance is energetic and buzzy. The wine selection changes regularly, featuring natural and organic options from small producers across France. The staff is knowledgeable and passionate, creating an atmosphere that draws both tourists and locals. It's small inside with limited seating, but the location is perfect for people-watching in one of Vieux Nice's most charming corners.
Le Port (Port Lympia)
The psychedelic 70s time capsule with disco ball and vinyl. Run by Parisian transplants Fanny Vedreine and Louis Girodet, this small and cute natural wine bar started as a mobile wine delivery service during COVID—a bicycle was their mobile cellar. Now settled in the trendy Port district, the space features 70s secondhand furniture, good vinyls, a disco ball, and "good vibrations." The natural wine selection is eclectic and well-curated, featuring bottles from small producers across France and beyond (try the German Riesling "Space Dream"). Open Wed-Sun 11h-23h30, with dishes served 12h-15h and 18h-22h. It's become a hangout for the city's creative crowd and a must-visit for those seeking the intersection of natural wine and retro cool. The couple's story—from nightclub journalism in Paris to wine bar owners in Nice—is as compelling as their wine list.
The ex-Parisian bistro wreaking havoc behind the harbor. Run by François Robin (formerly of Paris bistros), Hely is no run-of-the-mill café. The space features posters by Gianluca Cannizzo on unfinished walls, a well-stocked wine and fine foods corner, and a white tiled bar. Argentine chef Juan Cruz Ricca serves balanced compositions: silky leeks vinaigrette with mozzarella, crispy bresaola chips, pickled mustard seeds; marinated peppers stuffed with herring and feta; and rabbit and hazelnut pâté en croûte from Bobosse. The wine selection is naturalist: La Levraudière (Muscadet by Bonnet-Huteau), Cosmique (Côtes-de-Gascogne by Domaine Capmartin), and German pet-nat from Brand Bros. The "saucisson brioché" gets a hot dog-style makeover with fried onions and mustard. It's where the Port's cool kids gather for natural wine and creative small plates.
The natural wine bar, cheese shop, and charcuterie temple. Located in the Port district, this spot combines a wine bar with a full-service fromagerie and charcuterie. The focus is on natural wines paired with exceptional cheeses and cured meats. The menu features market-driven cuisine that changes with the seasons, emphasizing 100% local and organic products. The wine list is extensive, featuring small producers from across France with a particular emphasis on natural and biodynamic viticulture. The atmosphere is convivial and unpretentious—a true neighborhood spot where cheese lovers and wine geeks converge. Perfect for a relaxed evening of wine and cheese pairings, or to stock up on provisions for a Mediterranean picnic.
Centre & Carré d'Or
The "Comptoir à boire, Cave à manger" (drinking counter, dining cellar). Located just off Place Magenta in the heart of Nice, Pompette is a haven for natural wine lovers seeking serious bottles. The wine list features exceptional selections from small producers: Domaine de la Renardière (Ploussard from Jura), Domaine des Avanchés (Trousseau), Blard & Fils (Face Est), and Marie-Thérèse Chappaz (the best of Switzerland). They also feature Clos St Vincent (Bellet rosé with iodine notes), and pet-nats from Brand Bros. The space is intimate and stylish, with a focus on sharing plates that complement the wines. The staff is passionate and knowledgeable, happy to guide you through their eclectic list. It's where serious wine enthusiasts go to discover rare bottles from the Jura, Savoie, and beyond. The "Pompette" name cheekily references being tipsy—a state you're likely to achieve given the quality of the selection.
The Michelin-starred natural wine destination. Run by sommelier Vanessa Massé, Pure & V operates on two levels: downstairs is the wine bar, upstairs is the Michelin-starred restaurant where you can drink the same brilliant natural wines without the large menu. Vanessa is one of Nice's natural wine experts and her selection is impeccable. The wine list focuses on organic, biodynamic, and natural producers from across France, with a particular talent for pairing these wines with sophisticated cuisine. The upstairs space offers a more refined experience while maintaining the natural wine philosophy. It's the perfect place to experience how natural wines can work at the highest level of gastronomy. Reservations essential for the restaurant; the bar is walk-in when space permits.
The wine shop focusing on the two classic grape varieties. As the name suggests, Pinot & Chardo specializes in Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from natural and biodynamic producers. Located in central Nice, this wine shop offers a carefully curated selection of bottles from small producers across France and beyond. The focus is on expressing terroir through these two noble grapes, with an emphasis on low-intervention winemaking. They offer tastings and can help you find everything from light, fresh Chablis to powerful, aged Burgundy, and from delicate, floral Pinots to structured, complex expressions. It's a specialist shop for those who know what they love or want to explore the diversity of these two varieties through a natural wine lens.
Riquier & Est
The temple of natural wine in Eastern Nice. Run by Maxime Hamelin (former restaurant manager at Hôtel Hermitage in Monaco), this cave was transformed in 2021 from a traditional wine shop into THE destination for natural and organic wines in the Riquier neighborhood. The principle: present the best natural wines to both novices and experts with reasonable margins so everyone can afford them. The selection includes small-producer Champagnes (Bérèche & Fils, André Heucq), natural wines from across France (Valette in Burgundy, Puzelat in Touraine), and carefully chosen spirits (organic infused rums, Hatozaki whisky). The "bullet-proof bottle" is Roboul, a Grenache-Mourvèdre from Danjou-Banessy in Roussillon. Also features a small épicerie fine. Maxime's training under great sommeliers shows in his meticulous curation and warm service.
Libération & Saint-Barthélémy
The cozy Swedish-owned neighborhood bar. Run by Henrik, a Swede who brings Nordic hospitality to the Liberation neighborhood, Le Boréal is a cosy wine bar with a local, regulars-only feel. The drinks and plates served have Swedish influences alongside French classics. The ambiance is warm and welcoming—guests are mostly local regulars who know each other by name. It's the kind of place where you can have a quiet glass of wine and conversation, away from the tourist crowds of Vieux Nice. The wine selection includes natural and organic options, and the service is personal and attentive. Perfect for experiencing how locals actually live in Nice, far from the beachfront hustle.
The agitators of the local wine scene. Located in the Liberation neighborhood, this bar and restaurant focuses on natural wines alongside local, seasonal, and organic cuisine. The name ("The Agitators") suggests a disruptive approach to the traditional wine scene, and they deliver with a selection of boundary-pushing natural wines from small producers. The food menu changes regularly based on what's available from local markets. It's a neighborhood spot that has become a gathering place for locals who care about what they eat and drink. The atmosphere is convivial and slightly rebellious—perfect for those who want their wine with a side of ideology.
