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A Gastronomic Journey in Nice
Nice, the jewel of the French Riviera, beckons visitors with its azure coastline, sun-kissed streets, and a culinary heritage that spans centuries. In 2024, the city continues to captivate epicureans, offering a delightful blend of organic, locally sourced ingredients. Let’s explore the top three organic restaurants in Nice that elevate dining to an art form.
1. Maison Joia
Maison Joia, nestled in the heart of Nice, celebrates French gastronomy with a touch of elegance. The intimate setting accommodates only 18 guests, ensuring personalized attention. Founded by Laetitia Pilati, and joined by her husband Julien Chef de Cuisine, who honed his skills alongside culinary greats, crafts a menu inspired by seasonal, organic, locally produced ingredients.
With a common passion for healthy and sustainable gastronomy, through the influences of their respective regions, Brittany and Champagne, Chef Julien’s enthusiasm for organic and local cuisine shines through in each dish.
Guests to The House can expect a cozy, welcoming atmosphere where every detail reflects Maison Joia’s commitment to excellence. The restaurant’s warm tones and intimate seating create an unforgettable dining experience.
Must-Try:
- The Chef’s Surprise Menu in 7 courses (€110): Served for the whole table at lunch and dinner.
- LA LANGOUSTINE – Langoustine from Brittany, cucumber tartare with buckwheat and Breton seaweed, organic peaches from Mougins and veil of flowers from the hinterland. The dish is delicate, sweet, tender, and prepared with precision.
- NICE ORGANIC LEMON AS A TROMPE L’OEIL – Light lemon mousse, tangy marmalade heart and cocoa crumble. The interpretation is intriguing, stunning, exquisite, and abstract.
Maison Joia prioritizes French producers, ensuring freshness and quality. Locally sourced meats, vegetables, and organic biodynamic wines take center stage. The quality of production and execution of dishes in this charming restaurant make it well on its way to earning a Michelin accolade, especially a Green Michelin Star notably for its sustainable gastronomy.
2. Restaurant JAN
Situated near Nice’s old port, Restaurant JAN seamlessly blends South African heritage with French flair. Chef Jan Hendrik van der Westhuizen, known for his work on private yachts in Monaco and as a photojournalist for a well-known magazine, curates an exceptional menu.
Chef Jan became the first African chef to be awarded a Michelin Star in 2016 for his Restaurant, JAN. He infuses his culinary creations with passion and creativity. To celebrate his tenth anniversary, the acclaimed Chef opened a cheese bar opposite his restaurant. The cheese room, featuring 20 high-quality cheeses, adds to the dining experience as guests are encouraged to change venues for the cheese tasting.
Restaurant JAN exudes a youthful, vibrant atmosphere where international staff serve old and new world wines. The setting invites guests to savor every moment, whether indoors or on the charming terrace.
Must-Try:
- Signature Menu (€195): A culinary showpiece with flawless flavors and fantastic compositions.
- Cheese Room Visit: Explore an array of exquisite cheeses, each with a story to tell.
JAN celebrates local, organic and seasonal ingredients, ensuring a harmonious blend of flavors that transcends borders.
3. Restaurant ONICE
Located near Nice’s old port, Onice is an anchor to the land and its traditions. Chefs Florencia Montes and Lorenzo Ragni, an Italian-Argentinian couple, bring their international experience to this gastronomic haven. After honing their skills in Michelin-starred restaurants, notably Mirazur in Menton and Eleven Madison Park in New York, they embarked on their own venture.
Florencia and Lorenzo create sharp, punchy dishes that reflect the seasons and local catch. Their occasional bold flavor combinations surprise and delight: gamberoni from San Remo paired with cherries, tomatoes, and fresh almonds; girolles with Mediterranean clams and courgettes; Coco de Nice haricot beans and Tamaris Bay mussels with vadouvan.
Onice exudes warmth and intimacy. The setting invites you to savor every moment and enjoy an evening transported away from daily life.
Must-Try:
- Menu Carte Blanche: A journey in 5 or 7 steps, responding to the cycles of nature.
Onice’s ingredients come from local producers-artisans and markets, handled with passion and creativity.
As the sun dips below the horizon, casting a warm glow over the cobblestone streets of Nice, our gastronomic adventure draws to a close. Maison Joia, Restaurant JAN, and Onice have left their imprint on our hearts.
Whether you seek the refined elegance of Maison Joia, the fusion of cultures at Restaurant JAN, or the enchantment of Onice, Nice’s organic dining scene invites you to explore, savor, and celebrate. Each dish tells a story—a tale of passion, creativity, and the bounty of the land.
So raise your glass to Nice’s culinary artisans. May their flavors linger in your memory long after the last bite.
