Where to eat cheap in Nice: our addresses and good deals
Niçois street food is a budget ally: socca at €3-4, pan bagnat at €6, lunch menus at €12-15. The guide to verified budget addresses in 2026.
Nice has a reputation for being expensive — and yet you can eat very well there for the price of an Italian pizza. The secret lies in two words: street food and markets. Hot socca, pan bagnat, lunch menus: here's how to feast for €8-15 per person, with verified addresses.
Socca: the meal under €5
The chickpea galette is Nice's best value for money: €3-4 a portion, and you dine for a handful of euros. The best verified addresses:
- Chez Pipo (13 Rue Bavastro, at the port): the institution, €4 a portion, open lunch and dinner;
- Chez Thérésa (28 Rue Droite + Cours Saleya stall): wood fire since 1925, €3 a portion at the market;
- Chez René Socca (Rue Miralheti, Old Nice entrance): socca, pissaladière, pan bagnat and stuffed vegetables, a full meal for €5-10.
Golden rule: eat it piping hot, peppered, with your fingers, at the counter or on a bench. Our specialities guide details the dishes.
Pan bagnat: the beach lunch
The Niçois sandwich par excellence: €5-7 at bakeries (the Jeannot, Rue Saint-François-de-Paule, is a safe bet) or at the Cours Saleya stalls. Bought in the morning, eaten on the beach: it's the perfect lunch, and the cheapest in town.
Lunch menus: €12-15
At weekday lunchtime, most bistros in the centre offer main + starter or dessert menus at €12-15, often with a drink included. Districts to know: Rue de la Préfecture (Italian bistros), the Musicians' quarter (Avenue Durante, €12-14) and the streets behind the station (menus displayed at €13). Pizzas go for around €10-15 (Chez Toto, La Bottega, Pezza).
Libération market: the smart basket
The Libération market (Tue-Sun, 6 am-1 pm) is the locals' secret: produce 20-30% cheaper than the Cours Saleya, and a real neighbourhood market. Build a royal picnic there — socca, olives, cheeses, fruit — for under €10.
Districts where you eat well for little
- Old Nice: Rue Droite and Rue Pairolière for snacks, Rue de la Préfecture for menus;
- Libération: market cuisine at locals' prices;
- Riquier and Saint-Roch: working-class districts where restaurants serve Niçois, not tourists — count €10-15.
The reality budget
For reference: a pizza €10-15, a daily special €12-15, a full restaurant meal about €25-30. By combining market, socca and one menu a day, you eat very well in Nice for under €25 a day — see our budget guide for the rest of the stay.
FAQ
How much does a cheap meal cost in Nice?
Socca €3-4, pan bagnat €5-7, lunch menu €12-15, pizza €10-15. A full restaurant meal costs about €25-30.
Where to find the best socca in Nice?
Chez Pipo (at the port, €4), Chez Thérésa (Cours Saleya, €3) and Chez René Socca (Old Nice entrance) are the verified addresses.
Which districts for eating cheap?
Old Nice (Rue Droite, Rue Pairolière), Libération, Riquier and Saint-Roch, plus the lunch menus behind the station.
Can you picnic cheaply in Nice?
Yes: the Libération market is 20-30% cheaper than the Cours Saleya for a beach basket.
Are there meals under €10?
Yes: socca and pan bagnat, or a selection at Chez René Socca (€5-10 for a full meal).
Are markets cheaper than restaurants?
Clearly: a market picnic costs €8-10 for two, versus €25 minimum in a restaurant.
