Restaurant
Flaveur
The two-Michelin-star restaurant of brothers Gaël and Mickaël Tourteaux, pairing Niçois produce with spices and flavours gathered from other continents.
La Petite Maison
A long-running Niçois and Mediterranean restaurant beside the Opéra, led by Nicole Rubi and known for stuffed vegetables, truffle macaroni and a glamorous crowd.
At a glance
- Type
- Niçois and Mediterranean
- Area
- Vieux Nice, Nice, France
- Price
- $$$ · Upscale
Good to know
- Terrace
- Niçois specialities
- Seafood
Why we recommend it
La Petite Maison is one of the best-known restaurants in Nice, and its name has travelled far beyond the city, with sister restaurants abroad including one in Riyadh. The original is on Rue Saint-François de Paule, a few steps from the Opéra and the Cours Saleya, and it has long been a favourite address for a special night out.
The kitchen is led by Nicole Rubi, and the cooking is Mediterranean with a strong Niçois accent, plus fish and seafood. Gault&Millau, which gives it two toques, singles out the local dishes and the meat as the house specialities. On the à la carte menu, starters include petits farcis, the Niçois vegetables stuffed with a savoury filling, and courgette flowers fried in a thin batter. Among the mains are macaroni with truffles and cod with aïoli, and the menu also lists artichoke salad, sole meunière, free-range chicken stuffed with foie gras and Angus entrecôte with pepper sauce. Desserts are simple, such as a strawberry panna cotta with a coulis from Carros, just outside Nice.
The style is generous and convivial, with dishes often shared at the table. Champagne and Provençal wines are served by the glass. Prices reflect the restaurant's reputation rather than the simplicity of the food, so it is a place for a treat rather than an everyday lunch.
Book ahead, especially for dinner in summer and during events such as the Carnival, when tables fill quickly. Gault&Millau lists lunch from 12:00 to 14:00 and dinner from 19:00 to 23:30, Monday to Saturday, but check when booking as opening days can change. There is no parking at the restaurant, so walk or take the tram to Opéra-Vieille Ville.
It suits couples, groups of friends and anyone who wants to experience a slice of Riviera glamour along with classic local dishes. If you are watching the budget, build a meal around the Niçois starters, which are the heart of the menu.
The restaurant is on the edge of Vieux Nice, between the Opéra and Place Masséna. After dinner, the lanes of the old town and the seafront of the Quai des Etats-Unis are only a minute or two away.
La Petite Maison FAQs
Who is the chef at La Petite Maison?
The kitchen is led by Nicole Rubi.
What kind of food does it serve?
Mediterranean and Niçois cooking, with fish and seafood, including petits farcis and courgette flower fritters.
What dishes is it known for?
Niçois stuffed vegetables, truffle macaroni, cod with aïoli and sole meunière are among the dishes on the menu.
Is it expensive?
Prices are high for the style of food and reflect the restaurant's reputation.
Do I need to book?
Yes, booking is recommended, especially for dinner in summer.
What are the opening hours?
Gault&Millau lists Monday to Saturday, 12:00-14:00 and 19:00-23:30; confirm when booking.
Is there parking?
No, there is no parking for guests.
Where is it?
At 11 Rue Saint-François de Paule, near the Opéra on the edge of Vieux Nice.