Café
Fenocchio
A family ice-cream maker founded in 1966, serving more than 90 flavours on Place Rossetti, including Niçois oddities such as tomato-basil and Swiss chard tart.
Café Paulette
A bright café-bistro in the port district serving farm-produce brunches, a lunch menu and evening sharing plates with natural wines.
At a glance
- Type
- Brunch café and bistro
- Area
- Le Port, Nice, France
- Price
- $$ · Mid-range
- Official site
- cafe-paulette-nice.com
Good to know
- Brunch
- Terrace
- Natural wines
- Wheelchair accessible
Why we recommend it
Café Paulette is a bright café-bistro, founded by Céline and Arnaud Fallet in a former bakery on Rue Bonaparte, in the port district between Vieux Nice and Port Lympia. It works from morning to evening, with brunch, lunch and an evening menu of plates to share, and it holds one toque from Gault&Millau in 2026.
The designer interior is light and airy, with large windows that open onto the terrace, and the room holds up to 70 people, with 24 seats outside. It is the sort of place that suits a long breakfast, a working lunch or a relaxed evening with friends.
Breakfast brings single-origin coffee with a house petit four, plus pancakes and toast made with heritage-flour bread from a Nice bakery. Brunch is built around farm produce and is the most popular service, so it is worth arriving early or reserving at weekends. At lunchtime a daily slate of market suggestions is offered, and in the evening the kitchen, led by Lyon-born chef Ambroise Sigaud, switches to bistro plates designed for sharing, served with natural and biodynamic wines or cocktails made mostly with French spirits. The menu changes daily and is posted on Instagram. The tourism office mentions rock fish soup and organic vegetables among the specialities, which gives an idea of the style: local, seasonal and simple.
According to the tourism office, Café Paulette opens from Tuesday to Saturday from 08:00, and is closed on Sundays and Mondays. Check the website for exact hours and annual closures, as the published times differ; bookings are taken online. The café is accessible for wheelchair users, and staff speak several languages, including English, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese and Russian. Cards, including American Express, and cash are accepted. There is no parking for customers.
It suits couples, friends, solo travellers and families looking for a relaxed meal and it is a good choice for brunch on a Saturday before exploring the port. Vegetarians will usually find something on the menu thanks to the focus on vegetables, but ask staff for the day's options.
Rue Bonaparte is also home to the second branch of the seafood restaurant Peixes. After brunch, walk down to the harbour to see the colourful pointu boats, or climb Castle Hill from the port side for views over the city.
Café Paulette FAQs
What does Café Paulette serve?
Brunch with farm produce, a lunch menu and, from 18:00, Mediterranean sharing plates with natural wines.
When is it open?
The tourism office lists Tuesday to Saturday from 08:00. It is closed on Sundays and Mondays.
Does it have a terrace?
Yes, there are 24 terrace seats, and the large windows open onto the street.
Is it in a guide?
Yes, it holds one toque from Gault&Millau in 2026.
Is it accessible?
Yes, it is listed as accessible for self-propelled wheelchairs.
Which languages do staff speak?
English, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese and Russian, as well as French.
Is there parking?
No, there is no customer parking.
Where is it?
At 15 Rue Bonaparte, in the port district near Vieux Nice.