The Most Eccentric and Quirky Cafés in Nice
Cat Café
Have a coffee or lunch with a side of feline love. The four friendly host cats have the run of the place and love to be petted, not to mention the loads of cat toys lying around if they’re feeling frisky. Purr purr purr… Open Wednesday through Saturday from 9am to 7pm, 4 rue Lepante, tram stop Durandy or Jean Medecin.
Hidden Tea Salons
Just off Place Palais du Justice, look for L’Art Gourmand. This was the village gun shop (check out the ancient fresques!), turned into a delectable artisanal chocolate shop, that harbors a hidden café/tea salon up the stairs in the loft. It’s not only warm and cozy, but is filled with the aroma of chocolate! Perfect for a coffee, or better yet, a velvety thick homemade Italian hot chocolate to warm you up on a chilly winter afternoon. 21 rue du Marche, tram stop Opera.
Another that is not obvious unless you are looking for it, is the glassed-roof greenhouse above Marinette Bakery behind the Cathedrale in the old town. It is a fantastic spot to have a pastry and coffee in winter. Open from 8:30am-6pm, closed Mon/Tues. 16 rue Colonna d’Istria, tram stop Opera.
Secret Church Bar/Brunch
The magnificent Church du Gesu has a secret… in the far right corner is a non-descript doorway, which if open, leads to the church’s own open-air bar, Le Bethel, tucked away in a hidden interior patio. The secret got out fast and the nightly bar was a little too packed, so this summer (2025) they are trying something a little different:
- Brunch: Saturday/Sunday mornings from 8am, come in for coffee (just order at the bar), or reserve ahead for an adorable bountiful brunch basket (45€ for 2). This is all the initiative of Father Frederic, who would like people to stay and talk, not just see the church and rush right out.
- Bar: Saturday nights only from 7pm-11pm come experience this most improbable bar scene.
Father Frederic saw his congregation aging out, and is thinking outside the box to have an outreach to the younger generation. The edgy artwork in the bar includes a giant painting of Jesus reaching outside the frame and graffitiing “I Spray for you” on the church walls. 1 Rue du Jésus, on rue Droite just off Cours Saleya.
English Bookstore and Coffeehouse
Read the Room is a new family-run English language bookstore and coffeehouse with comfy chairs and a welcoming café with great coffees and homebaked goods. 3 rue Papon, tram stop Republique.
Arty Bars and Culture Cafés
Mange Voyage Aime This vegan and gluten-free café/restaurant also serves as a wellness culture hub with yoga and cooking classes, workshops, debates and events. Open 8am-2pm Tues-Friday, with events/classes scheduled after hours. 23 Rue Auguste Gal, deep in the Port neighborhood, tram stop Republique.
La Tresorerie De L’Art is a flourishing culture hub café with daytime arts and crafts workshops and discussions, as well as evening conferences and music. 13 rue Trachel, tramstop Gare Thiers. Similar and in the same neighborhood (just one block up), you’ll find Atelier Alfred coffee house at 13 rue Vernier with more workshops to whet your creative spirit and participative events in the same vein.
Café LIKES has a robust schedule of participative group discussions, with topics running the gamut from psychology, sexuality, climate, AI, literature, politics… plus music and more. It’s all in French, but even if your French is not good, attending something like this will help your French learning as they feature real people speaking local vernacular, and talking about meaningful subjects. Cover charge is 15€ and includes a drink and plate of nibbles. Open 6:30-9:30pm every night, 4 Rue Beaumont tram stop Republique (formerly Acropolis)
A smaller more intimate culture café is Chez Pauline with a monthly schedule of varied events including Poetry Slams, Cafe Philos (etc.) and mini concerts. 4 rue Bavastro, near Barla in the Nice Port, tram stop Garibaldi or Port.
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