Gnocchi a la nicoise is the Nicois potato gnocchi tossed in daube sauce or tomato basil, the small dumpling that comes from the Italian Savoyard heritage of the city.
Where to eat it: 4 restaurants across 1 city.
Gnocchi a la nicoise reflects the Liguria meets Provence cooking that defines cucina nissarda, the small potato dumpling fast cooked in salted water and tossed with either a daube ragout or a tomato basil sauce. Lou Balico and La Merenda are the canonical addresses, with the dish often served as a side to the slow cooked beef daube on the same plate.
Common allergens: Gluten
Tip from the editors. Add the flour gradually; too much makes the gnocchi heavy. The dough should be tacky but not sticky.
This is the TableJourney editorial recipe, modelled on the canonical bistro / counter version. The first place to try the dish in its city of origin is below.
Lou Balico on Avenue Saint Jean Baptiste has cooked the Nicois family canon since 1979, the Cuisine Nissarde label across stockfish, homemade ravioli and the sweet chard tart.
Signature: Stockfish, Homemade ravioli, Tarte de blettes
Order: The homemade ravioli with daube sauce and the tarte de blettes for dessert.
Tip: Closed Sunday and Monday evenings. Generous portions; doggie bags accepted.
Why locals love it: No telephone, cash only, two sittings, books in person at the door earlier the same day for the lunch service in Vieux Nice.
Tip: Arrive in person at 11:00 or 18:00 to write your name on the booking sheet for the same day's service.
Why locals love it: Family Nicois room on Rue Droite since the close of the First World War, four generations and a single lunch sitting under the family name.
Tip: Book by phone several days ahead for the lunch service; closed Saturday and Sunday.
Le Safari on Cours Saleya offers the canonical Nicois lunch since 1972, the Cuisine Nissarde label and pissaladiere on the terrace facing the daily market in Vieux Nice.
Try: Pissaladiere terrace plate
More cities are in research. Want gnocchi a la nicoise covered somewhere specific? Tell us where you want to eat.