Monaco (Louis XV at Hotel de Paris) ★ 4.8
Monaco 20 minutes east of Nice by train holds three Michelin stars at Le Louis XV Alain Ducasse at the Hotel de Paris on Place du Casino, the canonical Provence Riviera tasting kitchen since 1990.
More food day trips in Nice
Villefranche sur Mer ★ 4.4
Villefranche sur Mer 15 minutes east of Nice runs the Mediterranean fishing harbour with quayside seafood restaurants along the Promenade des Marinieres, sea bream and bouillabaisse the staples.
Cannes ★ 4.3
Cannes 30 minutes west of Nice runs the Marche Forville covered market every morning bar Mondays, fish and produce, plus the Croisette restaurants for the film festival crowd in May.
Grasse ★ 4.0
Grasse one hour north of Nice runs the world's perfume capital with the Fragonard, Galimard and Molinard houses, plus a Provence inland cuisine of rose petal pastries and lavender ice cream.
Menton (Mirazur) ★ 4.8
Menton 40 minutes east of Nice by train holds three Michelin stars at Mauro Colagreco's Mirazur on Avenue Aristide Briand, the Italian-Argentine kitchen built around the lunar gardening calendar.
Eze (La Chevre d'Or) ★ 4.7
Eze 20 minutes east of Nice climbs to the medieval perched village 400 metres above the sea, two Michelin stars at La Chevre d'Or under Tom Meyer the centrepiece with hinterland and bay views.