Cave de la Tour on Rue de la Tour has poured local wines in Vieux Nice since 1947, four generations of the Gazan family and the home of the world petits farcis championship since 2012.
Why locals love it: Bellet wine bar with the world petits farcis championship, four generations of Gazan family running the Vieux Nice room since 1947.
Tip: Champ runs every autumn at the granite counter; book a stool the same morning.
Address: 3 Rue de la Tour, 06300 Nice
Why locals love it: One of only three Nice addresses still firing socca in a 1867 wood burning oven, weekday morning stall on Cours Saleya.
Tip: Arrive at the Cours Saleya stall by 09:00; the kitchen runs the wood oven hot at 300C between 06:00 and 13:00.
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.
Why locals love it: Armand Crespo's stand-up ceviche counter on Rue de l'Opera, no reservations and morning catch from the Cours Saleya fish market.
Tip: Arrive by 12:30 or 19:30 to land a stool; tapas from EUR 7 and mains at EUR 25.
Why locals love it: The Loubert brothers' natural wine and tapas bar on Rue du Pont Vieux in Vieux Nice, a quiet alternative for a second drink off the busy Cours Saleya.
Tip: Open after dinner from 21:00; the natural list rotates every week and runs deep on small producers.
Why locals love it: Helical diving board restaurant at Cap de Nice, the city's most photographed dining room with a market driven Mediterranean menu over the Baie des Anges.
Tip: Book the sunset service for the bay light; the lounge bar below the restaurant is the cheaper way to drink on the rock.
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.
