Nice Old Town: Afternoon Food Tour & Dinner Crawl

Summary

Walk the winding lanes of Vieux Nice tasting Niçoise flavors

You’ll taste your way through Nice Old Town on foot, sampling socca, olive oils, pastries, and local wine with a small group led by a friendly guide. Expect laughter over shared plates at dinner, stories from shop owners, and sweet gelato as the sun sets — all included in this relaxed half-day food tour with dinner.

What’s the experience like?

We almost missed our meeting spot because I got distracted by some street musician playing accordion near Place Rossetti — honestly, that’s how the whole afternoon felt: little distractions everywhere, in the best way. Our guide, Lucie, waved us over with a grin and somehow remembered everyone’s name (I’m still not sure how). First stop was this wine shop tucked behind the cathedral. The owner poured us something crisp and white — I wish I’d written down the name — and told a story about his grandfather smuggling bottles during the war. The place smelled like old wood and corks. I tried to look like I understood wine but mostly just enjoyed the buzz of everyone laughing together.

We wandered through Nice Old Town, ducking under striped awnings and dodging scooters. At one point Lucie handed us these little fried things (she called them “socca” — Li laughed when I tried to say it in French) and they were salty, warm, kind of smoky? We tasted olive oil at this Italian family’s boutique — their daughter explained why some oils burn your throat (that means it’s good apparently). There were so many stops I lost count. Somewhere between a bakery full of candied fruit and a market where an old man offered me a slice of tomato with sea salt, I stopped worrying about what time it was.

Dinner happened in this tiny restaurant where we squeezed around two tables and passed plates family-style. The wine kept coming — someone spilled theirs but nobody cared. By dessert (gelato from a window near the opera house), my feet hurt but my head felt light. The sun was just starting to fade behind those pastel buildings and there was this moment where everything went quiet for a second except for spoons scraping bowls. I think about that silence sometimes.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Afternoon food tour and dinner in Nice

• Meet near Place Rossetti
• Visit Cathedrale Sainte-Reparate
• Stop at favorite wine merchant
• Sample at oldest shop in Nice
• Stroll through bustling farmers market
• Enjoy olive oil tasting
• Dinner tasting with wine
• Finish with a sweet treat

Top questions

How long does the Nice Old Town food tour last?

The tour is half-day in the afternoon and includes dinner; expect several hours of walking and tasting.

Are drinks included on the Nice food tour?

Yes, French wine, coffee or tea, bottled water, and other beverages are included during the tastings.

How many food tastings are there on this tour?

You’ll enjoy nine or more sweet and savory tastings along the route through Old Nice.

Is there a guide on the food tour?

Yes, you’ll be led by a local guide who shares stories about each stop and dish.

Does the tour include gelato or dessert?

The final stop features creamy gelato as your sweet treat after dinner.

Is this walking food tour suitable for children?

The minimum age is 12 years; infants can join if seated on an adult’s lap with specialized seats available.

What if I have dietary requirements?

Please advise any specific dietary requirements at booking so accommodations can be made where possible.

Is pickup included for this Nice food tour?

No hotel pickup is provided; you meet your guide at the designated spot in Old Town Nice.

What’s included

Your afternoon includes guided walking through Old Town Nice with over nine tastings—think Niçoise snacks, pastries, olive oils—plus French wine, coffee or tea, bottled water throughout. You’ll share a full dinner at a local restaurant before ending with gelato. All snacks, drinks, stories from locals, and laughter are part of the experience before you wander home under evening lights.