Lou Balico

We were wanting to try Nicoise food, and Lou Balico was perfect! The team were welcoming, and the menu had recommendations noted. We chose a range of items and loved every mouthful. Thank you!

The Pan Bagnet was a delightful introduction to our food tour in Nice. Imagine a hearty, traditional sandwich that beautifully combines the essence of a classic salade niçoise, all nestled within a generous bread roll. Each bite was a burst of freshness, with a vibrant medley of mixed greens, perfectly boiled eggs, juicy tomatoes, and the rich flavors of anchovies and tuna. This sandwich not only satisfied our hunger but also captured the spirit of Nice’s culinary heritage. A must-try for anyone exploring the flavors of this charming city!

A great traditional Nicoise restaurant. We went here for lunch and we were warmly welcomed as soon as we entered. The food was exceptional and the service perfect. A really nice atmosphere. Highly recommend if you want to try some local cuisine

We visited this restaurant to try typical Niçoise food. The pistou soup was delicious and the dish of the day (cod with vegetables and a garlic mayo) was simple but satisfying. The Niçoise salad was disappointing—the portion of tuna was very small and it was expensive (18 euros!). It was all a bit pricey but I guess overall a good place to try traditional food.

Recommended by our hotel. So glad we visited this restaurant for our first lunch in Nice. Friendly and personal service. Everything tastes so home made and fresh. Service just perfect and good value too. Restaurant full of locals, it has a very traditional vibe. For you non French speakers, bring your Google translate and enjoy!

We got here 15 minutes early, they said they would not start until noon but they let us sit inside for the time being. We ordered a small bottle of Rose. For main dishes we ordered the Salade Nicoise and the Ratatouille Nicoise. The salad was nice, had tuna, hard boiled egg, tomato, radishes and celery. The Ratatouille was the star of the show, the vegetables were cooked to perfection, soft enough but not mushy. I liked too that it was more of a stew like consistency instead of sliced vegetables. Overall great place and it started to get busy when we were leaving the restaurant.

A cozy family joint serving traditional Nicoise cuisine with very friendly service from the owners. I hate leaving lower star reviews at family places because I don't want to affect them too much but hopefully they will change or improve the recipe. We ordered recommended items on the menu like the starter dish with has fried eggplants, fried zucchini flowers, onion tart, salad, stockfish, stuffed mushrooms, and ratatouille. Also the gnocchi with lamb slices and ravioli with stewed meat. I did also go to several other restaurants to try the Nicoise cuisine. The onions on this place's tart was nicely caramelized. Garlic bread (free) was stale like crotons. The pastas amounts are generous! We were allowed to take the leftovers. The food overall was okay but the lamb slices were tough. And gnocchi pasta is good but needs more bounce. Adding some salt helped with the pesto. The batter on the fried foods could be thinner to feel light and fresh. The chard tart/pie was good. Overall homey food.

Embarking on a culinary journey through Nice led us to Lou Balico - a traditional Niçoise restaurant that exudes warmth and heritage. Family-owned for generations, the space is decorated with family photos adorning the walls, a testament to its deep-rooted love and familial charm. The service we received was not just efficient, it was also wonderfully friendly and fun, adding to the intimate atmosphere of the place. Despite its spaciousness, Lou Balico manages to evoke a cozy feel that makes dining here all the more special. As for the food, it's an authentic Niçoise experience. I opted for a traditional Niçoise salad which pleasantly surprised me - it was unlike the typical Niçoise salads with beans and potatoes I've known. Fresh and packed with distinct flavors, it was a revelation. Others in our group went for the ravioli with a rich beef stew - a hearty, comforting choice, and a salad featuring goats cheese and lardon, which proved to be a satisfying and flavorful choice. In essence, Lou Balico serves up a wonderful combination of homely atmosphere and genuine Niçoise cuisine, making it a place I wholeheartedly recommend.

Okay, dropped into this place for lunch just yesterday (17-05-2025). My wife and I arrived there a few minutes before opening and were seated immediately. There was one other couple there; Americans like us. Also no reservations. Within ten minutes the place nearly filled up with groups having reservations. Table for twelve was a patriarch and his kids their spouses and the grands. A table for six seemed to be a local football club. All locals. Others showed up over the following hour we were there, all apparently locals as well. I preferred their pain bagnat over what I typically pick up on the plage at Juan Les Pins (but the wife was the other way around). The courgette beignets were memorable and even the mesclun was special. Points for a simple ambiance and great non-intrusive staff. Looking forward to going to try more of the menu.

A nice local place to visit A very Nice food you have to go and test For appetizer we had some anchovies and I think there were the best I ever had

Absolutely delicious Pan Bagnat and friendly service. Also looks like some of the interior is beautifully maintained from the 1930s maybe?

Cozy setting, great local food and service! Near Matis museum and walking distance to Promenade des Anglais

It is located near the modern art museum. We had an appetizer and several salads (it was lunchtime and hot outside). They were all quite good, if not somewhat limited in portion size. They have an English menu, the service was very good, and the setting comfortable. Would definitely return but would try something more exciting next time.