The Café de Turin, a Nice institution since 1908, is renowned for its seafood platters and marine cuisine. Combining tradition and modernity, it focuses on quality, expertise, and a friendly experience on Place Garibaldi.
In his lifetime, our national hero from Nice, Giuseppe Garibaldi, is said to have remarked: “from the sea to the plate, much freedom in the heart!”
Each time you pass by Café de Turin, the terrace of this restaurant invariably catches your eye with its sumptuous seafood platters.
The clinking of cutlery, the scraping of knives on buttered bread, the slurping of oysters and fish soup in the mouth, the scraping of shellfish with a fork, the cracking of crab claws, the salty smell… create a gourmet atmosphere in search of a marine journey!
On Place Garibaldi, Café de Turin is an emblematic place renowned both for its history and its marine gastronomy. Born in the 19th century, when Nice was part of the Kingdom of Sardinia, Café de Turin was nothing more than a simple transit café. It welcomed weary travelers or those seeking work on the long road between Turin and Nice. Over time, the establishment underwent transformations and evolutions to become a Nice institution since 1908!
The famous Café de Turin is a noble address for enjoying a variety of premium seafood. One can savor colorful and generous platters composed of exceptional products: fine oysters, crabs, shrimp, raw mussels, clams, whelks…up to the most noble dishes: special oysters, sea urchins, langoustines, lobsters, caviar… A refined and convivial iodine-infused experience!
“The Roumégous oyster” is the chosen pearl by Café de Turin due to its recognized exceptional quality since 1891! This choice is also embodied by the Roumegous family’s management of the establishment over the past 70 years… a passion combining gastronomy and marine terroir! And it is a real success! Nearly 80 tons of oysters are consumed annually, including five tons during the end-of-year celebrations! Amazing!
Seafood and shellfish are carefully selected in short circuits, at the fish auction, and locally.
Seafood, Shellfish… but not only!
Café de Turin invites you to marine gastronomy cooked! In the kitchen, chef Mike Nuvoli lovingly and passionately prepares quality dishes highlighting the catch of the day!
On the menu? Exotic salmon tartare, octopus carpaccio, truffle cream mussels, fish soup, roasted meagre ratatouille, monkfish sauté with saffron potatoes and confit artichoke, spaghettis with langoustine or lobster… A cuisine in harmony with the sea, authentic and flavorful.
Café de Turin also offers lovely classic French sweet notes: rum baba, chocolate mousse, apple tart, crème brûlée, French toast… desserts reminiscent of the brasserie française of yesteryear!
Café de Turin is part of a responsible cuisine serving seafood: rigorous selection from sustainable fishing, respect for seasonality, and delicate cuisine.
What did I like?
- The original creation and the art of the seafood platter crafted by the shellfish specialist, with a variety of choices you can’t find anywhere else
- The quality and fineness of the oysters and crab
- The homemade dishes using fresh, perfectly seasoned, and cooked ingredients
- The classic French culinary desserts
- The old-style brasserie ambiance with warm service, overlooking the lively Place Garibaldi.
In conversation with Paco, the restaurant director
What do you wish to convey through your magnificent seafood platters and homemade dishes to gourmets?
“Nicois, tourists alike, we invite them to (re)discover seafood through our passion and values. A wide choice of quality for every whim; everyone can create their ideal platter! … Gourmet pleasure through our talented chef Mike Nuvoli’s expertise with his homemade dishes and desserts. And to extend or share this marine journey with friends, family… we prepare platters to go!”
Any anecdotes to share?
When I arrived, I had never eaten oysters… I didn’t even know how to open them! It was here that I learned to savor them. Café de Turin introduced me to a new passion… I became the world’s 2nd best shellfish shucker, in speed opening trials in 2020!
What are the plans for Café de Turin?
Recently acquired by the hotel and restaurant group Hocotel owned by the Bartoli family – who are passionate about gastronomy – the establishment will undergo some changes. Renovations are planned to modernize the premises without affecting the essence of the restaurant. We wish to maintain the soul of our warm and authentic brasserie while offering renewed comfort and space. Additionally, a vivarium and a barbecue will be installed to further highlight the exceptional quality and flavors of our seafood products with minute cooking, either on-site or to take away. We are excited!”
Café de Turin
Address: 5 Place Garibaldi – 06300 Nice
Phone: 04 93 62 29 52
Open: daily from 10 AM to 10:30 PM.
