Bouillabaise in Nice

[Vanta]

My wife and I are going to be in Nice in a couple of weeks and we would love to find a restaurant that a serves bouillabaisse for lunch that won't break the bank. Any Ideas?

[Hlitner]

Hmmm. I imagine some of the restaurants do have Bouillabaisse, but it is not a big thing in Nice. Nice is better known for its Soupe de Poisson (I live this stuff) which is totally different then the stew-like Bouillabaisse which is more commonly served further west in places like Marseille.

 

Hank

[Vanta]

Does the Soupe de Poisson have the variety of seafood in it?

[Hlitner]

Does the Soupe de Poisson have the variety of seafood in it?

 

Not really. It is made from a good fish stock and might have a few pieces of various fish, but its not overloaded with seafood pieces like a good Bouillabaisse. In Nice they will generally serve it with several side bowls with croutons, shredded cheese, aioli, and perhaps another item like green onions.

 

I should add that I personally love a good Bouillabaisse or Cioppino (and Italian Bouillabaisse) but the fish soup in Nice is something different.

 

Hank

[LondonTowner]

Fish soup in France tends to be blended as opposed to Spain and Italy, where you get all the bits in it. It is generally served just as Hlitner describes. It is delicious.

[marazul]

If you do want bouillabaisse, the Bacon restaurant in the Cap d'Antibes serves an excellent one. But, $$$$$. Check their website.

 

I love the fish soup myself. Ditto all previous comments. It is made with several varieties of fish and put through a strainer or blender. It looks like an orange-red smooth soup. You get the toasted bread (croutons) and the sauce called "rouille" (rust) which is an aioli made with saffron (hence the color). You ladle the rouille on the croutons and sink them in the soup. Spread the cheese on top and dig in!