If you’re looking for a refined yet relaxing dining experience in Nice, Restaurant le Duc is an effortless choice. Nestled inside the Westminster Hotel & Spa on the Promenade des Anglais, it marries sea-view ambiance with Mediterranean charm. The elegant setting , whether you choose the open kitchen inside or the air-conditioned terrace overlooking the sea immediately feels special and welcoming.
I’m dining here on a warm summer’s evening, the type where there’s no real end in sight, nowhere else to be and you can just succumb to the setting you’re in. I’ve opted to sit outside, and it’s the ideal spot for soaking up the last of the sun’s rays. There’s a gentle breeze, and it’s the perfect spot for people watching on the promenade that tumbles beyond. I sip a glass of local white wine, crisp and cold, and peruse the menu.
There is plenty on offer here, with a focus on fresh and handmade products. As well as a delicious array of starters, there’s plenty of fish, (which is no surprise given its beachfront location), as well as meats, pasta, cheeses and desserts. Starters include the likes of egg with smoked corn cream, salted popcorn, chorizo crumbs, corn tuile, or the Chef’s homemade duck foie with fig and red onion chutney and wine reduction.
Meat-wise there is plenty to choose between, from a slow-cooked duck leg, to their own house burger, or roasted veal chop. If fish takes your fancy, their cod fillet with autumn vegetables and bold red rouille sauce is an easy choice, as well as their grilled tuna steak or sole meuniere. These come with a side dish of baby vegetables, mashed potatoes, polenta, or home-made fries.
Desserts are another area where they really come into their own, with options such as Grand cru chocolate fondant, with salted butter caramel center and Caramel ice cream, or Walnut tart with maple syrup and light vanilla cream.
Every option on the menu is cooked to perfection, presented as beautifully as it looks. The foie gras is particularly impressive, and you can tell the thought and care that has gone into the dish, which the chef has taken from his own home recipe.
While the food is undeniably beautiful, and every taste is memorable, it’s not just the food that makes Restaurant le Duc exactly what it is. Instead, it’s a combination of the right atmosphere, staff, and setting. Most places only manage to capture a few of these qualities, but Restaurant le Duc combines them seamlessly.
The staff are all too happy to chat, telling us more about the menu, while the vibe is relaxed, yet special. It’s somewhere that’s perfect when you want somewhere to be treated with care, where the food is flavoursome and delicious, and you can try something truly exquisite. It captures the elegance and beauty of Nice and paves the way for an evening that you never want to end.
The next time you’re in Nice and looking for somewhere to eat, Restaurant le Duc needs to be on your list. It ticks all the boxes you want when heading out for a meal, including those you didn’t even know you needed. You can while away the hours sipping a glass of wine, sampling an array of delicious dishes and just soaking up the atmosphere. Trust us, you’ll be in for a night you’ll never want to end.
Restaurant le Duc
27 Prom. des Anglais, 06000 Nice, France
