The story
At Banh Meï in Nice, Vietnamese cooking meets a steady hand behind the pass. Chef Thi-Hieu Nguyen, known to guests as You, has built this corner of the Old Town into a reliable destination for refined Asian flavours. Renaud Châteaugiron rejoined the team as sommelier in late 2021, aligning the wine programme with the kitchen’s evolving direction. Their combined approach earned the spot a place on the 2026 Le Fooding list, where critics noted how the new roster transformed the dining room into something consistently compelling. Every plate reflects a careful balance between traditional techniques and quiet experimentation.
The lunch menu centres on a half baguette from Boulangerie Saint François, layered with sesame beef, crisp carrots, cucumber and fresh cilantro. Evening service shifts toward deeper compositions, starting with an intense kimchi that sets the tone for the meal. Guests often order wontons dressed in a sharp sweet chili sauce, or the capoun stuffed with ground pork and black mushrooms before swimming in a clear pho broth. A cold bun bo xao combines lemongrass tofu, mint and peanuts with fish sauce, while sea bream fillets rest in a tamarind and lemongrass base finished with celery. Dessert rounds off the service with caramelized apples and tapioca pearls bathed in coconut milk.
Warm timber panels line the walls, creating a compact space that feels both intimate and unpretentious. Renaud Châteaugiron curates the beverage list to complement the Vietnamese cuisine, drawing on his background at Saturne and Clown Bar. Tables spill onto the street during warmer months, allowing diners to watch the neighbourhood pass by without losing the quiet focus of the kitchen. The layout encourages conversation, and the steady pace of service keeps the energy relaxed rather than rushed.
Recognition
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