La Petite Maison — Restaurant in Nice

I had high hopes for Le Petit Maison in Nice, given its reputation and charming exterior, but my visit turned out to be one of the most unpleasant dining experiences I’ve ever endured — and I don’t say that lightly.

The trouble began before we even sat down. Despite making a reservation a full week in advance, I was met at the door not with a “Welcome,” but with a glare from the owner, Nicole, who seemed annoyed by our very presence. With no explanation, she tried to turn us away. It was only after insisting and showing proof of our reservation that we were reluctantly seated. Nicole’s demeanor didn’t improve — she remained visibly sour and aggressively unwelcoming throughout our time there. At several points during our meal, she loudly berated other guests walking into the restaurant, creating an atmosphere of tension and discomfort. It was appalling to watch her speak so rudely to people who had simply come to enjoy a meal in Nice.

The food? In a word: forgettable. For a place that charges premium prices and flaunts a supposedly upscale Mediterranean menu, the flavors were uninspired. The dishes felt more like overpriced, reheated cafeteria fare than the refined cuisine one expects in the French Riviera. There was no soul, no finesse, and certainly no justification for the inflated prices.

As for the service, the staff seemed disorganized and apathetic — perhaps a reflection of the leadership. Courses were brought out without explanation, water refills were an afterthought, and not once did anyone ask how our meal was going. It was as if they were doing us a favor by letting us eat there.

Dining out while traveling should be a pleasure, a cultural experience, and a memory to cherish. Instead, Le Petit Maison turned our evening into a stress-filled, uncomfortable ordeal. Nicole’s unprovoked hostility and the restaurant’s complete lack of hospitality left a bitter taste that had nothing to do with the food.

There are plenty of wonderful restaurants in Nice where you’ll be welcomed warmly, fed beautifully, and treated with basic courtesy. Le Petit Maison is not one of them. Save your time, your money, and your mood. Don’t let this place ruin your trip like it nearly...

We reserved through our hotel to go to this restaurant. Upon arriving as we were punctual but they were not ready to seat us. So, they asked us to wonder around and come back which we did

We came back and the offered to seat us INSIDE and then I explained that we made reservations with our hotel and specifically asked for OUTSUDE GARDEN. The maitre d’ then offered to seat us where there is a HUGE UMBRELLA as mentioned in previous reviews so we asked to be seated in unblocked view. Then when I sat on the chair the waiter asked me to move to another side where the table beside me was extremely tight and as if I will be dining with my neighbors??? I explained that the tables are extremely tight and indicated that I would like to choose where I sit..

The answer was NO.. and we then pointed out then we will have to leave.... NO APOLOGIES where offered..

I totally agree with other reviews.. they are extremely rude and snobbish and MY DEAR MADAME. Nicole if you distespectafulmif others.. it will come back to u.. one way or another.. Don’t u ever think of disrespecting people..

We are Paying and people are giving u all their monies .. to be treated with respect for a meal... unfortunately you have NO respect ...

As the other reviews indicated we just went to Bistro de L’Opera and were served in an extremely polite and respectful way

MADAME Nicole if you believe that knowing the people in power ... in Nicevand France and that power allows you to disrespect people .. think...

July 2015: I was in Nice for a friends wedding and part of the itinerary was dinner here. We were a group of about 20 and on this particular night the restaurant was very crowded (apparently a jewelry company was having a large party of 50+ people)

We were seated inside close to the door and in the direct path to the kitchen/bar, but other than that I had an amazing experience. The food was great and the service was as good to be expected considering it was an extremely full house. Although our entire party did not show up on time (blame the jet lag) they still managed to hold our table and accommodate our guests as they arrived. No one complained about the food and my prawns were quite tasty.

As the evening grew late and champagne and drinks started to take their effect, the house band serenaded the bride and groom and then invited the bride and her bridesmaids to perform Stevie Wonders "Isn't she Lovely". Sensing we were having to good of a time to stop, the band kept playing and before you know it there was a full blown concert happening. People from other tables came and danced and sang with us for at least 20 minutes.

The best part was that the restaurant treated us to dessert which included a delicious pastry and fresh strawberries and they even treated the bride and groom to a complimentary bottle of Moet (well considering we had already purchased 3 magnums it may not have been free lol)

I can't say for sure that this is how it normally is on a Thursday night, but...