After working in a cheese restaurant, he wanted something entirely different and free of defined boundaries, so he launched Lavomatique, a 35-seat, small plate–focused eatery (the falafels and ribs du cochon are must-orders) that was one of the first of its kind in Nice — and inspired other spots like Vietnamese café Banh Meï.

One of a rush of exciting, smaller venues that wouldn’t be out of place in Paris or London, Lavomatique in Vieux Nice has quickly become the cool kids’ favourite with its inventive and ever-changing menu of small, tapas-style sharing plates (which, depending on the day, range from falafel to fresh anchovies and BBQ quail), a predominantly natural wine list, and a retro-chic façade which hints to its past life as a laundromat. Each dish is cooked to order in an open kitchen, making the bar stools prime real estate. Rue du Pont Vieux 11lavomatique-restaurant.business.site

Pilotée par Hugo et Grégoire Loubert, deux frères passionnés de bistronomie, cette ancienne laverie niçoise s’est muée en joli bar à tapas teinté d’influences frenchie. Dans l’assiette, une cuisine de saison guidée par le retour du marché. Citrouille rôtie, spaghettis aux œufs de loup et piment, falafels préparés minute, Saint-Jacques et poireau fumé… L’assiette s’accompagne d’un verre de vin nature et d’un dessert gourmand signé Mélanie Tuz, tel que la tartelette aux poires rôties, chantilly gingembre, sablé rapadura et gingembre confit.

This former laundry transformed into a bistro restaurant has long been my favourite but it’s NOT ANYMORE Over the last 2 years, the prices have increased by almost twofold for the same quatity. I can understand prices can increased by 1 or 2 euros but, here it has became unaffordable. Nevertheless, If you want to try this place, it’s located in the heart of the old town of Nice, 100 metres from Place Rossetti, the restaurant offers dishes to share in a warm and friendly atmosphere.

It would be easy to walk right past this spot in the Old Town and not even realise it’s a restaurant. Tucked away on one of the labyrinth-like streets leading out from Place Rossetti, the former laundromat still has its same cerulean façade and namesake sign, but the interior is now dominated by a L-shape bar and open kitchen. Working behind the counter are the Loubert brothers, Grégoire and Hugo, who helped propel nearby Le Bistro du Fromager into a local institution.

An open-plan dining area, wooden chairs and industrial-style decor – that’s what you’ll discover when you open the door of Lavomatique, still in the old town. You’ll be served bistronomic cuisine in a warm, friendly atmosphere in this establishment tucked away in an alleyway in Vieux Nice. This “wash cycle” features tapas, main courses and desserts using only local, seasonal produce: homemade chorizo, panisses, mozzarella, sweet potatoes, lamb, mushrooms and more.

No need to alter the name, just usher in the same crowd and, if they feel lost, assure them that you can offer both a dining experience like no other and a dry clean service of equal quality. Well, this is how I envisioned this transition occurring at its inception (this is a fable from a daydreamer… *me* so don’t take what I said literally). Lavomatique was the first restaurant we dined at upon our arrival in Nice.

For Monday dinner, I like Le Lavomatique, which opened in what used to be… my laundromat!. They kept the funky blue industrial/laundromat decor, and created a French-style tapas bar, where their creative takes on classic fare are meant to be shared. They’ve gotten kind of pricy recently, but still a fun and unusual dining experience, and they have an excellent selection of wines that you won’t see elsewhere else.

A former laundrette holds one of the city’s most talked-about restaurants, albeit charmingly unassuming – the blue exterior retains the price list for a wash and dry. Inside, brothers Hugo and Grégoire Loubert have created an exciting tapas menu paired with a well-considered wine list. If tables are full, try for a seat at the counter and watch the activity in the kitchen.