Eating at Restaurant JAN in Nice is a sensory and poetic experience that we were lucky enough to enjoy. The owner and culinary director, Jan Hendrik van der Westhuizen, whose name the restaurant bears, takes us on a journey through his childhood memories. A place not to be missed with South African influences in the Côte d’Azur capital.
Our meal was punctuated by the sense of detail and the surprises that the chef and his team had in store for us all evening. Each bite was an adventure, a discovery. For us, a moment out of time!
In this article, you will discover our feelings on this unique gastronomic experience and our opinion in pictures to give you an idea of what you can find there.
This review is completely independent, we ate anonymously and paid our bill in full.
Why eat at Restaurant JAN in Nice?
Is JAN Restaurant worth it? Our review
In the heart of Nice’s lively Port district, Restaurant JAN welcomes you for a unique culinary experience. In our opinion, this is one of the best restaurants in the city. What marked us during our dinner:
- The location: this confidential place offers a charming and original setting to enjoy an inventive cuisine in a small street of the district, just a step away from Port Lympia.
- The sense of detail, and not only in the dishes: each dish is a work of culinary art, presented and made with quality ingredients. The flavors are subtle and for some surprising. He is an artist culinary director, even a chemist in his approach, who plunges us into his universe and shares his sources of inspiration.
- The atmosphere and the staging: warmth and conviviality are terms that describe the atmosphere of the place rather well. We were transported during this unforgettable culinary walk where nothing was left to chance. Nearly 3 hours at the table that we did not feel passing!
DISCOVER Nice
- Best things to do in Nice
- Where to stay in Nice: 15 best hotels
- Where to eat in Nice: 20 best restaurants
- The 12 best museums in Nice
- Best beaches
- Visit the Palais Lascaris
- Visit the MAMAC Museum
- Visit the Museum of Photography
- Itineraries: 1 day – 2 days – 3 days – 5 days – 7 days
- Rent a car in Nice (airport or train station)
- Most beautiful villages around Nice
What you will eat
Jan Hendrik van der Westhuizen, owner and culinary director, is a renowned chef who cut his teeth in Michelin-starred restaurants in South Africa, before moving to Nice. Passionate about cooking since his childhood, he is the first South African chef to obtain a Michelin star. His professional background and his passion can be felt in his cooking, which reveals a superb marriage between French gastronomy and South African tradition.
The chef makes us discover the secrets of South Africa’s culinary traditions through his dishes. Subtlety and creativity are felt in all the dishes we tasted. The chef’s work is almost like that of a chemist, the result of thorough, even scientific research to find the right combination of textures and flavors. And finally achieve this balance in the mouth!
JAN’s signature dish is the “bobotie”, typical of South Africa. The chef’s inventiveness and his ability to transcribe his childhood memories seem to have no limits. Indeed, he offers us both the classic version of this stew and a destructured version as a main course. We were able to identify all the ingredients of this traditional dish and enjoy each flavor, while tasting the original dish.
Partnering with many producers and suppliers in the region, the restaurant honors the local area to make its South African dishes, which allows to offer a fresh and quality fusion cuisine. The menu is proposed in 7 steps in its classic form and in 8 steps in its signature form, with dishes that tell a story and take the taste buds on a journey. Our dinner was punctuated by a gentle waltz of plates!
To savor every detail of the meal, the team in the dining room guided us through the tasting order suggested by the chef. Clockwise on the dish, with a balanced sequence of dishes, neither too fast nor too far apart… We discovered South African heritage products revisited by the French gastronomic know-how with a touch of the Côte d’Azur.
For starters, the traditional dried and spiced beef or game meat called “biltong”, and the “braaibroodje” or sweet and salty sandwich, crispy and melting thanks to the chutney, will be served. Typical Nice recipes such as pissaladière or socca, made with chickpea flour and olive oil, accompany these South African specialties.
We continued this sensory journey with a ceviche of mullet, a fish with a streamlined body, drizzled with Nice seawater, dill, lemongrass and puffed local spelt. All presented in the form of a white carnation, the favorite flower of Maria, the chef’s grandmother. Original, no?
With the next starter, no bread but a brioche with aniseed, a recipe from South Africa, and a few spoonfuls of local olive oil with pepper.
As this culinary story is told by the chef, we immerse ourselves in his world and detach ourselves from time. We were disconnected from the outside world because we were enchanted by the explosion of flavors and the creative force of the chef.
This evening was full of surprises from our host, Jan Hendrik van der Westhuizen. If you prefer to preserve the surprise effect, we suggest you skip the end of this part and go directly to the section dedicated to what you will drink.
This very poetic experience continued with the discovery of the 91 plates or room of cheeses and delights of the chef. His grandmother Maria having particularly inspired him in his culinary style and his career path, the chef has dedicated this place to this central woman in his life and brings us a little more into the intimacy of his childhood.
About twenty cheeses are presented to you, with for each one 3 suggestions of accompaniment: drink with or without alcohol, dry fruits, breads, buns, cakes, oils… A surprising moment and a work worthy of a chemist to make us taste new flavors by marrying all these products. It is also a beautiful tribute to the finesse and variety of French heritage cheeses.
The association that seduced us (even if everything was really delicious!): a piece of caramel nougat, a spoonful of lavender honey, a slice of Beaufort cheese and a sip of champagne. Simply exquisite!
Then, we went to the sago with honey and orange blossom custard for dessert. This tapioca and sago pudding (similar to hazelnut in shape and texture) is then served before closing the chef’s story. If you choose the signature menu, a pink, lychee and raspberry pre-dessert is offered. A new moment of sweetness before the last traditional South African dessert.
Before leaving this place where the soul of the chef and his history will have marked us, we opted for a hot drink: the chef’s blend again based on rooibos, an infusion from a small South African shrub of the legume family, theAspalathus linearis.
Both in his kitchen, by the hospitality of the team but also by the consideration he gives to the people who push the door of his restaurant, the chef will have transported us for an evening. To close this dinner, he reserved some specialties of his native country even in the mignardises! Lemon buru macaroon, milk and cinnamon pie, white chocolate candy, coconut vanilla and peanut and finally, the rusks or South African dry cookies originally intended for children … A delight!
Subscribe to our Newsletter
- Get away from it all with Region Lovers’ beautiful destinations!
- Once a month
- Advertising-free
What you will drink
Before starting the meal, the chef offered us a sweet and salty infusion of rooibos to awaken our senses and our palate before this culinary stroll throughout the evening.
The restaurant’s wine list is quite impressive with more than 120 references, featuring wines from South Africa as well as grands crus from different French wine regions. Among the vineyards: Upper Hemel-en-Aarde, Walker Bay, Swartland, Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence, Languedoc, Calvi… The wine list alone is a journey!
Although the wines are not offered by the glass on the menu, the sommelier is available to give advice and suggest food and wine pairings with your menus.
In addition to wines, the restaurant also offers a variety of soft drinks, aperitifs, hot drinks and South African specialties. The sommelier gave us excellent advice, so don’t hesitate to ask her for suggestions on the spot.
The atmosphere of the restaurant
The space and the decoration are intimate with a musical background to soften the atmosphere. While the subdued light highlights the large plants and flowers that decorate the 18-cover room. Two pretty mandarin trees welcome you before you enter the restaurant. And you can leave with one of their ripe fruits at the end of your meal that was kindly offered to us!
Antique furniture, carved wooden mirrors, light fixtures and paintings give the room an elegant and warm atmosphere. Large thick blown stemmed glasses, candlesticks, silverware, porcelain containers with original shapes to highlight the contents of the dishes such as the oval display stand or the small stone vase, add a touch of sophistication and refinement to the ensemble.
In this subdued atmosphere, the stone walls and exposed beams also give cachet to the place.
The restaurant staff is professional and friendly. From the moment we arrived, we were greeted with a smile and great attention. The service is rhythmic and respectful of a protocol, but without being stuffy. The team in the dining room is available and friendly, ready to answer all our questions about the food and drinks.
At the beginning of the meal, the team offered to rinse our hands with a mint and lavender infusion before drying them with a towel infused with rooibos. The opportunity for us to see other beautiful pieces of old silverware from the restaurant.
Subscribe to our Newsletter
- Get away from it all with Region Lovers’ beautiful destinations!
- Once a month
- Advertising-free
What is JAN’s reputation for?
Enchanted by this evening, it is for us one of the best restaurants of the city. We particularly appreciated the quality of the food, the attention to detail and the warm atmosphere.
What’s more, its proximity to Castle Hill, the Port of Nice Lympia, Place Garibaldi and Vieux Nice make it an ideal destination for such a pleasant evening. In short, we recommend this restaurant for anyone looking for inventive and refined cuisine in a friendly and intimate setting.
The chef combines gastronomy from the traditions and heritage here in South Africa with the world-renowned French gastronomic know-how and art of living.
A little history
JAN restaurant in Nice was opened in 2013 by Jan Hendrik van der Westhuizen, a South African chef originally from Middelburg. After culinary studies in South Africa, Jan Hendrik van der Westhuizen worked in several restaurants in Europe before settling in Nice, where he renovated an old garage to set up his restaurant. Since childhood, at the age of 9, his ambition was to open his own restaurant in his parents’ garden. JAN is also an establishment on a farm in South Africa where the chef “Klein JAN” (which means “little Jan” in his native language) was born.
Jan’s Restaurant quickly became a success, earning a Michelin star in 2016 and again in 2022. According to Vogue France magazine, it is one of the 10 best restaurants on the French Riviera.
Its history is relatively recent, but the establishment has established itself as a reference in Nice gastronomy, offering creative and refined cuisine based on local products and South African influences. A beautiful story of childhood memories, passion and mix of cultures surrounds this place that resonates and leaves a mark on our soul!
WHERE TO STAY IN Nice
Our favorites: neighborhoods and hotels
On the waterfront, with sea view:
Anantara Hotel – See prices, photos and availability
In the new town, close to the sea:
Hotel Apollinaire, elegant and bright – See prices, photos and availability
In the old town, with all the charm:
AparthotelAMMI Vieux Nice very practical and pleasant – see prices, photos and availability
Practical information about Restaurant JAN in Nice
Type of restaurant
Gastronomic starred atypical.
Schedules
The restaurant is only open in the evening:
- from 7pm to 10pm from Tuesday to Saturday.
- Closed on Sunday and Monday.
Where is Restaurant JAN in Nice?
JAN restaurant in Nice is located at 12 rue Lascaris, in the port district of Nice (0600), in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region, France.
- Driving time from Marseille : 2h30min.
- Driving time from Avignon : 3h10min.
- Driving time from Aix-en-Provence : 2h15.
- Driving time from Cannes : 40min.
- Driving time from Antibes : 40min.
These times are approximate and depend on traffic.
OUR TPS FOR RENTING YOUR CAR IN Provence
- Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars – one of the best rated sites.
- Choose a car that is powerful enough (the roads are steep) but compact (some passages are narrow).
- Think of thecomplete insurance (some roads are tortuous and narrow).
- There is a lot of demand, book it early.
How to get there
You can get to the restaurant by taking the T1 tramway line, stop Garibaldi-Le Château.
You can reach Nice by train, bus or plane. Nice has its own SNCF train station, Gare de Nice-Ville, a 30-minute walk from the hotel.
See the available schedules and book your train tickets now.
If you’re arriving by air, Nice-Côte d’Azur airport is about 20 minutes away by car or cab.
Finally, the restaurant is very close to Vieux Nice. It’s less than a 15-minute walk from the Palais Lascaris – Nice’s musical instrument museum, and less than a 20-minute walk from the Musée de la Photographie Charles Nègre.
PLAN YOUR TRIP TO provence
Our articles are coming!
- Most beautiful cities in Provence (coming soon)
- Most beautiful beaches of Provence (coming soon)
- Most beautiful villages of Provence (to come)
- Most beautiful destinations in Provence (coming soon)
Parking
The restaurant does not have a dedicated parking lot. The nearest parking lots within 10 minutes walking distance are
- the Promenade des Arts parking lot,
- parking at the Port of Nice Lympia.
A little further on, about 15 minutes on foot, is the Palais de Justice parking lot. The restaurant is located on a small street where parking can be difficult. We recommend that you allow some time to find a parking space on the surrounding streets or in the nearby parking lots.
OUR TPS FOR RENTING YOUR CAR IN Provence
- Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars – one of the best rated sites.
- Choose a car that is powerful enough (the roads are steep) but compact (some passages are narrow).
- Think of thecomplete insurance (some roads are tortuous and narrow).
- There is a lot of demand, book it early.
For people with reduced mobility
The access to the establishment does not pose any particular difficulty. The restaurant is located at street level, with no stairs or obstacles, allowing easy access for people with limited mobility.
Is JAN Restaurant family friendly?
With regard to the reception of families, it should be noted that this restaurant is not particularly suitable for children. We advise you to contact the restaurant directly if you need more information on this subject before making a reservation.
The bill
The restaurant offers 2 menus:
- the classic 7 course menu for 165€ (excluding drinks) per person,
- the signature menu at 195€ (excluding drinks) per person.
The restaurant also has an extensive wine list with over 120 references, as well as a selection of other soft drinks, aperitifs, hot drinks and South African specialties. The high quality culinary experience, the sophistication of the cuisine and the quality of the local products must be taken into account, elements that can justify the price of the proposed menus.
Reservation and contact
Reservations are strongly recommended for this popular venue in the city:
- directly online at this link,
- by e-mail to the following address: [email protected].
For more information on this establishment, please visit the official website.
PLAN YOUR TRIP TO provence
Our articles are coming!
- Most beautiful cities in Provence (coming soon)
- Most beautiful beaches of Provence (coming soon)
- Most beautiful villages of Provence (to come)
- Most beautiful destinations in Provence (coming soon)
