A Little Taste of French Cuisine Culture
One of the things I looked forward to most while studying abroad in the South of France was the cuisine. I am a big foodie and love baking, cooking, and trying new foods. I have not been disappointed with the selection of food Antibes has to offer; everything is so fresh and delicious. I love supporting local businesses and there are many small family restaurants in Antibes, which means there is a huge selection of amazing food.
The smell of fresh bread and pastries is a constant aroma in Antibes. The food offered is not only affordable but also of good quality, making it easy to enjoy amazing meals on a budget.
When in France, crepes are a must, and I highly recommend La Crêperie’s caramel crepes. The workers are so friendly and conversational.
Eating out has also been a good opportunity for me to practice my French and an opportunity to meet locals. A tip for anyone who travels to France is to make sure to always say “bonjour” when entering a restaurant/shop and “merci au revoir” when leaving. It is custom and a friendly way to acknowledge the workers.
When craving Mexican food in Antibes, check out Casa Azul located near the market. It has such a fun atmosphere with music, cozy lights, comfortable seating, and a good view of the main street. I highly recommend getting the pollo quesadillas!
Choopy’s Cupcakes & Coffee has the best breakfast wraps in Antibes. I went with a few friends to study and was truly amazed at the selection of cupcakes they had to offer. All of the food offered is gluten free and truly life changing!
After church a few of my friends and I went to San Marco-Glacier and got pizzas. We sat outside, which was so fun since it is right by the main square.
The French community in Antibes is so welcoming and the service is wonderful. My favorite cafe is Copenhagen Coffee Lab, located only a two-minute walk from where I live, so I have become quite a regular there. It is the perfect spot to study on the weekends, and it is right by the local market. The market is another great place to meet locals and enjoy a wide selection of fresh produce. It is open every day, from 6:00 am to 2:00 pm, except Mondays, and I walk by every day on the way to school.
My favorite cafe in Antibes is Copenhagen Coffee Lab, they have the best coffee and sandwiches. I have become a regular there, my go to order is the dirty chai. It is right next to the market, so I definitely recommend outdoor seating.
After spending a long day at SKEMA School of Business, I like to go to the local sushi place for lunch. They offer a wide selection of sushi at affordable prices, which is perfect for any college student.
Fun night-in activity: making tzatziki chicken bowls with new CEA CAPA friends. This was such a fun experience of listening to French music and making food together.
My biggest tip for any student studying abroad would be to download an app called Too Good to Go. It is an app created to help prevent food waste. Local restaurants post food that they didn’t sell earlier in the day for super cheap. My friends and I often get Too Good to Go on nights that we don’t want to cook, and it is a great way to try the local cuisine for cheap (prices range from €4-10).
My favorite thing I have discovered while eating abroad is an app called Too Good To Go, which is a fun and cheap way to get food. All of this food was only €10!
If you are looking for fresh produce and meat, check out Marché Provencal, which is the local market. The food is sourced directly from local farmers!
This is a traditional onion tart which originates in Nice, called Pissaladière. It has a pizza-like texture and is topped with onion, spices, anchovy, and olives. It was traditionally sold early in the morning for breakfast but is often eaten as a snack.
Having lived in Antibes now for almost a month, I am amazed at all that I have tried and have yet to try, every day I fall more in love with the culture here (and how could you not when there’s chocolate croissants for 55 cents?)