Pissaladière & Pichade de Menton: A Tale of Two Tarts from the Riviera
- Biss Provence
- Oct 4
- 2 min read
On the French Riviera, every town has its own culinary treasure — and between Nice and Menton, two savory tarts tell the story of the region’s shared soul: the Pissaladière of Nice and the Pichade of Menton.Both humble, both full of flavor, and both deliciously Mediterranean.
A Bit of History
Long before pizza made its way across the sea, locals here were already baking flatbreads topped with onions, olives, and anchovies.The Pissaladière, born in Nice, gets its name from pissalat — a traditional paste made from salted anchovies and tiny fish, once used as the base for the topping.Meanwhile, in Menton, just an hour east along the coast, the Pichade took on a slightly different identity, reflecting the Italian influence of Liguria just across the border.
Two Cousins, Two Flavors
The Pissaladière Niçoise is rich and savory: a thick layer of caramelized onions, dotted with anchovies and black olives on a tender bread-like base.The Pichade de Menton, on the other hand, has a tomato base mixed with onions and herbs, creating a sweeter, brighter flavor — like sunshine on dough. Some say it’s the Riviera’s answer to pizza, but with a distinctly Provençal twist.
Where to Try Them
In Nice, Sini & Jiji is one of our favorite spots — local, warm, and true to tradition. Their Pissaladière is baked just right: soft in the middle, golden at the edges, and full of flavor.In Menton, head to Au Baiser du Mitron, a small bakery famous for its authentic Pichade, baked fresh every morning. You’ll smell it before you see it.
And yes — at Biss, we love to celebrate both.During our tasting experiences, we often bring out a fresh Pissaladière — crisp, fragrant, and made just like the locals do. It’s one of those bites that instantly connects you to the Riviera.
How to Enjoy Them
Both are best eaten slightly warm, with a glass of chilled rosé or a light white wine. They’re the perfect picnic food — easy to pack, hard to resist, and pure Riviera comfort.
A Taste of the Mediterranean
Whether you lean toward the salty depth of the Pissaladière or the sweet balance of the Pichade, these tarts tell the story of a coastline where French and Italian flavors meet — and where every bite feels like home.
Pro tip:
Order one of each and taste the difference side by side — it’s the easiest (and most delicious) way to travel from Nice to Menton without ever leaving the table.
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