21 Must-Try Restaurants in Marseille

Founded by Chef Gérald Passedat’s family in 1917 on a rugged stone point jutting into the Mediterranean, this hotel-restaurant has become one of the world’s premier seafood dining spots since he took the helm in 1985. The dining room features crisp white tablecloths and stunning sea views, with a menu that adapts daily to the fresh catch brought in by local fishing boats. Passedat’s minimalist culinary approach highlights fresh fish and shellfish, offering dishes like sea bream carpaccio topped with caviar and bottarga, sea anemone beignets drizzled with seaweed sauce, and sea bass served in herb-infused bouillon with diced tomatoes.

Bouillabaisse, a renowned fish stew crafted from locally sourced rockfish, potatoes, tomatoes, saffron, and more, is perhaps the most iconic dish of Marseille. While you can find it in numerous restaurants throughout the city, this family-run establishment has been serving it since 1946 and is a local favorite. Here, bouillabaisse is offered as a two-part meal: first, a hearty brick-red fish soup accompanied by croutons and garnishes of aioli and rouille, followed by a platter of fish and shellfish that have simmered in the broth. Although the service may feel a bit formal, the bouillabaisse never disappoints.

After honing his skills at several Alain Ducasse restaurants in Paris, chef Paul Langlère relocated to Marseille, establishing his Mytoury in a delightful bungalow surrounded by a garden with stunning views of the city. His concise lunch menu changes daily, while the dinner offerings are updated every few weeks to reflect seasonal ingredients and local produce. Previous dishes have featured Camargue oysters with apple, mint, and ginger; gravlax paired with passionfruit and citrus; duck served with Jerusalem artichoke puree, roasted salsify, hazelnuts, and dates; and roasted lamb shoulder accompanied by oyster mushrooms en persillade.

Marseille embraced pizza with the arrival of Italian immigrants in the late 19th century. Every local has their go-to pizzeria, but this unassuming spot in the Panier district is a consensus favorite, adorned with photos of famous patrons who have long flocked to enjoy wood-fired pizzas. Besides pizza, you can also order dishes like steaks and tender fried baby squid generously seasoned with garlic. Arriving early or late is advisable to dodge long waits for a table.

After establishing some of the finest cocktail bars in Paris, the skilled team behind CopperBay opened their doors in Marseille, just minutes from the historic Le Vieux Port. Embracing the city’s love for pastis, they serve a variety of this local spirit along with creative craft cocktails. Don't miss the Tahini Sour, featuring tahini and pisco, showcasing the city's diverse culinary scene. Bar snacks are available too, including pickled mussels, duck rillettes, and burrata.

After working at Semilla, a trendy bistro in Saint-Germain-des-Prés, chef Matthieu Roche relocated to Marseille and launched this cozy bistro with co-owner Camille Fromont near Le Vieux Port. Originally from Aix-en-Provence, Roche returned to the south to reconnect with the region’s exceptional produce and the vibrant atmosphere of Provence’s largest city. The relaxed dining space features cement floors and serves dishes like black mullet carpaccio smoked with fennel stalks paired with turmeric and horseradish marinated cucumbers; gnocchi in ramp and baby broccoli sauce; and a passionfruit tart topped with lime meringue and accompanied by lemon sorbet.

This fantastic new coffee shop was founded by Tony Collins, a former resident of Brooklyn and Venice Beach, who aimed to introduce exceptional coffee to Marseille. The shop features a large black Probat roaster that takes center stage in the cozy space. In addition to coffee, you can enjoy pastries in the morning and a rotating selection of hot dishes at lunchtime, such as fusilli with leeks and Gorgonzola or fresh pea soup.

Chef Éric Maillet, who once served as sous chef to Gérald Passedat at the renowned seafood restaurant Le Petit Nice, has opened this cozy bistro with a charming back garden terrace. His impressive background is evident in the artfully crafted dishes on the ever-changing chalkboard menu. Featuring fresh seafood and vegetables, recent offerings have included a vibrant starter salad of string beans, peas, snow peas, cherries, and pine nuts dressed in a rich vinaigrette, as well as sea bream paired with grilled baby potatoes and a refreshing sauce vierge made from chopped tomatoes and basil in olive oil.

Located between Le Vieux Port and the fashionable Noailles district, sisters Louise and Julia Toche have opened their cozy bistro serving Mediterranean comfort food. The inventive menu features delightful options like Swiss chard tourte, mussels accompanied by leche de tigre, roasted tomatoes, and parsley oil, as well as braised beef paired with baby leeks, mushrooms, and mostarda. Housed in a charming old café with a vibrant tiled bar, the inviting atmosphere is perfect for people-watching and soaking in the city's vibe. The kitchen proudly emphasizes fresh, seasonal, and locally sourced ingredients, a key aspect of Marseille's culinary scene today.

British chef Harry Cummins and Quebec-born sommelier Laura Vidal crossed paths at Frenchie in Paris and launched this bistro featuring a market-driven menu within a repurposed sewing shop in the Noailles district last spring. It's been thriving ever since. Secure a spot at the long reclaimed wood bar to observe the chefs in action, or settle at a table to enjoy dishes such as sautéed razor clams with shallots and ham, gnocchi paired with lamb and black olive ragout, grilled line-caught turbot served with artichokes, spinach, and young garlic, and a delightful rice pudding infused with fig leaves and strawberries. The menu is ever-changing, complemented by an impressive wine selection available by the glass. On pleasant days, the small terrace becomes the ideal spot to relax.

The newest venture from the team behind La Mercerie is a bustling café-bakery in the city center that excels from breakfast until 7 p.m. The bakery crafts loaves using organic flour and natural yeast, while the kitchen dishes out delicious shakshuka, egg-and-mayo sandwiches, sausage rolls, focaccia, brownies, and cookies featuring chocolate from Marseille’s exclusive bean-to-bar chocolate maker, La Baleine à Cabosse. It's a perfect stop to grab snacks for a train ride or on your way to the beach. And don’t miss the fantastic coffee!

No other city in France shares such a close bond with North African cuisine as Marseille. This simple Tunisian Mytoury, nestled in one of the busiest market streets, serves up flavorful dishes on bright green placemats to guests seated in metal chairs. Be sure to try the lablabi, a garlic and cumin-infused chickpea soup with homemade harissa; spicy egg kafteji in tomato sauce; and succulent grilled merguez sausages accompanied by a variety of salads. The lamb couscous on Fridays and the grouper couscous on Sundays are particularly noteworthy.

Julia Sammut, a former food writer and daughter of the owners of the esteemed La Fenière restaurant in nearby Cadenet, established her 'ideal grocery store' in the Noailles quarter. This shop features a handpicked selection of her favorite foods, including cheese, charcuterie, condiments, olives, pasta, and other premium items. At lunchtime, these ingredients are showcased in a frequently updated menu served at wooden tables inside and on the sidewalk outside. Recent offerings have included lamb shoulder glazed with pomegranate molasses, chickpeas with braised octopus, a zucchini tart with smoked Sardinian ricotta, and almond ice cream infused with orange blossom.

In Provence, 'bubo' translates to 'to remember,' and that’s exactly what chef Fabien Torrente aims to do. His modern tasting menus evoke the traditional tastes of this sunny region of France but are presented with a contemporary twist. For lunch, he offers bento boxes featuring a starter, main course, and dessert, while dinner presents a more elaborate array. The ever-changing dishes often emphasize umami, including items like a deconstructed vitello tonnato (chopped veal with capers and creamy tuna sauce) and roasted lamb accompanied by zucchini filled with braised beef cheeks. Desserts feature a silky chocolate mousse paired with orange and rhubarb ice cream.

Nestled within a graffiti-clad stone staircase that ascends from Cours Julien to Rue d’Aubagne, this quirky spot has become one of Marseille's most sought-after new dining experiences. Chef Lili Gadola, a former team member at Épicerie L’Idéal, presents a chalkboard menu that shifts daily. The selections often highlight fresh local seafood alongside dishes inspired by her Swiss heritage, reflected in the restaurant's name—the Limmat is a river flowing into Lake Zurich. Diners can look forward to thoughtfully crafted plates like onions filled with grouper in a dried fig and fennel coulis; Sardinian ravioli dusted with Parmesan; and red tuna sashimi complemented by smoked bonito, chickpeas, zucchini, fava beans, and peppers.

In the kitchen of Chef Julien Diaz, the clean, contemporary aesthetic of the restaurant reflects his culinary philosophy. He emphasizes seasonal Mediterranean ingredients, crafting a menu that changes frequently but often features dishes like oven-roasted Corsican brocciu cheese paired with thinly sliced radishes, fresh peas, cucumbers, and pickled radish; saffron risotto infused with cypress oil, Corsican honey, and grated pinecone; and John Dory cooked in seaweed butter served with peas and a rich green crab broth. The stylish clientele enjoys attentive service and an excellent selection of local wines available by the glass.

Before entering this beloved fish house, take a moment to check out the daily catch at the neighboring fish market owned by the restaurant. Owner Fabien Rugi has adorned the space with whimsical nautical decor, featuring ropes, fishnets, and buoys, while the cuisine is impressively crafted. The menu regularly highlights dishes like seasonal fresh sea urchins, razor clams from Sète paired with cilantro and lemon, grilled rouget (red mullet), and crispy baby squid. Don’t miss the fiadone, a delightful Corsican cheesecake, for dessert. Reservations are a must!

Alexandre Mazzia is arguably the most groundbreaking chef in Marseille today. This former professional basketball player opened his minimalist modern tasting-menu bistro in a residential area in 2014. Working in an open kitchen, Mazzia draws inspiration from his childhood in Pointe-Noire, Congo, where his father was a merchant in exotic woods, blending those influences with the flavors of Provence. His increasingly lauded dishes include a petite cocoa-cream tart topped with smoked eel, beet juice, and fresh black pepper; semolina with orange blossom water, horseradish, and shellfish jus; and grilled red mullet accompanied by duck jus, green satay sauce, and a raspberry-harissa condiment.

Nestled within Marseille’s Egyptian Cultural Center, this laid-back Mytoury features vibrant cushions and painted wooden furniture. It offers dishes like kochari, a classic street food made from a mix of rice, pasta, lentils, and chickpeas, topped with tomato sauce and crispy onions. Other options include ful, falafel sandwiches, and Egyptian flan, along with two daily main course specials. The non-alcoholic beverage menu features helba, a fenugreek infusion, and refreshing mint tea.

In less than a year, chef Sarah Chougnet-Strudel and former wine merchant Lucien Salomon have transformed their charming retro bistro into a favorite spot for Marseille’s artistic crowd. The childhood friends have adorned the space with a large chestnut-paneled bar, a polished terracotta tiled floor, and sleek anthracite-gray wainscoting. Chougnet-Strudel’s impressive culinary background includes working with Pascal Barbot at L’Astrance, Anne-Sophie Pic, and Hélène Darroze, as well as time spent at the Greenhouse in London and a stint in Singapore. Salomon brings experience from La Cave de Belleville in Paris. Their noteworthy credentials shape the exceptional, ever-evolving menu and wine list, featuring modern comfort dishes such as pork belly paired with beets and mussel cream, udon noodles with a white miso sabayon, turnips, and ricotta salata, and soy-glazed cauliflower served with grilled polenta and grated ewe's milk cheese.

Located just steps away from the stunning Palais Longchamp, this relaxed corner bistro features a large raw-wood bar and has attracted a dedicated following thanks to chef Noémie Lebocey. Her cooking emphasizes the natural flavors of ingredients, highlighted by thoughtful garnishes like ricotta beignets, fennel, and roasted tomatoes served alongside her fish soup. Lebocey’s menu frequently changes, continually delighting guests with unique creations such as an onion tart topped with whipped cream infused with smoked oregano, arugula, and buckwheat, or an apricot tart accompanied by smoked rosemary ice cream.