Looking for the best restaurants in Marseille? Look no further – my guide has the best tried and tested restaurants in Marseille!
There are plenty of tired clichés surrounding the city and it’s safe to say that in recent years it’s become more and more trendy. There are some incredible bars, speciality coffee shops and great restaurants to discover. With amazing local produce to chose from, there’s some great food being cooked up in restaurants across the city. Read on to discover my favourite dining spots in Marseille.
Psst. Want to know more about the city? Check out our Guide to Marseille.
Where to Eat in Marseille
This is a list of my favourite restaurants in Marseille which serve consistently good food. Seafood, pizza, steak – there’s a lot to discover in Marseille. Restaurants are listed in no particular order.
Chez Etienne
Chez Etienne is a great, local bistro where you’ll find the real Marseillais. A French/Italian mix of quality pizza and grilled meat cooked over an indoor charcoal BBQ, it’s a must do when you’re in Marseille. It’s a cosy, local dining spot – the walls are adorned with photos of celebrities with the owners over the years.
Their anchovy pizza is one of the best in the city and don’t forget to order their aubergine parmiggiana. If you’re after a steak, try their grilled bavette (flank steak, in English). Why not drink like a Marsaillais too? Order a glass (or bottle) of Côte de Provence rosé or, like a true Southerner, a pastis.
What to know before you visit
- They don’t take reservations
- Expect to queue during weekends
- Share the pizza plus the grilled meat!
- They only take cash
Address: 43 Rue Lorette, 13002 Marseille
Tel: 06 16 39 78 73
Otto
If you’re looking for bright, modern Italian food (with a hefty French influence) then look no further than Otto. Very popular with foodies from Marseille, it combines cool South of France decor with a modern approach to Italian classics.
The small bistro has 2 separate dining areas that revolve round the central kitchen on the ground floor. During summer months their roadside terrace is open and has a refreshing breeze that comes through an adjacent courtyard.
The food is classy modern Italian-French fair. Expect spaghetti vongole, confit aubergines & tomato and an incredible French take on a beef tagliata with a sumptuous pepper corn sauce. The wine menu is all natural and they have some excellent bottles & vin by the glass on offer.
What to know before you visit
- You can reserve online
- Closed on Sundays
Address: 1150 Rue Jean Mermoz, 13008 Marseille
Tel: 04 91 71 16 52
Website: https://restaurantotto.fr
L’Écaillerie
Marseille is famed for its seafood and rightly so, there’s a wealth of incredible seafood in the waters around Marseille and L’Écaillerie is a prime spot to showcase it. Situated high up above the Vieux Port, L’Écaillarie serves up seafood platters, hot dishes and a great selection of natural wine. All their seafood is local and is comes in daily from the local ports.
There’s a selection of oysters, clams, whelks and prawns to choose from which come served on a platter with house black garlic mayo and their home made chilli take on a mignonette sauce. Their seasonal mains depend a lot on what the fishermen catch that day but generally you’ll see variations on fried small fish (local red mullet or fresh anchovies for example) and seared tuna.
What to know before you visit
- Open every day during the Summer
- You can only reserve for Sundays
Address: 26 Rue d’Endoume, 13007 Marseille
Tel: 06 16 06 64 73
Website: https://lecailleriemarseille.fr
Le Petit Nice Passedat
Another absolute gem of a fish restaurant, Le Petit Nice Passedat is without a doubt an institution in Marseille. The 3 Michelin Star restaurant is run by Chef Gérald Passedat who, as a native Marseillais himself, is passionate about the local produce. A temple of fish and seafood, there’s of course the usual Michelin lobster and turbot on offer but also a lot of ‘forgotten rockfish’ that you would struggle to find outside of Marseille.
Their tasting menus vary with the seasons but currently include a Bouillabaisse menu (€390 without drinks) as well as a ‘seafood discovery’ menu (€490 without drinks). The latter includes their signature dish; a perfectly cooked piece of wild seabass (it’s incredibly thick) in a sauce vierge and seasoned with truffle. Despite the hefty prices, it’s well worth a visit if you want to try incredible fish and seafood in Marseille.
What to know before you visit
- Free valet parking is available in the hotel
Address: 7 Rue des Braves Anse de Maldormé, 156 Cor Président John Fitzgerald Kennedy, 13007 Marseille
Tel: 04 91 59 25 92
Website: https://www.passedat.fr/fr/le-petit-nice/restaurant-3-etoiles-marseille-bord-de-mer
Chez Fonfon
Bouillabaisse is a dish synonymous with Marseille and you’ll find a very good version at Chez Fonfon. One of my first experiences trying the famed bouillabaisse in France was at Chez Fonfon and after going back numerous times, I’d definitely recommend visiting. The combination of depth of flavour in the soup and the stunning view across the quaint, old Port du Vallon des Auffes.
The main event at Chez Fonfon is unmistakable the bouillabaisse but they do have other fish dishes on the menu including turbot, sole and lobster. If you go for the famous fish soup, you’ll first try a bowl of the delicious broth along with bread and the traditional rouille. At some point you’ll get too see the fish which traditionally is local rockfish and eel. The selection of fish is then cooked and served separately for you to enjoy with the soup. It is a bit pricy but you do get a lot for your money.
What to know before you visit
- You can reserve online
- Come hungry!
Address: 140 Rue du Vallon des Auffes, 13007 Marseille
Tel: 04 91 52 14 38
Website: https://www.chez-fonfon.com
