The Mediterranean Insider

Marseille, France

Marseille’s 5 best restaurants (and must-try dishes)

The Mediterranean • Eat & drink • Marseille’s 5 best restaurants (and must-try dishes)

The guide to Marseille’s top restaurants

Looking for the best restaurants in Marseille? Look no further – we’ve done the hard work for you (i.e., the eating) and have compiled a list of the ten essential restaurants in the culinary mosaic Marseille by the Mediterranean. The city is a vibrant hub where traditional Provençal flavours meet innovative gastronomy and the restaurant scene is a delightful dance of old and new. Chefs in Marseille are reimagining classic dishes, infusing them with global influences while honouring their rustic roots. From bustling bistros serving timeless bouillabaisse to trendy eateries experimenting with fusion cuisine, Marseille’s food landscape is an evolving tapestry.

Forest

In Marseille, Forest dazzles under Chef Julien Sebbag’s creative lead. This multisensory spot blends local culinary traditions with bold innovations. Signature dishes like the Jewish Hallah bread and A Forest, featuring Mezcal-flambéed oyster mushrooms, showcase Sebbag’s flair. The Light My Fire dish is a unique experience, offering a seasonal vegetable houmous with an edible sage butter candle. Designed by the Uchronia collective, the restaurant features Mediterranean blue alcoves and earthy tones. Each table is adorned with plates by ceramist Emmanuelle Roule, blending art with gastronomy, making Forest an unforgettable culinary gem in Marseille.

Read the full article on Forest.

Forest
4 Bd Jacques Saade
Marseille
France

Photography courtesy of Forest

Andia Marseille

Located in Marseille’s La Joliette, Andia Marseille, a sibling to acclaimed Forest, invites diners on a culinary journey to South America. Within its walls, you’re transported to an Amazonian forest, surrounded by peacocks, parrots, banana trees and palms. The menu is a vibrant celebration of South American cuisine, featuring dishes like patatas bravas, grilled octopus and spicy prawns, all with a nod to local Marseillais flavours, as seen in their whole fish prepared tableside with lemon and Mediterranean herbs. Andia’s lush, verdant setting and its sun-drenched terrace make it a must-visit for a taste of Latin America in the heart of Marseille.

Andia Marseille
2 Bd Jacques Saade
Marseille
France

Photography courtesy of Andia Marseille

Sépia

At Sépia in Marseille, Chef Paul Langlère skillfully blends land and sea elements, crafting a cuisine deeply rooted in the Mediterranean ethos. Rejecting transient food trends, Langlère’s instinctive cooking style shines through in dishes that harmoniously unite meat with maritime elements like smoked mackerel, anchovies, poutargue or shrimp broth. Sea-inspired plates are elegantly accompanied by pot-au-feu broth or smoked duck breast slices. The desserts, such as the citrusy floating island with lime caramel or the vanilla soft cake with celery shavings and Granny apple espuma, are as seasonally conscious as they are inventive, reflecting the rich local produce of Marseille’s surroundings.

Sépia
2 Rue Vauvenargues
Marseille
France

Photography courtesy of Sépia

Cécile Food Club Malmousque

Cécile Food Club in Malmousque is a brainchild of Barthélémy Tassy and his friends, including Paul Langlère, the culinary mind behind Sépia. Cécile offers a unique dining experience, blending high-quality food with the ease of all-day availability. The menu, crafted by Langlère, features an eclectic range of sandwiches, from classic ham and butter to inventive egg and smoked eel, along with flavourful vegetarian options. The ambience, designed by Marion Mailaender, reflects the warmth and timeless charm of a traditional grocer’s shop, making Cécile a cosy and welcoming spot in Marseille.

Cécile Food Club Malmousque
116 Cor Président John Fitzgerald Kennedy
Marseille
France

Photography courtesy of Cécile Food Club Malmousque

Les Réformés

Perched on Marseille’s rooftops, Les Réformés offers a distinctive culinary adventure, celebrating seasonal and local flavours. The kitchen, led by Paolo Molinari and Sébastien Misseri, expertly fuses Italian and Mexican traditions, presenting a menu that captures the essence of the Mediterranean and Latin America. Each dish narrates a tale, emphasising the natural tastes and colours of fresh ingredients. The lunch menu changes daily, while evenings and weekends feature shareable plates for a communal dining experience. This stylish rooftop venue, complete with weekend DJ sets, makes Les Réformés a trendy gastronomic destination in Marseille.