Marseille’s gastronomy reflects its long history as a port city and a hub of cultural exchange. Its iconic dish, bouillabaisse, traces its roots to the Greek kakavia—a humble fish stew that evolved over centuries into a local delicacy defined by Mediterranean technique and terroir. Today, chefs continue to push boundaries while honoring tradition; for instance, at Ekume, Panamanian chef Edgar Bosquez reimagines bouillabaisse with coconut milk and smoky paprika.
Beyond bouillabaisse, the city is known for couscous, panisse (fried chickpea cakes), pieds paquets (stuffed lamb tripe), and a growing repertoire of inventive plates. Whether it’s Provençal peppers with goat cheese at Ourea or shrimp tartare with tom kha sauce at Les Bords de Mer, Marseille’s chefs are drawing on their diverse backgrounds and the region’s bounty to create something uniquely their own.
Marseille has become France’s most exciting dining landscape, where Provençal flavors mingle with global influences in ways that feel both deeply rooted and entirely fresh. Here are MICHELIN’s essential spots for where to eat in Marseille to discover the culinary soul of the beloved city.
Where to Eat in Marseille
Une Table, au Sud
Overlooking Marseille’s Vieux Port, this MICHELIN-Starred restaurant by chef Ludovic Turac is a masterclass in Marseille’s multiculturalism. Turac, who has Armenian roots, reinvents beloved classics through a modern, international lens. Turac says he’s always “in search of tastes and flavors from elsewhere,” which he weaves into dishes built on pristine local ingredients.
While Turac’s “From Sea to Land” menu is marked by a strong Marseille influence, the “Crossroads of Spices” explores Armenian flavors and beyond—you might find hints of Marrakech, Modena, or Yerevan infused into Mediterranean ingredients. The views over the port add drama to every plate.
Cédrat
Formerly the right hand of Gérald Passedat, Eric Maillet launched this stylish seafood bistro rooted in Marseille’s terroir, with a refined focus on Japan. “Marseille is a city where you can dream—open to all stories, told in ways that are both deeply individual and collective,” says Maillet.
At lunchtime, Maëlyss Vultaggio offers a creative canteen-style menu inspired by the Mediterranean, Vietnam, and Asia more broadly. Together, Vultaggio and Maillet form one of the city’s most compelling culinary duos.
Ekume
Panamanian chef Edgar Bosquez and his wife Alizée dropped anchor just a short distance from the Old Port, in the heart of the Saint Victor district. Having cut his teeth alongside such greats as Alain Senderens and Gérald Passedat, Bosquez’s unique culinary vision comes to life at Ekume.
Here, the Mediterranean meets Central America: think aubergine tartlet, or sliced sea bream, carrot juice, achiote oil, citrus fruits, and bottarga. The plates are elegantly plated but approachable, the kind of food that surprises without pretension.
Le Petit Nice – Passedat
Chef Gérald Passedat has held Three MICHELIN stars since 2008, and his devotion to the sea is unwavering. “I dive into the Mediterranean in every sense of the word,” says the chef. “It carries me and inspires me, as does the land that surrounds it.”
With dozens of fish species on the menu, many sourced just offshore, Passedat elevates the sea’s bounty with poetic elegance. His bouillabaisse is as much a philosophy as a dish—reduced to its essence, reimagined, and deeply reverent. This is Marseille’s haute cuisine temple, and its waterfront location provides an experience as cinematic as it is culinary.
Ourea
Having come from Paris, where he worked at Semilla, Matthieu Roche and his partner Camille Fromont opened this pocket-sized contemporary bistro inspired by the colors and flavors of Provence (coral walls, sea green benches, and lemon-yellow wall lights). Chef Roche’s passion for local produce shines in every dish, with daily menus depending on what’s available at the farmers’ market. A recent standout: roasted Provençal peppers with chickpeas, goat cheese, and fresh herbs. Natural wines are a big focus here, and the staff is eager to guide you through pairings. Unpretentious yet elevated, Ourea is where you go to feel the heartbeat of new-generation Marseille dining.
Alivetu
In the Saint-Victor district, Alivetu (“olive grove” in Corsican) pays homage to co-owner Timothée Aumont Squercioni’s family estate, strewn with olive trees and located in the small village of Lumio, near Calvi. This Corsican-inspired restaurant takes sustainability seriously, sourcing olive oil from the family’s Corsican grove and ingredients from small regional farms. Expect dishes like grilled octopus with sweet potato purée, corn, and a fresh bell pepper sauce, all in a refined and contemporary decor featuring polished concrete floors, pendant lights, and abstract paintings adorning the walls.
Les Bords de Mer
A cuisine inspired by far-flung travels with breathtaking sea views: what more could you want? Since last spring, the new chef Chester Tsai has been drawing inspiration from his Asian origins and his experience abroad (Paris, New York, London, and Singapore) to create a contemporary and creative menu that revisits Provençal cuisine, with dishes like prawn and mango tartare with tom-kha sauce or Filipino ceviche with coconut vinegar, garlic, ginger, and red chili pepper. Also worth noting is a new pastry chef, Gabriela Jannini, a Brazil native. The wine list is lovely, with a prominent place dedicated to the organic production of the Domaine de Fontenille (AOP Luberon), owner of this elegant establishment.
Chez Fonfon
A Marseille institution since 1952, Chez Fonfon is nestled into the Vallon des Auffes and specializes in bouillabaisse and bourride (a garlicky fish stew thickened with aioli). Fresh catches are delivered daily by local fishermen, and the preparation follows time-honored rules—no shortcuts here. It’s family-run, beloved by locals, and packed with Marseille’s no-fuss charm.
Where to sleep (well) close by
Less than 10 minutes on foot:
Le Petit Nice: Recently awarded a MICHELIN Key, this hotel founded in 1917 by the family of chef Gérald Passedat embodies the quintessence of Mediterranean luxury. Nestled between the coast and the Corniche, away from the hustle and bustle of the city, it features a hammam, Japanese bath, and swimming pool, all overlooking the sun-dappled Mediterranean.
Les Bords de Mer: Just a five-minute walk from the Old Port and the historic city center, set on Marseille's seafront—you can almost dive into the port from your balcony. Expect compact rooms bathed in natural light, plus a heated rooftop pool, a spa, and optional boat trips to the calanques.
C2: Inside a magnificent 19th-century mansion, rooms are among the most luxurious in the city. Guests can enjoy the vast spa by FillMed, and beach access on a private island, just a short boat ride from the Old Port.
The InterContinental Marseille-Hôtel Dieu: Just above the Old Port, in a splendid 17th-century hospital with spacious, perfectly equipped rooms and suites designed with an unusual contemporary flair. The hotel is home to a Clarins Spa and two swimming pools.
Sofitel Marseille Vieux Port: An unexpected refuge in the heart of Marseille's bustle, here, the Old Port, with its crowded bars and fish market, sways beneath your windows. Enjoy the tranquility of your room (spacious and luxurious), with a simple and bright decor. There’s also a Large heated pool and the Sofitel So SPA.
A little further (about 10 minutes by car):
Nhow Marseille: On the Corniche Kennedy, the former NH Marseille Palm Beach, completely renovated in 2018, stands out with its minimalist style and ultra-modern decor. Each room offers unobstructed views of the Mediterranean. Guests love the two pools, two jacuzzis, the spa, and direct access to the sea.
Mama Shelter Marseille: Nestled between the touristy Old Port and edgier cultural venues, this well-designed, accessible boutique hotel features dreamy bedding and AirPlay-equipped iMacs in the rooms, plus the signature funky design by Philippe Starck.
Le Corbusier: Its rooftop recently served as the setting for the latest Jacquemus fashion show. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Cité Radieuse-Le Corbusier plays with light, perspective, and color. Two of the building’s floors are dedicated to a boutique hotel, while permanent residents occupy the other floors. Although a little far from the center, with rooms that are neither particularly large nor excessively luxurious, this architectural gem merits the detour.
Hero image : Gérald Passedat, Le Petit Nice © Richard Haughton
