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In over 2600 years, Marseille has influenced and transformed the culinary traditions of the Mediterranean basin. Oriental influences, which came to Marseille as a result of successive invasions throughout its history, have created a melting pot of culinary styles. Many dishes make up the cosmopolitan mosaic of Marseille cuisine, including couscous, spices, pesto soup (flavoured with basil which was originally imported to Genoa from India), pasta, polenta, casserole with wine (for which a long preparation time is required) and of course the ubiquitous Bouillabaisse.

Vieux-Port

Allow yourself to be guided by both your curiosity and your instinct and head towards the Vieux-Port and its quays, where restaurants abound. The best Bouillabaisse (this was originally a soup made by poor fishermen, but was later to find its way into the soup bowls of royalty) can be found at Le Miramar - one of the restaurants which adheres to the 'Bouillabaisse Charter'. Le Marseillois (opposite the town hall) is rather more exotic in terms of decor, and if you want to hear true Provencal dialect being spoken, you should try Les Mets de Provence on the Quai des Belges. The Le New-York brasserie has a terrace with a beautiful view of the port. From here, you can watch the boats as they leave, and see their sails go up as they pass the Fort Saint-Jean at the entrance to the port.

Panier

Not far from La Vieille Charité, in the Panier district, Le Panier des Arts offers simple, yet tasty food. At the famous Etienne Cassaro pizzeria, you will be welcomed like an old friend. On the opposite bank, the symbolic Place aux Huiles, Les Arcenaulx and La Côte de Boeuf are three typical Marseille restaurants. The nearby Rue Sainte is home to a Marseille gastronomic institution: Patalain.

The Coastal Road

However, the sea also calls out to you. The coastal road is bathed in romantic light and the waves murmur and lap at your feet. There is a restaurant hidden away in the Malmousque cove. There is also the Châteaux de Marseille, Le Petit Nice and the Chez Michel (on the Plage des Catalans beach) which attracts seafood lovers from all over Marseille. Further out, in the Goudes district (on the eastern edge of the city), where the deep blue of the sea meets the brilliant white of the rocks, is the Chez Aldo restaurant.

Vallon des Auffes

Back towards the centre of the city, you will find the small fishing port of Vallon des Auffes. Here, you will get an insight into the region's culinary diversity. You can try seafood at LEpuisette and Fonfon or pizzas and mixed grills at Jeannot.

Place Castellane

Near the Stade Vélodrome (home of Olympique Marseille) stands the Place Castellane with its marble fountain. This is home to Le Pescadou - one of the best places to try shellfish in the city.

The City Centre

In the city centre, La Canebière, (a thoroughfare which divides the city in two), will lead you to the Cours Julien with its innumerable restaurants, all offering fine, Southern cuisine. These include: Le Sud du Haut, La Garbure and also Dar Djerba.

The lively shopping streets of Marseille are home to a number of hidden treasures in the form of restaurants - treasures, which are reserved only for those in the know. However, you could easily become a connoisseur - you will find that the citizens of Marseille are proud of their city, and happy to share its wonders with you.







Copyright 1999-2005 Wcities, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Contact Wcities

Aldo (Chez)


Seafood on the waterfront
28, rue Audemar-Tibido
Marseille 13008
France
+33 491 73 3155
Aldo's terrace boasts one of the best sea views in town—from here you can smell the salt air and feel the magic of the Mediterranean. The menu features mainly local seafood and includes grilled fish, seafood salad (containing squid, shrimp, cuttlefish and mussels), and the odd steak and chop. Regulars and conoisseurs make up the clientele of this highly recommendable establishment.

Review © 2007, Wcities
 

 
Canebière


Backbone of the city
1-36 La Canebière
Marseille 13001
France
La Canebière is Marseilles' most famous street, opening directly onto the old port. Its name originates from the Provençal term canébé, meaning "hemp," and can be traced back to the 11th century when the street was home to ropemakers and hemp merchants. With the destruction of the dockyard in the late 18th century, it gained free access to the port and in the 19th Century, its lively hotels, luxury shops, theatres, and cafes earned it an international reputation.

Review © 2007, Wcities
Canebière photo by E-Ice
Photo: E-Ice
Canebière photo by Denis G.
Photo: Denis G.
Canebière photo by Jan de Haas
Photo: Jan de Haas
 

 
Castellane Fountain


Ode to water
Place Castellane
Marseille 13006
France
At the crossroads of Rue de Rome, Boulevard Baille and Avenues Jules Cantini and du Prado, you will find Place Castellane. In the center of the square stands a monumental fountain, presented to the city by mason Jules Cantini and given shape by Marseillaise sculptor Allar in 1911. The Rhône, the Mediterranean, the Source and the Torrent are all represented on the pedestal in order to depict the journey of the River Rhône from its source to the Mediterranean. On top of the pedestal is a statue to symbolize Marseille itself.

Review © 2007, Wcities
Castellane Fountain photo by Darcy Quesnel
Photo: Darcy Quesnel
Castellane Fountain photo by polbar
Photo: polbar
Castellane Fountain photo by Phillip Addis
Photo: Phillip Addis
Castellane Fountain photo by Florent Chevallier
Photo: Florent Chevallier
 

 
Chez Etienne


Busy pizza paradise
43, rue Lorette
Marseille 13002
France
Etienne's pizzas are so good that he's never short of custom - so why have a phone! Dished up with a generous dose of sassy humour, larger than life Etienne's fabulous, traditionally made pizzas aren't all that's on offer; supions (small squid) cooked in garlic and parsley and other delicacies prepared Marseillais-style also feature on the menu. There's no wine list - just red or rosé chosen from a selection that Monsieur will be more than happy to recite. A must.

Review © 2007, Wcities
 

 
Chez Fonfon


Renowned for its seafood
140, Vallon-des-Auffes
Marseille 13007
France
+33 491 52 1438
http://www.chez-fonfon.com
The late Fonfon would have been proud to see that his restaurant's excellent reputation lives on. Still a family-run affair, one of the city's best places for seafood serves a mean bouillabaisse (cooked to perfection using ingredients fished from the sea close by), whilst other dishes including stuffed rabbit and specially prepared foie gras should easily satisfy the most demanding of palates. Huge bay windows ensure a fabulous sea view while you dine. Unique.

Review © 2007, Wcities
Chez Fonfon photo by drayy
Photo: drayy
 

 
Chez Jeannot


Pleasant seafront restaurant
129, Vallon-des-Auffes
Marseille 13007
France
+33 491 521 128
http://pizzeriachezjeannot.com/
This restaurant facing the sea, in the small city center marina, is well worth a visit. The busy staff bustle about in an immense dining room that is decorated in Provençal style. The seafood served is so fresh that it seems to have been taken straight out of the sea. The shellfish platter for EUR15.25 is an unbeatable value, the stone-baked pizzas are tasty and the fish and mussel brochettes are delicious.

Review © 2007, Wcities
Chez Jeannot photo by Pirlouiiiit - Liveinmarseille.com
Photo: Pirlouiiiit - Liveinmarseille.com
Chez Jeannot photo by Jean-Louis Paquay
Photo: Jean-Louis Paquay
 

 
Chez Michel


a Marseille institution for Bouillabaisse
6, rue des Catalans
Marseille 13007
France
+33 491 52 3063
Since 1946, this establishment, which overlooks the sea, has been the place to go for Bouillabaisse. The menu categorically excludes frozen fish, and even fish raised in captivity—freshness is a top priority here. Grilled fish flambé with fennel, marvellous bourride (fish stew with garlic mayonnaise), court-bouillon de poissons de roches aérien, absolutely fresh shellfish and divine desserts are all on offer.

Review © 2007, Wcities
 

 
Cours Julien


Fashionable location
Cours Julien
Marseille 13006
France
Enter this picturesque courtyard and former fruit and vegetable market, now converted into a beautiful garden. On the strike of noon, the sun-drenched terraces quickly fill up, revealing a pedestrian zone in the heart of the city, dressed in greenery and refreshed by fountains. The square draws in the hip, artistic crowds and it has become a very fashionable area with the influx of bars, restaurants, theaters and concert halls. When the sun goes down, the nightspots awake. Opposite the Cours Julien you'll find Place Carli, and the surrounding streets jam-packed with antiques and second-hand shops. Don't forget to browse through the little bookstores in front of the Regional Conservatory of Music and the Municipal Archives.

Review © 2007, Wcities
Cours Julien photo by Alexbip
Photo: Alexbip
Cours Julien photo by Bryce Edwards
Photo: Bryce Edwards
Cours Julien photo by stephane burtey
Photo: stephane burtey
Cours Julien photo by Choufi [Streetart]
Photo: Choufi [Streetart]
Cours Julien photo by etiennel36
Photo: etiennel36
Cours Julien photo by Helen Barrass
Photo: Helen Barrass
Cours Julien photo by bamzin
Photo: bamzin
Cours Julien photo by aladin0248
Photo: aladin0248
Cours Julien photo by MUGA
Photo: MUGA
Cours Julien photo by jaja_lubitsch
Photo: jaja_lubitsch
Cours Julien photo by Mao Piavaux
Photo: Mao Piavaux
 

 
Côte de Boeuf


Outstanding wine cellar
35, cours d'Estienne-d'Orves
Marseille 13001
France
+33 491 54 8908
Formerly the royal rope-makers' workshop, this long, vaulted room offers an elegant setting in which to dine just minutes from the Vieux-Port. Run by wine connoisseur Paul Léaunard, this gourmet restaurant has the region's finest selection of wines, some of which can be tasted by the glass: the perfect accompaniment to the excellent meat and poultry dishes on its menu.

Review © 2007, Wcities
Côte de Boeuf photo by wcities
Photo: wcities
 

 
Dar Djerba


A taste of Tunisia
15, cours Julien
Marseille 13006
France
+33 491 48 55 36
This establishment, located just steps from the Canebière, is a good ambassador for Tunisia. The subdued lighting and blue tile mosaics provide the perfect backdrop for the princely treatment you will receive. The quality and diversity of couscous dishes with lamb, au méchoui (barbecue), or with mérou may leave you with a dilemma about what to order, but rest assured that once served, you will not regret your decision. Generous, light and flavorsome, the dishes will transport you to the other side of the Mediterranean. If you have room left for dessert, be sure to sample the pastry selection.

Review © 2007, Wcities
Dar Djerba photo by wcities
Photo: wcities
 

 
L'Epuisette


A seafood restaurant in a dream setting
Vallon des Auffes
Marseille 13007
France
+33 491 52 1782
http://www.l-epuisette.com/
This ideally located restaurant, which enjoys an excellent reputation in Marseille, is situated so close to the edge of the Vallon des Auffes seawall that it's nearly in the water! Consistently fresh ingredients, unpretentious recipes, perfect seafood dishes, and masterfully prepared desserts, which you'll find as dazzling as the brilliant reflections of the 'Big Blue.' A prestigious establishment with a highly professional staff.

Review © 2007, Wcities
 

 
La Garbure


Regional cuisine in Marseille
9, cours Julien
Marseille 13006
France
+33 0491 471 801
An ideal spot to savour exceptionally good south-western cuisine, particularly in early autumn. The vaulted dining room is charming; warm 'pâtés doie', a variety of 'foies gras', fresh pasta with duck, and delicious plum-Armagnac ice cream are among the house specialities. While you wait for your table, you enjoy a glass of Sauternes, while looking through the excellent wine list for your favorite Bordeaux.

Review © 2007, Wcities
 

 
Le Miramar


Fish soup institution
12, Quai du Port
Marseille 13002
France
+33 491 91 1040
http://www.bouillabaisse.com/
One of the best restaurants in town. With a '60s style décor, the Minguella brothers offer an inventive and sweet smelling cuisine fresh from the sea. Wonderful fish soup, fish of the day grilled to your taste, crispy butter and honey dory and splendid desserts created by Fabrice Vaquer. Relaxed but excellent service and an accomplished wine list that includes many regional varieties.

Review © 2007, Wcities
 

 
Les Arcenaulx


Culinary and literary pleasures combined
25, cours d'Estienne-d'Orves
Marseille 13001
France
+33 491 59 8040
http://www.les-arcenaulx.com/
Within this wonderfully restored, former 15th-century prison, Jeanne and Simone Lafitte offer diners the chance to combine fine dining with the literary pleasures provided by the bookshop and publishing house also housed in the building. Traditional recipes prepared using the finest produce are given a fresh new touch, resulting in delicate cuisine that brings all the vibrant colours of the Mediterranean to your table.

Review © 2007, Wcities
Les Arcenaulx photo by Christopher Liao
Photo: Christopher Liao
 

 
Malmousque


Peaceful hideaway near the town
Corniche Kennedy
Marseille 13007
France
In order to reach the shores of Malmousque, turn off the coastal road and follow Chemin de Boudouresque and Rue de la Douane. This area, with its inlets and beach huts is a hideout for informed bathers and fishermen seeking a little peace and quiet. The tranquil setting offers a beautiful view of the sea and surrounding islands, only a few moments away from the hub of the town.

Review © 2007, Wcities
Malmousque photo by Patrick Crapel
Photo: Patrick Crapel
Malmousque photo by Yoan-Loic FAURE
Photo: Yoan-Loic FAURE
Malmousque photo by u.bung
Photo: u.bung
Malmousque photo by Nicolas Mirguet
Photo: Nicolas Mirguet
Malmousque photo by j.luc Dehaut
Photo: j.luc Dehaut
Malmousque photo by Nicolas Klein
Photo: Nicolas Klein
Malmousque photo by obni
Photo: obni
Malmousque photo by Alexbip
Photo: Alexbip
Malmousque photo by Nicolas Klein
Photo: Nicolas Klein
Malmousque photo by Patrick Crapel
Photo: Patrick Crapel
Malmousque photo by Lionel Cau
Photo: Lionel Cau
Malmousque photo by Amodalie DE BELFORT
Photo: Amodalie DE BELFORT
 

 
Mets de Provence


a romantic spot
18, quai de Rive-Neuve
Marseille 13007
France
+33 491 33 3538
This corner of the "Vieux-Port" is mythical. The atmosphere of Pagnol still reins in this place which offers a splendid view of the boats. A taste of Provence begins with a slice of bread with frozen olive oil, then cold meats and salads, spit-roasted poultry, refined goats cheese and elegant desserts. The glittering lights of Marseille in the distance, casts a warm glow over the restaurant, making it a great place to treat a loved one to an excellent meal.

Review © 2007, Wcities
 

 
Panier Quarter


The lively old town
Place de Lenche
Marseille 13002
France
One of the city's oldest districts, the Panier is where the ancient Phocaeans first settled and founded the city of Massilia. Using the 18th-century Hôtel-Dieu and Notre Dame des Accoules church bell tower (17th-19th century) as reference points, these lead to the foot of Montée des Accoules - a series of steep flights of steps typical of old Marseilles - which lead right to the heart of the district and pedestrians' paradise. Once home to the ancient city's Greek agora (a public open space used for assemblies and markets), Place de Lenche still bustles with life and has its own market, restaurants and theater. At the summit of the old town is Place des Moulins, which in the 16th century lived up to its name with no less than fifteen flour mills. These days its fountain and school help maintain its village square tranquility and charm.

Review © 2007, Wcities
Panier Quarter photo by Monica
Photo: Monica
Panier Quarter photo by Janez JP
Photo: Janez JP
Panier Quarter photo by guillaumeseverin
Photo: guillaumeseverin
Panier Quarter photo by Michael Thorn
Photo: Michael Thorn
 

 
Patalain


High quality traditional cuisine
49, rue Sainte
Marseille 13001
France
+33 491 55 0278
One taste of the fabulous traditional dishes here and you won't want to go anywhere else. This city centre restaurant's bright, sophisticated décor is the perfect match for Suzanne Quaglia's exquisite creations, which are prepared using the finest local ingredients. Simple yet satisfyingly original dishes that should tickle the most demanding of palates. Real class.

Review © 2007, Wcities
 

 
Petit Nice Passédat


Luxury hotel on the coast road
Anse de Malmousque
Corniche Kennedy
Marseille 13007
France
+33 491 59 2592
http://www.petitnice-passedat.com
Perched on the rocks of Malmousque cove, this impressive white villa is paradise found on the southern edge of the city. A favourite hideaway for the world's rich and famous, its 15 simply yet exquisitely decorated rooms look out over the Mediterranean and its glorious sunsets. As an alternative to its seawater swimming pool, a short walk through the hotel's pretty gardens leading down to the seashore takes you to the public beach situated just below the hotel. Renowned for its finely prepared cuisine and creative menu, the hotel's prestigious restaurant provides the perfect setting for that special lunch or dinner date.

Review © 2007, Wcities
Petit Nice Passédat photo by Lauren Elkin
Photo: Lauren Elkin
 

 
Place aux Huiles


Lively pedestrianized area
Cours d'Estienne d'Orves
Marseille 13001
France
Lined with cafés and restaurants serving local cuisine, the city centre's largest pedestrianized area is the ideal place in which to relax after a spot of shopping in some of its stylish boutiques. As evening falls, the square's popular cocktail bars, nightclubs and jazz cafés have the crowds thronging in. Inaugurated in 1988 and modelled on the Italian piazza by architect Charlie Bové, the square is located on the site of the former 17th-century Arsenal des Galères prison built during Louis XIV's reign.

Review © 2007, Wcities
Place aux Huiles photo by Denis G.
Photo: Denis G.
Place aux Huiles photo by Le Christophe
Photo: Le Christophe
Place aux Huiles photo by marcelito01
Photo: marcelito01
Place aux Huiles photo by julie zeitoun
Photo: julie zeitoun
 

 
Saint-Jean Fort


Fortifying the town
Quai du Port
Marseille 13002
France
+33 491 13 8900 (office du Tourisme)
Standing at the southern entrance to the Vieux-Port on the north bank, Fort Saint-Jean was built to protect the old town. Dating back to the end of the 12th Century, it is named after the religious order of Saint-Jean-de-Jerusalem. The square Roy René tower was added to the port side of the fort in the 15th Century, and the look-out tower was added to the seaward side in the 18th Century. Exhibitions and visits to the Roy René tower are regularly organized. The Tourist Office will be happy to provide information on alternative tours.

Review © 2007, Wcities
Saint-Jean Fort photo by jochlenw
Photo: jochlenw
Saint-Jean Fort photo by demorlaixversnimes
Photo: demorlaixversnimes
Saint-Jean Fort photo by Knut Klinkhammer
Photo: Knut Klinkhammer
Saint-Jean Fort photo by Patrick-Alain Proute
Photo: Patrick-Alain Proute
Saint-Jean Fort photo by RRR J.R.
Photo: RRR J.R.
Saint-Jean Fort photo by Florent Carnoy
Photo: Florent Carnoy
Saint-Jean Fort photo by Maxime VALETTE
Photo: Maxime VALETTE
 

 
The Old Port


Where the city's roots lie
Vieux-Port
(Boulevard Charles Livon)
Marseille 13001
France
Capture the essence of Marseille at the early morning fish market that takes place here daily or go for a stroll round the port, looking at the yachts and fishing boats bobbing gently side by side. Relax on one of the numerous café pavement terraces facing the port and watch the world go by or climb its south bank, from the top of which Notre-Dame de la Garde basilica commands an all-encompassing view of the city.The history of the port goes back as far as 600BC, with the arrival of sailors from Phocaea (a Greek city in Asia Minor). France's oldest city came into being following the union of one of their leaders, Protis, with Gyptis, princess of the Ligurian people already settled in the region, whose territory in ancient times stretched right along the Mediterranean coast.

Review © 2007, Wcities
The Old Port photo by François Proulx
Photo: François Proulx
The Old Port photo by Sawrah Amini
Photo: Sawrah Amini
The Old Port photo by Jonathan Marcialis
Photo: Jonathan Marcialis
The Old Port photo by Jonathan Marcialis
Photo: Jonathan Marcialis
The Old Port photo by Cosmojojo
Photo: Cosmojojo
The Old Port photo by Cosmojojo
Photo: Cosmojojo
The Old Port photo by Emily Bradford
Photo: Emily Bradford
The Old Port photo by Miss StrangeLove
Photo: Miss StrangeLove
The Old Port photo by Barry Hotchkies
Photo: Barry Hotchkies
The Old Port photo by Ellen Neidlinger
Photo: Ellen Neidlinger
The Old Port photo by Boston AL
Photo: Boston AL
The Old Port photo by Evan Goldin
Photo: Evan Goldin
The Old Port photo by patrick_london
Photo: patrick_london
The Old Port photo by Heather Tinnin
Photo: Heather Tinnin
The Old Port photo by Wai Lam WWW
Photo: Wai Lam WWW
The Old Port photo by Ainsley Haslett, NZ
Photo: Ainsley Haslett, NZ
The Old Port photo by Franny Drobny
Photo: Franny Drobny
The Old Port photo by scott fitzgerald
Photo: scott fitzgerald
The Old Port photo by Joël Bourideys
Photo: Joël Bourideys
The Old Port photo by kittiwake2712
Photo: kittiwake2712
The Old Port photo by Alexandru Mustăţea
Photo: Alexandru Mustăţea
The Old Port photo by ypt_
Photo: ypt_
The Old Port photo by KrisAHB
Photo: KrisAHB
The Old Port photo by Vladimir Firsov
Photo: Vladimir Firsov
The Old Port photo by tibiko
Photo: tibiko
The Old Port photo by Adrian Denegar
Photo: Adrian Denegar
The Old Port photo by val 45
Photo: val 45
 

 
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