10 Places Where Locals Love to Eat in Marseille

The restaurant Au Bord de l'Eau is in a prime location looking out onto the Port de la Madrague de Montredon. It has a picturesque setting that's brought to life by fishing boats bobbing about in the sea. In the friendly dining room or on the veranda, you can enjoy grilled à la plancha fish specialities. These specialities include saumon à l’orange (salmon with orange), tartare de saumon et saint-jacques (salmon and scallop tartare) or a duo of scallops and prawns.

Highchairs are available for families, and there's a little sand beach nearby that's ideal for little ones.

Chez Fonfon is a true Marseille establishment and has been serving local shellfish and fish stew since 1952. Each generation has made it a point of honour to maintain the family's culinary heritage. This fine restaurant is located on the port, in the heart of Vallon des Auffes and a 15-minute walk along the seafront from the car park in Pharo.

Although the restaurant is famous for its bouillabaisse (shellfish and fish stew), it's worth taking a closer look at the menu. Besides Marseille's culinary star, you'll discover various delicacies based on the daily catch, grilled specialities and an assortment of fish grilled à la plancha that'll tickle your tastebuds. This establishment is very popular, so consider booking in advance.

L'Épuisette welcomes you into its Vallon des Auffes postcard-like setting, with fishers' huts spread along the edge of a superbly calm seaside. You can reach the luxury restaurant easily by car, parking in the Pharo car park and then taking an enjoyable 15-minute stroll along the seaside. Perched on a rock, this restaurant offers stunning clear views across the water of Marseille bay.

Once you are seated comfortably in the incredibly intimate setting, the splendours of the ocean, enhanced by the chef's perfect mastery of cooking methods, arrive one after the other at your table. The menu changes from season to season and the decor is also refreshed regularly: there's always something new for foodies to discover.

Le Petit Nice Passédat bathes in the sweet calmness of the seashore, just a short walk from the city centre. This restaurant has a rich family history, with the chef earning 3 stars in the same villa purchased by his grandfather in 1917. He earned his stars by elevating anemones, Atlantic bonito and sea urchins in a cuisine that highlights pure ingredients and flavours. Signature dishes include Bouille Abaisse (an individual take on the local fish stew) and the famous Loup Lucie Passédat (steamed sea bass with strips of courgette and cucumber on a tomato garnish).

While pricey, dining in this luxury establishment immerses you in outstanding flavours and Mediterranean views. Formal dress is required.

La Boîte à Sardine, located at the intersection of Boulevard de la Libération and Cours Franklin Roosevelt, is the must-visit restaurant and fish shop in this southern French city. The restaurant's decor is very colourful: you sit between boxes of sardines and filets of fish to enjoy extremely modest yet skillfully prepared plates.

Highlights include homemade burrata with salted anchovies, beignets d'anémone de mer (anemone fritters) and the famous 'fish and shipe', fried hake tails served in a paper cone with panisses (chickpea chips) and aioli sauce. It's wise to book in advance as this eatery is very popular with locals and tourists alike.

Restaurant l'Inattendu is a charming restaurant and a great spot for enjoying an informal dinner with family or friends. The restaurant highlights the market-fresh cuisine and charms its guests with its mouthwatering menu, including vegetarian soup with coconut beans and parmesan, fish or meat of the day and chef's bouillabaisse.

Although the menu is modest, it's a sign of quality and freshness. It varies season to season and features a good selection of wines. You can enjoy these delicacies in a clean, modern dining room that showcases contemporary exhibitions by young artists: a stop-off that's sure to awaken all your senses.

Located in the heart of Marseille, Aux Antipodes invites you on a culinary world tour. Savour delicacies based on fresh produce that's been cooked up by 2 global travellers eager to share their favourite memories from Thailand, Japan and Brazil.

This southern French restaurant features a stylish but minimalist setting where you can discover sushi burgers, Brazilian cod accras (salt cod fritters), poké bowls with teriyaki salmon and mango tiramisu. Enhance your dining experience with a lemon or passion fruit caipirinha (a cocktail of cahaça, sugar and lime) for a delightful escape.

Le Perroquet Bleu is a charming restaurant, brasserie and music café conveniently located in the la Joliette neighbourhood. Known for its generous and authentic traditional cuisine, the menu features local products, including bountiful salads and tartines (open sandwiches), as well as hearty daily specials.

The restaurant also hosts lively events such as dance nights, karaoke nights and stand-up comedy shows that bring the music café to life. Additionally, you can organise private events in a cosy space that accommodates up to 40 guests, making it perfect for any special occasion.

L'Eau Vive inconspicuously occupies the third floor of Notre-Dame de la Garde basilica. It's an unusual, no-frills eatery with very affordable menus. Workers wear the traditional dress of their home countries and serve classic French cuisine or dishes inspired by food from their native countries (specifically Vietnam, Cameroon and Madagascar) that you can enjoy while taking in a spectacular view over the southern French city.

Families can enjoy the special prices applied for children's food. Although panoramic, people of limited mobility can still access the restaurant via an elevator. It's strongly recommended that you make a reservation in advance, especially if you hope to dine on the weekend.

Restaurant Le Château boasts an idyllic setting in the former summer home of the Comtesse Marie Sormiou. Run by a family with 3 generations of passion for seafood, this establishment offers seasonal local cuisine made with produce from the Marseille and Provence areas.

Delight in succulent grilled peppers and marinated anchovies, fresh ravioli with goat's milk, Brousse cheese and a variety of fish soups and stews. Don't forget to provide your car's number plate to the owners for car park access.