The Phocaean city is home to hidden gems that the whole of France could envy its locals for — here’s proof with five standout spots, from a hybrid fine-dining restaurant to a
Kin: Two restaurants in one
Marseille may not be rich in grand monuments, but it’s bursting with ideas. Kin (short for Kinshasa, capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo) is the perfect example: not wanting to serve a full tasting menu in just 30 or 40 minutes at lunchtime — something often expected in Paris, where he sharpened his knives at prestigious kitchens like Apicius, Taillevent, and Violon d’Ingres — Hugues Mbenda, alongside his partner Mathilde Godart, decided to meet expectations halfway. One space, two concepts.
By night, Kin offers creative gastronomy: sea bass adorned with passion berries and kokorima (African cardamom), or lamb shoulder from Sisteron served with lemony plantain gnocchi. By day, everything changes: the name (Kin becomes Libala), the tableware, the soundtrack (Franco-Congolese jazz from the 80s gives way to upbeat Afrobeat with Nigerian star Burna Boy in the mix), and even the attire — the staff swap their black shirts, trousers, and shoes for casual outfits topped with aprons. The menu shifts too, still with global influences but more playful — think spicy beef meatball sandwich with roasted vegetables and a fiery peanut-chili sauce.
📍 10 rue Francis Davso, 13001 Marseille – 04.91.06.44.02
✔️ Monday to Saturday 12pm–2:30pm // Wednesday to Saturday 7:30pm–9:30pm
💶 Lunch dishes around €15, desserts around €5 // Evening tasting menu €75
Zinzin : Grocery store, eatary, and culinary bookshop
Anne-Sophie Baudoin is the very definition of a passionate owner. The kind who’ll squeeze oranges by hand just to please a customer — even if fresh OJ isn’t on the menu. The kind who’ll convince her chef to whip up a snack for a hungry patron even when the daily specials are sold out.
And from early morning, Zinzin impresses: homemade comté muffins with raw cream, yogurt topped with on-site stewed fruits, and small but wildly delicious house-made cookies (yes, “zinzin” means “crazy” in French — pun intended). You won’t find places like this elsewhere — which is the problem, really. Unless Anne-So decides to clone her baby, most of us will just have to dream of having a Zinzin around the corner.
The food leans veggie and spicy — the chef, Alexandra, even created her own hot sauce brand sold on-site. Special mention to the curated collection of culinary books (vintage and new) by Alix Hardy, a former journalist and roaming cook. Many books come with handwritten notes, like in the best bookshops.
A real favorite that’s captured local hearts in just a few months. Come early at lunch!
📍 18 rue Guy de Combaud-Roquebrune, 13007 Marseille – 06.62.50.78.69
✔️ Tuesday to Friday 9am–6pm // Saturday 9am–3pm
💶 Around €20 for a full lunch
Suffren : A cordon bleu that changes everything
How do you spot a brilliant chef? When they get you to fall in love with a dish you never thought you’d enjoy. Like this incredible celery cordon bleu — tender, delicately breaded, the culinary equivalent of a warm embrace for grown-ups.
But we already knew Adrien Tran (formerly of Verre Volé in Paris and A Moro in Marseille) was the real deal after tasting the starter: half a slice of country bread topped with veal kidneys and a yogurt-herb sauce. Alongside co-founder Paul Vincent, he’s bringing much-needed culinary energy to the Castellane district — central, yes, but often overlooked for food lovers.
📍 44 rue Saint-Suffren, 13006 Marseille – 04.86.68.22.66
✔️ Monday & Tuesday 12pm–2pm // Wednesday to Friday 12pm–2pm & 7pm–10pm
💶 Around €30 for lunch
Nabu & Jéro : seafood, wine and creativity
The name’s a clue: Nabuchodonosor and Jéroboam, wine bottles of 15 and 3 liters. A nod to the great drinks served in this wine bar-meets-restaurant, where seafood often leads the menu.
While the rue de Lodi is crowded with eateries, Nabu & Jéro still stands out with clever dishes: oysters and trout roe with ponzu; smoked cod roe tarama with Isigny cream and vinaigrette; marinated and fried whiting with Japanese breadcrumbs; and red seabream sashimi with a fennel-mint sauce vierge.
Even the meat dishes shine — like the caramelized flank steak skewers served with lemon-miso roasted potatoes. The two owners, Alexis Couët and Hugues-Emmanuel Le Quéré, bring infectious enthusiasm and a flawless culinary background (from Marseille’s Vivier to Paris’s Elmer).
📍 24 place Notre-Dame du Mont, 13006 Marseille – 04.88.86.27.75
✔️ Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday 12pm–3pm // Monday to Friday 6:30pm–1:30am
💶 Lunch menu €25, evening dishes €6–€18
Maurice: A 21st-Century Café-Bar
This newly opened (March 2025) long, narrow café-bar has real charm — especially for those who remember the run-down dive bar that used to stand here. No shade to old-school bars (photographer Guillaume Blot’s book Rades even celebrates them), but Quentin Maurice has pulled off a sleek transformation, starting with a massive wooden counter at the entrance.
Another highlight: it’s open from 8:30am to midnight, Tuesday through Saturday. Breakfast is as precise as a Rolex — featuring bread from Salvator and coffee from La Tisserie, two beloved but low-key spots on the Marseille food scene. And the secret weapon? Chef Henri Sallé, who’s done time at starred Parisian restaurants like Le Pantagruel, Les Climats, and La Réserve. His talent elevates the everyday fare of this stylish neighborhood spot.
📍 76 rue de Lodi, 13006 Marseille – 09.56.45.36.75
✔️ Monday to Thursday 8:30am–11:30pm // Friday 8:30am–12:30am // Saturday 9am–12:30am
💶 Lunch menu €22, à la carte around €50 in the evening
By Ezéchiel Zhéra
