The cultural heart of the city, Marseille’s Old Port is a hive of activity – and among its attractions are plenty of enticing places to eat.
People who talk about Marseille often do so in terms of its “grittiness” compared with many of its more genteel counterparts in southern France. But when it comes to where to eat in the city, that’s certainly not a word you want to hear spoken. Located at the end of the Canebière, Marseille’s most famous thoroughfare, the Old Port of Marseille – also known as Le Vieux Port – is home to a number of excellent food spots. Here are 5 of our favourites.
Le Bouchon Provençal
Located in the centre of the Old Port, Le Bouchon Provençal is the place to head for hose seeking a traditional French bistro experience. Offering a range of regional specialities, including the classic meat stew, patrons can either dine in the indoor dining area or on the pretty tree-shaded terrace where lime trees and street views provide a delightful backdrop. For some post-meal entertainment, the restaurant is also close to several small jazz bars.
6 Pl. aux Huiles
Toma
One of the newer additions to Marseille’s restaurant scene, TOMA has received rave reviews since opening its doors in 2024. A few minutes’ walk from the Old Port, the trendy eatery’s inventive dishes and buzzing atmosphere draw large crowds throughout the week. Varied cooking techniques, from Japanese barbecue to deep frying, are used to create innovative, playful plates designed for sharing, with unexpected combinations keeping things interesting from start to finish. A bar serving cocktails and snacks add to the serving cocktails and snacks adds another dimension.
19 Rue Fortia
Chez Madie Les Galinettes
Occupying a prime spot in the Old Port, Chez Madie is a great choice for those keen to sample some of Marseille’s quintessential Provençal cooking. Meat and fish specialities feature heavily on the menu, alongside local favourites such as galinette in a meunière sauce, clams flavoured with thyme and the classic Marseillais dish pieds et paquets. In warmer weather, diners can take a seat on the restaurant’s terrace, where views across the bustling port provide a suitably picturesque setting for a leisurely meal.
138 Quai du Port
Rolling Smoke
An eye-catching mezzanine and inner courtyard make this one of the most distinctive restaurant settings anywhere in or around the Old Port. But it’s only when you enter this small, tucked away eatery that you discover its real charms. With a regularly changing menu consisting of wood-fired smokehouse dishes crafted by Chef Thomas Fridlund, Rolling Smoke has established itself as one of the area’s finest spots to eat, with both locals and tourists flocking here to savour the top class food and elegant interior. The Old Port is just two blocks away.
61 Rue Sainte
Sushi Street Café
For those looking to take a break from Provençal cooking, Sushi Street Café makes a great international alternative. Located on Boulevard Notre-Dame in the 6th arrondissement, around a 10-minute walk from the Old Port, this intimate Japanese restaurant serves sushi, ramen and other time-honoured Japanese favourites. The regilarly changing menu has a strong emphasis on fresh fish and organic vegetables, while the small 18-seat dining room ensures cosy and informal dining experience.
24 Boulevard Notre Dame