The 10 Best Seafood Restaurants In Provence

Provence has some wonderful seafood restaurants in stunning locations. Here’s our guide to ten of the best, many of which are in spectacular places and serve food that the locals love.

1. Chez Fonfon

Restaurant, Market, French, European

The dining room at Chez Fonfon | © Courtesy of Chez Fonfon

Chez Fonfon has been serving amazing fish dishes to its well-heeled clientele for more than 50 years. Set in the beautiful bay along the corniches of Marseille, it has a spectacular view and is one of the best places to try Bouillabaisse, the southern French fish soup. Make sure you reserve a table and take your credit card.

2. Toinou

Fishmonger, Restaurant, Seafood, Vegetarian, French

Toinou is located off one of the main routes in Marseille’s Vieux Port. It’s an institution for it’s rough and ready approach to preparing your dinner. Pick your fresh fish at the market stalls outside, pay and choose a table, and your dinner will be brought to you when it’s ready. Add some local rosé and enjoy the French fast food approach to eating amazing seafood.

3. Le Miramar

Restaurant, Seafood, French, Vegetarian, Mediterranean

The Miramar is based in Le Vieux Port in Marseille and has been there since 1965. People love its selection of seafood and it has a great reputation for the local fish soup, Bouillabaisse. You can even learn how to cook it, on the third Thursday of every month.

5. Le Rhul

Boutique Hotel Restaurant, Restaurant, Seafood, French, Vegetarian, Mediterranean

Le Rhul sits high above the clifftop, perched overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. It’s a hotel, but people love its restaurant too. Order some fresh fish or the famous local fish soup – the Bouillabaisse – and raise a glass to your good fortune.

6. Restaurant Tadao Ando

Boutique Hotel Restaurant, Contemporary, Seafood, French, Vegetarian

Château La Coste is a vineyard in the Provençal countryside, just outside Aix en Provence. It’s a wonderful place to spend a few hours, visiting the art gallery, the wine cellars, and the art walks. It has a couple of restaurants but the Tadao Ando does amazing seafood (as well as other things). Check out the menu. It’s the perfect place to sample spectacular wine over the fresh fish of the day or some scallops. Divine.

7. Koi

Restaurant, Seafood, Sushi, French, Vegetarian

People love this Japanese restaurant, Koi, in the centre of Aix-en-Provence. It has two parts; a sushi bar and a teppanyaki restaurant. Book a table on the terrace – it’s heated in winter. It has a sushi workshop on Wednesdays. It also has kids menus and regular fish dishes if sushi isn’t really your thing.

8. Yoji

Restaurant, Sushi, French, Vegetarian, Asian

Yoji is an upmarket sushi restaurant that has been in Aix-en-Provence since 1988. It’s located at the end of the Cours Mirabeau, Aix’s main boulevard and La Rotonde, the main fountain and roundabout, so it’s very central. This is elegant sushi, in a stylish setting (there’s a terrace) with an open kitchen. It also delivers. Very cool.

9. Sushi Shop

Restaurant, Sushi, French, Vegetarian

Sushi Shop is a chain of sushi restaurants that you can find all over France but people love it, and if you’re looking for reasonable sushi, quickly and easily, look no further. The one in Aix is a firm favourite with locals and visiting Parisiens. Check it out if you want something fishy, but in a more low-key way.

10. L'Oyster Bar

Restaurant, Seafood, French, Mediterranean, Wine, Beer

L’Oyster Bar in La Ciotat is a relaxed, casual affair where you can find great oysters and champagne. It also does takeaway and the locals love it.

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