The Best Fine Dining Experiences in Marseille, France According to Local Food Writer Pierre Psaltis

From new hotspots to iconic institutions, Marseille’s restaurant scene teems with top tables. Learn where to have the most memorable meals with seasoned food writer Pierre Psaltis, who shares his picks of the best fine dining experiences in Marseille.
Restaurant critic for La Provence for 20 years and now head of Le Grand Pastis, food writer Pierre Psaltis is the go-to guy on where to eat in Marseille. From the mythical bouillabaisse (fish stew) to revamped aioli, each chef brings his own personal touch to each plate, for fine dining experiences in Marseille that are truly unforgettable.

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AM par Alexandre Mazzia
Restaurant, African, Mediterranean

Take a trip into the magical mind of chef Alexandre Mazzia. “A meal at AM doesn’t compare to anything else,” asserts Psaltis. The basketball-star-turned-chef plays with smoke, spice and unique flavour combinations like eel and chocolate – an “explosion of creativity” infused with flavors from his childhood in Africa and the Mediterranean. “He uses a hundred ingredients in the same menu,” says Psaltis, using the Latin term “ordo ab chaos” to describe Mazzia’s knack for finding “order in the chaos”. With no menu, here diners experience each bite with wonder and without expectation. Tucked on a side street in the 8th arrondissement, AM has seating at the kitchen counter, in the minimalist dining room or at the newly added kitchen table – where a lucky pair gets to dine amidst this spectacular dinner theatre. Reserve far in advance, as Mazzia just earned his second Michelin star and tables are in high demand.
Le Petit Nice
Restaurant, French

Une Table Au Sud
Restaurant, French

Looking for a lovely table on the Vieux Port? Perched above the fish market with views of the Bonne Mère, Une Table Au Sud serves up a postcard view of Marseille. Yet, the restaurant is anything but classic, thanks to the contemporary cuisine of Ludovic Turac, the youngest chef to win a Michelin star in France in 2015. “He has the craziness of youth, but actually he’s quite wise,” explains Psaltis. Each dish bursts with creativity while being rooted in tradition. The signature aioli features squid-ink focaccia topped with cod brandade (salt cod and potatoes), ribbons of seasonal veggies, and garlicky mayo. Diners choose from three set menus that range in price and size. The Bonne Mer menu ends with gatnabour, an Armenian rice pudding that celebrates Turac’s heritage. His partner in life and love, Karine Turac highlights southern French winemakers and “breathes style into the wine list,” says Psaltis. If you want to savor Turac’s food in a more casual setting, order a gourmet panier (picnic basket) from the restaurant.
Ourea
Bistro, Restaurant, French
This intimate bistro is “contemporary Provence at its best,” says Psaltis. Young chef Mathieu Roche is on a first-name basis with farmers and local purveyors. A “hard worker who puts ingredients at the centre of everything”, according to Psaltis, the chef elevates each vegetable, fish, and meat to their most mouthwatering. Roche’s plating is a work of art that pairs well with the pops of colour in Ourea’s petite dining room. Camille Fromont, his sweetheart, sources biodynamic and natural wines that perfectly complement the locavore cuisine. In a relaxed setting, join lawyers from the nearby Palais de Justice for lunch à la carte or a set four-course menu at night. Travelling on your own? The tiny kitchen-side counter is perfect for solo diners.
L'Épuisette, Marseille
Restaurant, French, Seafood, Mediterranean

Saisons
Restaurant, French, Mediterranean
Born of a friendship forged while working together at l’Épuisette, Saisons is the delicious partnership of chef Julien Diaz and sommelier Guillaume Bonneaud. Set on a side street off the Place Castellane, the “super creative” Diaz cooks with “astonishing sensitivity,” says Psaltis. You can taste the Marseille-born chef’s love for the Mediterranean in his artfully plated dishes, which feature squid, urchin and sea fennel. Choose between the five-course “Initiation,” the seven-course “Imagination” (a selection of Saisons’ most popular dishes), or the affordable two- or three-course menu, a lunch-only steal for under €30 (£26.35). The understated dining room lets each plate stand out. Note that this Michelin-star restaurant is open for Monday lunch and closed on the weekends.
Alcyone
Restaurant, French

“If you stay at the Intercontinental, you must dine at least one night at Alcyone,” urges Psaltis. Housed in an 18th-century hospital, this one-Michelin-starred table is led by Lionel Levy. The chef is a key figure on Marseille’s fine dining scene. When he landed in the city 20 years ago, his bouillabaisse milkshake – the “incarnation of the comeback of Marseille cuisine,” says Psaltis – brought the public and journalists back to the city’s tables. At Alcyone, Levy is passionate about each guest having a delightful experience. He celebrates local producers and artisans, transforming the highest quality ingredients into beautiful dishes. The service is impeccable, a fitting match to the elegant dining room’s soaring ceilings and views of the Bonne Mère beaming from across the port.
Chez Etienne
Pizzeria, Restaurant, French, Italian

This beloved pizzeria “deserves a Michelin star,” raves Psaltis, “because it’s a living museum.” Open since 1943 and located in the historic Le Panier neighbourhood, Chez Etienne has lasted decades and surpassed trends by serving Marseille’s most popular food, pizza, with familial gusto. In addition to pizza, you’ll find squid sautéed in garlic and parsley and cuts of beef deliciously charred in the wood-fired oven. Etienne’s son, Pascal, now runs the joint with as much amore as his late father. Perpetually packed with politicians, notable locals and other regulars, a trip to Chez Etienne is a truly local experience. Don’t forget to bring cash, and arrive early – the restaurant doesn’t take reservations.
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