Epicerie L'Ideal in Marseille's 1er Noailles runs a counter brunch with Julia Sammut's deli on the shelves, plates built each morning from the imported and local pantry.
Must order: The daily counter lunch with Bordier butter on sourdough
Tip: Walk-in; closed Sunday and Monday; the dinner-only room across the street is for evening.
Address: 11 Rue d'Aubagne, 13001 Marseille
Mama Shelter Marseille in the 6e runs a Sunday-only buffet brunch in the main restaurant from noon to 4pm, savouries, sweets, charcuterie, pastries and fruit juices.
Order: The full buffet with charcuterie, pastries and fruit juices
Tip: Reservation only for the brunch; the rooftop bar above is no-reservations.
Coogee in Marseille's 5e was the first Australian-style breakfast room in the city, smoothies, toasts, burrata and granola from 8am, flat whites at the counter and brick-wall seats.
Order: Eggs Benedict on sourdough with a flat white
Tip: Walk-in only; the Saturday morning queue moves fast.
De Bon'heur Cafe in Marseille's 5e on Boulevard Baille is the city's vegan brunch room, seasonal plant-based plates Saturday and Sunday with coffee from a local third-wave roaster.
Order: The seasonal vegan brunch plate with the morning's coffee
Tip: Book ahead for weekend brunch; the small room fills before 11am.
Oh Faon in Marseille's 6e on Rue Edmond Rostand runs a plant-based brunch counter Friday and Saturday morning, croissants, pain au chocolat and pain suisse from EUR 1, vegan and gluten-free.
Order: Cinnamon brioche with a vegan latte on Friday or Saturday morning
Tip: Friday and Saturday are the heavy pastry days; the cafe corner is the seat.
Le Cafe de l'Abbaye in Marseille's 7e opens its terrace for a Provencal brunch on weekends, eggs with Provencal vegetables, charcuterie boards and the daily fish plate at noon.
Order: Eggs with Provencal vegetables and a glass of rose at noon
Tip: Walk-in only on weekends; the terrace looks at the Vieux Port.
