Le Cafe de l'Abbaye in Marseille's 7e next to Saint-Victor Abbey has a zinc-and-wood counter and a small terrace looking down at the Vieux Port, an aperitif and one daily dish.
Tip: Closes mid-afternoon between services; the terrace fills at sunset.
Address: 3 Rue d'Endoume, 13007 Marseille
Epicerie L'Ideal in Marseille's 1er Noailles is Julia Sammut's deli and counter cafe, filter coffee with a daily lunch plate and shelves of Norwegian anchovies and Bordier butter.
Signature drink: Filter coffee
Tip: Closed Sunday and Monday; the dinner-only restaurant across the street is the spin-off.
La Caravelle in Marseille's 2e hangs over the Vieux Port from the Hotel Belle-Vue first floor since the 1920s, the most coveted balcony in the city for an espresso or a pastis.
Signature drink: Espresso with a Vieux Port view
Tip: Open daily 7am-2am; jazz Wednesday and Friday nights October to May.
Oh Faon in Marseille's 6e on Rue Edmond Rostand is a plant-based pastry shop free of all animal products, two storefronts one doorway apart and a cafe corner for an espresso with a vegan pastry.
Signature drink: Plant-based pastries with espresso
Tip: Open Tue-Sat; cinnamon brioche on Friday and Saturday morning.
Coogee in Marseille's 5e was the first proper specialty coffee in the city, Australian-style flat whites and lattes, brick walls and vintage seating up the hill from the Vieux Port.
Signature drink: Flat white
Tip: Open daily for breakfast through afternoon; the smoothies and toasts are the food side.
Deep Coffee Roasters in Marseille's 1er roasts on-site at Rue Glandeves, beans from Brazil, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Myanmar and Ethiopia, the city's most committed third-wave bar.
Signature drink: Single-origin filter
Tip: Open Mon-Fri 9am-5:30pm, weekends 9am-6pm; the roastery is at no. 17 next door.
Ben Mouture in Marseille's 7e is Benoit Roch's specialty coffee bar in renovated cellars, sourcing and serving coffees like Aranga from Tanzania and Churupampa from Peru.
Signature drink: Single-origin espresso
Tip: Open Tue-Sat 9am-5pm; comfortable armchairs and a small cake selection.
