Ranked by TableJourney editorial score.
Tapenade is the Provencal paste of black olives, capers, anchovies, garlic and olive oil pounded together in a mortar, eaten on toast as an aperitif or as a stuffing for fish and chicken.
Tapenade was codified as a recipe in Marseille in 1880 by chef Meynier at the Maison Doree, the name from the Provencal tapeno for caper. The Provencal paste predates the recipe by centuries, but the proportions Meynier wrote (olives, capers, anchovy, olive oil, lemon) became the canonical version still served in every Marseille bistro and bouchon as part of the aperitif tapas board.
3 editor picks for Tapenade in Marseille, ranked by editorial score. All Marseille signature dishes · Tapenade across every city.
Also in: Avignon.
La Caravelle in Marseille's 2e hangs over the Vieux Port on the first floor of the Hotel Belle-Vue since the 1920s, a gathering place for artists.
OrderThe aioli at lunch with a glass of pastis on the balcony.
TipJazz concerts Wednesday and Friday October-May; book the balcony for sunset.
Le Cafe de l'Abbaye in Marseille's 7e sits next to the Saint-Victor Abbey above the Vieux Port, a Provencal bistro with a single daily dish.
OrderWhatever the single plat du jour is at lunch; tapas at aperitif on the terrace.
TipOpen Mon-Fri 9am-10:30pm, weekends from 3pm; closes mid-afternoon between services.
Le Bouchon Provencal in Marseille's 1er on Place aux Huiles is a bistro of Provencal and Lyonnais lineage, two vaulted dining rooms and a lime-tree terrace.
OrderThe daube provencale and a glass of the house red on the terrace.
TipOpen Mon-Sat; the upper vaulted room is the spot on cold nights.
Tapenade makes more sense with someone from Marseille explaining it. These are the classes and tours we have checked, with booking links.
Guided tour · 3 hours
From breakfast to lunch, enjoy the food and drinks tour through Marseille's old towns: must-sees, must-eats, and must-drinks included!
4 hours
Discover the elegance of French haute cuisine in a remarkable château setting. Enjoy an exclusive chef’s table experience featuring a multi-course menu, exceptional wi...
Day trip · 6 hours
Explore Avignon, the Pope's Palace, and Avignon Bridge on a day trip from Marseille. Grab lunch at a local market, then travel a route through the southern part of Côt...
