The seaside western quarter from the Catalans beach to the Corniche. Small bistros, Chez Michel's bouillabaisse since 1946 and the Anse de Maldorme cove.
Chez Fonfon in Marseille's 7e sits in the Vallon des Auffes cove and has cooked bouillabaisse for the Mounier family since 1952, the fish landed each morning by the cove's pointus.
Signature: Bouillabaisse, Bourride
Order: The bouillabaisse for two, served in the traditional sequence of broth then carved fish.
Tip: Closed late January for two weeks; book a sea-side table at lunch for the cove light.
Chez Michel in Marseille's 7e has cooked the oldest bouillabaisse in the city since 1946, the Visciano family now in the third generation at the Catalans beach above the cove.
Signature: Bouillabaisse, Bourride
Order: The bouillabaisse at EUR 80 per person, two-person minimum, the canonical reference in the city.
Tip: Reservation only; cash and card both accepted. Closed Sunday evening and Monday lunch.
Peron in Marseille's 7e has clung to the Corniche cliffs since 1885, the panoramic terrace looking out at the Frioul islands and the entrance to the Vieux Port for the wild fish menu.
Signature: Bouillabaisse, Fish of the day, Stuffed vegetables
Order: The fish of the day off the cart at lunch with the terrace at sunset.
Tip: The Frioul-island view is the second reason to book; reserve a sea-side window.
Sepia in Marseille's 7e perches on Puget Hill above the harbour, Paul Langlere cooking instinctive Mediterranean plates with smoked mackerel, bottarga and shrimp broth threading through.
Signature: Tasting menu only, Smoked mackerel garnish
Order: The dinner tasting; the kitchen is at its most expressive across courses.
Tip: Ask for the sea-side table on the terrace; the Puget Hill view is the second reason.
Auffo in Marseille's 7e took over the L'Epuisette site at the Vallon des Auffes in April 2025, Coline Faulquier cooking a Mediterranean tasting menu above the cove waterline.
Signature: Tasting menu only, Daily fish
Order: The set tasting; the kitchen is built around what came off the morning boats.
Tip: Book lunch for the cove sunlight; closed Sunday and Monday.
L'Ecaillerie in Marseille's 7e on Rue d'Endoume is Anthony Abelaud's seafood room, Cheickh Diouf in the kitchen with shellfish from Carry and Camargue plus small plates and natural pours.
Signature: Carry sea urchins, Marseille clams, Mullet carpaccio
Order: The carry sea urchins and the mullet carpaccio with the black garlic mayonnaise.
Tip: Open Wed-Fri evenings, Sat-Sun all day; reservations only Sat and Sun lunch.
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 and a zinc-and-wood counter cut to market.
Signature: Plat du jour, Provencal tapas, Pastis aperitif
Order: Whatever the single plat du jour is at lunch; tapas at aperitif on the terrace.
Tip: Open Mon-Fri 9am-10:30pm, weekends from 3pm; closes mid-afternoon between services.