The 13 best things to do in Marseille

With an atmosphere reminiscent of a snapping tatami mat, Ippon was initially conceived as the Japanese bistro counterpart to the restaurant Figure, run by local chefs Christophe Juville, Ferdi Fravega and Rémi Hernandez. After several months of hosting rotating guest chefs, Loïck Tonnoir now has a permanent position, serving up a refined take on French bistro cuisine, where classic dishes are given a twist with a distinctive condiment or a masterfully prepared jus which makes all the difference. Trust us, the food is worth going for. 

Bathed in sunlight and perched right on the port of Les Goudes, Tuba has earned its place as the most desirable spot on the coast. This former diving centre, once frequented by Jacques Mayol, has been renovated into a stunning hotel-restaurant. Upstairs, the rooms, which are cabins in name only, glow with a milky light, and you can lounge on the outdoor terrace. Below, tables and sunbeds cling to the rocks, with the sea just at the bottom of the ladder. In the kitchen, it’s Sylvain Roucayrol, who previously worked at Amagat in Paris, who serves up hearty sharing plates, like bluefin tuna with yuzu kosho and confit egg, clams with ’nduja and coriander and grilled sea bass with saganaki, harissa, and padron peppers. 

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On the road to Sormiou, in what was once a fishing village, stands this elegant 19th-century southern pavilion where the brilliant Emmanuelle Luciani, co-founder of Southway Studio, showcases her ceramics and creations in the Arts and Crafts style. Exploring the connections between art and craftsmanship, her works naturally find their place in the two exhibition spaces of the house, which you need to book in advance. As the cherry on top, Pavillon Southway hides a stunning secret guest room upstairs, reserved for passing travellers. It’s a cosy retreat, decorated with Emmanuelle’s frescoes and objects, where you can spend a unique night, lulled by the friendly spirits that inhabit the place. A pavilion of light.

Some couples make you want to settle down, like Mariana and Arnaud, who fell for each other at an electronic music festival. Bursting with ideas, they envisioned, seven years ago, a place open to everyone – vibrant and welcoming – where the best DJs perform, and where you can enjoy organic, locally sourced food, including irresistible wood-fired pizzas. Since then, Le Chapiteau has built a reputation as the perfect spot to kick off your evening with some pétanque in the late afternoon and not leaving till 4am. The nights here are always different, with a variety of techno-loving collectives, like the Marseillais group PH4, or the Hit Machine party, which adds a dose of acid to the nostalgic mix of the ‘90s and 2000s.

Pioneers of vintage fashion in Marseille Cyril Cohen-Solal and Driss Og Dendoune opened this shop on 5 Rue du Chevalier-Roze (originally located on Rue de la République), where they sell their famous tie-dye joggers, limited edition iconic sneakers, rows upon rows of vintage clothing, and their own MM-branded line with bold sponge letters. Every one of Maison Mère’s collabs sells out faster than Beyoncé concerts, and the cheeky success of their brand effortlessly flaunts itself. In short, it’s Marseille as we love it – uncompromising (and 100 percent cotton).

With its stone columns, 8-metre-high ceiling and hidden alcoves, Cabaret Aléatoire has the vibe of an electronic cathedral. Like a bunker carved out beneath the vast Friche la Belle de Mai, it’s the kind of place where you can lose yourself until the first light of dawn, all to the beat of pounding techno. A treat for the ears (though a bit loud for some), the ‘Cab’ as regulars call it goes the extra mile; every detail is thought out, from the stage design to the lighting. 

Since its opening in October 2023, Vice Versa has quickly gained a following, thanks in part to the mixological creations of bartender Romain. His perfect manicure is as admirable as his cocktail menu, which might make you want to give up on your basic Espresso Martinis for good (a special shoutout to his Pisco Sour twist, featuring notes of bergamot and marigold passion). The other reason for its success is its little secret (though it’s already widely known among Marseille’s partygoers): at 11pm, the cocktail bar opens a hidden door in the bookshelf, leading to a secret room with a checkered ceiling, where most people emerge a bit more tousled than when they entered.

Designed as ‘a place of conviviality and openness,’ SOMA, a hybrid artistic space on Cours Julien, has been hosting numerous artists in residence since 2020, offering a diverse program of exhibitions, concerts, conferences and festivals. It’s also home to one of the must-visit bars in this area, well-known to Marseille’s night owls. Order a cocktail, sit on one of its long wooden tables and soak up the vibes (it’s open till 1am Monday-Friday).

Ever tried raspberry with harissa, eel with chocolate, semolina with crab? We thought not, but you’ll find all these combos at the brainchild of Alexandre Mazzia, a 1.95-metre-tall former basketball player turned MVP of the kitchen. His greatest achievement? Putting Marseille on the map of global haute cuisine with his unusual pairings. In a minimalist setting combining natural materials and soft lighting, we were presented with a tasting menu of 40 dishes (yes, we counted).