Marseille, France

I've completely dropped the ball on doing the due diligence for a quickly-approaching trip to Provence. Luckily, some of my traveling companions are more on the ball. However, My wife and I are spending 1 night in Marseille before our friends arrive to head up to Provence. I was wondering if any one had been there recently?

I've heard wonderful things about Le Petit Nice but I'm not sure a Michelin 3-star dining experience is what we are looking for upon arrival. I've also read that Le Mirimar is the place to go for bouillabaisse but now it's more of a tourist trap?

I didn't find much specific information on Marseille (France, that is ). I would be grateful for any recommendations! Thanks much!

Le Petit Nice, the wonderful, but quite expensive, restaurant of Gérald Passédat, got its third Michelin Star in 2008 and it is worth it.
However, you can get a very good meal of regional specialties for a little less money at L'épuisette, at the well-known site of The Vallon des Auffes (an old fishermen mini-port)or beautifully prepared local fish at good-old Chez Fonfon a few yards away. L'Epuisette is closed on Sundays and Mondays. Go midweek but make a reservation.
Or stay near Le Vieux Port ( the old downtown harbor) and go to a very traditional old-style provençal restaurant : Des Mets de Provence ( Chez Maurice Brun) 18 Quai Rive Neuve ( 2nd floor)

Thank you very much for your recommendations! I will report back about wherever we end up going.

I Hope that you will have a jolly good time in Provence, that marvelous region where I spent so many happy years.
Marseille is in fact a nice and vibrant city.
I have not dined in those restaurants myself for quite awhile but I have French friends who keep me posted and I read French restaurant reviews regularly.

Looking for a restaurant serving good North African cuisine in Marseille - Moroccon, Tunisian, Algerian, etc. - especially interested in a traditional couscous. While it would be a fun adventure to try an out-of-the-way-hole-in-the-wall, for this meal we are looking for a more conventional restaurant with sit-down service, wine, etc.

Le Souk and La Kahena are the two I've stumbled across - anyone familiar with either?

Any other Marseille restaurant recommendations would be wonderful, too.

Thanks!!

mmm wrote:Looking for a restaurant serving good North African cuisine in Marseille - Moroccon, Tunisian, Algerian, etc. - especially interested in a traditional couscous. While it would be a fun adventure to try an out-of-the-way-hole-in-the-wall, for this meal we are looking for a more conventional restaurant with sit-down service, wine, etc.

Le Souk and La Kahena are the two I've stumbled across - anyone familiar with either?

Any other Marseille restaurant recommendations would be wonderful, too.

Thanks!!

Ended up at Femina for couscous- it was phenomenal - exactly what we were looking for - authentic, delicious, and charming.
One of our best meals in Marseille (even when competing with the Michelin starred joints) - we'll definitely be back!

It's hard to find if you're following google maps - so be sure to get directions.

Le Femina
1 r Musee, 13001 Marseille, France
04 91 54 03 56