WHERE TO EAT THE BEST VEGETARIAN-FRIENDLY FOOD IN MARSEILLE

You’re planning your city break to Marseille, France’s oldest port city and the capital of the South and are wondering what you can eat as a vegetarian. Well worry not this guide features a round-up of our personally tried and tested eateries serving vegetarian-friendly food in Marseille. Ranging from cafes, bars, lunch and dinner places, this guide doesn’t just focus on restaurants that are solely vegetarian but those that cater for non vegetarians too but have a good enough range of food on their menu to ensure vegetarians are more than catered for adequately.  We’ve also included our recommendations on things we enjoyed at each place to help you out with your menu choices!

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Is Marseille Vegetarian-Friendly?

Although only just over 5% of people in France are vegetarian, vegetarianism as a whole is growing with Marseille as a city being no exception.

The answer is Yes, Marseille is vegetarian friendly with restaurants accommodating vegetarian diets more than adequately. They have a few eateries that focus solely on vegetarian food as well those restaurants that cater for both non vegetarian and vegetarian friendly cuisine.. 

Often many of us dine with friends and family of whom often there is a vegetarian amongst us. This guide doesn’t focus solely therefore on just vegetarian restaurants but more on establishments that are vegetarian friendly so there are delicious carnivorous selections too.

What are the Basic Flavours of Vegetarian Friendly Food in Marseille?

Whether you’re in Marseille for a day or a few you will no doubt be immersed in the local foodie scene. Ingredients in Marseille are fresh and delicious and surprisingly quite basic and are components of most of the dishes that are consumed daily. These include olives, olive oil, garlic, chickpeas, local vegetables such as aubergines, courgettes, bell peppers and tomatoes as well as fruit, notably, peaches, grapes, strawberries, cherries, apricots and the world renowned melons of Cavaillon.

In Marseille, just like much of Provence due to its proximity to the sea, seafood plays a big part in Provençal cuisine but for the purposes of the article, this article assumes vegetarian friendly to include cheese as well as eggs but no seafood products.

.The most common herbs used in cooking in the locality are thyme, oregano, rosemary, fennel and basil. The king of ingredients and the base of all dishes in Provence is olive oil and is used in virtually every savoury dish. 

Typical Vegetarian Friendly Food in Marseille

If you have read our guide to vegetarian-friendly food in Avignon as well as the  Provence region, you will be familiar with the list below 

• Banon – In Provence goat’s milk cheese is more common than cows milk. They simply don’t do cows milk cheeses. Banon is a cheese (fromage) from the town of the same name and is creamy. It matures after being left wrapped in chestnut tree leaves and tied with raffia.
• Fougasse – This is the Provencal version of flatbread and is sprinkled with cheese, olives and traditionally anchovies, but you can ask to have it without!
• Socca – This can be described as a pancake, which is wafer thin and made from chickpea flour and olive oil. It’s browned in the oven and eaten topped with a generous serving of black pepper at the top.
• Beignet de Fleurs de Courgette – during the summer in Marseille and the wider Provence region, there’s an  abundance of courgette flowers, they can be seen everywhere and especially at market stalls. They are served stuffed with goats cheese and mint and then baked.
• Soup au Pistou – This can be described a little like minestrone soup and includes vegetables, a sprinkling of pasta and beans. It’s topped with garlic, basil and olive oil paste, a bit like basil pesto, at the table.
• Tapenade – The main basis of this dish is olives and capers which are ground into a paste like consistency and presented like a  pâté. Tapenade is eaten like a dip or even spread on bread. It can also be made with sundried tomatoes, sometimes with the addition of anchovies – so do check when eating out.
• Aïoli – This is almost like  mayonnaise style sauce but this Provençal version contains no eggs, only garlic and olive oil. It is served with many seafood dishes in the region and is available in both sauce as well as dip consistency.
• Ratatouille – this can be referred to as a vegetable stew containing aubergines, courgettes, onions, peppers and tomatoes, which are all simmered together in a pot with garlic and a medley of herbs. The dish is served with fougasse or slice of pissaladière bread.
• Calissons – candied orange peel is mixed with almonds to create a paste. The paste is spread on top of a wafer which is covered in icing. It’s pretty sweet and most probably reserved for those with a very sweet tooth.
• Nougat – The style of nougat in Provence comprises of sugar, honey, almonds and egg whites. There is a nougatine or nougat noir, which is made without eggs. Once upon a time, nougat was a Christmas tradition and only available then but now it’s very popular and available all through the year.
• Tarte Tropézienne – Original from St, Tropez, and created primarily by a Polish baker, this is a flat cake which is essentially a sugar coated brioche cake that is filled with orange flavour cream. Fun fact: It was the famous Brigitte Bardot who named the tart when she absolutely loved eating the cake whilst she was filming in St Tropez for the movie, And God Created Women.

Vegetarian Friendly Restaurants in Marseille 

Limprevu, Marseille

This cute Bistro on the edge of Le Panier, up the hill from the Vieux Port is owned by a lovely friendly French couple. The chef doesn’t speak much English but does have a specials board out each day that you choose what you would like. There are a few items on the menu daily but they are made fresh and ingredients sourced locally. Grab a seat outside on the terrace and enjoy a lovely lunch or dinner with a glass or two of wine as recommended by the chef!

Be-lavie Recommendations: Try Marseille’s speciality of Panisse, the traditional chickpea chips made of chickpea flour, deep fried and served with aioli. There are a great selection of salads too, like the tomato and burrata or even one with soft French cheese, 

• Details: Location4 Place. Daviel, 13002 Marseill I Tel.+33 4 96 22 20 45 I Locate on Maps.
• Reservations: Not essential, especially at lunch time.
• Expect: €€ I Traditional French local cuisine.

Chez Jeannot

Located along the traditional colourful fishing port of Les Vallon des Auffes, Chez Jeannot is owned and created by the Chez FonFon Alphonse and Jean Mounier siblings. Visit in the evening to watch the sun go down and reserve a table on the outdoor terrace in the summer for beautiful views of the small fishing port.

They serve a wonderful range of entrees including Panisse, a large range of pizzas and a few desserts as well as a daily specials menu. 

The atmosphere is lively with locals chattering away, especially at the end of the season and the staff are friendly and attentive.

Be-lavie Recommendations: We had the panisse to start and Margherita pizza which were both cooked to perfection. A couple of glasses of house rose were also consumed!

• Details: Location 129 Rue du Vallon des Auffes, 13007 Marseille I Tel. +33 4 91 52 11 28 I Locate on Maps I Menu.
• Reservations: Essential for evenings and weekends.
• Reviews: What fellow diners are saying.
• What to Expect: €€ I Authentic pizza made to family recipes plus grilled local food.

Flower Burger

This fun and colourful burger spot specialises in plant based burgers and sides. There are meal options which bundle a burger of your choice, a side plus a drink at a great price point. All the food including the burger buns are coloured naturally using vegetables such a beetroot.. The food is ridiculously tasty, healthy and most of all non greasy and leaves you feeling satisfied and fool. Service is very friendly and the staff are helpful with making choices. There is indoor as well as outdoor seating available. Meals are served in cute little wooden brackets.

Be-lavie Recommendations: The Flower Burger is fab and is made up of a violet bun filled with lettuce, a magic sauce, vegan cheddar, a seitan steak, tomato confit and more. The Avo Burger is also a good choice and is a green bun filled with guacamole, red cabbage, mushroom steak patty, carrot spirals nad a truffle mayonnaise. Accompany your burgers with variety of sides including chilla potato wedges. They also have some great vegan IPA and soft drinks. 

• Details: 64 Av. Robert Schuman, 13002 Marseille I Tel. +33 9 82 24 70 69 I Locate on Maps I Menu.
• Reservations: Not necessary, walk in. 
• Reviews: What fellow diners are saying.
• What to Expect: €€ I Specialising in colourful plant based burgers and sides.

Cafes

La Patisseries des Marseillais

Located in the heart of Marseille close to the old port, Pâtisserie des Marseillais is a great place to pick up some delicious pastries, cakes, savoury tarts, breakfast items  as well as great hot and cold beverages.

The pastry chef is Pascal Guglielmi who learnt the art of pastry at a young age, as his father was also a pastry chef. They specialise in seasonal cakes and have special creations all the time, one such is the Cookie de la Bonne Mère.

We loved visiting for breakfast when fresh buttery croissants are served beautifully warm, perfect with a coffee and a seat outside to watch the hustle and bustle of the city early in the morning. 

Be-lavie Recommendations: Pain au chocolate with a cafe au lait or cappuccino is perfect to start your day of seeing the sights. Return later in the day for the exquisite pastries or take them with you at breakfast time. 

• Details: 28 Grand Rue, 13002 Marseille  I Tel. +33 4 91 89 20 17 I Locate on Maps I Menu.
• Reservations: Walk-ins only. 
• Reviews: What fellow diners are saying.
• What to Expect: €/€€ I Beautiful pastries, cakes, savoury tarts and perfect breakfast time delights..

La Pépite 

Celiacs, gluten free and lactose intolerant visitors will love La Pépite. It has a cute French cafe vibe on the edge of Le Panier and makes a wonderful range of gluten free cakes and savouries. They also accommodate lactose intolerance requirements. They have a brilliant choice of dairy free milks. Which aren’t; always found at other cafes. 

The staff and bakers are very helpful in addressing deity requirements and aid in highlighting what they have on offer on that particular day.

Grab a pew outside and enjoy your delicious pastries and drinks whilst people watching. This is also a pretty good sun trap so sit under the awning if you don’t want to get too hot!

Be-lavie Recommendations: Perfect mid morning spot to enjoy a latte or filter coffee. The chocolate Palmiers are delicious. 

• Details: 2 Place. Daviel, 13002 Marseille  I Tel. +33 6 22 94 63 87 I Locate on Maps I Menu.
• Reservations: Walk-ins only. 
• Reviews: What fellow diners are saying.
• What to Expect: €/€€ I Gluten free and lactose-free patisserie.

Maison Geney

This tearoom serving fresh tasty sweet and savoury bakery items, really is a little gem on the outskirts of Le Panier. The fact that it’s a pretty popular spot with the locals told us we had to make a bee line for this place. There is some indoor seating but we loved the outdoorsy terrace which is packed full of locals chattering away in French and the odd dog walker grabbing a take away drink. This was like a local mid morning meeting spot when we went. They do some fantastic fresh juices as well as milkshakes, hot drinks and lunch and breakfast items. 

Be-lavie Recommendations:  We enjoyed a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice with a choux bun type pastry with chocolate running through it. It was delicious for a mid morning pick me up amidst the uphill walks,

• Details: 38 Rue Caisserie, 13002 Marseille I Locate on Maps.
• Reservations: Not Applicable.
• Reviews: What fellow diners are saying.
• What to Expect: €/€€ I Bakery. Patisserie, Juices, Tea rooms.

Bars & Snacks

Viaghiji Di Fonfon

Owned by the same siblings that own Chez Jeannot and Chez Fonfon this tapas bar is perfect for those who enjoy lighter bites. Most of the menu is seafood, being located on a fishing port but they do have some vegetarian options so worry not! They are also very accommodating here and will rustle up something delicious if you don’t like what’s on offer tapas wise. This bar is perfect to visit late afternoon and early evening and particularly fantastic as a sundowner haunt. You’ll have wonderful views of the arches of the Vallon Des Auffess with the sunsetting behind them.

Be-lavie Recommendations: A planche de fromage or a cheese board is a great option whilst watching the sunset over the Vallon des Auffes. They do a great range of soft French cheeses, bread, pickles, vegetables and tomatoes, perfect to share. Accompany with a glass or two of Pastis and enjoy!

• Details: 136-142 Rue du Vallon des Auffes, 13007 Marseille I Locate on Maps I Menu
• Reservations: Not Applicable.
• Reviews: What other visitors are saying.
• What to Expect: €€ I Tapas, Sharing boards, drinks.  

Tour Recommendation: Marseille Wine & Cheese Tour (2 hours duration)

Le Populo Marseille

A brilliant venue which houses a medley of nine small restaurants under one roof plus a central bar. Here, you can choose from Moroccon dishes, pizzas and other Italian specialities, French food, patisserie treats, American style burgers and lots more. It’s only open Thursday-Saturday and has a really lively and fun atmosphere and the food is more street food style with communal tables in the centre. There is also a terrace outside. 

Be-lavie Recommendations: We went to Le Populo post dinner so opted for a drink of Pastis and enjoyed the music but the street food really did look delicious. If you’re in for a casual night out with good food, drinks, music and a wonderful atmosphere in Marseille’s designer district of La Joliette then le Populo is for you!

• Details: 26 Rue Jean François Leca, 13002 Marseille I Locate on Maps.
• Reservations: Not Applicable.
• Reviews: What fellow visitors are saying.
• What to Expect: €€ I Drinks, 

MX Maison Yellow Restaurant & Bar (& Museum)

Attached to the famous Ricard Pastis shop, this is the site for the Pastis museum. Book in for a Pastis class, where you’re taken through the history of pastis through the times from its inception to present day. This is done via interactive experiences via a CGI train taking you through Marseille, a series of presentations and finally some tastings of different Pastis blends. 

It is possible to eat and drink in the restaurant area without doing the museum or tour so walk straight through and ask for a table. 

Be-lavie Recommendations: Accompany a selection of pastries with some tapas such as breaded onion rings, focaccia, pizza, salads, panisse and delicious french bread. Trust us, after trying the Pastis, you willl need the food to mop up the high alcohol content. 

• Details: 10 Place de la Joliette Les Docks Village, Atrium 10.7 Place PAUL RICARD – Porte K Rue des Docks ou, Quai du Lazaret, 13002 Marseille I Tel. +33 4 12 04 30 04 I Locate on Maps I Website & Menu.
• Reservations: Yes advisable.
• Reviews: What fellow diners are saying.
• What to Expect: €€/€€€ I The pastis museum, that houses a shop as well as a tapas bar and restaurant. Book in for a Pastis class and treat yourself to tapas afterwards.

Tour Recommendation: Discover The Secrets of Pastis (2 hours duration)

Bakeries & Glaces (Ice-Cream)

Les Navettes des Accoules

Jo Navette, master baker founded Les Navettes des Accoules in 1986 in his childhood neighbourhood of Le Panier. These traditional Marseille biscuits that originally were shaped like boats, but now are made in different shapes, with many toppings and flavours such as orange blossom oil, that are enjoyed by visitors and locals alike. Today, Jo’s daughter Marie-Julie and her husband, Clément have joined the business and run the bakery. 

You can see the biscuits being made right infront of you and both Marie Julie and Clément are super friendly and will show you the whole process. We loved our visit and ended up staying for a while as they explained their story of a beautiful family business. Of course we left with a bag of many flavours and shapes of Navettes which were delicious. 

Be-lavie Recommendations: We let Clément guide us on a selection of Navettes of different flavours and shapes. They were all delicious and it’s great to taste a variety of their collection. We even bought a few boat shaped traditional ones to compare the OG with the newer ones. The are perfect with a hot drink, but trust us, they won’t last long. They are also great gifts to bring home.

• Details: 68 Rue Caisserie, 13002 Marseille I Tel. +33 4 91 90 99 42 I Locate on Maps I Website.
• Reservations: Not Applicable.
• Reviews: What fellow visitors are saying.
• What to Expect: €€ I Artisan traditional Marseille biscuits.

Tour Recommendation: Bakeries, Chocolate & Patisseries Food Tour (2 hours duration)

Glacier Vanille Noire

This ice cream store offers around 24 flavours of ice cream with the most famous being the black vanille which yes is black. Flavoured with vanilla, the black colour is down to the activated charcoal that is added. All the ice creams are made fresh and can be enjoyed by the scoop in a cone or in a small pot. 

Be-lavie Recommendations: Purchase a two scoop pot and one of those has to be the Vanilla Noire. We also tried the citroen which is a nice sharp contrast to the sweet of the vanilla.

Be-lavie Tip: The branch on the outskirts of Le Panier, has wonderful views of the Old Port through the adjacent arched walkway with steps..Make sure you look to the left after buying your ice-cream. Also this place can get very busy with long queues so when they open around midday, is the best time to visit. 

• Details: 15 Rue Caisserie, 13002 Marseille I Tel. +33 4 91 89 86 21 I Locate on Maps I Website.
• Reservations: Not Applicable.
• Reviews: What fellow visitors are saying.
• What to expect: €€ I  Artisan freshly made ice creams especially the famous Black Vanille. A coffee bar that serves milkshakes and cold drinks. 

Michelin Starred and Fine Dining in Marseille

We didn’t eat at any fine dining establishments during our stay as we did treat ourselves to some wonderful restaurants during our driving through Provence road trip but here are a few well known Michelin star places. You’d have to call ahead to find out if they accommodate vegetarians and discuss your requirements as many of the coastal restaurants specialise in seafood.

• Le Petit Nice – owned by the Passedat family since 1917 and specialises in seafood.  The restaurant has three Michelin stars and is said to be one of the best in the world. Map Location.

• L’Épuisette – an 80 year old house which fuses modern and old world charm with sea views. Headed by chef Guillaume Sourrieu, they have attained one Michelin Star, Map Location.

• Chez Michel – specialises in Bouillabaisse and has been around since 1947. Owned by the Visciano family for the last  three generations. They also hold a Michelin Star.. Map Location.

Tour Recommendation: Private sea-view Lunch by cooking Chef (1.5 hours duration)

Marché des Capucins

Founded in 1956, the Marché des Capucins is a must visit for its colours, scents, sights and it’s extremely good value for money for the produce on offer. It’s a great place to stock up on fruits, vegetables and lots more. Walk around and get a real local feel for this place.

Pick up some fruit and snack items from here that will keep you going whilst exploring Marseille. Oh and it doesn’t’ just stop at fruit and vegetables, you’ll find the pungent smell of spices pastries. North African specialities.

The Marché des Capucins reflects the varied ethnicities that reside within Marseille and is a wonderful melting pot of culture and flavour.

• Details: Location: Pl. du Marché des Capucins, 13001 Marseille I Map Location:.
• Opening Times: Monday=Saturday, 08:00-19:00, Closed on Sundays.

Recommendations: The Best Food Tours in Marseille

For a real authentic city experience of what the locals eat and drink, why not join a foodie tour. You’ll be in. a small group and accompanied by a Marseille local food specialist, who can provide all the knowledge as well. as great tips and recommendations on the foods to try and more importantly exactly where in the city. Here are a few tours that we researched for our own Marseille trip and would definitely recommend.

Top Tips & Vegetarian Friendly Food in Marseille

• If there is an option to make reservations, do so. This will definitely be the case at fine dining and Michelin starred restaurants which have a limited number of tables and fill up fast. It’s best to book these weeks in advance in many cases.
• Email or call the restaurant ahead to find out the vegetarian options and if they can cater for you.you. Many restaurants are accommodating and will offer alternatives. Fine dining and Michelin starred establishments will have their chefs create a vegetarian version of the taster menu just for you.
• The dress code is generally casual in many restaurants in Marseille. If you are heading for a Michelin Starred restaurant then it’s wise to dress up a little. A smart dress for the ladies and a shirt and trousers for gents. No flip flops or beach wear style of clothing.
• If you’re a foodie, we’d recommend booking a mix of restaurants for your time in Marseile. Maybe one fine dining or Michelin starred with casual dining, a place where the locals hang out as well as bistros , cafes and heading to markets to pick up fresh picnic items. We had already been to a number of high end eateries throughout our Provence break so, opted for more casual dining in Marseille.

Vegetarian Friendly Food in Marseille FAQ

If you still have some unanswered questions, then hopefully these may bridge the gap or feel free to ask in the comments at the end of this article.

Vegetarian Friendly Food in Marseille Round Up

We hope this article has provided some inspiration around where to get vegetarian food in Marseille and that the city most definitely has a great range of foods eaten by visitors and locals alike. With the rise of people wanting to follow a vegetarian diet in Marseille and France for a while, it’s safe to say, that dedicated restaurants have popped up and existing eateries are leaning towards having more options to accommodate vegetarians. 

We of course have only captured a snapshot of restaurants, cafes and bars in the city in this article, but our advice is always, call in ahead and confirm what vegetarian friendly options are available and secondly if you like a spot of adventure, take the small winding streets, discover the little family run bistros who use the best seasonal ingredients. One thing is for sure, vegetarians, you will not go hungry in Marseille!

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