The Originals City, Hôtel Côté Sud

At his restaurant in the Le Rouet neighbourhood, chef Michel Marini crafts delicate cuisine inspired by the Mediterranean and Provence – refined, accessible and light, often sprinkled with herbs he has picked himself. In the various set menus, each plate offers straightforward, expressive flavours. The desserts, indulgent without being overly sweet, are not to be missed! The lunch deal is a real bargain.

Not far from Cours Julien, this old Marseille bar, spruced up but pleasingly unfussy, has retained its heart and soul: white and bottle-green walls, exposed stonework, and a terrace on a lively square. At the helm is a French-British duo who trained at Frenchie (Paris and London). They serve up bold and fiery Mediterranean dishes that look to Spain for inspiration. On the dinner menu on this occasion: skate wing terrine with pepper sauce; aubergine, smoked yoghurt, caponata, plum and sumac flower… and squid-ink rice with grilled octopus and aioli. Two sittings in the evening in summer. Booking

Set in a former monastery, this training centre run by the Auteuil Apprentices charity, has a restaurant that is open to the public. Supervised by a professional chef, the brigade of young trainee cooks enthusiastically prepares fine meals in a bistronomic spirit that keeps pace with the seasons, all of which sourced with regional, preferably organic produce. A laudable ethical approach which aims to forge the next generation of restaurateurs.

Just a hop from Marseille’s historic Canebière, this bolthole is one of the stars of the city’s fine dining scene. At the helm is English-born chef, Harry Cummins, assisted by Quebec-born sommelière, Laura Vidal. A sensibly priced menu sets the lunchtime scene, while a more creative five-course cast takes front stage in the evening. A feelgood bistronomic score and seasonal produce: finely diced veggies, a barbecue edge and savvy seasonings. A cosmopolitan team and a funky R&B soundtrack depict this eatery that is almost always fully booked, although you will have more chance of finding a seat

Established in a former butcher’s, energetic Laëtitia Visse, who trained at the Paris Ferrandi School before stints in star restaurants and renowned bistros (Guy Savoy, Alain Dutournier, Cyril Lignac, Olivier Nasti at Kaysersberg) has, unsurprisingly given the name, decided to focus on meat: homemade pâté, fried black pudding, sausages, pig’s trotters, etc… Equally in tune with the zeitgeist, her wine list is strongly focused towards natural and biodynamic wines. Casual service and vibe. In the finest traditions of a Gallic bistro!