Street Food
Street food is a staple in Marseille. You’re hungry, you don’t have much money, and you want to sit in the sun? Welcome to the capital of sandwiches at the seaside. In Marseille, street food is not only practical, it’s a whole culture. What’s more, it comes in all flavours!
Marseille’s street food has evolved with the waves of migration. People have come bringing their recipes, spices, and their quick and tasty ways of cooking.
The absolute classic? It has to be a shawarma from Shawarma La Palestine, 57 Boulevard des Dames: a generous helping of marinated meat, crunchy vegetables and a homemade sauce, all for a more than reasonable price and with fast, friendly service.
Marseille natives have grown up with pan bagnats at break-time, merguez-chips sandwiches after football, and kebabs at 3am. It’s the little comfort of the city. What’s great is that the new generations have added their flavours: you’ll find Vietnamese, Senegalese, and West Indian food trucks, all in fusion mode: Boss Bokit (4 Place de Rome), Ziguinchor (20 Rue Pastoret), or On mange thaï (Prado market, Friday from 8.30am to 12.30pm).
Looking for a good place to eat and hang out? Try La Place des Canailles, the gourmet food hall at Docks Village (10 Place de la Joliette): there are six stands, tapas to share, and after-work DJ sets. It’s a great spot for a relaxed apéro (early evening drink) overlooking the port. Although it’s a very nice place, it’s a bit more expensive than our other suggestions.
If Tunisian food appeals to you, try Sur Le Pouce, 2 Rue des Convalescents or Au Palmier, 42 rue Vacon for tajines, couscous, and daily specials.
Here in Marseille, street food is a no-frills way of coming together. So the next time you’re feeling peckish, forget chain restaurants and go and have a pizza at the iconic Chez Étienne, 43 Rue de Lorette: a Neapolitan institution where you enter for the pizza and finish with an apple tart.
If you’re hanging around Cours Julien or La Plaine (Place Jean Jaurès), you can grab a slice of pizza at Pizza NRV or at Street Food. The slices are huge, cost 2,50€ and there’s lots of choice! There are many other fast food places in the area which you can discover with time.
Header photo : Stéphane Pachot
