Locals and tourists alike have much to discover in Marseille; here are three cafés worth seeking out in this bustling historic French city.
BY TANYA NANETTI
SENIOR ONLINE CORRESPONDENT
Photos by Tanya Nanetti
Marseille, the oldest city in France and one of Europe’s oldest settlements to be continuously inhabited, has always been a melting pot of cultures and traditions. With a constantly evolving population, Marseille is now on the verge of becoming—after cities like London, Berlin, and Lisbon—the new European “it” city.
Tourists, locals, and ex-pats share the vibrant Marseille streets. Here, natural wine bars spring up on every corner, fine dining restaurants sit alongside shacks selling tasty street food, and specialty-coffee shops and roasters are finally getting the recognition they deserve.
Here are a few great businesses that will welcome you to the up-and-coming specialty-coffee scene in Marseille.
Brûlerie Möka
Just off the beaten track enough not to be packed with tourists is Brûlerie Möka, a tiny café and specialty coffee roaster on a quiet corner. Brûlerie Möka has a lovely, shadowed terrace where you can seek shelter from the relentless Marseille heat.
The small team of smiling baristas, led by roaster and founder Iris, await you from Tuesday to Saturday. Grab a V60 pourover or a Latte Glacé (the local version of the iced latte). Choose a tasty sweet or savory snack from the menu, always seasonal and made with local ingredients. And don’t forget to pick up a bag of freshly roasted coffee on the way out!
espresso and pourover options
Deep Coffee
Le Vieux-Port is the beating heart of Marseille.
Old Port of Marseille is guarded by the old Fort Saint-Jean. A little further away lies the magnificent Basilique Notre-Dame de la Garde, the setting of many famous stories, from The Count of Monte Cristo to On Her Majesty’s Secret Service.
Though bustling with cafés, restaurants, and boulangeries, sadly many of the draws in the Old Port of Marseille nowadays are tourist traps. That’s one reason why Deep Coffee is so special. This specialty-coffee roaster has plenty to offer: tempting small bites, an épicerie fine (deli), and a magazine shop. The lovely baristas will brew an impeccable pourover or a tasty espresso for you. To top it off, Deep’s shaded terrace is perfect for chasing away the fatigue of the day.
7VB Café
An acronym for “7-Vie-est-Belle” (This Life is Beautiful), 7VB is a name that embodies the true spirit of this lovely café. Specialty coffee, fine teas, a small but tasty savory menu, and lots of sweet treats, like tasty cinnamon rolls, are all available at 7VB.
Vintage couches and armchairs, plants, and a quiet and relaxed atmosphere make the spot perfect for a breather. What makes the café especially unique is its distinctive nursery, where kids can play freely and safely while their parents chat over a coffee.
7VB Café is located in Le Panier, the oldest district of Marseille. This neighborhood has recently become a real open-air museum thanks to its graffiti and multiple cultural sights. This is the perfect spot to rest after an afternoon spent wandering the narrow streets of the historic neighborhood.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Tanya Nanetti (she/her) is a specialty-coffee barista, a traveler, and a dreamer. When she’s not behind the coffee machine (or visiting some hidden corner of the world), she’s busy writing for Coffee Insurrection, a website about specialty coffee that she’s creating along with her boyfriend.
