Walking food tour in Marseille

I like walking food tours. You get to know the city, walk around to different (often hidden) food places, and you try tasty morsels and sips without consuming a mountain of food at once. The guides typically tell interesting stories, and they share history and gastronomic curiosities. At the end of each tour, I always feel happy (and full).

Our Marseille food tour was no exception. Laura was a lovely guide who helped us learn about the city and its cuisine. Our first stop was Tata Massilia. In the 33-degree weather, I have a lot of respect for the cook who spends his days in front of a wood-burning stove. We tried their oven-baked camembert cheese. The honey on top caramelized nicely in the oven, and the melted cheese was delicious on a baguette.

Between the stops, I enjoyed just strolling through the narrow ancient cobblestone streets, watching cool murals on many buildings. Stop 2: La Table d’Augustine and big muscles baked with butter, garlic and herbs, accompanied by a glass of refreshing local white wine.

Then we stopped at La boîte de panisse, where I tasted for the first time what looked like French fries but was basically fried chickpea flour, crusty on the outside, soft on the inside, dipped into aioli or mayo. And we kept hydrated with a nice glass of rosé. Panisse used to be a regular dish of the local fishermen; now it is enjoyed by all.

The final two stops satisfied the sweet tooth: first, the navettes – orange-blossom cookies that have been around since the 18th century; then, a selection of Tunisian pastries in the heart of Noailles, known as “the belly of Marseille”. In this part of the city, you can find meals, treats, ingredients, and spices from the Middle East and Africa. These cultures have been present in the area for centuries.

Yes, a walking food tour is a great introduction to any city. I highly recommend it.