A vast pedestrian square in the Marseille hypercentre, the Cours d’Estienne-d’Orves had lost some of its luster over the years, connoisseurs preferring to frequent the bars and restaurants of the nearby rue Sainte, which goes up to the Abbey of Saint-Victor. But three “kids” Marseilles, as they call themselves, had the idea of gourmet halls where the taste buds quiver, instead of the old Buffalo Grill, deserted for six years. “Marseille had no covered market, except perhaps that of Arnavaux, kind of local Rungis, underlines Julien Fabre. For our ideal halls, we called on artisans we love and we put together an offer with delicacies from all over the Mediterranean. »
Over 2,000 square meters, twelve stalls have been offering catering at the counter or on the large outdoor terrace since this summer. Decorator Olympe Zographos, inspired by the traditional pestle of Mediterranean cuisine, adorned the place with Sardinian stone and olive or oak woodwork. In the morning, you can sip an espresso at the Central Bar, then have lunch of hummus, tabbouleh or a plate of shawarma at La Vallée du Liban, which also officiates on the Corniche Kennedy. La Serre, a gourmet vegetarian, deploys focaccias, sun-dried tomato pesto, ricotta with basil… The pizzeria 500 Degrés is very successful with its huge faceted oven made in Naples. Les Grandes Halles also offers tapas, grill, Italian trattoria, wine bar… “We even have a scalerwelcomes the entrepreneur. He opens oysters from the Camargue or the Etang de Thau. You can also order sea urchins or razor clams. »
And if the flavors of the Grandes Halles make you want to cook at home, you just have to cross rue Euthymènes, which overlooks the Old Port, to enter the market. “In this former rope factory, with stone walls and 17th century frameworke century, we welcome excellent producers: Coquillettes & Fusilli for fresh pasta, the Corsican grocer Ribella or Raphael Chiappero, until then a butcher in Aix-en-Provence. These young traders have a love of the trade. » To eat well in Marseille, just head towards the Old Port.
The Great Halls of the Old Port are open every day, from 9 a.m. to midnight (Fridays and Saturdays until 2 a.m.). The market is open from Tuesday morning to Sunday afternoon, from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. and from 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. 30A, cours Honoré-d’Estienne-d’Orves, Marseille 1er.
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