La Boîte À Sardine - Review - 1st Arr. - Marseille - The Infatuation

"What do you think of when you hear the phrase “maximalist nautical-themed seafood party”? Welcome to La Boîte à Sardine, where the decor is delightfully over the top—there are ropes, buoys, and even an actual boat hanging from the ceiling, shelves filled with hundreds of colorful sardine tins, orange life jackets strewn around, and fish-shaped plates. Reigning over this chaos is the owner, who loudly rattles off the day’s dishes that are scrawled on a chalkboard in handwriting only he can read. If it comes from the sea, you’ll find it here—sea urchin, shrimp, oysters, anchovies, and clams, usually with orecchiette. And, of course, their namesake sardines, split in half and filled with garlicky breadcrumbs—they’re briny, buttery, and will probably ruin you for all other sardines. Note that this spot only serves lunch, and unless you can get here right when it opens at noon, you’ll need to reserve." - Sophie Friedman