Café Populaire

We stumbled across this fantastic Italian restaurant in Marseille while walking around town and though we were looking for a French restaurant, this was a great find! The interior space is beautiful, a nice blend of French aesthetic and Italian flair. After sitting down I noticed it only had a 3.5 star rating on Yelp and started to worry, but when you watch the kitchen area and the crowd inside, it couldn’t be that bad could it? We ordered a Greek Salad to share and I ordered the Pappardelle Ragu, which is made with Lamb, and my wife ordered the Linguini Vongole. All of the dishes looked amazing when served and the taste was excellent! The Greek Salad was excellent, a symphony of flavors that was so balanced; it might be the best Greek Salad I’ve ever had, anywhere! Sometimes I wonder about people’s reviews because this place is great!

The coziest restaurant in town. The lights decorating the ceiling and the beautiful windows in a sunroom that serves as the dining area. We ordered different dishes and we shared. All was really delicious and exquisite. The avocado was not ripen yet but it was okay. The bread was recently baked and warm.

We had a lovely meal here for a birthday of one of the party. The food was excellent, probably one of the best Italian meals I've had for long time. The waiters were friendly and the service was prompt. Really a very enjoyable experience.

Cute place, friendly service, some of the plates we tried were amazing! The gyoza was the nicest either of us had tried and the tonkotsu was super. We tried the chiffonier too which we could probably take or leave next time but it was still nice.

Lovely food from a small menu in a cute setting. Service needs to improve! Had to be reminded about water for the table, butter requested but not delivered, and too slow.

Café Populaire in Marseille is located slightly off the obvious tourist quarter around the old harbour. After having dinner there, I can confirm that it is well worth the walk. The restaurant looks very much like a hipster place - the interior reminded me of recent openings in London. Overall, the atmosphere is relaxed and friendly, the interior sports funny lamps as seen at other hip and new restaurants before, they have globes, wood and metal, all the ingredients you might expect. Beyond that, they have one thing that could make them stand out - they project cartoons on one of the walls. That is how hipster they are. But, unlike their London competition, they serve wine in wine glasses, a very welcome little detail. I started with delicious manchego croquettes that came with a tasty sweet dip. My main was basically a a slice of toasted bread topped with a juicy beef fillet, rocket and cheese shavings. I must admin, that it was a little bit too rare for me, I ordered it medium and it looked more like medium-rare. Having eaten at French restaurants before, I kind of expected this, and when the meat is good, I am usually fine with medium-rare anyway. The house white I enjoyed with my food tasted excellent - something that seems to be standard in France. For dessert, I ordered the cheese cake with strawberry sorbet and strawberry sauce. Overall, my first dinner in Marseille was excellent. I liked the atmosphere at Café Populaire, the music was good, staff were friendly and the food was really great.

This place just doesn't live up to the hype. The open kitchen and dining room are nice but the service is far too laid back. The food, while delicious was grossly overpriced for what you get. (I.E. 1/2 cup of diced unripe fruit with ready whip)

Cool restaurant which seems popular with a trendy Marseille crowd. Good food, service and ambiance - and industrial chic decor.

We stumbled across this fantastic Italian restaurant in Marseille while walking around town and though we were looking for a French restaurant, this was a great find! The interior space is beautiful, a nice blend of French aesthetic and Italian flair. After sitting down I noticed it only had a 3.5 star rating on Yelp and started to worry, but when you watch the kitchen area and the crowd inside, it couldn't be that bad could it? We ordered a Greek Salad to share and I ordered the Pappardelle Ragu, which is made with Lamb, and my wife ordered the Linguini Vongole. All of the dishes looked amazing when served and the taste was excellent! The Greek Salad was excellent, a symphony of flavors that was so balanced; it might be the best Greek Salad I've ever had, anywhere! Sometimes I wonder about people's reviews because this place is great!

Came here once with my colleagues and I was very impressed. The seating in the back was very welcoming with natural light that enters through the glass panel windows. It felt like we were sitting in a glass house, but it also felt like a green house - nice and warm. :) The sitting area seemed a little cramp with all the tables and chairs obstructing your way. It's a small place, but lets try and put as many tables in this place as possible... I think when people taste that food though, they'd forget the small space. The food was phenomenal! I had the grilled squid with some sort of vegetable. Since I'm from the State, I expected a BIG place full of grilled squid, but when it came out it was a little plate with 3 large pieces of squid. I was thinking "that's it?!" - proportion-wise, after I consumed the hearty meal I was stuffed. The French know how much to feed a hungry individual without overstuffing them to obesity. (look at the picture) The rosé wine was great too! I love French food! I want to come back here!!!

Café Populaire in Marseille is located slightly off the obvious tourist quarter around the old harbour. After having dinner there, I can confirm that it is well worth the walk. The restaurant looks very much like a hipster place - the interior reminded me of recent openings in London. Overall, the atmosphere is relaxed and friendly, the interior sports funny lamps as seen at other hip and new restaurants before, they have globes, wood and metal, all the ingredients you might expect. Beyond that, they have one thing that could make them stand out - they project cartoons on one of the walls. That is how hipster they are. But, unlike their London competition, they serve wine in wine glasses, a very welcome little detail. I started with delicious manchego croquettes that came with a tasty sweet dip. My main was basically a a slice of toasted bread topped with a juicy beef fillet, rocket and cheese shavings. I must admin, that it was a little bit too rare for me, I ordered it medium and it looked more like medium-rare. Having eaten at French restaurants before, I kind of expected this, and when the meat is good, I am usually fine with medium-rare anyway. The house white I enjoyed with my food tasted excellent - something that seems to be standard in France. For dessert, I ordered the cheese cake with strawberry sorbet and strawberry sauce. Overall, my first dinner in Marseille was excellent. I liked the atmosphere at Café Populaire, the music was good, staff were friendly and the food was really great.