Let’s unpack for a one-day vegan food escapade through the sunny streets of Marseille. In search of great wine and excellent vibes in the South of France, me and my non-vegan friend were ready to soak up all the adventure that Marseille has to offer..
Lucky us, we hit Marseille during a beautiful summer heatwave. Coming from cloudy and cold London, it was like stepping into a dream – the beaches beckoning, the port bustling, and an air of excitement all around. I’ve been dreaming of a trip around Provence during the summer for years, and it’s definitely been worth the wait. While Marseille is known for wine and seafood, we're here to shine a spotlight on its vegan culinary wonders. Who needs fish when you've got plant-based treats, right?
With just one day to explore, we were on a mission to make every moment count. Our adventure began on a sleepy Sunday, when many shops and restaurants are closed or close early. But hey, that didn't stop us from getting familiar with Marseille's diving into some seriously delicious vegan treats.
Chasing Must-Try Vegan Food in Marseille
Our timing might not have been spot-on for Marseille's top vegan spots. Sunday closures meant we missed out on Vegan Patisserie Oh Faon! (curse that 2-hour flight delay!), as well as popular veg spots like Green Love and Mariposas. Talk about timing, right? We even got a recommendation that said Limmat was amazing, but alas, we were already on our train to the next city.
No worries, though! It just means another adventure was in the cards – and we're more than ready to hunt down these vegan gems next time!
Diving into Marseille's Food Scene
Unfazed by Sunday's hush, we set out to explore Marseille's food scene. France is very dependable for excellent Middle Eastern food, so falafel quickly jumped into action as my trusty go-to.
1. Au Falafel: A hearty lunch at Au Falafel powered us up for some beach fun. They assured me all of their ingredients were vegan, including the lovely tahini sauce that covered the pita.
2. Le Collins: My non-vegan travel companion wanted to try some of Marseille’s famous seafood, and both of us wanted to try to find a dinner spot by the picturesque port. It wasn’t easy, but Le Collins made a special off menu vegan dish for me (served by a very begruding waiter). A custom-made salad with green beans, olives, and potatoes is a reminder that vegans can find joy anywhere. 3. Armorino: As the night rolled in and the charming port lit up, I couldn't resist a scoop of mouthwatering mango sorbet from Armorino, my friend was able to get some tasty gelato as well. Gelaterias are very popular all around the Mediterranean, not just in Italy! And where there's gelato, there's usually a sorbet option. Pure bliss under the stars!
Dreaming of Veganised Iconic Dishes from Marseille
Marseille's famous for mussels and bouillabaisse, but we played a game of hide-and-seek with the vegan versions. Fingers crossed, our next visit will have us savoring these iconic classics with a vegan twist. And yes, those famous Oh Faon vegan pastries are on our hit list too!
Cracking the Fridge Code
Our cozy hotel room came with a fridge – a total win when you're thinking about vegan snacks to stock up on incase there were no shops open. Just a note for next time (and to fellow wine lovers): Next time, we're going for a bigger fridge to fit all those Casis, rosé, and Châteauneuf-du-Pape bottles we want to drink while we’re getting ready in the hotel room! Our rosé couldn’t fit in the fridge and lukewarm rosé is not the vibe we wanted! Don’t make the same mistake we did.
Final Verdict: A Tasty 3.5/5
Amidst Marseille's stunning beauty, our vegan adventures unfolded like a delightful puzzle. From tracking down elusive vegan spots to savoring iconic waterside views, our hearts (and stomachs) were full. The rating? A solid 3.5/5 – a mix of the yum factor and the excitement of what's waiting for us next time. It wasn’t obvious what we'd eat next, but I was never unsatisfied or hungry- and that’s just fine in my book. But maybe the score will increase when I go back with more time and more options during regular business hours.
Sometimes it’s exciting going to these less obviously vegan-friendly cities. Especially when you’re on a time crunch, grabbing some quick and easily available options can make you feel more like a local. And it definitely gave
us the ability to focus more on the sights than the food. Sometimes we just have to go with the food. As I always say... the world is full of beautiful vegan food, whether it's instagrammable or not.
So there you have it, our whirlwind romance with Marseille's vegan delights. Our 24-hour fling left us craving more, eager to explore deeper into this enchanting city's vegan treasures. Until our next Vegan Adventure, Marseille – keep those vegan goodies ready, because we'll be back for more plant-based fun and foodie magic!