Celebrated table
The story
Café Zitoune brings a distinctive Mediterranean spirit to 32 Rue Mazagran in Marseille, drawing visitors for its fusion of specialty coffee and bold flavors. This Le Fooding-listed venue emerged from the vision of textile artist Sarah Espeute, who traded her old sewing machine for a shiny Marzocco espresso machine fueled by pure olive oil. Ahcène Amrouz and Gaëlle Cornibert manage the front of house, while French-Iranian chef Minou Sabahi runs the kitchen. Sabahi, known for stints at Chardon in Arles and Le Galinier in Lourmarin, trained Amrouz personally before firing out menus that span breakfast to snack time. Her background informs every dish prepared across the two-story space.
The menu reflects a Greek-Maghrebi twist on classic Mediterranean comfort food. Guests can order baghrir, the famous thousand-hole pancake, served with butter and rosemary syrup, or try the Greek salad remixed with chermoula dressing. Soft-boiled eggs arrive on tartines topped with felfel, a vibrant condiment of red peppers and tomatoes. The Kalamata olive and white chocolate cookie offers a sweet conclusion to the savory plates.
Located within a building featuring an industrial-style windowed facade, the interior feels both charming and jumbly. The layout retains traces of its past life as a studio, creating a relaxed environment suitable for families with children. Outdoor seating invites guests to enjoy the coffee culture while observing the rhythm of the neighborhood.
Recognition
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