The story
La Roquette in Marseille operates as a lean bistro where a small group of friends has revived a family café into something distinctly contemporary. Lisa Joubert, Jean-Baptiste Pouce, and Gianni Basile partnered with Clément Dupouy’s mother to shape the space, leaving the culinary execution to chef Loïc Tavares. His background at Parisian kitchens like Le Jourdain and Galerna translates directly into the open window, where diners watch precise plating unfold against raw plaster walls. This straightforward setup earned the venue a spot on the 2026 Le Fooding roster for its disciplined approach to casual dining.
The daily menu stays deliberately compact, centering on small portions designed for communal ordering in this casual bistro. You will find an XL panisse resting on a concentrated chicken reduction, followed by thinly sliced beef tataki dressed in a sharp chimichurri. A Spanish tortilla arrives alongside thick labneh and a swipe of harissa paste, while fried hake receives the classic Colbert treatment with house tartare. Dinners typically conclude with a single dessert option, a dense fiadone that balances citrus zest and almond sweetness.
The dining room keeps its structural bones visible, letting exposed concrete and brick anchor the otherwise domestic setting. Vintage French school chairs line the tables, paired with mismatched ceramic plates borrowed from local collections. A monthly gallery rotation hangs near the doorway, shifting the visual focus without cluttering the narrow footprint. Lunch service extends this everyday bistro format into larger, individually plated portions that accommodate solo visitors efficiently.
Recognition
Instagram