Les Jardins du Cloître

The story

Les Jardins du Cloître: Eco-Responsible Bistronomy in Marseille, France

A Restaurant with a Mission

In the 13th arrondissement of Marseille, Les Jardins du Cloître occupies a former convent once home to the sisters of the Visitation. Today, this unique domain of the Apprentis d’Auteuil foundation houses a restaurant where bistronomic cooking meets a deep commitment to social and environmental responsibility. The restaurant is recognised as a "Société à mission" (mission-driven company), a status that formalises its dedication to the common good beyond profit.

Cuisine of Season and Terroir

The kitchen, led by chef Tom Paduano, draws inspiration from the creative vision of co-founder Michel Portos, a double Michelin-starred chef and Gault&Millau Chef of the Year 2012. The menu is an expression of eco-responsible bistronomy: an ardoise (blackboard) of dishes that changes every ten days, built exclusively from fresh, local, and seasonal ingredients. The restaurant works with small local producers and favours organic produce, with a commitment that at least 50% of ingredients are certified organic or from sustainable supply chains. Friday evenings see the restaurant transform into a brasero experience, with the entire menu cooked over embers.

A Michelin-Recognised Commitment

For five consecutive years, Les Jardins du Cloître has been selected by the Michelin Guide, a recognition of the excellence of the table and the talent of its team. This distinction sits alongside a triple ÉCOTABLE label—"an example for all"—which attests to the restaurant’s rigorous practices: 100% French meats from sustainable sources, no ultra-processed foods, no single-use plastics, and systematic waste sorting and composting.

Training the Next Generation

Beyond the plate, the restaurant is a training ground. Each year, over 30 apprentices learn the métiers of the restaurant trade here, guided by a team that includes executive chef Edgar Soto and maître d’hôtel Jérôme Marchal. The restaurant’s "Casseroles Solidaires" initiative, born during the pandemic, continues to distribute 50 free meals every Saturday to students in need through the association Vendredi 13. It is this alignment of food with values—"un accord Mets & Valeurs"—that defines Les Jardins du Cloître.