The story
Mouné brings authentic Lebanese cooking to Rue Fortia in Marseille under the quiet leadership of Serje Banna and Najla Chami. Serje previously worked as a photographer and dj while managing the front of house, and Najla directs the kitchen after a career in film production. This culinary partnership recently earned them a listing in Le Fooding, which noted how they wake up everyday life along the harbor. Their approach relies on straightforward techniques and ingredients that speak for themselves.
The menu highlights familiar mezze alongside seasonal vegetables prepared with care. A thick squash mutabal arrives alongside labneh balls rolled in za’atar and served with a dark Kalamata olive tapenade. Lunch service often features ijjeh, a herbaceous Lebanese frittata, or daoud bacha de pacha stuffed into roasted tomatoes. Sweet endings lean toward osmaliyeh dusted with powdered sugar and soaked in orange blossom water rather than heavy pastries.
Antique pink walls set a soft backdrop for light wood tables and banquettes layered with colorful cushions. Visitors dine beneath suspended birdcages that catch the afternoon light filtering from the nearby port. The space feels deliberately arranged without excess, allowing conversation to flow easily across the room. Every detail supports a relaxed Mediterranean rhythm that matches the kitchen’s straightforward philosophy.
Recognition
Location
