📷 4
Photos
Shot by a City Insiders curator.
Café Zitoune
★ 4.0(1 review)Café
sun-drenchedlocal-crowdcreative
About the Vibe
Tucked into the student quarter near Thiers, Café Zitoune is a sun-drenched revival of an old textile studio, now buzzing with locals who come for the serious coffee and creative plates. The space feels alive from 9am onward, with a mix of students, remote workers, and neighborhood regulars sharing tables under high ceilings and large windows. It’s one of those rare spots that manages to be both a proper coffee shop and a genuine community hub—rare in Marseille’s student districts. The menu is a love letter to Mediterranean flavors with a Kabyle and Iranian twist, courtesy of chef Minou Sabahi. Expect olive-centric dishes like the signature cookie with Kalamata olives and white chocolate, plus creative breakfast plates like mille-feuille crêpes or eggs with felfel. The coffee program is equally thoughtful, sourcing from La Tisserie and Grigne, with barista Constance Frémiot-Vicente pulling precise shots and crafting everything from flat whites to chicory infusions.
Known For
- •olive Kalamata white chocolate cookie
- •specialty coffee from La Tisserie & Grigne
- •Mediterranean-Kabyle fusion plates
- •bright industrial space
Best For
morning coffee & breakfastlunch with a viewworking or studying
1 review
City InsidersEditorialApril 12, 2026
Sun-drenched student quarter gem with serious coffee
Café Zitoune has quietly become one of Marseille’s most interesting café-cantines, especially for those who appreciate both good coffee and thoughtful food. The space itself is a delight—converted from an artist’s studio, it’s bright, airy, and filled with natural light. You’ll find students, freelancers, and locals all mingling on the terrace or at the counter, creating a relaxed but energetic atmosphere. The coffee is serious business here, with carefully sourced beans and a barista who clearly knows what she’s doing. The menu is where things get really interesting: expect olive-heavy plates, creative breakfast items like the mille-feuille crêpe, and the famous Kalamata olive cookie that’s become something of a local legend. It’s not fancy, but it’s authentic, and that’s exactly what makes it special.
If you’re looking for a place to start your day properly, this is it. The breakfast plates are generous and flavorful, with options like eggs with felfel (a pepper-tomato condiment) or the baghrir crêpe with rosemary syrup. Lunch offers a rotating selection of Mediterranean-inspired dishes, all prepared with care and local ingredients. The prices are reasonable for what you get—around €12 for a main—and the service is friendly without being intrusive. It’s the kind of place you’ll want to return to, whether you’re a student or just someone who appreciates a well-run café in a neighborhood that could use more life.