More like a 3.5 rating, but I'll round up for the experience. Couldn't have stopped by Marseille without trying Chez Fonfon, a restaurant we've seen hundreds of reviews online about. The restaurant is located down a set of stairs, by a small area of boats in the water. We had a reservation at noon, so we were able to get seated away. The first floor was packed, and soon the second floor filled up too. The restaurant boasts a lot of natural sunlight. They have a QR code menu with the English translation, and all the servers can speak English too. The portions are quite large (and simultaneously pricey lol), and one entree is required per person. We were served a foie gras to start, along with some bread. The bread was super hard to bite into - I can't lie, felt like I would break a teeth biting into it - I expected better. The oysters were much better, very fresh and briny. The fish was enjoyable as well, with the star being the monkfish -- tasted like lobster! The chefs didn't add much flavoring on top of the fish, preserving their natural taste. Each fish dish also came with a vegetable and cous cous side, which was nice. And lastly for the dish everyone comes for, the bouillabaisse. This stew contains five different types of fish, which they even bring out to show you. While this is supposed to be the star of the show, I have to say I enjoyed the other two fish dishes better. From my experience, the bouillabaisse has a singular flavor profile - slightly tangy tomato. Not to say that the broth is bad, but I do think it gets tiring after eating many spoonfuls of it. I can't say I can name all 5 fish in the dish, but some of the 5 were very tender, whereas others felt more firm and rubbery. I will give bonus points for them giving you "unlimited" stew and refilling the broth - but just not my cup of tea. Overall, still very glad to have tried bouillabaisse - wouldn't have been a trip to Marseille without it! While it wasn't my favorite and was pricey, I can't deny that there is definitely high quality fish here at Chez Fonfon. read more

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I was in marseille and I was told I had to have this. It's traditional, it's expensive lol and they take Amex so it doesn't matter anyway, I was with my cousins all from Paris and they were down to eat this too. I should have did a YouTube review but I'll just do a yelp. The soup hot is great but remember it was hot outside too. The window was cracked but still hot and only one of their AC worked. So it was hot in the main room. I could barely finish all the fish as there's just a large portion of fish. If you enjoy fish, you can pick or you can try. The service was 4/5 I didn't think it was perfect but I'm American and I don't really care lol for the price this is. I wish I could of used the steam room after to sweat out all the sodium but after you walk around on a hot day you actually feel great trying all these fishes lol If you are here and you're a foodie, then it's worth eating. read more

Chez Fonfon - The wagyu - Seafood Near Me - Marseille, 13

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First class restaurant. The food, the service, and the ambience were spectacular. La bouillabaisse was extraordinary. Highly recommended. But may need to walk a bit to reach it. read more

Chez Fonfon - This a view from the front of the restaurant - Seafood Near Me - Marseille, 13

In our week in France, Chez Fonfon was the best meal of the week. We were looking for an exceptional seafood spot with options for a vegetarian and someone with several prominent food allergies -- and Chez Fonfon delivered! The bouillabaisse was incredible (can't miss!). The ceviche was perhaps my favorite dish. The large seabass was deboned table-side and surpassed expectations. The servers were attentive and adaptable. The place itself was beautiful with an unbeatable location. read more

Visiting family in Marseilles and they took us to try the local specialty, bouillabaisse, at Fonfon which is what this establishment is supposedly famous for. Can't say I've had bouillabaisse before, and this was an interesting experience. The waiter provided an explanation of how bouillabaisse is prepared - 5 different fish that are used to make the broth. Dish is presented with all you want broth and croutons with 2 aiolis (saffron and garlic). The fish is then presented with potatoes. Cousin had to demonstrate how to eat it - spread aioli on crouton and float in soup. Then, take a spoonful on broth, fish and crouton. Couldn't say what each of the fish were - they each had different textures and flavor profile. Different and quite filling. This review is specific to the bouillabaisse. Family had ordered other items but I didn't try them. New experience for us and it was enjoyable. read more

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When visiting Marseille, bouillabaisse is an obligatory dish to try, and there's no better place to do it than Chez Fonfon, located in a fishing cove called Vallon des Auffes. This isn't a cheap dish, coming in at 50 Euros--but for good reason! The soup is only made with the freshest catch, making every bite worth every cent you're paying! After sitting down in the bright, homey dining room and ordering, the waiter brought an amuse-bouche of herbed gazpacho with feta, along with a basket of toast with an olive tapenade, homemade aioli, and a homemade rouille sauce. The aioli can be described as a garlicky mayonnaise, but it tasted completely different from and better than any typical mayo I've had! But the sauce we loved the most had to be the creamy rouille, which had a wonderful spicy, creamy flavor from the red peppers--all the toasts and sauces were absolutely perfect for pairing with the bouillabaisse! The waiter first brought out a pot with the bouillabaisse soup and ladled out a generous portion. The dark, rich soup was unlike anything I had ever tasted before in my life, and I was entranced by the deep, fishy, herbal flavors! On the side, we were then brought a plate of the 5 different fish that were used to make the bouillabaisse: turbot, weever, red mullet, scorpion fish, and conger eel. These had already been filleted for us in the kitchen were served with boiled potatoes as well. Every bite of the fresh, tender fish was amazing, and as we ate, the waiter continuously offered us more of the rich, hot fish soup! In addition to the bouillabaisse, we also ordered a fish entree: the turbot, which had (somehow) been stuffed with pancetta, and was served with artichokes, sprouts, and a diced tomato mixture on the side. I found the flavors of this fresh, bony fish more distinct than the flavors of the fish that had been cooked together in the bouillabaisse, and the turbot paired incredibly with the tasty vegetables on the side. All in all, Chez Fonfon was an amazing experience--the warm, friendly hospitality, the fresh ingredients, and the warm, satisfying bouillabaisse were simply unforgettable! read more

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If you want to try the real bouillebasse - traditional authentic fish soup, Chez Fonfon is the place, only one of few places in Marseille. It's pricey, €53 euros for a bowl of soup plus fish content from the soup but if you want to experience the real thing it may be worth it. We also ordered fish cooked in a clay, next time I would probably skip that. It lacked flavor. The fish you get from the soup is so flavorful no need to get another fish dish. The location is also unique. Away from tourist trap places it's built in the neighborhood right next to a bay. Frequented by local stars this place is an iconic Marseille experience. read more

Overcooked, Overrated, and Overpriced! We were disappointed by our experience at Chez Fonfon. Food was mediocre. Service was lacking. After hearing so much about the famous bouillabaisse, we were expecting it to be good. Unfortunately, we got fish that was overcooked. Broth was all right, but it was not very flavourful, nor was it hot. We were not given bread with the bouillabaisse -- they took our bread away before the bouillabaisse came. Afterwards, I found out from looking online that you're supposed to eat bouillabaisse with bread, so basically they didn't serve us this traditional local specialty the way it's meant to be eaten. We also ordered a menu with stuffed zucchini, swordfish, cheese, and orange macaron with ice cream. Fish was overcooked again. Stuffed zucchini tasted okay, not especially great. Service was clumsy and unpolished. There's the no-bread problem. We were also given a bad table at the back near the kitchen where all the waiters are going back and forth even though there were plenty of better tables available when we arrived. Waiter was unhelpful when we were deciding what to order -- he couldn't tell us much about the different choices and just told us to order what we liked. When we paid the bill, the waiter awkwardly assumed he didn't have to bring change. The tip was already included in the bill. Food was about 2 stars. Service takes it down a notch. Bouillabaisse was 47 Euro & Zucchini/Swordfish Menu was 43 Euro in July 2013. read more

This restaurant is outstanding. You can have an incredible Bouillabaisse. Basically this is one of the most traditional dishes from Marseille. Their version is very refined. The server comes to your table and shows you the fish that will go in your dish, it includes 5 different local fish. The boats were the fisherman work are literally steps from the restaurant. You are served the broth and then filleted fish separately . You the have a little of the fish with a spoon of the soup. You also alternate with croutons doused in rouille a delicious garlicky mayonnaise like sauce. The broth had deep flavor and color that one can only get from long simmering but the fish is perfectly cooked in the broth to order, so you have the best of both worlds as you mix the 2 together in your plate. Wash it all down with a Pastis DOC white wine from the region. read more

Overpriced AND the waiter couldn't add. Waiter was rude, and food was just ok. I honestly don't even remember how the food tasted. If you must come get the grill fish or salmon gnocchi, definitely not the Bouillabaisse. Oysters and the butter were fantastic. read more

BOUILLABAISSE. If you come to Marseille and you don't try it, well... you basically never went to Marseille. It's like going to Naples and not eating pizza, Wien without sacher, bordeaux without red wine... Got it? ok good, that means you HAVE to. Yes even if you do not like fish, next time go to Texas if you wanted to eat steaks. Now, chez Fonfon is almost always on the very shortlist of "where do I go to eat a bouillabaisse", and the good thing is that it comes up not only on tourist lists but also on Marseillaise ones. But of course is expensive, do not think to come here paying 25 each for a bouillabaisse, is not gonna work. So, reserve early (I'd say at least one week before in order to be safe, and ask for a table next to the window, than thank me for the tip), grab a shirt and go! After a small appetizer, here it comes, her royal majesty: you'll first receive some broth, and then the fish. Remember, you can ask several times for the broth, in order for it to always be hot. HOW TO EAT IT: The fish is supposed to be put into the HOT broth, so that it gets warmer but not too much and do not overcook. Easy right? well if you read to other reviews you'll see other people who just did not get it.... damn! Ah ps it's CROUTONS not BREAD what you receive (of course you do not get bread, it would get soggy), double damn!! Anyway.. The dish is incredible, all the flavors are perfectly joined together and the fish is so fresh you'd think is still alive. What do you want more? From the food, nothing, it's just sublime. The missing star comes from just small details you don't want to see in a mid/high-level restaurant: - wine list is not that great, and the sommelier is good but not great; - service... There was a new waitress, and she did not have the necessary experience to properly serve at the tables, like clearing the table next to other customers. Small details that in a restaurant such as this one start to count. Hence 4. But that does not mean you can avoid this restaurant. No way you can miss it. read more

We wanted a restaurant serving the classic "Marseilles Bouillabaisse." This was it. Terrific views, great service, and Marseilles bouillabaisse exactly the way it's famous. Two courses: One of the broth in which the fishes were cooked, then another of the five fishes, for us to drop into the remaining broth bite by bite. Our waitress came back regularly with more broth. Bowl of thin toast slices allowed the scoops of the saffron and the garlic sauces to be dropped into the broth too. It went on and on, and it was as good as I'd dreamt it to be. This is a very nice restaurant. But it could be a dump and I would have loved it. No shellfish in the bouillabaisse, no vegetables, just fish and potatoes, slowly cooked yet still fresh and tender. Some of these fish are only available locally, which is why Marseilles bouillabaisse is famous. I may never have it again, but at least I've had it once. read more

A Bouillabaisse dinner at Marseille was on our list of experiences while traveling through France and we chose Chez Fonfon based on our research. The restaurant is located on an inlet with some nice views of the water. We would definitely recommend getting an early reservation so as to get a table with views of the waterfront. To start the meal, we were served a mini gazpacho to sip on. The bouillabaisse broth arrived next along with the rouille (a sauce made with garlic, olive oil, saffron and chili peppers), aoili (garlic mayo) and croutons. A first sip of the broth revealed an unbelievably flavorful and thick fish stock. We were told that the traditional way to enjoy it is to drop the croutons shmeared with some rouille into the bowl and eat them once they soak in all the goodness. The five fish arrived next and comprised of filets of Rock Fish, Conger Eel, Scorpion Fish, Mullet and Monk Fish (to the best of our knowledge). Definitely a fish lovers paradise. The servers kept bringing more broth throughout the course and we barely had any room for desserts by the time we were done eating the fish. A very memorable dinner overall. read more

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Absolutely lovely. Located in a picturesque little inlet, if you're walking from downtown it's right off of a set of very old stone steps (l'escalier vallon des auffes perhaps). A small and intimate restaurant with two floors, the upstairs has two rooms so it always feels small even if it's much larger than it seems. The service is extremely attentive and helpful, exactly what you'd expect at such a (pricey) restaurant. We loved our waitress, who demonstrated everything to us. Dennis S.'s review is spot on with the description of bouillabaisse. It's wonderful. The timing was a little bit strange. I got the (fixed price) menu and he had the bouillabaisse, so we both started with soup. My soupe a poisson was fantastic, thick and almost crabby, super flavorful, served with garlic toasts and rouille sauce. While I was finishing that, his fish course came out. This is the confusing timing: shouldn't his main come out with mine? We finished his fish course and were just down to bouillabaisse broth by the time my main came out, which was a thick plank of a grilled local fish, served atop a pea puree and with some other veggies. The pea puree was whatever, the grilled local fish was fantastic. My menu came with a dessert, which we split since we were both stuffed by that time. It was apricot macarons with some ice cream and sauce. The ice cream was incredible, the rest of it was just 'eh'. A beautiful and relaxing experience for our last meal in France. Highly recommend. Casual-dressy (check the website). Don't wear shorts. Jeans are OK if they're nice. Definitely make reservations (they were all booked when I called for a Saturday so we ate there on Tuesday instead). read more

Tucked away in a little corner by a picturesque harbour, this place screams insider-tip from its nicely perched glass-fronted first floor dining room. Sadly, it is not. Famous for its bouillabaisse, we were surrounded by tables of tourists, all who had ventured here, Google maps at hand (as had we). We ordered the pricey bouillabaisse (because we were under strict instructions from our friend who had recommended the restaurant), a veal & langoustine tartare as a starter, and grilled John Dory as another main. The bouillabaisse arrived first and it was good. Fresh fish, tasty broth, croutons, rouille and aioli. It is so huge that one is inclined to believe that the portion size is what attracts the masses more than the taste or quality of the dish. The menu states, in bold, that the portion is for one person only, clearly indicating that sharing is not encouraged. The starter was mediocre at best, the flavours neither complementing nor enhancing each other, perhaps a chef trying too hard to come up with something nouvelle-cuisine-y. It was topped off with a hazelnut foam? cream? mousse? that didn't go well with the dish. The grilled John Dory was a complete disaster. Arriving 90 minutes into our visit (and long after both the starter and my bouillabaisse had been cleared), it was clearly reheated (why not just bring it once it was done??), rubbery, with a serving of unrecognisable vegetable. It was plane food, at best. Think Delta in coach. Service was friendly but slightly incompetent. We did not appreciate being recommended the most expensive wine, only to have it served in a minuscule glass (0.1l, if that) and not properly chilled (no, it was NOT red). The late arrival and abominable taste of the fish would have warranted an apology or a coffee on the house at a better restaurant. Luckily, there is an abundance of far better places in Marseille. La Caravelle and Café Vian, to name but a few. Do not go here, and if you do, stick with the bouillabaisse. read more

Lovely lovely restaurant with such a beautiful view. We were lucky enough to get a window seat and watched the sunset - absolutely stunning! I ordered the grilled seafood plate and my husband had the bouillabaisse. Very tasty! It's a little pricey but definitely worth it for the ambiance. Highly recommend! read more

Set in a beautiful location, the staff were exceedingly nice and accommodating. Started with a zucchini flower starter which was yummy then came the Bouillabaisse. It was super salty. Like so salty I couldn't continue eating beyond a few bites. I am taking into consideration it's a seafood dish but £53 is steep. All in all, I wasn't convinced the price tag was worth the offerings. read more

Thanks @hotzenplotz for the peek behind the scenes at Chez Fonfon! We were in Marseilles recently and splurged on a full-on bouillabaisse dinner here and did not regret it. Among us, we had consulted the New York Times, Fodor's, and the Michelin travel guide and then took a stroll around the city checking out the vibe at the various restaurants. The winner was Chez Fonfon. The ridiculously picturesque little old fishing harbor in front of Chez Fonfon, and its relatively down to earth, traditional menu (compared to the other restaurants in its range, who had received stars for their more contemporary cooking) convinced us to try for a table there, although we had been told over the telephone that it was booked for the evening. By arriving extremely early, just as the restaurant was opening for dinner at 7pm, we were able to enjoy a great meal. The two-story space with an amazing view has been renovated recently and the atmosphere was classy but warm. The service was a little hectic and disorganized (at least three people waited on us but nobody offered to take our coats, and one accidentally added cold soup to our soup plates, instead of hot but this only happened once). But all the waiters were extremely nice, were perfectly fine with speaking English with us, and one waiter even gave us a thorough, memorable and poetic explanation of all the parts of the bouillabaisse and how to eat it (Then put some rouille on the toast. Float the toast in the soup like a little boat. It becomes soft. Then, you begin to taste.). As we were tasting our broth, our fish were presented to us for approval, whole on a large platter, before being divided onto individual plates right in the dining room. The fish was incredibly fresh and delicious, but the broth was just as remarkable spicy, rich, thick with fish and tomatoes. Not to mention the garlicky rouille and aioli. Even the green salad we shared to start was unforgettable a true Provencal mesclun with perfectly fresh, jewel-likes leaves. As @hotzenplotz said, this food does not come cheap, but if you have access to a credit card, go to Chez Fonfon, it's worth it. read more

Like Kobe beef, Paella, and other famous recipes, I waited years for a Marseille visit to experience one of my most favorite dishes, bouillabaisse. The owner or manager greeted us confrontationally, kept it up, and all for his inferior version of the seafood dish. I would not recommend this restaurant to anyone. read more

Great Bouillabaisse and very good wines, attentive service and very competitively priced children menu. A good experience

Really good bouillabaisse!!! The location is nice too, right in the vallon des Auffes!!!

We came here since it is highly recommended for its bouillabaisse. I end up order sea food plate served on risotto. It's good, but not great; the shellfishes were not fresh. We tried the bouillabaisse, of course, although it is good since the fishes are fresh, it's not our favorite dish. This is an acquired taste. read more