Bistrot l’Horloge — Restaurant in Marseille

This restaurant has one of the most delicious beef with salad and fries I’ve ever had. The beef was cooked a-point, cheery and juicy. The salad was fresh. The fries were warm, crunchy on the outside, slightly soft on the inside. These are thin fries with potato skin. To me, that’s how you know it’s good!

But I find that it is not very friendly towards non-French speakers. They do speak some English and have an English menu. However, I pointed towards the octopus and clearly said octopus in English. My server for the evening misheard me and ordered the beef instead. It is probably not halal and I couldn’t eat it, past the first bite, with a clear conscience :( also, I tried to ask why there was a couvert in my receipt for bread I didn’t eat. I tried to ask if it was on the house, but I didn’t get a clear response. It was a very disappointing experience.

A few points of advice for myself and for those with dietary requirements: If the server asks how you want the meat cooked, it’s probably beef. Perhaps, don’t think that it’s a unique form of cooking octopus. Ask the server to repeat the order, if possible. Point to the item clearly, especially in dim light. I don’t know if the couvert is charged. But consider refusing it before they put it down.

That said, if you don’t have dietary requirements and are looking for a good place to spend the evening, this is one of the top options. :) The kitchen opens at 7pm on Sunday. If you come earlier, don’t fret, there’s tapas and drinks.

Also, despite the wrong order and additional couvert, the server may have hurried the kitchen for me, at my request and I appreciate that. It may be a good idea to eat at a kebab place or some other place with ready made food, if you’re in a...

Bistrot L’Horloge is exactly the kind of place you hope to stumble upon in Marseille — casual, beautiful, and full of life. I sat outside at a little green café table with the bougainvillea spilling over the clock façade above me — it felt like dining inside a postcard.

I ordered foie gras with fries, a glass of crisp rosé, and sparkling water. Simple, but perfectly done. The fries were hot and topped generously, the rosé cold and refreshing — ideal for a warm afternoon. Between bites, it was pure joy to people-watch in the square: locals, travelers, and the hum of the city flowing by.

✨ Highlights: • The setting is unbeatable for atmosphere and photos. • Service was relaxed but attentive enough to make you feel welcome. • Great for a solo stop, a casual lunch, or just enjoying a drink in the late afternoon golden light.

Tip: Grab a table outside, order a glass of rosé, and let yourself slow down. The moment is as much about the view and ambiance as it is about the food.

#MichelleGoesGlobal...

I had an excellent experience here. I went with a friend who recommended that I try their food, he’s a local. He frequents often, the staff knows him. The staff were great, very friendly and welcoming. Everyone was willing to speak English with me which was a plus, they even had an English menu. We ordered the calamari, panisses (chickpea French fries) and Cesar salad. Everything was high quality and tasted phenomenal. The best grilled calamari I’ve ever had, I now prefer it over the fried. The rosè wine was great. The Cesar salad was portioned very generously and meticulously crafted to include many great ingredients which included a lot of tasty crispy bacon. I loved that the salad wasn’t overly dressed and the panisses was done very nicely the spice they use gives it a very nice flavor. I was offered a tasting their local rum- all I have to say is wow! You must try it, very smooth and tasty.

Overall, I highly...