Marseille nightlife just got a bump

In Marseille, a new restaurant and wine bar is stirring up the city’s culinary scene with Provençal charm, Niçoise heritage and a design language that unfolds as a sensory journey. Dévo was co-founded by chef Ferdinand Fravega, who honed his craft in Michelin-starred kitchens in Paris and Lyon. He enlisted designer Axel Chay and his partner Mélissa Chay to bring the space to life, and they responded with a distinctly modern, Mediterranean design direction, drawing inspiration from Italian bars, Spanish vermuterías and classic cafés.

The result hums with energy, shifting effortlessly with the rhythm of the evening and carrying guests well past midnight. Leaning into wood, stone, deep-toned lacquer and stainless steel, Axel crafted a full suite of bespoke furniture for the project. At the bar, a vintage zinc counter pairs with tubular steel stools and chairs, while stained Okoumé wall panels, a dusky burgundy resin floor and swathes of satin set a warm, tactile tone. Mirrors by Marseille-based artist Aurélien Ciller, printed with mountain silhouettes, add a layer of landscape-inspired drama.

The overall mood is warm with unmistakable 1970s undertones. ‘We didn’t try to recreate patina or mimic “oldness”,’ say the Chays. ‘Instead, we focused on materials and gestures that carry familiarity. We wanted to reinterpret the codes of old bars and make them feel fresh yet known. Marseille has this mix of roughness and elegance, spontaneity and intensity. We wanted the space to reflect that duality — instantly comfortable, yet unmistakably alive.’

Fravega’s menu features flavours with a distinct spirit: think anchovies served fresh, petits farcis, tripe, monkfish with a gentle touch of aïoli, and a deeply comforting minestrone. Wine plays an equally central role, with around a hundred references from independent and natural winemakers shaping a list that feels — like these environs — thoughtful, characterful and quietly confident.