Martigues has its canals, its Ile quarter and its waterside terraces. But for a meal facing the open sea, simply take the road to the Côte Bleue: in about fifteen minutes you go from the town's bridges to the terraces of Sausset-les-Pins, opening onto the Mediterranean. Here is how to plan the trip, and which time of day to choose.
From Martigues to the Côte Bleue: a fifteen-minute drive
When staying in or visiting Martigues, the Ile quarter's colourful lanes and canals are tempting for dinner. The Côte Bleue coastline, fifteen minutes away via the D5, offers something else: terraces facing the open sea, with the Mediterranean in the foreground.
The most scenic route passes through Carro and La Couronne. Beyond them the landscape changes: Côte Bleue calanques replace the shores of the Etang de Berre and pines line the road to Sausset-les-Pins, its harbour and its terraces along Avenue Jules Ferry. You can also come by train: the Côte Bleue line stops at Sausset-les-Pins station, a five-minute walk from the harbour.
Canals or open sea: two waterside atmospheres
In Martigues, terraces look onto the canals or the Etang de Berre: a lively, urban "Provençal Venice" setting. On the Côte Bleue, nothing stands between your table and the horizon. The air smells of salt, fishing boats come back to the harbour and, in the evening, the sun sets over the sea. The two complement each other: keep the Ile quarter for a stroll, and the coast for a meal facing the open water.
That is exactly what our seaside restaurant near Martigues offers: in Sausset-les-Pins, Le Spot seats 78 guests on a sea-facing terrace, in the spirit of a relaxed, chic and family-friendly brasserie.
Which time of day to choose?
In the morning, the terrace is quiet and the light soft. Tuesday to Sunday, the seaside brunch brings together pancakes, avocado toast, Eggs McSpot, waffles and fresh juices: a good reason to set off early on Sunday, before a walk along the harbour.
At lunchtime, it is time for grilled fish and family tables. On weekdays, a daily set menu is served at lunch, Monday to Friday: the simplest way to enjoy a sea-view lunch.
In the evening, a sunset aperitif is a Côte Bleue classic. Le Spot's cocktail and spritz bar serves mojitos, Aperol Spritz, Hugo Spritz or Saint-Germain spritz, as well as alcohol-free cocktails. Open every day from 8am to 11pm, the restaurant lets you go from aperitif to dinner without changing tables.
What to order facing the sea?
Plancha cooking is one of the coast's signatures: fish is seared at very high heat, giving a golden crust while keeping the flesh tender. At Le Spot, the seafood menu follows the catch: whole sea bream or sea bass, octopus, cuttlefish and king prawns in parsley sauce, or the octopus, cuttlefish and prawn trio to taste a bit of everything. As starters, plancha razor clams, garlic and parsley tellines or saffron fish soup with rouille set the tone. All our fish and seafood are presented on a dedicated page.
For meat lovers, the menu also features Caesar salads, clam or pastis-flambéed prawn linguine, rib-eye with Béarnaise sauce, Asian-style beef tartare and Le Burger du Spot. To finish: tiramisu, fiadone, crêpes, waffles or ice-cream sundaes. The full menu is online, with up-to-date prices.
Practical information for visitors from Martigues
Journey: allow about fifteen minutes by car from central Martigues via the D5 and the coastal road. Free parking is available nearby.
Hours: Le Spot is open every day from 8am to 11pm. Brunch Tuesday to Sunday in the morning, daily set menu at weekday lunchtime.
Booking: recommended at weekends and in summer, when sea-view terraces are in high demand. Call +33 4 42 87 35 77 or use the online contact form.
Address: Le Spot Restaurant, 1 Avenue Jules Ferry, 13960 Sausset-les-Pins.
To book a table facing the open sea, see our seaside restaurant Martigues page. Our Côte Bleue restaurant guide covers the coast between Marseille and Martigues, and if you head on to the neighbouring town, see our seaside restaurant in Carry-le-Rouet. For tourist information, the Martigues tourism office lists events and neighbourhoods to visit.