We’d walked past Marseille plenty of times. This time, our morning walk turned into brunch.
We live in Hudson Yards, about a 10- to 15-minute walk from this French restaurant in Hell’s Kitchen. We love French food, and breakfast dishes around $20–$30 looked reasonable to us. With no reservation and no plan beyond our walk, we decided to go inside.
Our first visit was a good one: tasty, filling mains, very attentive service, and a lovely setting. The coffee and cheesecake were less memorable, but the meal gave us plenty of reason to return.
The restaurant we kept walking past
Sometimes the places closest to home take the longest to try. Marseille had been one of those for us. We knew it was there, kept passing it, and somehow hadn’t made it through the door.
On this November morning, the menu finally persuaded us. It was an unplanned breakfast for two, which made being offered a corner table without a booking a particularly nice start.
Our walk-in worked when we arrived, before the restaurant was packed. That’s our experience from this visit rather than a promise that a table will always be available.
A corner table and attentive service
The atmosphere was lovely. There was room to take in the décor: warm lighting, patterned floors, white tablecloths and a bar lined with wooden stools. Marseille also has outdoor seating, although we ate inside.
The service was really good. A trainer and a trainee looked after our table, and they arrived at just the right times. They were attentive without making the meal feel interrupted.
What we ordered
Frances’s shakshuka: a little kick
I ordered the shakshuka, served in a skillet with bread alongside. It was very tasty, with a little kick rather than heat that overwhelmed the dish. I don’t usually enjoy spicy food, so that distinction matters to me.
It was a filling choice, too. This wasn’t a breakfast that left us wondering where to eat next.
Francis’s steak Benedict: the day’s special
Francis loves his usual eggs Benedict, but the steak Benedict special caught his attention. He went for it and found it very tasty as well.
His plate came with potatoes and salad alongside the Benedict. Between his dish and mine, we were very happy with the savoury part of the meal.
The steak Benedict was a special on the day of our visit, so check what’s available rather than assuming it will be on the regular menu.
New York cheesecake: fine, but not the standout
We shared a New York cheesecake for dessert. It wasn’t bad, but it was the more average dish of the meal. The mains made a stronger impression.
If we went back, I’d be more interested in trying something else from the menu than ordering this dessert again.
Coffee: okay, with high standards attached
We had two oat milk coffees. For us, they were okay—around three out of five.
Having lived in Australia and New Zealand, we have high standards for coffee. Possibly inconveniently high. These weren’t the highlight of breakfast, even though we enjoyed the meal overall.
Our $83 bill for two
Our total came to $83 before tip. That covered:
- Two oat milk coffees
- Frances’s shakshuka
- Francis’s steak Benedict special
- One New York cheesecake to share
Breakfast dishes were around $20–$30 on the menu we saw. For two filling mains, two coffees and a shared dessert, we thought the prices were reasonable.
Prices and specials reflect our November 7, 2026 visit and may change.
Would we go back?
Yes. We’d return and try other dishes.
The tasty mains, filling portions and attentive service were the reasons we’d come back. The coffee was just okay and the cheesecake wasn’t a standout, but those didn’t take away from a very enjoyable first visit.
If you’re looking for brunch in Hell’s Kitchen, Marseille is one we’re happy to recommend based on this meal. It’s also an easy walk from our part of Hudson Yards—a useful reminder to occasionally stop at the places we keep walking past.
Watch our Marseille brunch reel
Find Marseille: 630 Ninth Avenue, New York, NY 10036. Visit the restaurant’s official website for current menus, hours and reservations.
