An Italian vermuteria–inspired restaurant

shaped by rhythm, design, and Mediterranean ease

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In Marseille, Devo unfolds at its own pace. Somewhere between restaurant and bar, it’s conceived as a living space — one that moves naturally from early drinks to long dinners and late-night conversations. That same rhythm carries through to the menu, which draws from Provençal and Niçoise traditions with a deep respect for Mediterranean cooking.

Grounded, generous, and designed to be shared, the dishes extend the atmosphere of the room onto the table, reinforcing a sense of ease that invites guests to stay, linger, and return.

An Interior Inspired by Italian Bars

Designed by Axel Chay, with artistic direction by Mélissa Chay, Devo’s interior is conceived as a spatial narrative rather than a decorative backdrop. Rooted in references to Italian bars and vermuterias — and the visual culture of the 1970s — the space blends vintage influence with a contemporary design language.

Materials lead the experience: stained wood, stone wall surfaces, stainless steel, lacquer, and smoked glass are layered to shape light, depth, and movement. The palette feels warm and cinematic, evolving subtly throughout the day and night.

Design That Encourages Movement

Custom-designed elements anchor the space. Sculptural seating by Axel Chay acts as an architectural extension, reinforcing continuity between volumes and encouraging fluid circulation. These bespoke pieces sit alongside carefully selected vintage objects — plaster sculptures, model boats — introducing texture, memory, and a sense of time. The zinc-and-wood bar and large smoked-glass shelving function as visual anchors, balancing solidity with transparency.

A Design-Led Hospitality Space

Devo positions itself as a design-led hospitality destination, timeless, inclusive, and built to age well. Here, architecture, objects, light, and cuisine operate as one coherent language, extending the culinary vision of Ferdinand Fravega into the space itself.

A place where atmosphere is not added on, but quietly embedded in every detail.

All photography by Mathilde Hiley

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