Dévo Brings Retro Glamour to Marseille Dining

Design duo Axel Chay and Mélissa Chay have infused charm, texture, and Mediterranean character into Dévo, a restaurant and wine bar in Marseille’s Préfecture neighbourhood that balances retro glamour with an unmistakable sense of place.

Created by the husband-and-wife team, the venue draws inspiration from Marseille’s celebrated food culture and social dining rituals, resulting in an interior that feels both intimate and expressive.

GALLERY  

The pair approached the project as more than a hospitality fit-out, instead treating it as an atmospheric reflection of the southern French city itself.

“Marseille’s food scene today is instinctive, generous and deeply rooted in sharing, while remaining open to influences from elsewhere,” said Axel Chay. “That attitude was central to the design approach.”

The restaurant unfolds as a textured open-plan dining room wrapped in cavernous stone walls, where clusters of bespoke tubular stainless steel chairs designed by Axel Chay introduce a sculptural quality to the space. Upholstered in dark green cushions, the seating contrasts against the warm mineral backdrop while reinforcing the venue’s tactile material palette.

A key influence came from the glamour and sociability of 1970s Italian bars. This reference is most visible in the zinc-and-timber bar, positioned before softly rounded smoked glass shelving that introduces reflective depth and richness to the interior.

“The 1970s Italian bar felt like a natural point of reference because it represents a very particular balance,” Mélissa Chay explained. “Warmth, elegance and a strong sense of social ritual.”

Flooring in a burgundy-toned resin extends the restaurant’s dramatic visual identity upward into a glossy lacquered ceiling, while oversized red wall sconces cast an ambient glow across the space. Local artist Aurélien Ciller contributed custom mirrors printed with archival photographs of the mountainous landscape surrounding Marseille, embedding a further layer of local storytelling.

Humour also plays a role within the fit-out. A swooping seagull sculpture fixed to the wall near the entrance serves as a playful nod to the Mediterranean port city, accompanied by nautical references including a model ship.

Behind satin floor-to-ceiling curtains, an elevated black-and-white tiled kitchen completes the theatrical composition, reinforcing Dévo’s blend of nostalgia, craftsmanship, and contemporary hospitality design.

Images by Mathilde Hiley via Dezeen

Design duo Axel Chay and Mélissa Chay have infused charm, texture, and Mediterranean character into Dévo, a restaurant ...