Marble can be used for kitchen countertops if you go into the purchase with a mindset that understands and expects the marble to not look pristine forever. Marble WILL etch, stain, and develop a patina over the years. It will not like bright and clean like it did on the day of installation throughout its lifetime (like granite or quartz will). The marble is going to develop "character" over the years. If you like the aged beauty of marble, then go for it. If you want it to look flawless forever, then this stone may not be for you.

Some alternatives to marble are quartzite (a natural stone) and man-made quartz. Quartzite has properties comparable to granite, but tends to look like a marble. White Macaubas and Mother of Pearl look very similar to marble. Man-made quartz has numerous manufacturers (Silestone, Caesarstone, Cambria) with many marble-look options.

I hope this is helpful!

Something to be aware of with quartzite! The market has become flooded with "quartzite" that is not really quartzite, and can be a nightmare. They put a resin on it that will make it look good, but will not hold up. Make sure if you decide to purchase Quartzite to get a sample and put it through everything, heat, cold, cleaning staining ect. A true quartzite will hold up to all of this without issues. The cheap stuff will stain, etch and not look good after one night of leaving something on it.
I personally think it is worth the effort, but be wary.
LOVE Quartzite!

Take a look at our VT Dimenions countertop line. VT Dimensions countertops take the look of natural surfaces and combines it with the enhanced performance of laminate. There are various marble options: http://www.vtindustries.com/dimensions-countertops. Let us know if we can answer any questions!