L'Embarcadère — Restaurant in Argelès-Gazost

As a group of nine tourists from Ireland, we were hoping to enjoy some nice food and drink by the lake. Our first impressions were delightful as the male server (short and bald) was very friendly. However it was all downhill from there.

We ordered eight steaks and one fish dish. One party wanted French fries the server told us that the French fries were frozen and to get the potatoes because they'd be way nicer. He then came out and told us that the chef was cleaning the utensils and that he wouldn't do the fish so one of our party would be getting steak. Fine. A few minutes later, the sever comes out and tells us the chef wouldn't do the potatoes that were suppose to come with the steak because he was finishing up. We were all very annoyed at this point, especially considering the server told us not to order chips. It would be one thing if they ran out of potatoes, but for a chef to say he just couldn't be bothered doing either fish or potatoes was ridiculous. We should have been told from the offset that the chef wouldn't serve us what was on the menu. In addition, some of our steaks were extremely tough, almost inedible and not as asked for in regards medium/well done.

Unfortunately, that is not where this experience ends. I was infuriated that when two of us went up to order two glasses of a wine and a lager we encountered an EXTREMELY rude and arrogant man behind the bar. He refused to serve a lager in a plastic cup, although he had plenty left and was serving other drinks in them. He insisted on giving us a very small glass instead of a pint for no reason at all. And had a take it or leave it attitude. I don't see why he was being so difficult. It was very busy with volunteers around and music but we had just spent 200 euro on our meal here for nine people. There's no excuse for the unnecessary aggro towards paying customers. I would not recommend this restaurant to anyone who is a tourist, as lovely as the setting is. The only half decent thing about the place was the friendly waiter we first encountered. Due to the attitude of the chef and the bar men it was 200...

We were a group of 13 (mostly English, three fluent French speakers), and had booked ahead for our final holiday meal en route to Lourdes/Bordeaux. On the phone, a booking of 13 was “no problem” — but on arrival we were met with irritation, no greeting, and told we’d have to sit split across the restaurant despite empty tables. Only when another table left were we finally seated together.

From there, the service was rushed and unfriendly. We were told to “hurry” because the kitchen was closing, despite having a reservation. Orders were taken moodily, with no smiles or welcome.

The real issue came with the menu. A poke bowl listed as chicken or trout (with rice, mango, veg etc) arrived as breaded chicken — not stated on the menu, which was chosen specifically as a gluten-free option. When we politely raised this, the dish was snatched away mid-sentence, with the waiter refusing to listen. It was returned minus the chicken, leaving only plain veg, and when we asked to change the order we were told “the kitchen is closed.” I was left with no meal at all on our last meal together.

Meanwhile, other diners around us (locals) were served with smiles and conversation, which made the hostility towards us even starker. The only positive was one younger staff member, who remained polite and professional throughout.

Sadly, in such a beautiful location, the service was the rudest and most unwelcoming we’ve experienced. For us, it turned what should have been a special farewell meal into a very...

This is a very beautiful location to visit. Not only is it right along the water to feel the nice cool air and beautiful scenery. But the food was very fresh and full of flavor.

The staff speaks English, French and they accept card as well. It is a very lively place with people going to he lake to fish and enjoy the good food. A MUST if your looking to get some good time out and enjoy the scenery.

As for the food. I asked for a recommendation dish I was given the 300g steak. It was very tasty I couldn't choose between the pepper or mushroom sauce so they gave me both. It was so tasty I preferred the pepper sauce for the taste and the zing it had. As for dessert it was a lemon item. He told me it in French but it was Similar to a cheesecake but way better.

As for the review I would give the place a 7.6 out of 10 on that 🔥 scale. They gave the dessert for free and the flavors of the food was great. Definitely would go here again if I had the opportunity.

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