La Frégate — Restaurant in Dieppe

This evening my family of four had what I can honestly say was the worst dining experience we’ve ever had. From the very beginning, the service was dismissive and unwelcoming. The waiter brought a bottle of wine to the table and simply set it down without pouring it or saying a word. Throughout the entire meal, he seemed miserable and uninterested in serving us, as though we were a burden for even being there. As tourists, we couldn’t help but feel we were being treated differently, and not in a good way.

The food itself was just as disappointing. It was completely under-seasoned, bland, and had no redeeming qualities whatsoever. For a restaurant that presents itself as somewhere worth visiting, the standard of cooking was shockingly poor. But as bad as the food was, the service somehow managed to be worse.

There was absolutely no attention to our table. We had to wave down the waiter just to ask for a bottle of water, and later again to request the bill. At no point were we checked on, asked if everything was okay, or made to feel remotely welcome. We didn’t bother staying for dessert because by then it was clear the staff couldn’t be bothered with us.

To make matters worse, when we paid the bill, there was no goodbye, no thank you nothing. Just silence, as if we were being rushed out the door. It left us with the clear impression that our presence was unwanted from the start.

I would never return to this restaurant and would strongly advise others to avoid it. Between the appalling service, the joyless atmosphere, and the tasteless food, this was hands-down the worst restaurant experience I...

Food was reasonable but pricey. We had a bad experience with the service though. First server was quite friendly and helpful, but a second server came to collect some plates and smashed everything - glass flying on my wife and eldest daughter, water everywhere, etc. Could happen to anyone. We checked the server was ok and didn’t make a fuss about it, and stood aside for a few minutes while he tried to clear up. Eventually we asked if we could sit at an empty table rather than lingering around, he didn’t think to suggest it. Meanwhile, he took everything away, including our unfinished glasses and the third of a carafe of wine that was left. Our desserts got served then we got the full bill, absolutely everything fully charged. Not even an offer to bring us a glass or two of wine to make up for what was taken away (and that probably had broken glass in it anyway). In fact the server didn’t even enquire if anyone was cut or hurt, which could easily have been the case. There was generally just a lack of class and awareness, which was quite a let down given that it was the most expensive meal during our two...

Revised my 5 star review of this restaurant where 4 of us had an altogether excellent lunch last year 2022. This time the same 4 of us had dinner and it was a miserable experience all round. Had it not been for a nice mini fruit de mer starter I would have given the place no stars at all. Skate with capers and fries was a big letdown with the fish being flavourless and the fries dark brown and not hot, I suspect they were cooked earlier and kept under a headlamp. And no sauce with the fish, just capers. Service was perfunctory at best, our waiter clearly wanted to be somewhere else. Yes, we made the mistake of eating out on a Monday and at 8pm in the evening but that doesn't excuse the very poor food offering. We won't go back again.

Original 2022 review is below.

4 of us had excellent meals here at lunch seated outside bathed in October sunshine. The 16.90€ menu had something for each of us and was excellent in every way....