La cigale vieux port — Restaurant in Marseille

Were looking for a place at Vieux Port who offered an early dinner option as we were with small kid. Prime location and view of harbour with fenced-off seating area from busy street which is important for small children. Staff was extremely friendly! They recommended the moules crème as we asked for an option without alcohol for our child and myself who's pregnant - the mussels, however, reeked of alcohol and it was obvious we couldn't eat them. Mentioned this to staff who seemed truly sorry and asked to bring out something else, which we denied as the other portions were really large and we had enough food on the table overall. Dorade, fries and fried mixed fish weren't anything special (fish was dry, fried fish platter very heavy, salad not fresh, lots of mussels but way too much uncooked wine in the sauce) but quite alright. We spent about 70 E for 3 mains (very large portions) + 2 soft drinks + sparkling water which was expected, given the prime location.

I read about a children's option in reviews but we weren't offered one. Would not recommend overall but wasn't disappointed either as the young staff seemed genuinely (!) friendly and attentive and came back to chat and ask if we were alright with our option served several times during...

While walking by us a waiter dropped his tray on our table spoiling my mother’s plate (it was full of used mayo and ketchup packs) and also hitting her with the tray and water. I know accidents happen, but they must have found it very awkward because they ignored our table after and did not come back to remove her plate, check on her or offer a new one (she had only ate half of it).

When we asked for the bill, we also asked for a price reduction for her plate, but even though we argued with them, they kept on discussing - probably they knew we were tourists and wouldn’t come back - and eventually we gave up. Crazy bad service! Don’t think I’ve ever had as bad an experience with waiters before. I don’t blame them for dropping the tray which was obviously an accident, but the way they handled it afterwards was absolutely outrageous! Imagine spoiling someone’s dish at a restaurant as a waiter and not even doing something to take care of it afterwards. Crazy!

Also, the bouillabaisse was not very good. Didn’t taste like much and it was full of fish bones.

Only good thing to say about this spot was the view of the harbour - which was pretty...

Le Cigale in Marseille exceeded all our expectations! From the moment we arrived, the warm and friendly staff made us feel right at home. The service was impeccable, with everyone being attentive and genuinely kind, which made the dining experience even more enjoyable.

We started with their mussels, which were absolutely amazing – fresh, flavorful, and perfectly cooked. But the true star of the evening was the bouillabaisse. It’s safe to say it was probably the best we’ve had in the city! The broth was rich and full of flavor, packed with fresh seafood that tasted like it had just been caught. It was a true taste of Marseille's culinary tradition.

To complement the meal, we ordered a bottle of wine that was both delicious and fairly priced. Unlike some places, the wine here was full-bodied and definitely not watered down, enhancing the flavors of the food perfectly.

For the quality of the meal and the excellent service, the price was very reasonable. We left feeling completely satisfied and eager to return. Le Cigale is a must-visit for anyone in Marseille looking for authentic, high-quality food at a great value....