Le Caveau — Restaurant in Marseille

I made a reservation for 6pm because that’s when they were supposed to serve food. When we arrived and sat down around 6:15pm, they said that the kitchen won’t open until 7pm, which is no problem, since we were walking and biking all day so we ordered drinks. The waiter asked what we wanted to drink and we asked for a drink menu but he said they didn’t have one and just to tell him what we liked.The drinks came but were missing the water that we ordered as well. We had to flag down the service staff every single time we wanted more drinks.

Around 6:40pm we noticed the kitchen staff sitting down outside to eat their burgers and fries, after which they lit up cigarettes and enjoyed the evening.

Around 7:15pm we started to flag a waiter down to place our orders but suddenly the waiter said that they won’t take food orders until 8pm, so we just paid for our drinks and left. During the whole evening we noticed the other restaurants were serving food already.

At least they provided blankets to use when...

They clearly know how to repel their customers.

Even before we decided to get seated, a very busy waiter came to us and started explaining how it's a restaurant, it's near lunch time. He did very nervous taping on his watch, and continuing babbling something unclear in French. I was quite shocked, because it's a rare chance to get such unpleasant and rude service. I don't have much experience in France (outside Paris). I know they're not the best service oriented nation, but still what I received in this particular case was something unbelievable.

Well, after so many and so colorful explanations we decided to go just 10-20 meters next to this place and sit in a different restaurant. I highly advise you to do the same.

Probably this place is for specific, high-profile local people? Nevertheless, please do help the free market and leave such holes to...

Our first night in Marseilles we found this restaurant on a whim.

We were greeted warmly and sat. Downside we had to rely on a chalkboard to review the menu (no menu provided). The waitress came over and provided water and bread. After 5-10 minutes she took our order. The food was outstanding and to include presentation. After dinner I ordered a coffee and it was really good.

I really liked how it was tucked away with a great outside space. 4-5 other restaurants are using the same area as well and it was nice to see the businesses thriving.

*STAFF - Thank you for the wonderful service and meal. And thank you for speaking English to us and not making us feel like imbeciles. I know France gets a bad rap and your waitress...