Restaurant Cédrat — Restaurant in Marseille

I really wanted to love this restaurant; it is listed in the Michelin guide and the website told a strong story about the ethos and menu. Unfortunately, neither the food nor the vibe quite hit the mark.

We arrived for an 8pm booking at 7:55pm and the reception from the front of house staff - who was sat on the front step - was not welcoming. They warmed up as the evening went on, but it started the experience on a frosty note.

The food was hit and miss. Some courses were bland and underseasoned; a chicken dish - leg and wing, so not much meat either - was in a green curry sauce that had no spice. Others were far better, like a very memorable strawberry and meringue dessert - one of the best I had in Marseille. At just under 50 euros for amuse-bouche/starter/main course/dessert, I expected more consistency. A great and reasonably priced wine list, though.

It was only a Tuesday night, so understandable to not be full to capacity, but there were only a couple of other tables of diners present, which made for a slightly strange/quiet experience.

The Michelin guide is usually spot on, so hopefully this was just...

The absolute BEST meal I had in all of France (big claim, I know). Incredible service, attentive staff, spoke English. The chef would even bring out courses for us! The food was indescribably good. Full of flavor, good portions for a high end restaurant. Felt like fine dining in a chef’s home, so you get bigger portions and the flavor combinations are perfect, not overly experimental. The menu is small (a couple appetizers, three entrees, and a couple desserts) but intentional, with seasonal ingredients. You order a la carte, but probably not the best place for picky eaters due to small selection. We ordered at least one of everything and not a single dish disappointed. The patio vibe was warm and homey, off from the street so you couldn’t hear the busy Marseille traffic. If you enjoy food, this will not disappoint! We easily made a same day reservation. Multiple accolades (Michelin guide etc) and will be back next time Im in Marseille. Thank you for the...

I came to Cedrat on a recommendation from Eater, which is usually a sure bet, but unfortunately, this time it missed the mark.

To be fair, the food was creative and flavorful. I started with poached asparagus, followed by dourada as my main. Both were well executed. Dessert, however, fell short, visually underwhelming and a bit chaotic flavor-wise.

The real letdown was the ambiance and service. It felt cold and disconnected. The server was on her phone at times, sat down for her own meal while plates still needed clearing, and I had to get her attention just to pay. Turns out, the chef himself was handling payments at the counter.

It’s a shame. For a small, chef-led restaurant, there’s a real opportunity to create something intimate and special. The food has potential, but the overall experience left me feeling overlooked.

I hope this feedback is helpful. With some attention to hospitality and guest connection, Cedrat could be something...