Cybel - French Moroccan Fusion — Restaurant in Saint Petersburg

First of all, I have to say—the food here is simply the best. After dinner, I couldn’t help but brag to my sister, telling her I just had the most delicious meal on earth. Honestly, if I could, I would give this restaurant 10 stars!

We visited this restaurant tonight for our Christmas family dinner. We are a party of six, visiting Florida from New Jersey, including one of my sons, who is currently at the Air Force Academy. This winter break is incredibly meaningful to us because my son is rarely home, making moments like Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners especially precious. Choosing to spend this special evening at Cybel was the perfect decision.

Every dish was outstanding—I have never tasted food that was so clean, elegant, and delicious. From the very first bite, it was an eye opening experience. We ended up ordering nearly the entire menu (except for the salads!) because we simply couldn’t resist and all my kids are big eaters. Each dish was a testament to the chef’s dedication and passion. You could truly feel the care and effort poured into every bite, which made the evening unforgettable. For future reference, my best dish among the all food we ordered tonight was French Taco. Also all starter menus were great so please try as many as possible.

This was our first time trying Moroccan-French fusion, and I have to say these dishes were among the best I have ever had in my life.

The restaurant itself is very clean and well-maintained. I was particularly impressed by the bathroom—it was super clean, smelled wonderful, and even felt nice to stay in, which added to the overall positive experience.

The girl in white dress who greeted us was incredibly sweet, and the server who took care of our table was an absolute delight to talk to. After dinner, we had the chance to meet the chef (looked like an owner), and it was clear he is not only talented but also a genuinely kind and dedicated person.

Thank you, Cybel, for making our 2024 Christmas a celebration we will never forget.

On Christmas day of 2024, Cho and Lee family...

We were frequent customers when Cybel was inside foodie labs and could not wait to come enjoy their food in this gorgeous new space. Parking can be difficult if they are busy but we managed to snag a spot. We stopped in for Brunch a few weeks ago, we were kindly greeted and shown a table. About 15 minutes later we were given water and another 10 minutes or so later we were given the chance to order. If I hadn’t known the quality of food we were going to receive I’m not sure I would have stayed. We are patient people and it was very clear the poor girl was on her own that specific afternoon. Once she placed our order the food came out within a timely manor and it was as expected beautifully plated and delicious in flavor. We started with Un Peu De Tout; an array of Moroccan dips served with grilled pita bread. Every bite was delicious and well executed… this made us very eager for our entrees. My fiancé ordered the Chicken Shawarma Plate - just as we remembered, an outstanding dish layered with flavors and delightfully fresh ingredients. I ordered outside of my comfort zone; Tagine Shakshuka. I was very pleased with the complexity of the sauce however my eggs were severely undercooked to my liking and because I could not get the server’s attention decided to just manage. I love a runny yolk but the egg whites were goopy and still clear. Mistakes happen and I’m not one to bash over a simple error, however I will try a different dish on my return. All in all the experience was not exactly what I had in mind but the food is and always will be incredible! I am very confident that this was just a hiccup and they will work out their kinks with service and brunch execution. We can’t wait to return for more incredible food and we hope this honest review helps the owners as they navigate their new endeavor. Congratulations on a wonderful new addition to the neighborhood and St. Pete...

Mixed Bag

I sat on the patio on this nice day. But the restaurant does little to separate the patio from the parking lot and street. A hedge and some hanging plants? Service is haphazard and that wouldn’t bother me except the food pricing is appropriate for more professional servers.

There’s no bar, not even wine and beer. I was told that I could bring my own. Unfortunately, that wasn’t mentioned on their website. For an appetizer the server suggested the Seafood Pastilla ($18). It’s three Moroccan egg rolls filled with a mix of seafood and spices and it’s excellent, especially with the included dipping sauce.

I love a Moroccan tagine and the server recommend the lamb one ($45) for my entree. It was served in a traditional earthenware pot. In my experience, the meat in a tagine is cut up into cubes, which, I think, lets the meat marinade in the spices better. I was surprised that the meat here was a lamb shank on the bone. That made it hard to cut up in the pot. Also, the flavor was dark and muddy. The menu says that there is apricot in there, but I couldn’t taste it. Apricots or raisins or lemon zest would have given some badly needed brightness to balance the flavor. Usually, I’ve been served a tagine with couscous or some other grain for the stew to top. I asked and the server said they could bring me some rice. It was a very small serving, and I was surprised to find a $7 charge on my check for that bitty bit.

I’m not sure I’ll go back. $52 for a main is pricey for any restaurant, but especially for one that wasn’t so good and in a setting and with service more appropriate for a menu with much...