I’ve eaten here several times and it’s always been ok. I have tried the charrings cross restaurant the last three times. The first occasion was amazing and the staff were great. Then I noticed the second time a different staff member and the third time a few different ones. Just my opinion but it has changed the atmosphere and team relationship. The first time I went the guys were close almost like family. One of the staff members was just finishing his masters in law and I helped him out with some advice. I had a lovely time. The second time my bill was massive and the food nothing to write home about at the price. Even the beer wasn’t as nice as I’ve had before. It’s a shame because I don’t know what they did but the estrella was better than anything I’ve tasted before. When I left I had a mild upset stomach and I ignored it thinking maybe I’d eaten too much rich food. A few weeks later I took my 7 year old here for my third visit. He wanted sea food and I thought it would be great for him to see it in the ice and watch them cook it. Anyway we enjoyed the theatre of the dish ate our food payed our bill with bellies full. We had monk fish, croquettes and tortilla. I thought the fish was not right but didn’t question it as these guys are a top restaurant right? Anyway we paid and left and my son was really happy and so was I. We headed for embankment to walk across the bridge towards london Waterloo. However by the time my son and I got to the royal festival hall we were both dying for the toilet. Immediately after eating we were jammed up in the toilets for a good twenty minutes. We had cramps and my backside was doing 50p /20p all the way across the bridge. I thought my 7 year old wouldn’t make it. It was a long train ride home and I’d spent a fortune to get a dose of the squirts
eastldnatw
I went for a quick bite with a friend, so we didn’t have time to taste many dishes. However, the few we did try were stunning. The food is delicious, and the flavours are perfectly balanced. What made it even more special was the service; it was extremely friendly, and the positivity of the staff was infectious! Great job!
S Lincoln
Seating is all around the counter/bar so you can watch them cooking. Light and airy with a good vibe. Perfect for two people eating together especially if you get 2 seats over a corner like we did. Bag hooks under the counter is a great touch.The menu is not vast but has some amazing dishes. Not your average tapas, the dishes are quite unique and so tasty.Vegetarian options: Good choice of vegetarian plates, we had about 6 dishes that suited.
Kandy Teo
I had an exceptional dining experience on July 15, 2023. The lemon sole I ordered was expertly prepared, impressively generous in size, and offered an exquisite taste. I wholeheartedly recommend it!
Peter Gan
Background:Visited the restaurant at Adelaide Street. It is a delightful dining establishment that offers a unique and enjoyable experience for food enthusiasts.Ambience:The ambience is warm and inviting, with a touch of sophistication. The seating arrangement resembles that of a diner, creating a casual yet stylish atmosphere.Service:The service at Barrafina is truly exceptional. The staff members are attentive, friendly, and knowledgeable, ensuring that every guest feels welcomed and well taken care of. From the moment you step in, you are greeted with a genuine smile.Food:The highlight of Barrafina is undoubtedly its outstanding food. The traditional Spanish tapas is fantastic with a twist of innovative creations. My favourite dishes were the pimentos and the tortillas.Overall:Barrafina is a hidden gem that deserves high praise. It is a must-visit destination for those seeking a memorable culinary adventure in the heart of London.
Bonsai Ninja
The food was good quality, the service was very warm and friendly and even though it was quite full and packed, the restaurant seated and served us without any booking. Perfect for sharing and good place to hangout. The price can be expensive for tapas but the quality does match up the price.
Camila Clarke
It’s great but not amazing! One dish (of cured tuna with almond & orange) was incredible! Everything else was good but not too extraordinary. Good drinks and casualAtmosphere.Vegetarian options: Not too strong for vegetarians
darrenm391
Food was lovely. Quick and great to see the chefs prepare in this busy and stylish restaurant. The serving staff were great whilst we were ordering the food full of smiles and character but once orders were place and food and wine delivered, the mood changed. We were an hour in to the sitting and we were reminded we have 30 minutes left before we needed to leave and did we want to order more food. We replied politely that we had enough but from that point on eye contact and smiles were lost. We needed to leave anyway for the theatre so it was no odds for us but we felt uncomfortable. Overpriced and not the pre-theatre experience we hoped for
Jennifer
Absolutely loved the cuttlefish croquettes (a special). The txistorra tortilla is also a must try. The arroz de mariscos was a little too fishy for my personal preference. Otherwise a great experience - perfect date night spot with bar seating (not suited for groups).
Travelling_fool_101
The food standard is still high although the choice seems slightly smaller. Stalwarts such as the goat cheese filled courgette (it is singular!) are excellent; this time we had special of monk fish which was large and delicious. Great wines and the service is prompt and very friendly by seemingly an all Spanish team, so you can have a great meal in well under an hour. However it is ever more expensive that one courgette is £12 and the monkfish £32. You sit on round bar stools so its not comfortable - very much a tapas bar yet at restaurant prices.
This is consistently excellent. I've been coming here since it first opened - the ambience, service and quality of the tapas is first class. Sitting at the counter watching the sous chefs prepare your dishes is pure theatre and the servers are very attentive and on the ball. The menu changes regularly and there is always a good selection of specials - most of which are very special!
Yuval K
Cute tapas restaurant. Pretty simple design. Sat on the bar. The tapas were delicious. Had some ham croquettes and chicken. Good wines too.
Billy Jacobson
The chicken was perfection and the gorgeous Spanish men prefaring it likewise. Perfect spot for a solo meal but can't wait to return with +1 to indulge in more variety
Ricardo Zamora
Top place for a selection of tapas a Spanish dishes. Service is friendly and knowledgeable. Food is fresh, tasty and cooked to perfection. Seating at the bar is where the action happens, bigger groups will feel that something is missing as tables are located 1 floor under street level.
Max de Rosnay
Has been one of my favourite places in London for years. The quality of the food is absolutely delicious, but be prepared to fork out some ££.Definitely have the Iberian pork and croquetas.Tbh, everything there is good as is the service.
I’ve eaten here several times and it’s always been ok. I have tried the charrings cross restaurant the last three times. The first occasion was amazing and the staff were great. Then I noticed the second time a different staff member and the third time a few different ones. Just my opinion but it has changed the atmosphere and team relationship. The first time I went the guys were close almost like family. One of the staff members was just finishing his masters in law and I helped him out with some advice. I had a lovely time. The second time my bill was massive and the food nothing to write home about at the price. Even the beer wasn’t as nice as I’ve had before. It’s a shame because I don’t know what they did but the estrella was better than anything I’ve tasted before. When I left I had a mild upset stomach and I ignored it thinking maybe I’d eaten too much rich food. A few weeks later I took my 7 year old here for my third visit. He wanted sea food and I thought it would be great for him to see it in the ice and watch them cook it. Anyway we enjoyed the theatre of the dish ate our food payed our bill with bellies full. We had monk fish, croquettes and tortilla. I thought the fish was not right but didn’t question it as these guys are a top restaurant right? Anyway we paid and left and my son was really happy and so was I. We headed for embankment to walk across the bridge towards london Waterloo. However by the time my son and I got to the royal festival hall we were both dying for the toilet. Immediately after eating we were jammed up in the toilets for a good twenty minutes. We had cramps and my backside was doing 50p /20p all the way across the bridge. I thought my 7 year old wouldn’t make it. It was a long train ride home and I’d spent a fortune to get a dose of the squirts
I went for a quick bite with a friend, so we didn’t have time to taste many dishes. However, the few we did try were stunning. The food is delicious, and the flavours are perfectly balanced. What made it even more special was the service; it was extremely friendly, and the positivity of the staff was infectious! Great job!
Seating is all around the counter/bar so you can watch them cooking. Light and airy with a good vibe. Perfect for two people eating together especially if you get 2 seats over a corner like we did. Bag hooks under the counter is a great touch.The menu is not vast but has some amazing dishes. Not your average tapas, the dishes are quite unique and so tasty.Vegetarian options: Good choice of vegetarian plates, we had about 6 dishes that suited.
I had an exceptional dining experience on July 15, 2023. The lemon sole I ordered was expertly prepared, impressively generous in size, and offered an exquisite taste. I wholeheartedly recommend it!
Background:Visited the restaurant at Adelaide Street. It is a delightful dining establishment that offers a unique and enjoyable experience for food enthusiasts.Ambience:The ambience is warm and inviting, with a touch of sophistication. The seating arrangement resembles that of a diner, creating a casual yet stylish atmosphere.Service:The service at Barrafina is truly exceptional. The staff members are attentive, friendly, and knowledgeable, ensuring that every guest feels welcomed and well taken care of. From the moment you step in, you are greeted with a genuine smile.Food:The highlight of Barrafina is undoubtedly its outstanding food. The traditional Spanish tapas is fantastic with a twist of innovative creations. My favourite dishes were the pimentos and the tortillas.Overall:Barrafina is a hidden gem that deserves high praise. It is a must-visit destination for those seeking a memorable culinary adventure in the heart of London.
The food was good quality, the service was very warm and friendly and even though it was quite full and packed, the restaurant seated and served us without any booking. Perfect for sharing and good place to hangout. The price can be expensive for tapas but the quality does match up the price.
It’s great but not amazing! One dish (of cured tuna with almond & orange) was incredible! Everything else was good but not too extraordinary. Good drinks and casualAtmosphere.Vegetarian options: Not too strong for vegetarians
Food was lovely. Quick and great to see the chefs prepare in this busy and stylish restaurant. The serving staff were great whilst we were ordering the food full of smiles and character but once orders were place and food and wine delivered, the mood changed. We were an hour in to the sitting and we were reminded we have 30 minutes left before we needed to leave and did we want to order more food. We replied politely that we had enough but from that point on eye contact and smiles were lost. We needed to leave anyway for the theatre so it was no odds for us but we felt uncomfortable. Overpriced and not the pre-theatre experience we hoped for
Absolutely loved the cuttlefish croquettes (a special). The txistorra tortilla is also a must try. The arroz de mariscos was a little too fishy for my personal preference. Otherwise a great experience - perfect date night spot with bar seating (not suited for groups).
The food standard is still high although the choice seems slightly smaller. Stalwarts such as the goat cheese filled courgette (it is singular!) are excellent; this time we had special of monk fish which was large and delicious. Great wines and the service is prompt and very friendly by seemingly an all Spanish team, so you can have a great meal in well under an hour. However it is ever more expensive that one courgette is £12 and the monkfish £32. You sit on round bar stools so its not comfortable - very much a tapas bar yet at restaurant prices.
Restaurantji Recommends
This is consistently excellent. I've been coming here since it first opened - the ambience, service and quality of the tapas is first class. Sitting at the counter watching the sous chefs prepare your dishes is pure theatre and the servers are very attentive and on the ball. The menu changes regularly and there is always a good selection of specials - most of which are very special!
Cute tapas restaurant. Pretty simple design. Sat on the bar. The tapas were delicious. Had some ham croquettes and chicken. Good wines too.
The chicken was perfection and the gorgeous Spanish men prefaring it likewise. Perfect spot for a solo meal but can't wait to return with +1 to indulge in more variety
Top place for a selection of tapas a Spanish dishes. Service is friendly and knowledgeable. Food is fresh, tasty and cooked to perfection. Seating at the bar is where the action happens, bigger groups will feel that something is missing as tables are located 1 floor under street level.
Has been one of my favourite places in London for years. The quality of the food is absolutely delicious, but be prepared to fork out some ££.Definitely have the Iberian pork and croquetas.Tbh, everything there is good as is the service.