El Barril de las Letras

Victor D. • 1 review

May 31, 2025

5/10

We just finished an 18-day trip through Southern Spain, Madrid and Portugal, and although this restaurant came recommended by our Madrid hotel, it was EASILY the WORST dining experience that we had on the entire trip (and we ate at a wide variety of restaurants -from expensive and gourmet quality -to- street food and neighborhood cafes ) The service was literally NON-EXISTENT ??? Seated us and then proceeded to IGNORE us for our entire visit, we were "served" by at least 5 different staff members ( not even waiters some of them ) and finally had to ask to pay, so we could leave..... Restaurant design and interior are very nice, food was good - acceptable BUT not better than average and above average in price. We would NEVER return to this restaurant, and would NEVER RECOMMEND to anyone During our trip, we were very please with at least 14 or 15 of our 18 dinners ( see our other Reviews ) but NOT this restaurant, SORRY

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Joe C. • 1 review

June 7, 2025

10/10

One of the best restaurants we went to while in Madrid. I have had monkfish in many places in many countries. Never like this. Delicious. Good wine list. I’ve already recommended the restaurant to a number of friends. And while it certainly wasn’t inexpensive… I wouldn’t expect it to be… The prices were extremely fair for what you get.

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TJ H. • 1 review

May 27, 2025

8/10

Great food, would’ve liked to see a bit more variety all in all a great restaurant.

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Maria P. • 33 reviews

May 30, 2025

9/10

Really good food, service could be better.

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Joan B. • 6 reviews

May 29, 2025

10/10

We shared a delicious seafood paella. Service and food are top quality.

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Sergio D. • 1 review

May 18, 2025

7/10

Service was slow

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Bernardo W. • 2 reviews

May 8, 2025

10/10

Great food and attentive service. I had the Merluza in an olive oil and garlic sauce. Also, the arroz con leche for desert. All delicious. The waiter was very friendly and the ambience was very pleasant. Highly recommended.

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Stanley K. • 20 reviews

April 30, 2025

10/10

Great food and a well curated wine list. The green salad is terrific.

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Juan D. • 7 reviews

May 1, 2025

10/10

Second time I plan a dinner at the restaurante and once more I leave very happy and satisfied. Great food great service.

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Sylvie W. • 2 reviews

May 1, 2025

10/10

Really delicious food ( emphasis on fish) in lovely neighbourhood restaurant with impeccable service.

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Stanley K. • 20 reviews

April 27, 2025

10/10

Our favorite restaurant in Madrid. Excellent food and service and a comfortable and attractive room.

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Deborah L. • 14 reviews

April 25, 2025

10/10

+1

Very surprised by the quality and the value for money of this restaurant. All the dishes were delicious. I highly recommend the tortilla with bacalao , the duck and the meat with truffles. For desert the caramel cheesecake… yum!

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mj s. • 2 reviews

April 6, 2025

9.5/10

Excellent entrees, and starters/small plates. Quality high, preparation high. we went twice.

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Ilan G. • 1 review

April 8, 2025

9/10

The food

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Luis L. • 2 reviews

April 5, 2025

6.5/10

Nc

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Roxana G. • 2 reviews

March 28, 2025

8.5/10

the food was excellent, so we made a second visit. not very inspired choice, as being Friday the restaurant was crowded and extremely noisy making conversation at table almost impossible

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Ramón T. • 1 review

March 28, 2025

10/10

Last day at Madrid needed a good farewell dinner, this is exceeded by far this intention

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Rory D. • 4 reviews

March 28, 2025

10/10

Great dishes of fish!

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Haluk T. • 1 review

March 15, 2025

9.5/10

Everything was good and delicious however the fish plates could be served warmer

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Nathalie F. • 1 review

March 10, 2025

7/10

Barrio de las Letras offers a pleasant escape from Madrid’s tourist-heavy areas, providing a more relaxed atmosphere where English speakers can feel at ease. Based on a friend’s recommendation, I visited a restaurant in this neighborhood and was delighted by the exceptional callos—the best I’ve ever had. However, the service was disappointing. The manager seemed to rush both the staff and us, the customers. After our meal, we wished to enjoy a digestif while waiting for a taxi, but he refused us re-entry. Despite the initial service issues, I decided to give the restaurant another chance, especially since friends were visiting near Gran Vía. Regrettably, the service remained subpar. The waitress was overly controlling, dictating our food choices and even removing our chilled wine from ice, insisting it was better at room temperature. While the salted fish was excellent, the consistently poor service overshadowed the dining experience.

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