Reviews - El Barril de las Letras
Reviews
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Ratings and reviews can only be left by guests who have booked with TheFork.
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
Rory D. • 4 reviews
March 28, 2025
10/10
Great dishes of fish!
Haluk T. • 1 review
March 15, 2025
9.5/10Everything was good and delicious however the fish plates could be served warmer
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.
Gareth M. • 1 review
March 2, 2025
10/10The food. The food was incredible. I've had seabass before but not like this. So simple, sympathetic and delicious. It was incredible. The crêpe dessert? Other worldly. I had it twice. The wine? Perfect for the menu. The espresso? Perfect. If you go to Madrid and you love seafood, you're a fool (A FOOL I TELL YOU) If you don't pay a visit here. ( I cannot stress this enough. You're a FOOL to miss this place)
Alokita J. • 4 reviews
January 1, 2025
10/10Fantastic food, nice service and lively ambience.
Ana R. • 1 review
February 23, 2025
10/10Fantastic food and helpful staff with great service. I would recommend to all
Robert T. • 6 reviews
February 8, 2025
6/10Just very average overall.
Vernhet A. • 1 review
February 9, 2025
3/1025 euros for a little piece of octopus bathed in oil...greasy, tasteless croquettes. The wine was bad even though it was expensive, and the waiters were in a hurry. In short, we wouldn't recommend the place.
Hyunim K. • 1 review
February 9, 2025
8/10Fresh and excellent seafood (the grilled carabinero and fideua pallea were very good) and they have the extensive wine list
mesut a. • 1 review
January 31, 2025
10/10friendly staff, tasty food.
Koen P. • 3 reviews
February 1, 2025
7.5/10Food was very good, but not amazing, expected more. Service was very basic and slow. But overall, it’s a nice place for arroz
Ant H. • 50 reviews
January 11, 2025
8.5/10Lovely staff and good ambience. Wines reasonably priced. My pil pip cod was beautifully cooked but came in a creamy sauce rather than the spicy sauce I was expecting. Monkfish was excellent.
Marina E. • 1 review
December 31, 2024
10/10Great atmosphere and delicious food during the New Year evening
Shouq A. • 1 review
December 22, 2024
9/10
The clamps were amazing and delicious
Leonardo L. • 2 reviews
November 15, 2024
10/10
Located in a charming neighborhood, with a very well decorated and welcoming dining room, we enjoyed an excellent "arroz negro a la tinta del chocco". Very friendly and attentive service. Of course, all this comes at a price that could be a little more affordable.
MARTYN N. • 2 reviews
November 18, 2024
9.5/10Excellent quality food and service. The seafood was excellent. A touch of class. Good value for the quality
Ross B. • 3 reviews
November 12, 2024
6.5/10We had eaten at this restaurant last year and loved it; made a reservation to return this trip with a group of 8. We were seated immediately, while the hostess was away from the desk but the person who sat us checked the reservation and put us in the right table. The hostess challenged him in front of us about the location. She then continued to berate and be verbally abusive to one staff member for the next half hour right next to our table (he was doing a very good job for our table). The head waiter was pleasant, but very pushy and rushed us throughout the meal. We had an early (21:00 hours) reservation and the restaurant was certainly not crowded and there was no excuse for the rush. The food was all good - not amazing but tasty and very enjoyable, but the service definitely put a damper on the evening and we will not be planning to return.
Lizbeth A. • 1 review
November 10, 2024
9.5/10Great sea food, very nice restaurant
Myra P. • 1 review
November 10, 2024
10/10Wonderful atmosphere, great service and excellent food and a wide variety of delicious offerings. Highly recommend!!
Deborah D. • 1 review
November 7, 2024
4.5/10There is very little fish/prawns in the paella for the price. The service was shocking. Half an hour to take an order. A beer that never came but that they charged for. Waitress in a bad mood. Dessert arrived after they had brought the little cakes they give you to go with the coffee.A Maitre D who ignored us when we were trying to get attention.
Hristo G. • 2 reviews
October 23, 2024
10/10Very delicious food, I recomend for seafood lovers and not only!
INGRID S. • 1 review
October 15, 2024
9/10A reasonable Italian restaurant. Good focaccia pizza and pastas. Creative menu.
George B. • 1 review
October 25, 2024
6.5/10
I traveled a distance for a seafood meal, solo, tourist. I used TripAdvisor to narrow my search & this restaurant was the best on a busy Friday night. The fish selection was probably good by local standards. I was disappointed that the few choices remaining were for two people, apparently two people only. I identified one of these items, first asking for the tuttlefish, then when that request was declined I asked for the chipperones. To clarify, the server said vegetables several times. She went to the kitchen to verify, I supposed, then returned to say it was okay. I was served a plate of rice. I called the server over and showed her that there were no chipperones in my rice . I never saw her again. I asked a waiter and he sent over a manager. We repeated chipperones, we repeated tuttlefish. I wrote a note using MS Translate. He quickly resolved the problem by sending me a large, grilled squid. Problem solved? No. I paid 44 euros for 10 asperagi and a $2 squid.
Lisa S. • 1 review
October 18, 2024
4/10The lobster paella was tasteless and disappointing. The service was really terrible - plenty of staff on the floor but it took 30 minutes for me to receive my first drink, after we received and ate the appetizers.
Mark S. • 2 reviews
October 20, 2024
8/10Excellent food service and hospitality - always consistent with great fish and meat options
Sergey S. • 10 reviews
October 20, 2024
10/10
very tasty food, pleasant atmosphere
Amir K. • 3 reviews
October 13, 2024
10/10Excellent food. We visited the restaurant twice and enjoyed both times. Recommended.
Amir K. • 3 reviews
October 9, 2024
9/10Tasty food well made and served with a smile. We enjoined and recommend warmly. Don't forget to make a reservation.
Luis A. • 2 reviews
October 8, 2024
8/10Very good food at Very good price specially for its location
Justine B. • 1 review
October 7, 2024
7.5/10Inattentive staff
Judy R. • 1 review
September 29, 2024
10/10We went for a late lunch on a very busy Sunday. Waiting staff could not have been more attentive or kind. Food was outstanding and, as a result of the strong pound, great value too. Definitely try it.
Mario P. • 1 review
September 29, 2024
6.5/10We were very disappointed with the paella. The flavor was very bland and the portions were too small. We definitely do not recommend this place if you are looking for a good paella in Madrid.
Glenn P. • 4 reviews
September 24, 2024
7.5/10We were very excited to enjoy our first seafood restaurant on our Spanish trip. My wife ordered the grilled squid in garlic and I had the spicy wild clams. There was too much oil on the squid for my wife's taste. I am not a big eater yet I was underwhelmed with the small number of clams in my dish. The green chile sauce was just ok. Overall worth a try but maybe try some different dishes.
Nick P. • 3 reviews
September 20, 2024
10/10It was such a nice environment. Very good food and very welcoming service. If you’re looking for a seafood place to go to, this would be the one
Mark B. • 2 reviews
September 20, 2024
3/10Poor service throughout the evening from the menus.No wine list provided and when requested.Waiter took a very long time to provide and as though it was a favour. No wine poured throughout the night. Half an hour to get the bill , in the end I just went to the till and paid. I certainly would not recommend this restaurant.
David A. • 1 review
September 10, 2024
9.5/10Squid ink paella was amazing. Food was awesome. Highly recommend visiting. Best to book as this place is understandably popular.
Kate H. • 1 review
September 13, 2024
10/10The restaurant is spectacular and highly recommend for a lovely night out!
Katja P. • 2 reviews
September 6, 2024
10/10Loved everything, was there with my parents and even though we are from Portugal (and very demanding to seafood), the seafood was amazing ! And those oysters are just delicious! Service very attentive and friendly. Remains the place we come back!
Pedro D. • 1 review
September 5, 2024
10/10The staff and their team afforded us an unforgettable experience topped by delicious food and wine. We will come back every opportunity we can.
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