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Reviews - El Cardenal - Hacienda del Cardenal

Reviews

8.7
of 10

Fabulous
1293 reviews
Ambience
9.2
Food
8.3
Service
8.7
Real experiences from real diners
Ratings and reviews can only be left by guests who have booked with TheFork.
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  • Shirley K.1 review

    July 10, 2025

    9/10

    The setting is fantastic and the availability of traditional dishes such as the pork stew and partridge salad. I personally found the dressing on the latter overpowered the game bird and lettuce in both taste and quantity.

  • Paul W.2 reviews

    June 14, 2025

    10/10

    The ambiance was quiet and inviting, the dining room felt like being in a royal setting. The staff were helpful, courteous and friendly. The food was delicious! The cheese sampler was uniquely accompanied by a fruit compote and the local Toledano beef and tomato stew was tremendous. Absolute winner.

  • Monique D.1 review

    May 5, 2025

    8/10

    Need faster drink service. Food very good.

  • Raul P.

    Raul P.6 reviews

    December 29, 2024

    10/10

    The food was excellent.

  • Jacqueline M.1 review

    December 17, 2024

    9/10

    Very unique place.

  • David M.17 reviews

    November 17, 2024

    7/10

    We booked a table in the restaurant for an 8pm fine dining experience. Instead we were shown to a table in the bodega, the restaurant area proper being closed. Then told that the kitchen was closed till 8.30. The soup we had was nice, but my wife's main dish was missing it's vegetable and was told that she had been given potatoes instead. However, potato was already on the menu for this dish (venison). My steak was rather gristly and fatty, but tasted ok. The only dessert available was marzipan cake, which neither of us like. When it came to the bill, no reduction was offered for my wife's dish. Not a fine dining experience.

  • Julio P.1 review

    November 10, 2024

    10/10

    The hole experience was wonderful

  • Marco R.1 review

    November 3, 2024

    10/10

    If I could give 6 out of 5 I would Amazing service, amazing staff, delicious food

  • Leslie K.1 review

    October 4, 2024

    10/10

    Elegant and completely delicious. A real treat!

  • Ashley O.1 review

    September 27, 2024

    9/10

    Food was fantastic!!! Ambiance was beautiful as well.

  • Alice H.10 reviews

    August 3, 2024

    10/10

    Very warm service and the atmosphere was lovely!

  • Jonathan V.3 reviews

    June 25, 2024

    6.5/10

    This restaurant was highly recommmended so we made a point to make a reservation on our first night in Toledo. Fair warning ( and not part of my rating) this place is a bit of a walk from the center of town where we were staying! When we arrived there was no logical place to checkin, so we had to grab a waiter who was passing. Only courtyard seating was available and it was so hot, the flies were so bad, we asked to eat in the bar. Service was fine, but slow and disorganized . Food was fine, but menu was very limited.

  • Natalie M.44 reviews

    May 29, 2024

    10/10

    Beautiful setting and excellent food.

  • Stepanenco V.1 review

    June 2, 2024

    10/10

    The service at El Cardenal was truly exceptional. The friendly, knowledgeable staff were very attentive and provided excellent recommendations, including helping us choose the perfect wine pairing to complement our meal. And the food itself was simply outstanding. Everything we tried, from the classic Spanish croquetas to the Spanish style pulpo🐙 and decadent desserts, all was bursting with flavor and perfectly balanced - no need for any additional seasoning. The quality of the ingredients and the skilled preparation were evident in every bite. While El Cardenal is not the most budget-friendly option, the combination of the wonderful atmosphere, nice service, and delectable cuisine makes it well worth the price. I would highly recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for an authentic and enjoyable Spanish/Mediterranean dining experience right in the heart of Toledo.

  • kimberley W.1 review

    May 7, 2024

    7.5/10

    The restaurant was closed despite a confirmed booking and we were instead directed to the hotel bodega, assured that the food ‘ is the same’ We ordered two starters, stuffed artichokes which were delicious, filled with sundried tomatoes. The second starter was Iberian jamon, bizarrely served with little wheat crackers shaped like almonds and a tiny bowl of tomate. The main course options were divided into three sections, Woodfired roast lamb or suckling pig, with potatoes. Alternatively, fish being either Hake which had sold out, or grilled octopus. The third section was grilled venison or lamb cutlets. There was no vegetarian option, and no vegetables except potatoes to accompany any of the meals on offer. The Hake had apparently already ‘finished’ despite being only half an hour into service. The general ambiance was very nice, though noisy as the bodega was popular with a largely American clientele. Overall it was ok. Not the amazing dining experience anticipated from reviews.

  • Larry C.1 review

    April 19, 2024

    8/10

    It is a very nice setting and we enjoyed our evening there.

  • Ellis L.2 reviews

    April 18, 2024

    9.5/10

    Booked this from reviews in Tripadvisor and weren’t disappointed. Service and food were excellent with very large portions, so much so we couldn’t even share a dessert. I’ve never has suckling lamb before and it was a real treat. Sue asked for her lamb chops to be served “sin sangre” and they were served just right. It’s a shame that the restaurant was so quiet, our fault for eating so early but it livened up with a big group arriving about 9. We left for a good hike up and down hill to our hotel feeling pleasantly full. A wonderful building and location, super quality and value for money.

  • Sergey C.

    Sergey C.12 reviews

    April 11, 2024

    10/10

    Very nice ambiance of the palace, interesting selection of the meals, and good quality of what we tried.

  • Florencio Y.1 review

    October 19, 2023

    10/10

    One of the best in food & ambience not only in Toledo but in Spain $13$14$15$16$17$18$19$20 . Best kept secret. The food is fantastic specially the roast lamb $21$22$23$24

  • Svein S.4 reviews

    June 29, 2023

    6/10

    Nice location and that’s also the only reason to go here. Food OK, but hugely overpriced. Better food elsewhere.

  • William S.2 reviews

    February 9, 2023

    4.5/10

    The surroundings were nice but the food was poor. The main dish came with only meat and potatoes, no vegetables whatsoever. The meat was bony and fatty. Maybe we chose poorly but the lack of vegetables or the ability to add as an extra is not good.

  • - -.4 reviews

    December 31, 2018

    9/10

    Really enjoyed our New Year’s dinner. Food was different was cool. I recommend the place. Was a great spot for a special occasion.

    El Cardenal - Hacienda del CardenalOwner

    Dear David, Thank you very much for posting your opinion and giving us the opportunity to share that special night with you. We hope to see you again to surprise you again.

  • - -.5 reviews

    June 13, 2018

    8.5/10

    The food here was really tasty--we ordered the menu which is a good deal for what you get.

    El Cardenal - Hacienda del CardenalOwner

    Dear Customer, I would like to thank you for your time and for your comment about your experience in Hacienda del Cardenal ***. We are very pleased to read that your stay has been you expected and we want to transmit to you that we are very pleased to have you as a guest. Your words help us to continue working harder Sincerely, Hacienda del Cardenal

  • - -.1 review

    July 11, 2017

    10/10

    The man help us to arrage the order is very kinds.

  • - -.4 reviews

    May 8, 2017

    2/10

    Worst food ever!!! Over expensive and tasteless. 41.50 for 1 plate of pig and 1 starter. The main course (piglet) was 2 bites literally and the meat was smelling bad. Afte we paid 41.50 for 1 person my husband went to eat to another place.

  • Ellireza p.4 reviews

    December 26, 2015

    6/10

    For a beautiful hotel like this, no one spoke English well enough to explain the menu which was in Spanish only. The Fish was good but we could not make them understand how we want our Steaks coiked even after they took them back multiple times only to burn the surface and bring them back one minute later without really cooking it a little more. At the end they were nice enough to change the two dishes and bring us one dish for the two of us to share. Overall, I think for a hotel restaurant, they should be more accomodating and provide better communication with their guests and have a more experienced Chef who atleast knows how to cook a Steak Medium well! The setting is beautiful and the value for the meal is fair at best.

  • Juan Manuel D.4 reviews

    April 26, 2013

    8/10

    Recomendable

Tripadvisor reviews

Tripadvisor
700 reviews

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