Barrafina Dean Street
London
Reseñas
I had an absolutely fantastic dining experience at this Spanish restaurant. From the moment I walked in, the warm atmosphere and friendly staff made me feel welcome. The service was equally impressive. The staff were attentive, knowledgeable, and happy to recommend dishes and drinks that complemented our meal perfectly. Their genuine hospitality elevated the entire experience. Special mention to the manager Antonio and Dario. Oh and Harold was the waiter was amazing too! Highly recommended, an easy 5-star experience!
This place was literally amazing—I cannot stress how good the shrimp was and our waitress was superb, she explained everything on the special menu specifically and answered all of our questions. I highly recommend the Gambas Rojas (shrimp) and the crab croquets (these were on the special menu so I’m not sure if they’re always available, though). We also ordered a salad (i forgot the name but it’s the one with beans) which was pretty good, and a tortilla, which I don’t think I would get again since I didn’t really like it. Overall highly recommend, we came here for lunch in a weekday so it wasn’t really crowded.
Food was genuinely very good, especially the zucchini flower with cream cheese and the ham/prawn croquettes. Patatas bravas were nice too, and the staff were lovely throughout. My main issue is the value for money. The portions are extremely small for the prices they charge. One squid dish was around £20 and honestly it was quite tiny. Same with the sangria, small glass, lots of ice. I get that it’s Soho and central London prices, but it still felt overpriced overall. Good food, just not sure it’s worth the price.
Food was quite nice - the Arroz de Carabineros was the standout dish, but was let down by others like the croquettes which we had to send back twice for being cold in the middle. Aubergine was really good, but the lemon sole a tad bland. Service was very lacklustre - wouldn't personally come back to this branch.
I've lost count of how many times I've returned to this authentic Spanish tapas bar! Barrafina on Dean Street is a Michelin-starred institution for a reason. Top tip: I always aim to arrive around 4:30-4:45 pm. If you queue for just 15-20 minutes then, you can pretty much guarantee a seat at the counter. The setting is stylish and vibrant—a classic counter-dining experience. The atmosphere is always buzzing, and the staff are incredibly attentive and hospitable. We opted for the classics: the Classic Tortilla, Pan con Tomate, Croquetas, and Pimientos de Padrón. The Pan con Tomate was a brilliant starter—fresh, garlicky, and the perfect palate cleanser. The Classic Tortilla is the real highlight here. When you cut into it, the egg is perfectly runny and oozing—absolute perfection. The Croquetas were delightfully crisp on the outside and creamy inside, and the Pimientos de Padrón are a staple dish I order every single time. Everything was so tasty I honestly couldn't stop eating until every plate was wiped clean! All in all, the vibe is great and the food is consistently fantastic. Highly recommended!
