El Rincon — Restaurant in Melbourne

Writing this review as mentioned to Adriana, Hi Adri y familia del rincó!!

Just dined in today for a Sunday merienda de tapas. First time to this place by accident, coincidentally named "El Rincón" which to me sounds like the corner as it's located literally on a corner of the Queen Vic Market. This place can get busy but well worth it. Prices may seem high, but to me it's perfect - especially with the food and service. The food is all good. I had only tapas to satisfy my cravings and ate at the bar solo. I love the friendly and inviting atmosphere and good vibes from the rincón family. I had the croquetas de jamón y setas. The ham is jamón serrano and so tasty and the setas are mushrooms all so good. Every bite of the croquettes had a savoury taste, highly recommend. Don't forget to check the daily specials written in the chalkboard. ¡Están riquisimos! I also had the gambas al ajillo (prawns in garlic sauce) which was so good! The bread just soaked up the sauce of the prawns. Reminds me of home and family, and the deli shops that sell jamón Serrano in Barcelona. As for drink, la señora con gafas offered me sangría which Adriana, a friendly server, told me that it was house special homemade on tap, and tasted so delicious. Highly recommend the sangría to those who need something to drink while waiting for orders. It wasn't strong which is a huge plus as I am Filipino and very lightweight with alcohol. Moreover, I loved the fruity flavour! Because I received another vasito de sangría, I ordered the la unión perfect since eggplant is one of my favourite vegetables. That dish was also good and came with pickles! I'm definitely coming back to try other dishes. I saw other customers order paella, and one couple ordered la paella negra (squid ink) which totally took me back home. It really gave me a reminiscent feeling of a typical bar de tapas back in BCN and hearing kitchen Spanish just reminds me of home. Music played is a plus as well. It's a nice groovy collection.

Overall a perfect 5 stars if ever you are looking for Spanish food, this is literally the...

As a professional chef, I approach every dining experience with a critical eye—evaluating technique, flavor, presentation, and attention to detail. This Spanish restaurant delivers a well-balanced offering that combines authentic traditional cuisine with modern touches, executed with care and precision.

We started with the croquettes, which were outstanding: perfectly crisp on the outside, with a creamy, well-emulsified filling and a refined, lasting flavor. A clear example of quality ingredients and classic technique done right.

The omelet was another highlight. A simple dish, but one that requires skill. It was cooked to perfection—soft and juicy in the center, with a generous amount of melted cheese that added richness without overpowering. A dish that shows respect for both the product and the guest.

The cheesecake is a must for those with a sweet tooth—rich, smooth, and indulgently sweet, with a well-balanced base that brings the dessert together beautifully.

We finished with a deep, flavorful coffee and a fresh orange juice that tasted just like homemade—natural and refreshing.

Beyond the food, the service was truly exceptional: warm, knowledgeable, and genuinely attentive. The restaurant also offers a wide range of price points, making it accessible for different budgets without compromising quality.

In summary: A place where Spanish culinary tradition is respected, professional techniques are well applied, and the overall experience is both satisfying and memorable. Highly recommended for anyone seeking honest, flavorful cuisine—especially fellow hospitality...

Located on the Victoria St side of Queen Victoria Market is this small, intimate, authentic Spanish tapas bar, run by some pretty amazing people who want to provide a true Spanish experience to all of their guests. They have recently started running wine tasting nights and have been quite successful with them. We received a warm welcome and introduction, and were seated at the bar. 4 wines, each with a complementing tapas, my favourite being the Tempranillo and delicious pork belly (I wish they had it on their menu!!). It was informative, funny and entertaining, you could really tell they have a passion for what they do and love sharing it with their guests. For only $35 the value was amazing and they weren’t stingy on the wines, a few cheeky top ups were offered and we couldn’t resist, each wine was incredible. I feel like they could charge more and add more tapas, as it started at 6:30pm and we were hungry for dinner. We stayed back after our wine tasting to order more dishes, as we were so impressed with the tapas we had been provided so far. The paella takes 30 mins to prepare and is worth the wait, adding chorizo is a must. So often I am dissapointed with Paella’s but this is not one of those times 🤤 The Jamon croquettes were probably the best I’ve ever had!!! Both the patatas and the calamari were also hits. Not a thing to complain about. Amazing service, authentic experience. Bookings are a must as this is a...