El Camino Tapas Restaurant — Restaurant in Prague

I want to give a 3, but I shall give a 4 for the following reasons. It is hard to find a restaurant that seriously takes the effort to serve high quality dishes and a great selection of wine, on top of excellent table service. The highlight is the waiter who is very polite, professional and knowledgable about the dishes and wine. Individual dish is however, an almost-there moment; it could have been great if only they would or they would not…. You get the idea. Surely they do not claim to serve authentic Spanish food but inspired by it.

My first dish was PATATAS A LA IMPORTANCIA CON ALMEJAS. This is probably the best dish of all I have that day. It was elegant, piping hot, and delicious.

My second dish was the tuna sashimi. The tuna slices were thick and slightly seared. I did not like the texture because I felt it would have been better if the tuna is not seared at all as the sauce is delicious enough to carry and complement the freshness of the fish. All I tasted was cooked tuna fish which clashes with what my brain was telling me that this should be sashimi. They could even lightly cure the fish instead of searing it too much.

My third dish was the seafood paella. On the menu it says baked. The only thing I liked about the dish were the fried salty small prawns on top. It was a modern interpretation and it would not satisfy your craving for that hearty paella served on the pan. The socarrat was almost there but never there. What I found offensive was actually those little drops of what was supposed to be clam reduction. All I tasted from this sauce was just mustard, a very pedestrian taste. I could not care for it and I wish it was not there but it was a lot on the plate and even on the paella itself. The strayed cod with the rice was good and fresh but I am not a fan of cod so I cannot comment there. At least it did not taste like your supermarket frozen cod because that would be euw.

I went on to have leche frita for dessert. They brought out a wrong order the first time but they were very apologetic about it so no complaint. The texture and taste of the fried leche were good enough but another item on the plate I found quite offensive was the apricot jam. There was probably a bit too much cardamom, or whatever herb used that it tasted almost like a cough syrup past expiry date.

In conclusion, it is still hard to find a restaurant in Prague that strives to deliver excellent food and service like this one but I would not go back...

If you’ve never been to a restaurant before, you might think this place has a nice vibe and decent service. But if you have any real dining experience, there’s no way this spot deserves a 4 or 5-star review. Here’s what happened: we showed up 14 minutes before opening because we didn’t know their hours. Instead of welcoming us to sit at the bar, maybe offering their signature Xerez and showcasing what makes their place special, they told us to wait outside in -1°C weather. Nice, right?

When we finally got in, we were promptly reminded we had to leave before 8 PM. Okay, we get it -you’re busy. But instead of just dropping menus on us, wouldn’t it have been better to give us a quick rundown of their offerings? Since it was our first time, a little guidance on must-try dishes would’ve been helpful. Same goes for wine - no sommelier in sight. If you’re not going to provide a warm or inviting experience, fine. Just don’t expect glowing reviews. The food itself? It was good. Just good. The dishes arrived as expected and tasted fine, but nothing extraordinary or worth the second visit. Considering we’re in Prague, not Barcelona, Madrid, or San Sebastian, the menu prices felt steep.

Then came the “dessert debacle,” which almost ruined the evening. We ordered the shared menu, which clearly states: "SHARED MENU EL CAMINO 1: FOUR COURSES TO SHARE OF YOUR CHOICE, DESSERT – 1350 CZK/PER PERSON.” We were four people, so naturally, we assumed we’d get four desserts, just like we got four cold tapas, four seafood tapas, and four meat tapas. But no. When the bill came, we discovered that only two desserts were included, and the extra two cost us an additional 400 CZK. The waitress, with a smirk, said we "should have known" the menu only includes one dessert per two people - half a dessert per person. Seriously? After a long complaint they finally removed the...

A Memorable Spanish Culinary Experience

From the moment we stepped into the restaurant, our evening was elevated by the impeccable service of our server, Mat. His attentiveness and care were evident throughout the entire dining experience, ensuring every detail was perfectly orchestrated. Mat masterfully paced the service, allowing us ample time to savor each dish while also providing space for meaningful conversation with friends. His professionalism shone through as he expertly guided us through the menu, offering thoughtful recommendations on food and wine pairings, seamlessly matching reds and whites to enhance the flavors of each course.

David, the manager (owner?), added a personal touch to the evening. Beyond ensuring our satisfaction with the meal, he took the time to share the inspiration behind the Spanish cuisine, describing how the dishes draw from the harmonious blend of sea and mountain influences. His passion for the craft was infectious, turning the meal into more than just a dining experience — it was a journey into Spanish culture. Each dish carried a story, reflecting the thoughtfulness and dedication of the team.

This dinner was not just about enjoying exquisite food; it was a celebration of Spanish heritage, brought to life by the heartfelt commitment of Mat, the chefs, and David. Their love for Spanish cuisine and their desire to share it with us made this an...