The Port House — Restaurant in Dublin

I'm going to split this review into two parts - food and service.

Firstly the food was hands down amazing. Maybe some of the best tapas I've eaten. The plates were a brilliant size, cooked beautifully and all tasted delicious. I had a fantastic spanish cheese board with some marvellous cheeses and there is a fantastic wine selection. I went for the Desig, something I've not heard of before but it was a gorgeous wine that i would look to have again. I want to make it clear i thought the food/drink was a 5* experience. the menu was so extensive and had the best and most varried selction i have seen, we struggled to choose!

Unfortunately on the other side of this i did feel really let down by the service. One of the main dishes we ordered didn't turn up with the rest of our plates and we had to ask the waiter to check up on it which he did. He came back to check we had received it 5-10 mins later, we still hadn't. When it did arrive all our plates had been cleared and it felt like an add on to our meal not something we had ordered as a main. we were then left unattended for about 20 minutes without anyone coming to offer us dessert menus or another drink. I had to grab a waiters attention to get menus/more drinks after a lengthy weight. I ordered another glass of the wine I spoke about before but after it not arrive after 10 mins or so i had to re ask for it again. I did feel the service really let down the meal and we spent quite a while waiting to be served.

I would like to add however that i thought the system for ordering by ticking the items you wanted and handing your menu back to the waiter was genius and a huge time saver and should be adopted at tapas around the world. the staff were also very helpful with our pram which was massively appreciated and were all very friendly. also i think the guy who was serving us knew the service could have been improved as when it came to our bill clicked 'no tip' on the card machine for us. While I don't know if this was intentional or not we appreciated it. I will also say it was extremely busy on our visit and don't know if we were just unlucky with our service. No one else seemed to be having similar issues with service. our bill came to €95, which for 8 dishes, 3 wines, a cheese board and a dessert i think is extremely reasonable for the quality of food. I would really like to give 4 or 5 stars, as the food and drink was amazing and despite the 3 stars i wourls still encourage you to try and see for yourself also...

I am writing to you to make an official complaint about the worst service I’ve experienced from the manager of The Port House in South William St, Dublin 2.

We went there on the 12nd of June. As usual before the lockdown I frequently have gone to the restaurant with friends because I really enjoyed the atmosphere, food and drink. So today we decided to go there again. Today we waited almost one hour to get a table (we understand and accepted the wait because of the COVID restrictions). Me and my friend were in the middle of our drink and food, then our nightmare started. The manager asked me if I would like to order something else, and my answer was until now we are fine, because I didn’t know if I want something else at this point or not, so she brought the bill (without my permission), and I didn’t have other option except pay, so I paid. After 10 minutes she came back to the table talking to us in an extremely rude manner and without patience “You have to finish your drink out of the table, in that case out of the table means on the road, because we were already on the pavement”. I was confusing about what was going on, and asked her why we should leave and if she asked the same to the others customers. Surprisingly her answer was they are different, they are spending more money than you. Actually there was a couple in a table close to us more than one hour just with one drink, and we had sat minutes ago.

Only in that time I realized we were suffering racism and xenophobia, because all other clients that were in the restaurants were white and Irish, and at no time were they required to leave the table.

Making the situation worse I also had to show my receipt with the amount I spent to keep sitting to finish my drink and food (we had already spent almost 100 euros).

Obviously, we left the table as soon we finished our drink, but with some many question in our mind.

Do you finds this treatment of customers acceptable? We spent nearly a 100€ so we were not just taking up the table? People spending less were not asked to do the same, only us. For what reason were we asked and they were not? When will the racism/xenophobia with foreigners specially towards black people stop?

I trust that you will seriously consider our complaint and give us a reasonable explanation.

Thank you. Expecting your...

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Port House in Dublin is an absolute standout when it comes to experiencing the best tapas the city has to offer. Nestled in the heart of Dublin, this culinary gem promises an unforgettable journey for your taste buds.

The variety and quality of tapas at Port House are unparalleled. From traditional Spanish favorites to innovative twists, each dish is a symphony of flavors meticulously crafted to perfection.

What truly sets Port House apart is the authenticity of their tapas. Every bite transports you to the vibrant streets of Spain, with fresh ingredients and bold flavors that dance on your palate.

The ambiance at Port House is warm and inviting, perfect for intimate gatherings or lively celebrations. Whether you're enjoying a romantic evening or catching up with friends, the atmosphere enhances the overall dining experience.

Moreover, the service at Port House is impeccable. The staff is attentive, knowledgeable, and passionate about ensuring every guest has a memorable time.

In summary, Port House is a culinary haven for tapas enthusiasts in Dublin. With its delectable offerings, cozy ambiance, and top-notch service, it's no wonder why it's considered one of the best destinations for authentic Spanish cuisine...