Pata Negra — Restaurant in Amsterdam

I left home at 4 a.m. to catch a flight to Amsterdam, and due to delays, I arrived in the city starving and eager to find somewhere to eat. I chose this tapas restaurant, where the waiter seated me outside. I picked one of the tiny wooden tables, which was in terrible condition, with similarly deteriorated chairs and a dirty cushion.

When I asked the waiter for recommendations, he suggested the shrimp. Being extremely hungry, I agreed without checking the quality. I also ordered fried sardines and fried chorizo. Unfortunately, the quality of all the dishes was very low: the shrimp tasted like motor oil and garlic, trying to mask a flavor that was nearly nonexistent, while the chorizo was of the lowest quality imaginable. The sardines were greasy and bland.

I expected smaller portions, but they were quite large, suitable for sharing among 3 or 4 people as a snack with drinks. The waiter didn't bother to inform me that I might have ordered too much, seemingly only thinking about profit. The service was fairly quick, but considering they only needed to fry the dishes, it wasn't particularly impressive. Additionally, I noticed the waiter laughing in the kitchen with the cook about the food I had ordered, knowing I wouldn't be able to finish it. Being Italian and understanding Spanish, I overheard everything they were saying.

In the end, I explained to the waiter how disappointing the food was and that I wasn't happy with the experience. Despite leaving half of each dish and clearly expressing my dissatisfaction, I was presented with the full bill with no discount. The entire experience was extremely disappointing and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone.

As someone in the industry myself, I usually don't leave reviews unless they are positive. However, in this case, everything was terrible. I don't want to hurt your review average because I understand how important it is for a business, so I'll give you 4 stars to avoid damaging the overall score. But know that if it were possible, I would give you zero.

After this awful experience at your restaurant, I went to McDonald's and, in just 10 minutes and with 20 euros less, had a much better meal. And then people say to support small...

Called to make a reservation. Named the number of people, day, and time. Named a specific time, knowing it would take time for us to get to the place. The worker cut me off mid-sentence saying they are full today. I explain it is for another day. He says okay naming a time 15 minutes earlier and saying the reservation will be only for two hours. I explain that I cannot come 15 minutes earlier and want to further say it will take me time to get there. Cuts me for again and rudely says “doesn’t matter, you have two hours tomorrow”. Asks me my name, cuts me off when I try to spell it (I always get problems with wrong name spelling and get asked whether it is me). Says bye. I call back later to cancel and try to stay kind. Cuts me off again and says “okay, bye” and hangs up before I can say anything. I call back to say maybe you should be a bit nicer next time as it was rude and receive a “I don’t have time for you right now”, after which he hangs up. I do not feel like checking the place out after that, even though I understand this one worker could be busy or in a bad mood. I did not appreciate being talked to in such...

The atmosphere at Pata Negra instantly transported me to the heart of Spain. From the rustic decor to the lively chatter of fellow diners, it’s the kind of place where you feel at home right away. The tapas menu is extensive, with authentic Spanish flavors that reminded me of Barcelona a place i call my second home. Each dish is thoughtfully prepared, and the ingredients taste incredibly fresh.

The food was amazing, with every dish bursting with flavours. The berenjenas y calabacín fritos were perfectly crisp and delicious, while the pimientos de Padrón had just the right hint of char and spice. The almejas were fresh and flavorful.

The staff were friendly and efficient, adding to the warm and inviting vibe. Although the restaurant can get a bit crowded and noisy during peak hours, it’s all part of the authentic experience. It’s the kind of lively energy you’d expect from a bustling tapas bar in Spain.

If you’re craving an unforgettable tapas experience in Amsterdam, Pata Negra is the place to be. It might just become your...