La Parada Nelson Mandela Square — Restaurant in Gauteng

The food was good, but unfortunately, I was not assigned a good waiter. I waited close to an hour after arriving without my waiter taking my order, and by that time, I was starving. The customers around me were being served promptly, while my waiter did not come to my table. I asked the hostess to assign me a new waiter, but she told me to be patient and wait for my original waiter, and continued to assist other arriving customers.

I then asked another waiter nearby to take my order, as my original waiter had still not come to my table. This gentleman was the only helpful person at that moment and assured me he would send my order to the kitchen. Eventually, my original waiter came to my table and told me that she had taken the order from the waiter I requested for help. She did not offer any explanation for her lack of service, despite the fact that all the other customers around me were being attended to. The entire experience was disheartening, and with no manager in sight to address my concerns, I waited for my food with a diminished mood. After finishing my meal, I requested the bill and decided not to leave a gratuity due to the poor service. When the waiter realized I had not left a tip, she began yelling at me in the restaurant causing a scene and demanding that I give her a gratuity. I calmly explained that her service had been unsatisfactory, but she continued to raise her voice.I paid the bill and left the restaurant, still deeply upset by the entire experience. Never before had I encountered such poor service at a restaurant, and I am still heartbroken by...

This was our first meal in Johannesburg, and it was a big disappointment.

The menu reads very very well. The fitout is beautiful, but we learnt that it is just one of those tourist traps that looks good but the food and service is very low quality.

But the service we received was so lacklustre it was beyond a joke. Our waitress didn’t take our order for 20 mins. When we flagged her down and ordered she came back 5 mins later telling us something we ordered was out of stock. We continued with the rest of the order. Then she comes back again and another thing from the original order is out of stock.

So we make a substitute to our order and await our food.

It takes nearly 60 mins on a Sunday at 1:30-2:30pm with only a half full restaurant!

When our platter arrives 2 of our items are missing. The tuna Tacos and the order of lamb chops that was supposed to be on the platter!

We eat the platter over the next 15 minutes and then get up to get the bill and then the Tuna Tacos arrive.

When the bill comes I asked why our lamb chops never came. The waitress admits she didn’t order them.

The whole experience was well below par and the waitress made a point of asking for a tip on the final bill, right after she told us she didn’t put the order...

I recently visited La Parada in Nelson Mandela square, a chain I generally hold in high regard for its pub and tapas selection. Unfortunately, my latest experience was somewhat marred by the interaction I had upon entering. The young lady at reception, who I presume might have been the manager, was not as accommodating as I would have hoped. Despite the establishment being nearly empty, she was unwilling to let me sit in my preferred spot. This inflexibility left a sour taste, leading me to walk out.

While I understand the importance of policies and the challenges in the hospitality industry, the essence of service is accommodation and flexibility. I sincerely hope this feedback is taken as constructive criticism – an opportunity for training and improvement. The staff, no matter their position, play a crucial role in shaping the customer's experience. They are the heart and soul of any pub or restaurant and have the power to make or break the atmosphere. Training in customer service can significantly enhance this interaction, fostering an environment where guests feel welcomed and valued.

I look forward to visiting again and experiencing the warmth and excellent service I know La...