Taberna marinera El Barba — Restaurant in Altea

First of all i want to clarify: the quality and taste of food is a 5 star. However the experience was less attractive: as a local customer who eats out a lot i do not appreciate being taken advantage of. Table of 8 on 10th March preordered 2 paellas and added some appetizers while in the restaurant. We were offered off-menu items. "Croqueta Gamba" and another one. The first surprise is that each unit was a minuscule bite, about 25% of the average size of a typical croqueta in Spain. They were good but at 2 euros a piece it was robbery. Obviously you see this at the end. Same thing with the 8 euro dessert which is like a french toast it was literally half a slice of a thin bread with an ice cream scoop the third of a regular size. It is sad to see a place with this potential drive out their customers with petty details. Overpriced desserts. My advice is dont feel bad and ask for prices on everything suggested off menu. Also ask size because if the price may look ok but you get 30% of a normal portion you feel cheated. I hope the establishment...

El Barba is without doubt one of the standout restaurants on the Altea seafront. From the moment we arrived, the service was nothing short of impeccable, attentive without being intrusive. The staff made us feel welcome and the waiter guided us through the menu with genuine knowledge and enthusiasm. The food itself was fantastic, beautifully presented and bursting with flavour in every dish. Each plate felt carefully crafted, using high-quality ingredients that elevated the experience beyond the ordinary. While it is true that El Barba is a little more expensive than many of the restaurants along the front, it delivers in every way. You are paying not just for a meal, but for a dining experience, exceptional service, atmosphere, and food that lingers in your memory long after you leave. A must-visit in Altea for those who truly...

I ordered mussels they came over cooked, dry and cold, the mussels its self was so small, indicating over cooking the chips were also not cooked properly. As to the bread and allioli the bread was crisp breads, yet the table next to us had artisan breads given to them for the same order of pan & allioli. My wife ordered langoustine, which came with in their shells still, because when you removed the shells there was not a lot of meat. These were also cold and only 8 items for 22 euros, which was a trick they clearly used to hide the actual size of the shell fish. As to service this was non existent at times, these are tricks used when they think you are a tourist, watch out and ask for the black book if they still want paying and kick up a fuss. We won't be...