Restaurante El Campero — Restaurant in Barbate

We have been to El Campero a number of time over the past 3 years. We have recommended the restauraunt to dozens of people, all of whom took up the suggestion and all had an equally fantastic experience. Sadly, We did not have that anticipated "fantastic experience" when I went with my wife on Friday 4th July. Despite me adding notes to my booking, through their website, explaining that it was "Our 38th Wedding Anniversary....", the restaurant staff advised that there was no record of this information being provided. Undeterred, we proceeded to commence our night of fun. "A bottle of Laurent Perrier please", I asked. We were then given 2 large wine goblets from which to drink the €130 bottle of Champagne. Asking for these to be replaced by more appropriate champagne flutes was greeted with total indifference. Surprised, I hoped the rest of the night would not be marred by this oversight. We were, however, very surprised, that in order to refresh our glasses with the Champagne we had to do it ourselves!!! Again, possibly an oversight. Now for the food..... The Tuna Bruscetta with Truffles starter was delicious. We then ordered the Tuna Tataki - As we always do! What turned up was the usual Tuna - Albeit a bit warm for our tastes - Accompanied by a stack of Watercress!!!! The Watercress was held on the plate by some dabs of some white sauce. Gone were the stacks of Ginger Wasabi, Seaweed, Carrot and White Turnip - Which always acompanies this favourite of dishes. Shocked, I asked the waiter where were the acompanying delicacies? "Oh! if you want them, I can go and get them from the chef". Shocked, we said yes please - This dish is naked without them - And what on earth is the pile of Watercress about? A few minutes later a long plate with Ginger, Wasabi, Seaweed, Turnip but no Carrot. This was fine - But we were still amazed that they served up a €45 dish without the elements that make it special. We then ordered Red Snapper with Patatas Las Pobres which was fantastic. We stayed a little longer to finish off our Self-Serve Champagne and I had a Gin & Tonic. I specifically asked for a Schweppes or Fever Tree, but all they have now is Bliss! And Bliss is my least favourite tonic of all time. Hey Ho!!!

So, what was supposed to be the finale of our special day turned out not to be the gastranomic and wonderful service filled experience we have grown accustomed to enjoy. Instead, we received lack lustre service, poor attentiveness, poor attention to detail on one of their most expensive dishes and an overall sense of dissappointment. Having travelled for 1 and 1/2 hours by car to get to the experience we left with an overwhelming feeling of dissappointment and sadness. It was no longer going to be that special place we so looked forward to travelling to, both as a couple and with our friends.

We really would like to know what has gone wrong?

At over €150 per head, you would expect more.

Making me pour the Champagne is not how you will continue to be in the Michelin Guide. Especially when you wanted to pour them into Wine Goblets!!!!

Changing the quality and presentation of one of your most expensive dishes for something totally inferior is not going to help either.

We are, in all honesty, gutted that this place, our favourite restaurant in Spain, could let itself...

Had it marked in my maps for a long time as the best restaurant in Spain for tuna tasting, and it was true after all, in terms of food. You will not find any place to offer tuna parts made, as if they were beef cuts. I have never realised tuna can have ribs, one part more fatty, other less - here you can choose and try. From my experience I just want to beware that if the part is fatty, it really is, if you can imagine a really fatty salmon steak, except it would be tuna, this is it. The service is exceptional, very polite and helpful. One thing I was so confused with, was the atmosphere/interior design. We were not seated inside the restaurant itself, it was too cold there, the interior inside was ok, but… The terrace 🤦🏼‍♀️ you need to keep in mind that there is no exceptional location, no see view, the restaurant is located in a shabby rural area, with a children playground next to it. There is a terrace next to the restaurant and another part of it right next to a the road separating the two parts, so you are seated with a view of a car road or a kids playground there. My point is that you have arrived at a place with the best reviews ever/not the cheapest prices in the middle of a countryside-not cute town and you can’t enjoy your experience fully. My advice is to put at least some greenery around the terrace and/or put some white light sheets to close the area somehow, create a secluded spot, pleasant for relaxation and spending nice time. Thanks for the one of the greatest experiences of tuna tasting, I can definitely...

This is, without a doubt, the best tuna restaurant in the "world's tuna capital", Barbate. Coming from Malaga, it will be a four hour round-trip drive - and every minute of that drive is worth it for this restaurant.

This restaurant is apparently impossible to get into during peak months, but I fortunately came in the off-season and they were graciously able to seat me with same-day notice. I actually called twice to verify it was actually happening before committing to that drive, because everyone says this place is a one-month waiting list in the summer.

After taking the Degustacion Menu, I can see why they're so in-demand; it was course after course of the most innovative and delectable tuna-centric cuisine you could possibly get, and they make it look both effortless and intricately orchestrated the entire time. Each course highlights a different portion of the tuna, which they helpfully map out for you on their customized menu. The tempo of the courses is perfect, and you leave feeling like this place will be what you remember most from your vacation to southern Spain.

If you are in Malaga in April and feeling a little uninspired by the options available on a given night, live a little and take an adventure to Barbate just to visit El Campero - you'll not regret...