La Dama — Restaurant in Barcelona

I very, very rarely write reviews unless they are positive because I have a lot of respect for those in the service industry and the restaurant business, but I figured since I am someone who HAS TO research a place very thoroughly before visiting, I should help the next person who comes along researching La Dama before a dinner out in Barcelona.

We booked La Dama through Airbnb Restaurants, a new feature on the website that allows you to book tables at certain restaurants via a partnership with Resy. When I mentioned this at the restaurant after they didn't have our group's name in the reservation system, we were told that this was "impossible" and were we SURE that we had booked a table at La Dama (I was asked this multiple times). We were then treated very rudely by the hostess and various staff who made a show out of finding a place for us. I can understand that having an unexpected group of 8 show up on a Saturday night at peak time for a reservation you were not aware of would be inconvenient, but in any other circumstance that I've been in where this has happened, the restaurant has at least apologized and not treated guests like an inconvenience.

The food was quite good and wine selection quite good as well, but there were other small things - not providing a knife other than a fish knife to those with the salmon entree when they had to cut asparagus (and so had to borrow knives from others at the table), laughing at one of our guests when she had to repeat an order for a glass of wine 4x and then pretending like they hadn't heard the order in the first place, etc.

On the way out, staff once again told us "Next time, don't make the reservation through Airbnb!" as we walked out the door. Pretty sure they were trying to make a joke but once again, making paying guests feel like THEY are the ones in the wrong for making a reservation online that the restaurant has not kept track of is frankly rude.

Again, this sounds like quite a rant and might seem ridiculous to some readers but I haven't had a restaurant experience that was quite this unpleasant in a very long time. I in no way felt welcomed or comfortable and felt rather like I was being ridiculed for the entire dinner. Would not go back and had to write this novel of a review....

2/5 because the bartender at the front is an absolute angel who makes a killer cocktail and because the space/building/decor is truly...

TheFork, a Trip advisor company

Look for

Espacio del usuario

My opinions ( 2 )



The Lady

Avinguda Diagonal, 423, 08036 Barcelona

DATESat, Jan 27, 2024

HOUR20:30

PERS.2

MY NOTE9/10

Dining at La Dama was an experience that left us thoroughly impressed. The ambience of the restaurant is the first thing that strikes you - it's both elegant and welcoming, creating an atmosphere that's perfect for a special evening out.

We started our meal with the quinoa salad and oysters. The quinoa salad was a delightful mix of flavors and textures, balancing health with taste. The oysters were fresh and expertly prepared, with frozen champagne and dried strawberry crumbles adding a unique and sophisticated touch.

For the main course, my wife enjoyed the Spanish Cod. This dish stood out for its delicate flavors and perfectly cooked fish, capturing the essence of Mediterranean cuisine. I had the entrecote, which was cooked to perfection, offering a succulent and rich flavor that is hard to forget. The overall quality of the food was exceptional, deserving a solid 9 out of 10. Each dish was not only delicious but also presented with care and creativity, contributing to a memorable dining experience.

Service at La Dama was attentive and professional, adding to the overall positive experience. The staff were knowledgeable and enthusiastic, making excellent recommendations and ensuring our evening was special.

In summary, La Dama is a must-visit restaurant in Barcelona for anyone who appreciates fine dining in a beautiful setting. The combination of exquisite food, a charming atmosphere, and impeccable service makes it a culinary gem in the city. We left with wonderful memories and look forward to returning on our next visit...

Absolutely terrible experience. We made a reservation at La Dama in December 2024 for a March 2025 dinner. In February, the restaurant unexpectedly informs us we now need to pay a $124 fee to hold our reservation, which we pay believing this further holds our spot. We travel 6k km to Barcelona and two days before our last night’s special dinner at La Dama, they tell us they don’t have a table for us at our reserved time of 8pm, but they can offer us 5pm or 10pm (WTF!) OR…they can put us at a high top in the “bar”. Since every other nice restaurant in Barcelona is booked by this point, we have no choice except to take the high top. When we get to the restaurant, we discover that the high top is 0.5 x 1.5m (for three people) and stuck by itself in the corner of the entry foyer (which happens to have a bar-it’s not in “the” bar). When we lightly protest, there is zero accommodation. When we ask if we can get a refund for our deposit, they flatly say no. So three of us crammed into a tiny table sitting on uncomfortable stools, getting jostled by incoming diners and never got to see the inside of the dining room that is supposedly part of the La Dama experience. We hurried through our unpleasant meal and never looked back. We understand that things come up, but there were so many ways La Dama could have improved the experience for us and didn’t offer anything other than a cheap...