La Fuga Barcelona — Restaurant in Barcelona

We had originally saw this restaurant online, but were wary of going because we did not know if we could go without a reservation. As we passed by, we decided to ask if they had a table. A man working there asked if we wanted to sit outside or inside and after we decided he said he would set up the table. We waited 15-20 minutes while he set it up and thought it was long, but maybe it was worth it. After sitting, we were brought the menu and ordered water. The atmosphere was very cute and peaceful, as we were in a small courtyard that thankfully had fans. They had some bicycles on the railing above us, showcasing their love for the sport. After 10-15 minutes, the waiter returned to get our order. We noticed that it was taking a while to sit and get our order in because the man running the establishment seemed to be understaffed (3 people on the floor working). We put our order in, including an appetizer of meats and cheeses and papardelle al ragu and spinach tagliatelle for our main course. The food took a while to come out, as there was one man taking orders and bringing out everything. Honestly I felt really bad for him because I didn’t know if it was always like this or it was because his staff was on holiday. The appetizer was very good and held us over as we waited for our main dishes. It included 3-4 thin large crackers, aged sausage, capicola, and mortadella, as well as 3 cheeses and 2 cubes of some fruit. The pasta finally came out and was a very good portion. My spinach tagliatelle was not very visually appetizing because of the light green pasta and light pink sauce with chunks of almond. It was not bad, but I was hoping for more diverse flavors. I could take the almond much more then the sundried tomato and I had wished the flavor came through more, as I had ordered it because it was not something I had in pasta before. My boyfriend’s ragu was very good, but did not appear to have the same amount of short rib in it that others had. I would rate my experience a 3.5. The food was good, but nothing extraordinary as I expected and we spent 2 hours at the restaurant and were not expecting to be there so long. If you do not mind a wait and like to be at a restaurant to spend quality time or catch up with family or friends, this is a great option. If you are looking to eat and leave within 40-60 minutes, I would not recommend it. The staff was very nice and I understood the wait, but after a long day, we just wanted to eat good food and go home within a reasonable...

I am incredibly disappointed with my recent visit to La Fuga, a place I’ve enjoyed in the past and even recommended to friends. My experience today was so frustrating and unprofessional that I feel compelled to share it.

When I arrived, the host greeted me and seated me in the garden patio after I informed him that my friend was on the way and we’d be having lunch. He left two menus and a basket of focaccia bread, and everything seemed fine.

My friend arrived a few minutes later, and I decided to start by ordering coffees and a seasonal panettone while we looked over the lunch menu. This is when our server, Diego, came into the picture. When I asked to begin with coffee and panettone, Diego rudely insisted that we must order something off the lunch menu—like pasta—in order to sit in the patio. I told him we fully intended to order lunch, but we wanted to start with coffee and panettone first.

Despite my clear explanation, he continued to repeat himself multiple times as if I hadn’t made myself clear, which was not only unnecessary but demeaning. Then, to my shock, he literally SNATCHED the focaccia bread off the table, as if to penalize us.

The coffees eventually arrived, but the panettone never did. We waited at least ten more minutes before deciding we’d had enough. At this point, a different server approached to take our order, but the damage had been done. I told her we’d just pay for the coffees and leave.

At the counter, I explained the situation to them. Diego approached me as I was paying and condescendingly repeated that it was “restaurant policy.” I told him that the issue wasn’t the policy, but how rudely it was handled. Not only was there no apology, but they didn’t even offer to comp the coffees despite the poor service.

What makes this even more upsetting is that I’ve brought large groups of friends here in the past and recommended this place to others. My friend and I are professionals and were dressed appropriately; regardless, everyone deserves to be treated graciously. This experience has ensured that we’ll never return to La Fuga, nor will we recommend it again.

If you’re considering visiting, be aware that the staff at La Fuga, especially Diego, clearly lack basic courtesy and...

Terrible

Mediocre good, small portions and very expensive: €13.50 for a very small and simple dish - spaghetti with oil and herbs (it even looks bigger in the picture because I'd moved it round with my fork!). It took about 90 seconds to eat. The profit on this dish must be insane.

Defensive and rude waitress When I gave feedback that I thought the dish was too expensive for what it was she was defensive and frustrated with me. I said I wouldn't go back after this experience and she said that I was being 'radical' and the food was worth the cost. She didn't accept my feedback or accept my opinion.

When I mentioned I was vegan and there are limited options on the menu, so it wasn't as radical as she told me it was, she said this isn'a vegan restaurant, implying there don't need to be several vegan options (it's 2023, this is a cycling café - perphas some of their customers are vegan for the reasons they are cyclists - the environment, their health etc - surely this is obvious?!). One customer service error after another. Truly awful customer service after a bad dining experience.

I am a cyclist who runs cycling groups in the city. Because of the overpriced food and rude and defensive staff attitude we won't be returning. That's a loss of a lot of potential frequent local customers.

Staff attitude is absolutely crucial for customer retention in this situation - she clearly didn't care (her colleague did seem to realise she was being rude and defensive).

For staff training: 'Thanks for your feedback , sorry you didn't like the food and felt it was overpriced. We will speak to the manager'. Polite and...