Restaurante Carmen De Aben Humeya — Restaurant in Granada

I booked this reservation for my close friend's birthday, choosing it for the great views, excellent reviews and number of vegetarian options compared to other restaurants in the area. I was sadly disappointed.

First of all, regarding dining experience, it was uncomfortably cold. Even though we were sat under the heater, with a view out the window from a distance, the temperature was distractingly uncomfortable, and the shoddy tape on one of the window panes where it appeared sealing had eroded was in poor taste.

The waiters seemed anxious, overworked, and unfamiliar with the food. Our cocktails arrived in clunky glasses and were poorly mixed. We had plan to settle in to a number of dishes, but instead paused after three to share as they were so unappetising we did not want to eat any more.

I really don't want to be cruel here, but in the chance the restaurant does read these reviews want to put some serious feedback out there to the chef. My dining companion and I initially thought that the menu sounded creative in its foray into more asian influences (miso, sesame, tempura, mango, etc were threaded throughout the menu). However, we agreed that the ajo blanco essentially tasted like a mango almond smoothie with garlic added in. It was grainy, thick and quite gross, with two raw grapes dropped in and some smoked sturgeon on the top that was completely lost in the overpowering and odd mango flavour. Then came the tomato with parsley "foam." There were chunks of what appeared to be old gazpacho with gelatine mixed in to create cubes - off putting - while the thin slices of good quality tomato again felt off because they were fridge cold - not the unctuous experience you get from proper tomatoes served in a tapas bar around the corner with bread for 1/20th of the price.

Last we had the tempura aubergine with miso. The miso did not taste like miso, the aubergine was non-existence - it was just like eating deep fried dough that hadn't properly drained before being served. What was advertised in english as "chocolate salt" was in fact just charcoal salt. It became increasingly and kind of painfully clear how the restaurant cuts its margins, which is in poor food quality and attention to detail one would expect in paying that amount. Or any amount really - I would have been equally disappointed eating something like this at a roadside bar off the highway. The unfortunate thing is that at such a place the food would have likely been significantly better than what we had at Carmen De Aben Humeya.

I say this because again, it is super disappointing to experience something of this poor quality when you are marking a special occasion and have chosen it above all other possible places to dine. Restaurants would do well to remember their customers are people who expect quality for their money, and also for the experiences they wish to turn into...

As I stepped into the restaurant, a sign proudly proclaimed its title as one of the top 10 (or 20?) most romantic dining spots in the entire world. And without a doubt, it lived up to that claim. From the moment we settled in, we were enchanted by the breathtaking views of the Alhambra Palace, casting a romantic ambiance over the entire place. The restaurant's atmosphere was intimate and cozy, making it a perfect setting for a special occasion.

However, gaining a reservation here was no easy feat. With a waiting list that could stretch up to an astonishing 5 years, we were fortunate to secure a spot during our visit. My friend, eager to dine here, diligently checked for cancellations week after week, and our perseverance paid off.

The exceptional service only added to the charm of the experience. As a family, we had certain dietary requirements - my daughter suffers from a nut allergy, and we only consume halal food. The attentive waiting staff was patient and understanding, going above and beyond to assist us in identifying suitable meal options. Despite the language barrier, their dedication and helpfulness left a lasting impression.

For the little ones, the restaurant had dedicated kids' meals, each priced at 30€. These dishes included l fries, breaded chicken, and a chocolate brownie dessert. Needless to say, the children were thrilled with their choices, as the regular fine dining menu was not to their tastes.

As for the adult menu, while some dishes were enjoyable, not all reached the same level of excellence. The halal chicken was a tasty delight, satisfying our palates. However, the monk fish, unfortunately, suffered from being overcooked and turned out chewy, a bit of a letdown. Similarly, the shrimps, while inventive in presentation, seemed to be mashed and flattened into something resembling a pancake, an unusual and not entirely satisfying experience.

The culinary aspect of the evening, in my opinion, was somewhat lackluster, leaving room for improvement. It felt like the steep price we paid was largely for the privilege of dining in such an awe-inspiring location, overlooking the majestic Alhambra Palace. The average cost per person amounted to around 30€, excluding beverages and dessert.

As a couple seeking a romantic and unforgettable evening in Granada, this restaurant undoubtedly delivers on its promise. However, as a family on a three-week journey across Spain, it turned out to be our most expensive meal. Regrettably, the food did not leave a lasting impression to match the extraordinary views.

Ps. Unfortunately, there is no parking available near the restaurant, leaving you with two alternatives. The first option entails taking a taxi, which will conveniently drop you off in close proximity. Alternatively, if you're arriving by car, you can find parking approximately 15 minutes away, within walking distance to...

Based on the reviews and the fact that it was fully booked 3 days in advance I had the expectation that this was a great restaurant. Sadly me and my girlfriend were quite disappointed. The restaurant labels itself as fine dining restaurant, which based on there prices is also what you would expect. When we arrived at 20:30 most of the seats were empty. The decor of the place was little cheap with plastic chairs and roofs with cracks in it. Which isn’t a problem but for the money they ask and the claim of being the 5th most romantic restaurant in the world I would expected a little better decor and ambiance. The view was the real hit. You had a beautiful view of the Al Hambra Castle. Sadly, in my opinion this did not make up for the food and the service. The gentleman serving were very polite, but they were understaffed. It took a long time before getting there attention. Every time we wanted to order a drink we had to wait along time before waving for them to come. This I didn’t expect at a restaurant that claims fine dining. Furthermore, we ordered a platter of Tuna that was prepared in different ways. The platter was placed on the table without explaining what each style of tuna dish was. Additionally, the tuna that was served did not taste fresh. The tuna sashimi was dry. The tuna pate was fine. But for a dish of 31 euros I expected a little more. The mains of beef tenderloin and cheek fillet ( pork) were quite nice. However, the cous cous that came with the check fillet was old, dry, and tasteless. Supposedly there was mushroom in it which could not be found. Thus, while there was an amazing view the rest of the experience was disappointing. I hope they can improve these things and live up to the claim of being the 5th most romantic restaurant in the world and a fine...