Picasso Bar Tapas — Restaurant in Málaga

We ended up at this restaurant based on a friend’s recommendation – a friend who, I now suspect, was either joking or had taste buds damaged in a tragic accident.

The location is cute, set in a lively square with other restaurants nearby. Bonus points for the cooling water sprays – a budget spa experience while waiting to eat. Promising start.

We sit down, and a waiter quickly takes our order. I went for the 5 tapas “surprise” option. He gives me a knowing look and says, “Like the surprise on the menu?” “Yes,” I reply, thinking I’m in for a wild culinary adventure.

Plot twist: there was no surprise. I got the exact same tapas listed on the regular menu. The only surprise was that I expected something different. My bad, I guess.

Meanwhile, my brother orders a fried fish platter which – judging by the wait – they were personally fishing for in the Mediterranean. We waited over 20 minutes, and not a single staff member came over to say “sorry for the delay,” “your food is on its way,” or even a casual “still alive?” Only one waitress (not even our server) deserves credit for trying to get the kitchen to move.

Eventually, the fish arrives, and a kind waiter offers me a Coke on the house since mine was long gone during the wait. Nice touch. I almost forgave them… almost.

Then came the grand finale and what a performance it was.

We paid the bill and only afterward realized they charged us for THREE beers, even though we only ordered ONE. That’s €10.50 for drinks we never saw. Magic. I pointed it out, and the waiter went to speak with the girl at the till.

And now… drum roll… the most memorable part of the evening: The cashier – a true customer service anti-hero – rolled her eyes, looked to the heavens, and muttered “for him” in a tone that would make even the most patient monk consider violence.

Listen, I don’t speak fluent Spanish, but I’m Italian, and body language plus basic words? Yeah, I get it. She refunded me… but only gave me €6 instead of €7. Not a big deal financially, but the attitude? Absolutely unacceptable.

As a manager of a large restaurant chain myself, I can confidently say: If that’s how you treat customers – especially tourists – you shouldn’t be anywhere near a cash register. Or people. Or the service industry. Ever.

So, in summary: ✔️ Food? Decent. ❌ Service? A chaotic mess. ⚠️ Tip: If you don’t speak Spanish, double-check your bill. And watch out for the eye-rolling cashier . she’s the real...

Such a shame I was looking forward to some great Tapas and nice experience based on the positive reviews. I expect this is from the very commercialised play on Picasso and being in the centre of the tourist district.

To start with the positives, the food is tasty and not bad at all and the drinks are ice cold and a generous portion. Now for the negatives unfortunately… when I visited in the late afternoon there were only 4-5 tables occupied and it was very quiet and empty. Despite this the waiting staff were not attentive and did not seem bothered at all to seat or serve anyone. Debating amongst themselves as to who would seat and wait on us as if there was a problem…

Eventually my son and I were seated but drinks took forever to arrive to every table as staff are more interested talking to each other to pass the time. We ordered a very simple basic order for 2 people and we placed our orders, waiting a long time (25mins) and watched others who arrived after be served with their food first and pay and leave. I had to get up to check if everything was okay but they missed off a dish we ordered with no apology and we patiently waited for them to bring it but it never arrived and we finished the four small dishes we eventually got and told them to forget the rest just please give us the bill. I would not have paid gratuity if it was included and even getting the bill took forever so we could leave. The staff are utterly gormless I’m afraid to say. 2 stars is only for the few all dishes that were tasty and nothing else, worst experience in...

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Picasso Tapas, and I must say, the experience was truly exceptional. The food was nothing short of fabulous. Each dish was expertly prepared, with bold flavors and vibrant presentation that left me wanting more. The tender, juicy tapas , every bite was a delight for the senses. But what truly made my evening stand out was the exceptional service provided by our waiter, a charming Welsh gentleman. He was very friendly and outgoing, taking the time to chat with us and make us feel like old friends. His enthusiasm and warmth were infectious, and he made a genuine effort to get to know us and ensure that our needs were met throughout the meal. He was attentive without being intrusive, and his knowledge of the menu and wine list was impressive. What struck me most was the level of care and attention he showed towards each table. It was clear that he took pride in his work and was dedicated to providing an exceptional dining experience for every guest. His friendly demeanor and warm smile made me feel welcome and at ease, and I left the restaurant feeling satisfied and content. In short, Picasso Tapas is a must-visit for anyone looking for a delicious meal in a warm and welcoming atmosphere. The food is exceptional, and the service is top-notch, thanks in large part to the efforts of my wonderful waiter. I would highly recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for a memorable...