A'Barra — Restaurant in Madrid

Exquisite Culinary Journey at A'Barra

Dining at A'Barra in Madrid was an unforgettable experience that exceeded all expectations. As avid travelers, we always choose Michelin-rated restaurants to make our trips more memorable and special, and A'Barra truly exemplified why this tradition is so worthwhile. The highlight of our evening was undoubtedly the tasting menu, a masterfully crafted culinary journey that showcased the finest ingredients and innovative techniques. Each course was a work of art, beautifully presented and bursting with flavor. From the delicate amuse-bouches to the decadent desserts, every bite was a testament to the chef's extraordinary skill and creativity.

Complementing this gastronomic adventure was the impeccable wine flight. The sommelier curated an exquisite selection of wines, each perfectly paired to enhance the flavors of the dishes. The thoughtful explanations and passion for the wine were evident, adding an educational and enjoyable dimension to our meal. Each glass told a story, harmonizing wonderfully with the food and elevating the overall dining experience.

The ambiance at A'Barra is elegant and inviting, with attentive and knowledgeable staff who ensure that every guest feels special. The combination of outstanding food, exceptional wine, and top-notch service makes A'Barra a must-visit destination for any food and wine enthusiast. We left with our palates delighted and our hearts full, already planning our next visit to this culinary...

The restaurant has modern decor and properly lit to give it a fine dining ambience. The staff are friendly and attentive, and the sommelier recommended us good wines; 1 glass of red and 1 white at decent price. The quality and presentation of each dish as you would expect from a Michelin starred venue. Unfortunately for us, the taste was hit or miss. We ordered a la carte a total of 6 dishes; 2 half portion starters, 2 half seafood, and 2 half meat. Only the meats were impressive while the rest were plain in comparison to fine-dining restaurants we've tried in other parts of the world. Do we recommend you try this place? Yes. Would we come back again? We'd hesitate.

PSA : Before the starter, we were given 1 amuse-bouche, 1 aperitif, a loaf of bread with butter and olive oil, and 3 bite-size pastries for dessert... It's not uncommon or unheard of to receive little extras from the chef at a fine dining restaurant before your food arrives, and thus we assumed all of these were complimentary. It is NOT. It wasn't until later that we learned that it's common practice in Madrid for such places to bring you extra food that you didn't order and then charge you for it. Imagine our surprise when the bill came with almost 30euros on top ! To avoid this from happening to you, you've got to refuse it immediately when they bring it, or simply not eat...

Unfortunately I have to give this place only two stars. The food is really good. We did the tasting menu and everything was exquisite. However, you expect a full experience when dining at a Michelin-starred restaurant. The main issue (which is very important to us) is the pricing on the drinks. This is Spain (not Singapore, New York, Copenhagen) so you expect decent pricing on wines and liquor.We sat down and were asked if we wanted anything to start with. I always go for a dry sherry to start, and the waiter brought a glass (didn’t pour much), of which we only saw the price at the end: 25€... this was the most expensive sherry wine on the menu. a friend ordered a rum at the end of the meal, and the Zacapa XO (a phenomenal rum) was over 50€ a glass... i like my wines, and made a quick comparison on prices. The previous week I had been to another Michelin guide restaurant (no star but recommended by the guide) and had a bottle of El Puntido, a lovely Rioja, at 40€/bottle. Here, El Puntido was over 70€... I understand A Barra has a star, but this doesn’t justify these prices. I enjoyed the food but certainly will not be back nor will I...