Casa Carmen — Restaurant in Madrid

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Casa Carmen in Plaza Arturo Soria not just once, but twice, and both visits exceeded my expectations in every way. This extraordinary establishment deserves every bit of its five-star rating. From the moment we stepped inside, we were enveloped in an ambiance of refined elegance, setting the stage for an unforgettable culinary journey.

Our dining experience began with a tantalizing array of starters, including the delectable pimientos de Padrón, patatas bravas, and the refreshing ensalada césar. Each dish was crafted with precision and showcased the chef's mastery of flavors. The pimientos de Padrón was just the right amount of crunchy, the patatas bravas were perfectly crispy, and the ensalada césar was a delightful medley of freshness and tanginess.

Moving on to the main course, we indulged in a symphony of taste sensations. The chicken tikka masala was a revelation, with tender chicken bathing in a rich, aromatic sauce that danced on our palates. The solomillo de ternera was a succulent masterpiece, cooked to perfection and bursting with flavor. The pechuga de pollo a la plancha con finas hierbas was a delightful surprise, tender and infused with the subtle herbs that elevated its taste. And the curry de verduras ligeramente picante con arroz jazmín was a vegetarian delight, offering a perfect balance of spices and textures that left us craving more.

Throughout our dining experience, our waitress Lucía demonstrated exceptional professionalism and warmth. She went above and beyond to make our evening memorable, ensuring that my mother, who didn't speak Spanish, felt comfortable and welcomed. Her attentiveness and genuine kindness were truly remarkable, adding an extra layer of delight to our already amazing experience.

The attention to detail and the seamless service provided by Lucía further solidified our admiration for Casa Carmen. The waitstaff's knowledge of the menu, their impeccable timing, and their genuine enthusiasm for culinary excellence were commendable.

Casa Carmen in Plaza Arturo Soria is a true gem that delivers a remarkable dining experience from start to finish. It's a haven for food enthusiasts seeking exceptional flavors, impeccable service, and an elegant atmosphere. Whether you're a local or a visitor to the area, I highly recommend treating yourself to the culinary delights of this fantastic restaurant. You won't be disappointed!

Thank you, Lucía and Casa Carmen, for the two incredible dining experiences we had the pleasure of enjoying. We eagerly anticipate our next visit, eagerly anticipating the gastronomic delights...

Unfortunately, our experience at this restaurant was quite disappointing. Several dishes were poorly prepared — including undercooked chicken and rice — which raised concerns about food safety. There also appeared to be stock issues, which we weren’t made aware of until certain items were being delivered to the table.

Service was underwhelming; the staff were not particularly attentive and were somewhat curt when we settled the bill. Only at that point did they realize they had forgotten to charge us for the wine.

Several guests in our group barely touched their meals due to the overall quality. When we shared our concerns with the staff during the meal, there was no effort made to address or resolve the situation.

As it was our final evening in Madrid, we had hoped for a more enjoyable dining experience — but sadly, this fell short of...

We ate here yesterday, I don't feel so good today.

Unacceptable manners from the person who greeted us at the door and then served us, throwing things around the table, mumbling under his mask and plain rude at every question asked, unprovoked.

The parrillada looked like the cook was sick (and tired) on the plate. The litre of romesco sauce covering the frozen bag of not-grilled vegetables was curdled. We also had octopus with mashed potatoes. They were chewy and burnt, and the mash was so watered down it took away all lit tle flavour left. Camembert cheese already comes prepared, but even that was the blandest I have ever had.

We are local and writing in English as we saw the clientèle were mainly groups of foreign business people being sadly ripped off here. How embarrassing for...