La Barraca — Restaurant in Madrid

Hello, I have a family of 5 with 3 kids under 12. We are from USA, and try to be adventurous for vacations w our family. We are not picky, but are demanding for the restaurants we eat at - it doesn’t have to be perfect, but there should be worth to the experience..., whether the food, service, ambience, price, experience...

We wanted to try Paella, and were told this was one of the better places in Madrid. The one-liner is that the paella is solid, but everything else falls short.

After a few days in Madrid, we figured out how to order tap water (agua de griffo), however barraca told us they only had bottled water. Cha-ching$!

When you look at the menu online, the prices seems reasonable... around 15-20 euro for paella. However, once you get there the menu says that price is per person and you must order 2 servings. So, make that $30-40 euro for paella. Cha-ching$$!

The server came around with a bread basket and asked if we wanted bread. We didn’t really, but accepted 2 mini baguette’s. No warning... $2 euro each! Cha ching$$$!!

Here’s the kicker. Our $40 euro paella (which I split w my wife) had 4 small prawns, 2 mussels , and around a dozen tiny shrimp.... in the whole dish! I did enjoy the single mussel I was afforded, though.

We would probably be considered expert diners by most, but this place was overpriced and insulting in the way they nickel and dime their customers. I have absolutely no problem paying for a terrific meal, however give us a meal that doesn’t make you feel ripped off. Probably a few more mussels and prawns, some free bread and I wouldn’t be writing...

I'll sum up with: You Can Do Better.

In a word: Disappointing.

We came for a Thursday off-season lunch to satisfy my partner's paella craving. The host showed just moderate disdain for our lack of reservation. Hey, you either have a table or you don't. But this was minor.

We've been focused on vermouth, with them being such a local specialty. We both ordered one. I was shocked when the waiter came out with a bottle of Martini & Rossi, the mass-produced stuff I could get cheaply at home. It's not even SPANISH! Seriously? This is supposedly a semi-upscale place and you just want to serve the cheapest product that the Spanish make fun of us Americans for drinking? As I said, disappointing.

Now, the paella. It was fine, perhaps even good. But paella is traditionally eaten directly from the pan. This is for a couple reasons I am aware of, not the least of which is that paella is supposed to sit for at least a few minutes prior to serving to allow the flavors to mix in the pan. Here, they serve it for you immediately onto a plate. It tasted fine, but like something was missing. When the waiter served the remainder onto our plates after we had mostly finished our first plates, now that portion was dripping with flavor.

The whole experience just did not feel like an establishment that values its customers' experience. Honestly, you'll do better with takeout from Socarrat. I wish we had done that instead. Could have had a real Spanish...

La Barraca is a great place to dine. The service was impeccable from being shown a table with no reservation, to the wait staff. We had lunch after a morning of shopping. It was a distraction from shopping for me to find some paella before leaving Madrid the next day. The interior of the restaurant is what you’d expect in a fine dining establishment and we felt a bit underdressed. Linen napkins and table clothes, nice wine glasses and cutlery and lots of interesting decor. We had the the croquettes as a shared starter(as we were having paella as a main). Croquettes were very good and there were plenty for two. We ordered the Valencian paella and when it comes out the waiter shows it to you and then serves it. It was very good. I particularly like rabbit and I got a good serve of rabbit (I’d have all rabbit and get rid of the chicken if I could). The rabbit was tasty- some moist and some crispy and a lovely flavour. The rice was delicious and not salty, as we’ve found with others. The rice still had some bite to it and a bit of crust. There were enough beans. I’d say equal top paella of the trip. We also had a bottle of Rosado which went very well with the dish. Not sure why Rosado isn’t popular in Spain. It’s a good quality and suits many dishes and the summer. Often it isn’t on the menu or there’s only one copa. It was a pleasurable experience and I’d certainly go back with some...