Las Cuevas de Luis Candelas · Restaurant — Restaurant in Madrid

Before you skip this review thinking it's just coming from an inexperienced traveler, let me assure you that I've traveled extensively as a journalist for 35 years and personally around the world. Also, I've worked in restaurants and my Italian family owned them. That said, keep this in mind.....the food is good. Great? Definitely not, but it's good. But they pull a few of the tourist tricks that you'll find sometimes in other parts of the world and they hope you don't notice.

First, they bring in musicians to play the small rooms (the restaurant is cute with multiple, small rooms). They play a few nice Spanish songs and then bust out the hat and literally walk to each table to ask for donations. Fine, no problem, I dropped 5 euros in, but for a restaurant that tries to put the polish on their service, it's a really low class move. Pay the musicians to play at your restaurant, don't guild customers by walking to the table with a hat asking for money.

Second, and without any request, they will place bread, olives and two pieces of Spanish sausage on the table. As is standard in many places throughout Spain and Europe, if you order drinks (as we had), most restaurants will put some olives or such on the table to enjoy free of charge. However, as we discovered on the bill at this place, if you eat any of the bread, they charge you $2.60 per person at the table. They don't charge for the olives or the sausage that they put down unsolicited at the same time, but touch the bread and they'll add it to the bill. Again, I've seen these tactics in years past to pad the bill but it was the first time having seen it in Spain and my wife and I have been traveling for a month throughout the country and eating meals twice a day at restaurants. I asked the waiter about this method and he said "it's standard in Spain." No, that's utter nonsense, it's not standard by any means and we've eaten at some great restaurants.

Being it was only 5.2 Euros, I paid the bill but told the waiter that the restaurants tactics and the "everyone does it" response might fly with those who don't know better, but not with those who've traveled enough. If they need a few extra euros that way, it puts a bad look on the venue. I tipped the waiter 10% after telling him (respectfully) what he needed to hear, but this review hopefully will warn others to watch out for this place because they'll try a few tourist trap techniques to get to...

This is a restaurant located at Plaza Mayor, one of the most popular tourist and historic sites. It is extremely unique as you go in and it is all small areas/caves that divide the seating areas in a fun and lively way. It is a must stop for me in Madrid. I enjoy the food but honestly, I go for the area and the experience. I love giving five star reviews but I did not do it for the food this time. I love a good ham croquette and I was not impressed last night. However, we ordered a lot of other options to share as we were six in the group and we enjoyed them all. The Tundra that played last night was so much fun! Madrid has great restaurants but this is my “tourist” stop. I have built many fun memories here through the years and they did that again beautifully last night. Besides, being in Plaza Mayor and walking toward Puerta del Sol, Alcalá and La Gran Via is such a treat. And during Christmas… you do not want to miss it. The lights, trees and decorations will make...

I was so surprised by the quality of this place! I have passed by it so many times in the 35 years that I have been coming to Madrid and have never stopped to dine here before because I assumed it was a tourist trap. The restaurant I was going to have dinner at tonight was closed for summer vacation, so I decided to give this place a try...and I'm so glad I did!!! The baby lamb chops were cooked perfectly; grilled a little crispy on the outside and medium rare in the inside, and served with home style potatoes. I ordered a tomato and lettuce salad as well. I also had two glasses of house wine. The meal certainly wasn't cheap at €45, but worth every penny! I had a lovely table, set with a white table cloth on the terrace and enjoyed a leisurely 2 hour Spanish dinner. And the service was EXCELLENT and professional! I'm so glad I stopped in...