Restaurante Carbón — Restaurant in Madrid

Carbon is a ripoff

Having settled into the Salamanca district of Madrid for several nights, and wanting to eat locally, we came across several recommendations for the restaurant Carbon. Overall the ratings/opinions were pretty positive.

For us this was not the case. As we live in a large Metro area in the US, we are accustomed to, and happy to pay for, a meal that delivers not just quality food, but good service as well. Carbon failed miserably on both counts.

Arriving at the relatively early hour of 9pm we found the area of the restaurant we were seated in had but one server, and he was overwhelmed. It took awhile for him to take our order. When we selected a bottle of wine, he returned to say that they were out of that, and proceeded to recommend a bottle at more than twice the price. Upselling at its least transparent.

To be fair, the food was not bad or certainly not inedible, but also not anything special.

However, the prices for the amount of food presented was appalling. An entree of tuna tartarre at 25€ was pitifully sized (and not that great) my husband’s is much better and my order of sauteed razor clams, (which are themselves very small), was presented as a plate of 8 clams, only 7 of which were opened— 24.5€. The waiter (with no sense of irony), asked if we were going to share this plate… These two dishes were NOT listed as tapas.

There was a little drama when the bill arrived to find we were charged 5€ for sparkling water we never asked for and which never appeared at our table.

A new waiter gave us a remarkably hard time about this, in fact was a bit aggressive and insulting. A manager appeared to see what the problem was, he did offer us a desert or a digestif, but it was, frankly, too little too late.

Lest you think my criticisms are all about cost/quantity, let me assure you that this was far from the priciest meal we had while in Madrid, but it was, hands down, the most unpleasant. I would not recommend to anyone.

Better to dine at Montes de Galicia, or similarly nearby in Salamanca, La Panela on...

It’s funny how staff has the power to frustrate an amazing night…

If your mouth is chewing, there’s food in your plate, and you’re having an animated conversation…. Why would you approach the table with a rushing approach asking if we are done with the food???? Don’t you see there’s food in the plate and am eating??? We had this guy coming THREE times asking if we were done. It became annoying and I almost just dropped 3 stars just for this alone. However… this was my third time here. The ladies at reception were awesome nice. The place is super well decorated and has a nice vibe. They have an amazing kitchen and the quality of their products is great. Good wine selection, amazing cheese buñuelos and great meats cooked in their state of the art grill!!! I can recommend you any of their meats and the Buñuelos for sure. The cheesecake didn’t disappoint either. But there’s something that stands out of anything else guys… THE SMOKED BUTTER!!!! OMG!!!🤤😱 you have to give it a try!! It’s super delicious. We had two other starters, the cod fish omelette and the croquetas and they always have them spot on!! I will come back… but I will say something about this stressful approach if it...

An unforgettable dining experience in the heart of Madrid. From the moment we walked into Carbon, we were greeted with warmth and professionalism, setting the tone for an exceptional evening.

The ambiance strikes a perfect balance between modern elegance and rustic charm, with a soft, intimate lighting that complements the restaurant’s focus on refined, wood-fired cuisine.

Every dish we tried was a masterclass in flavor and technique – perfectly cooked meats, beautifully plated sides, and thoughtfully curated wine pairings. The ingredients spoke for themselves: fresh, high-quality, and treated with the respect they deserve.

A special mention must go to Vincenzo, our waiter for the evening. His attentive yet unobtrusive service, deep knowledge of the menu, and warm personality made our experience truly stand out. Vincenzo’s passion for hospitality was evident in every detail – from his thoughtful recommendations to the way he ensured each course was timed to perfection.

Whether you’re a local or visiting Madrid, Carbon is a must-visit for anyone who appreciates outstanding food, impeccable service, and an atmosphere that makes you want to stay just a...