Tasca La Farmacia — Restaurant in Madrid

Everyone should have a waiter like Carlos! As I only had a a few hours in Madrid I wanted to have a quick but cozy dinner somewhere in the area near my hotel. When I stepped inside, the waiter welcomed me so pleasantly that I immediately felt comfortable by myself. He happily showed me a few tables where I got to choose where I wanted to sit down. The smile and excitement of the waiter named Carlos was such a delight and he asked me how hungry I was from 1-10. I told him that I was on a 7,8 scale.. We laughed and he suggested to take care of it, asking about my preferences (meat, fish, vegetables) and came back with a nice glass of cava. The first round he brought me 3 dishes, which I absolutely adored! The classic croquetas, one sardine, and another fish dish. Carlos checked in on me several times to make sure I was alright. As well as the other waiters/waitresses, they were all so friendly! After the first round, I got the last two dishes, which were fried bacalao and meat on a skewer. Fantastic! At this point I was almost saturated with all the delicious food, however a small portion of some manchego always seals the deal thanks to a colleague of Carlos. A recommendation from Carlos for a glass of delicious Rioja and a small chupito to finish off.

Overall, great atmosphere, friendly people, and a dinner measured to preference! Thank you Carlos and the rest of the team for making my first, and probably not the last experience in Madrid...

Horrible, don't fall for it. Place looks nice, avoid it unless you are a local and want to have a drink and no food.

!! Don't accept the bread that is automatically served to you. You are paying for it !! and it is stale bread. Just another way to screw you when visiting.

Next, horrible limited food option, don't take their suggestions as it is not even close to what is explained.

Menu is on a folded sheet of paper. Googling the names of the food on the menu does not help much. Most is named for their restaurant.

The biggest tell of them all, all the tables that 'finished' had 75% of the food left on their plates and the looks on peoples faces leaving was the same as we felt.

Do you homework, don't listen to reviews that are purchased from a marketing company.

Ask questions and be very clear if you decide to risk it.

The place is nice looking and attractive inside. That is the trap! Avoid it, that is the bait.

Visiting Madrid for 1 week, will never go back and hoping this review will...

Pido un pincho de tortilla y me dice que ahora me la hacen., me pregunta si quiero pan y digo que si claro. No conozco sitio que te pongan pincho de tortilla sin pan. Pincho de tortilla con pan y doble de cerveza 14 €. Un atraco a mano armada. Como no lo entiende, le voy a explicar mi calificacion de atraco, que no deja de ser una impresión personal. En el barrio, si pides un pincho de tortilla y cerveza, los precios están en un rango que va de los 6 a los 8 € como mucho. Cobrar con me han hecho ustedes 14,30 € me parece un robo. En la zona por 15 € me puedo comer un buen menú con primero, segundo, postre y bebida. Por supuesto que la calificación de robo es mi impresión, habrá gente que le parezca un precio justo y creo que mucha más gente que le parezca un robo. Mi error, no haber preguntado el precio. No, no se me ocurrirá volver a entrar, sería...