Vinitus Gran Via Restaurant — Restaurant in Madrid

Beware, Server will blatantly lie to your face and take you for fools.

This is to describe our dining experience today 26th July around 6.00 pm.

This is not targeted towards all the servers at this establishment however it is to describe the dishonest behaviour of one particular waiter who has ruined our dining experience and has reflected very badly on the reputation of your restaurant. It was a matter of principle and we felt strongly that future customers should be made aware that they might be potentially cheated by and lied to by staff.

We were warmly welcomed by your staff, and started off having a great night with good food, or so we thought.

We ordered a second round of tapas which included this dish, codfish salad with tomatoes and olives. We were then served this dish please see photos below, which we thought closely resembled tuna tomatoes and onions and as you can see with no olives present anywhere.

Before we even touched it, we called the waiter who took our order to check if this was actually the codfish salad we ordered. He said it was, we asked if he was sure and asked where the olives were. He told us they were sitting underneath the onions. Anyway we trusted that maybe they were sitting underneath after all and started to dig in to the dish.

We still felt something wasn't right, the fish tasted like tuna and the olives were still missing even after we dug through the onions. (Pretty sure we know how tuna tastes because it tasted exactly like canned tuna and we've had tuna before, many times).

So we called the waiter the SECOND time to ask if this was indeed cod. He insisted it was and said this was a particular type of codfish here.

We felt he was being a bit dodgy so we decided to approach another waitress who served our drinks. We asked her what the dish was. Lo and behold, it was another dish on the menu: tuna belly salad with tomatoes. See photo of menu items. As you can see there is a price difference between both items (the codfish was more expensive) and we didn't want to be charged incorrectly for being given the wrong dish. On another note, we are actually doubtful that this was tuna belly as well since it looked and tasted exactly like canned tuna.

The waitress then replaced our dish with the correct codfish salad, without another word.

Photo 1: Incorrect dish delivered to our table. Waiter lied to us as to what it was twice. Do you see any olives underneath the onions? Is this a special type of cod we don't know about? LOL Photo 2: Correct dish that we actually ordered. Photo 3: Menu item Photo 4: Our receipt

It is unacceptable that your waiter lied to us TWICE and he is clearly taking us tourists as fools, lying to us and thinking that we can't tell the difference between tuna and cod fish. He thought we would just accept whatever he told us. We really don't understand why he couldn't have owned up to his mistake and it would have been fine. I would also like to add that he didn't apologise for this deliberate lie.

Because of this we will never recommend any tourists to come here or if you do, please do not let the staff take advantage of you and be very certain you are getting what you ordered and are paying for. We have patronised so many worldwide restaurants and this is the first time we've been deliberately lied to. Even if the food tastes good, it's just not worth it, it left us with such a bad taste. Vinitus, please take a good look at the personnel you hire representing you because this is embarrassing...

Update: A year later, I returned to Vinitus Gran Madrid, curious to see if it maintained its high standards. It was great to see that the experience was just as impressive as my initial visit. The quality of the food, the friendly and efficient service, and the inviting atmosphere remained consistently excellent. The Roscón borrachín, in particular, was as unforgettable as ever. This revisit confirmed that Vinitus Gran Madrid is not just a one-time gem, but a reliable and outstanding lunch destination in Madrid.

During my culinary explorations in Madrid, Vinitus Gran Madrid stood out as one of the best lunch experiences. The menu offered a delightful variety, from the garlic shrimp to the beef tenderloin montadito with foie, and even a mini hamburger with cheese. While the garlic shrimp didn’t surpass the ones at Mercado de las Gaviotas, they were still excellent.

Initially, the beef was served a it raw, but after requesting it medium-rare, it returned perfectly cooked. The location adds to the charm—situated in a great spot, the restaurant is spacious with an inviting atmosphere. Fresh produce, friendly and efficient service, it’s the kind of place that makes you feel welcome.

The true star of the meal was the Roscón borrachín. For those unfamiliar, Roscón borrachín is a dessert that seems to be a variation of the traditional Spanish Roscón, which is a sweet, brioche-like bread. The ‘borrachín’ part suggests it’s a ‘tipsy’ or liquor-soaked version, likely infused with a spirit such as brandy or rum to give it a unique flavor. This dessert was the best I’ve had in a long time, and that’s saying something, considering I’ve dined at several 2-Michelin-starred restaurants in Madrid. It speaks volumes about the quality of Vinitus Gran Madrid.

I returned for a second visit just two days after my first, and the experience was consistently impressive. I highly recommend Vinitus Gran Madrid for anyone looking for an...

This is a great place for breakfast. The moment I stepped into Vinitus Gran Madrid, I was enveloped in an extraordinary dining experience that distinctly captured the essence of Madrid. The restaurant, nestled in the heart of the city, presented an ambiance that married traditional Spanish elegance with modern charm, creating a vibrant yet intimate setting perfect for any dining occasion. The interior, adorned with soft lighting and rich, warm tones, set against a backdrop of gentle music, radiated a sophisticated yet comfortable vibe. The service was impeccable; from the warm welcome to the knowledgeable and attentive waitstaff who provided personalized recommendations, everything was managed with a graceful attentiveness. The food was a delightful exploration of Madrid's culinary tradition. Starting with an array of flavorful tapas, each bite-size dish was a burst of traditional Spanish flavors, showcasing the quality and diversity of local ingredients. Classic Madrid specialties like the succulent Iberian ham and savory tortilla Española provided an authentic taste of local cuisine. Main courses celebrated regional recipes, each artfully presented and cooked to perfection, imbuing a sense of Spanish culinary heritage in every dish. The dessert offerings, true to Spanish tradition, were simple yet indulgent, perfectly rounding off the meal. An extensive wine list, rich with Spanish vintages, complemented the meal, enhancing the flavors of the tapas and mains. Vinitus Gran Madrid stands as a testament to the joy and artistry of Spanish cuisine, making it a must-visit destination for anyone seeking a genuine Madrid dining experience. Rating this exceptional eatery anything less than 5 out of 5 would be an...