Chiringuito El Laurel — Restaurant in Marbella

I visited the restaurant in marbella on 27 Jul 2025 around 08:30pm (Chiringuito El Laurel) with my wife and kids and there was a rude unprofessional man (employee) at the reception teared our waiting list paper in front of my kids and all guests at the restaurant because I told him we will wait outside until our turn and appreciate if it can be made fast. Maybe he got me wrong due to language barrier (English) and started shouting in front of everyone and teared the paper of my appointment and threw it in the waste basket in front of everyone, His behavior was very rude and unacceptable at all for whatever reason. He would have asked anyone of his colleagues who understands English instead of his unacceptable very rude reaction. By the way, we made a reservation one day before and they promised to call us at 04:30pm that day, but no one did and we didn’t get angry or upset. Also, I contacted the manager of the restaurant to explain that I am not happy with such unacceptable behavior, which embarrassed me in front of my kids and the guests, but seems he doesn’t speak English or trying to cover the rude employee. Since no given attention, I am escalating this to let everyone to know about what happened in front of my kids and the guests, and hope this may draw the attention and care of the employee and restaurant manager’s...

If you’re British, expect a frosty welcome.

We’ve been coming to Laurels for well over 10yrs. We spend 3months of the year in Spain and have gone to laurels weekly for at least 12 weeks of the year every year.

There used to be an older waiter, around 165cm tall- with white grey hair and he was lovely. But he’s gone now, the other waiters treat us with contempt and make us feel very unwelcome.

We speak a little Spanish, annd always try our best to speak Spanish and not English and we always tip well. However you can feel the hostility and unwelcoming vibe, where other years it’s been so welcoming.

The refurb is great, and it looks fantastic. But, for us, it’s being treated less than others that make us uneasy. We don’t expect to be treated better than anyone - just the same. A smile or a little laugh when we are trying to break the ice as it’s frosty.

There seems to be a Spanish movement where “tourists” aren’t welcomed. But it seems this only applies to English speaking tourists. We own a villa here. We pay taxes.

I’m mixed feelings about El Laurels are so many years and unsure if we will be back...

What a shame… this could be such a great place as the decor and the food were wonderful.

But the staff! Everyone is running around in chaos, they are talking to each other loudly instead of focusing on guests and when we first ordered the female waitress was just simply rude and disrespectful pulling faces and asking back 3 times if we really just want to order ONLY a half bottle of cava?! I have never seen anything like this before. There could be plenty of reasons why someone doesn’t order more alcohol (or alcohol at all!) and we were made to feel as this was below the minimum for them.

The crème brûlée was not available at the end and there was no sorry or alternative offered. I just don’t think they care at all. I guess they think everyone is a tourist and who cares if they never come back. Well I live here and they just lost a person who would have been loyal otherwise…

Honestly, it could be such a fabulous place but the staff needs training in manners and...