La Pappardella Puerto Banús — Restaurant in Marbella

On the 2nd and 3rd of January 2024, my culinary journey at La Pappardella in Marbella was nothing short of delightful, accentuated by the exceptional service of Manager Manuel. Despite our spontaneous visit on the 2nd, Manuel's warm and helpful demeanor made us feel welcome. Eager to satiate our post-UK-travel hunger, we followed Manuel's suggestion and opted for a red wine to accompany our main courses. My friend's choice, a mild curry with chicken and rice, was a culinary masterpiece – expertly prepared and executed. Meanwhile, my Milan beef dish with lemons left me underwhelmed, as the sourness overwhelmed the dish. However, Manuel's swift response, offering apologies and promptly removing the meal from our bill, left a lasting positive impression. Curiosity led me back the following day, drawn by the allure of the wood-burning pizza oven. This time, I ordered a pizza adorned with mushrooms and truffle, while my partner opted for the gluten-free sexy pasta and a quinoa salad. Kudos to Mohamad, the seasoned pizza chef of 15 years, whose dedication and perfectionism shone through in the impeccably balanced pizza. The flavors were outstanding, and the presentation impeccable. La Pappardella is more than just a restaurant; it's a beautifully designed haven with attentive staff and brilliant cuisine. Special commendation to Manuel and Mohamad for creating a memorable dining experience. I wholeheartedly recommend this establishment to anyone exploring Marbella's...

Overpriced and overrated. Not a real restaurant experience.

I visited La Pappardella in Marbella with high expectations based on the hype around their pasta. And yes — the pasta is tasty, but that’s about where the positives end.

From the moment we arrived, the experience felt rushed and chaotic. The waiters seemed more interested in turning tables quickly than actually offering proper service. The moment we sat down, we were pressured to order — no time to browse the menu in peace. As soon as we finished eating, they immediately asked if we were ready to pay. It felt more like fast food or a catering tent than a proper restaurant.

The location itself is underwhelming, with very little ambiance, and definitely doesn’t match the price point. We paid €40 for a small portion of pasta, which felt extremely overpriced for what we received — especially considering the lack of comfort or hospitality.

I even called ahead to make a reservation, and someone confirmed it over the phone. But when we arrived, they told us they “don’t take reservations” and had no idea who answered. That’s just poor organization and communication.

To be clear: I’m not complaining about the price itself — I understand Marbella can be expensive — but for that kind of money, I’d expect a premium experience, not a rushed, awkward one.

Bottom line: good pasta, but not worth it when the service, atmosphere, and professionalism are so far below what they charge. Definitely not...

What has happened to this place? I only left 1 star as it's the lowest rating I can leave. I have been visiting this restaurant for 20 years ago and now will never go back. Sat waiting for a menu for 15 minutes,had to look up the wine list on line as wasn't offered one. finally ordered 2 pizza breads which arrived after being first taken to another table! These were tasty and hot this is where the good meal ended, our mains came out quickly the ravioli was undercooked and the sauce watery and insipid, the carbonara was made with scraggly pieces of burnt bacon, making this dish inedible I ordered the equally inedible parmigiana which arrived burnt which the waiting staff tried to insist was the traditional way to serve this dish! Asked to speak to the manager who was argumentative and aggressive, who walked past at least 3 times when I was trying to get his attention. I said we would pay for the drinks and garlic bread as these were the only items we could consume. Previously I would have highly recommended this restaurant and have done so many times,now I would say avoid at all costs. It seems they have found a gimmicky item to trade off and only care about getting people in as quickly and out as quickly as possible to take their money. Gone is the lovely Italian restaurant with it's...