Merendero La Barca — Restaurant in Nerja

This is the first ever 1 star review I've given but unfortunately I didn't even have to debate it with myself. Our experience here was truly awful. We arrived for lunch and yes it was busy as would be expected. It's situated in a prime spot on the busiest beach in Nerja. We were given a table at the edge with a nice view of the beach. It seemed like a good start. Bread was put on the table without us asking (and yes we were charged for it - this is however a common practice) but with no plates, oil, butter or anything we could eat it with/on. We had our menus and ordered our drinks. After this it all went down hill. We couldn't get anybody's attention. It was 25 minutes before we could even order our food. In this time we saw two different couples sit at the table beside us and leave when they weren't even given menus. It was clear we weren't the only ones having a bad time. When we finally ordered food and got plates for the bread the waiter was very gruff. I was quite annoyed at this point and was certainly gruff back (which I know won't have helped things). Our food arrived in good time and we ordered two more drinks. The food was quite dry so we tried to get someone's attention to get ketchup. Oh dear. It was impossible to flag anyone down. If they saw you they just ignored you. We did finally manage to get ketchup but there was no sign of our drinks arriving. After 15 mins of no drinks I asked again. Or at least I tried. As I was asking the waiter walked away while I was half way through the sentence. I guess he figured he had the jist of what I was getting at but it was incredibly rude. And in the end he did nothing. No drinks arrived. 20 minutes later we had finished our food and had been 35 minutes with nothing to drink. I asked for the bill and made it clear that we had not received the drinks we had ordered. Thankfully there was no issue with the bill and we left the exact amount and left. There was no chance a tip would be justified in this instance and so none was left. I've never been made to feel like my custom was an inconvenience before but this time that was certainly the case. I'm sure others will have had better experiences but at this time we weren't alone in being flabbergasted at how bad this restaurant....

I was in restaurant at 13:00 and at 13:15 we made an order. The tables became full and we waited to our order. It were 6 of us. Behalve of paella it also were fried eggs and fries/fries squids which are very fast to be done. All tables except our got their orders, 80% of these guests came later then we. I asked couple of times when approximately could we get our order. The waitress was very rude. He made a circle with a finger and said “ much people”. It could be ok if this people were not already eating the same calamari’s and fries, but they came much later than we did. At 14 I just came to kassa to pay and just wanted to go, paying just for drinks we had. This waitress (in middle age guy with glasses) said- paella is very long to do! I said - I do not expect you to bring it immediately , but we also needed new water, the same food that guys already get! And this waitress just began to go. So rude to speak with someone , and turn his back and left. I asked if he is ok when we talking and he turned his back. He said that is no problem for him. I said but for me is , as we came to NERJA with 3 kids and wanted to eat after sea. And then have 2 hours way back home. Very rude. It could be very good experience for us and ~250 euro for restaurants...

DO NOT come here if you want good/friendly service. I can’t lie, the food is good; the service is abysmal.

The staff are rude and intimidating and, it seems, are never in the wrong. The service is incredibly slow. My meal was served 45 minutes after my wife had finished her meal. Upon receiving the bill (ironically, about 10 seconds after asking for it), I asked whether my meal/a round of drinks would be removed to compensate for the poor service. I was subsequently threatened with the police if I did not pay for all of the meal with 3 male staff surrounding me at the table. I tried to explain the situation but the staff continued to shout/instruct me to pay. Their message: ‘You eat, you pay.’

Sadly, I will never be returning again and will ensure that I tell as many people in Nerja about...