Restaurante Ave Fénix — Restaurant in Toledo

While visiting Toledo, we started looking for a place to eat around noon as our kids were getting hungry. A seemingly friendly waiter approached us outside this restaurant, promoting it as a great option with fresh, delicious food. We specifically asked if they had a regular menu we could order from, not just a fixed menu, and he assured us that they did — tapas or the menú del día for €18.

Trusting his word, we agreed and followed him inside. He led us directly to the basement level, which was completely empty. After we sat down and received our drinks, a different waiter suddenly told us that tapas were only available upstairs and that we would now have to order the menú del día. At that point, we should have left, but with two young kids who were already hungry, we decided to stay.

The food was deeply disappointing. The kids’ menu, priced at €12, came with frozen chicken nuggets and stale fries. My daughter’s pasta was covered in what looked like watery tomato juice and completely unappetizing. I had a paella to start, which was bland and clearly reheated, followed by rabas (calamari) that were unmistakably frozen. The speed at which the dishes arrived only confirmed that nothing had been freshly prepared.

Dessert, included in the menú del día, was just as bad. I ordered the so-called house specialty, crema de almendras, and my wife had natilla de chocolate. What we were served was the texture of a warm, melted milkshake. Definitely not the creamy custards we expected.

When we left, the upstairs dining area was lively and full of locals, while we remained the only customers seated downstairs. Despite both of us speaking fluent Spanish, we were clearly identified as tourists and steered away from the main area. The experience felt dishonest and dismissive.

This restaurant is not worth your time or money. The food is poor, the service misleading, and the atmosphere depressing. There are many better options in Toledo....

Ave Fénix in Toledo is an absolute gem! I visited for lunch and was blown away by the quality of the food, the fantastic service, and the unbeatable value. Their menú del día was incredibly affordable, yet every dish was delicious and well-prepared. The portions were generous, and the flavors were spot on. I had a perfectly cooked main course, a fresh and tasty starter, and a delightful dessert—all included in the menu at a great price.

The service was excellent from start to finish. The waiter was friendly, attentive, and made sure everything was perfect. What made my visit even better was when he noticed my Real Madrid shirt and complimented it. As a Madridista, that small moment added an extra special touch to my experience. It’s always nice to find a place where the staff make you feel welcome and appreciated.

The atmosphere was warm and inviting, making it a great spot to relax and enjoy a meal. Whether you’re a local or a tourist, Ave Fénix is a must-visit in Toledo. Great food, great service, and great prices—what more could you ask for? I’ll definitely be returning. Hala...

Unfortunately I am in the "why are reviews so high" crowd. Food was... Hit and miss. Ok ish. Can't say anything better. We ordered all kinds of items to try and they were hit and miss.

Gazpacho - very good Beans and partridge - I didn't particularly like it, but just not my type of food. It was prepared well. My family were fans. Ymmv Migas were a train wreck. A+ for authenticity of stale bread and whatever they had to throw in there, but result was pretty bad. I brought my family here so I had to eat it. Hamburger meat with potatoes(yeah I know) - yet another trian wreck. Fries were super dry, meat was "school quality". Sangrias were more like tinto de verano, may be I didn't speak Spanish so they couldn't explain? Chicken and pork with Roquefort sauce - meat was great, potatoes see above.

Overall I don't see how this justifies the rating, price wasnt particularly great either at 14 per person. They had menu for 16 per person but I don't think it would have...