Chiringuito Los Bandoleros — Restaurant in Torremolinos

Absolutely horrifying experience. Rude staff, dangerously raw food and terrible service. IF TOURIST - AVOID.

This restaurant has prompted me to start leaving reviews here - I really don’t want anyone else having the same experience we did.

We arrived after dressing up a little for a Sunday evening, found this place nearby from “good reviews” on Google and we’d had incredible times with wonderful locals all the previous nights in the area! Originally greeted by a friendly smile at the door and having spoken relatively novice Spanish to request a table outside, we were welcomed in and escorted to the back where we were introduced to someone who was clearly looking after outside.

From that, it went downhill:

Despite the outside area being empty, we were seated in the far corner at the back, clearly to be on display to passers to give the illusion it was busy. I requested politely, in Spanish, to be seated closer to the back entrance as to not feel isolated (understanding COVID is still an issue, all tables were set for social distancing anyway). Was rudely replied to, in English “I speak English, you should speak English, all the other tables are reserved”. 9:30pm on a Sunday, I felt that hard to believe but okay, we stayed there.

Within 5 minutes of seating, our waiter returned and rudely asked “what do you want?” - whilst looking right over the top of us. I requested more time to decide and she literally just walked off after sighing.

At this point, I should have listened to my partner when she suggested to leave and find somewhere else. However, the reviews here made me want to stay, business looked pretty bad and I wanted to see for myself / contribute locally here.

Shortly later, a different waiter came out to take our order - with a smile and friendly nature! This finalised our decision to stay, we ordered 2xcroquettes or starters and then the fish skewer and sea bass for mains, with a large and a small beer.

The beers arrived with the croquettes, which were a bit bland, but okay. Almost immediately afterwards, the original rude waiter arrived with our mains in hand. Literally, whilst we were clearly eating, she asked abruptly “are you finished yet”? Clearly we weren’t, but she decided to push our starter plates over with our mains. I was shocked, but put it down to local cultural difference (despite visiting Spain dozens of times and never having a single issue with the friendliness of locals, especially waiting staff). Poor service I can be patient with - “it shouldn’t be a reflection of the ability of the kitchen.” - what I believed until I saw the main course (see photos)

“Dangerously undercooked seafood with tinned accompaniments.” - how I’d describe it. The skewer looked like it was barely on the grill, the fish was still cold in the middle and chewy when tasted. The vegetables... they deserved their own photo, attached. However, the potato was good. Overall, I’ve never in my life actually taken a few small bites and decided I wasn’t eating any of it, except for the potato because I was hungry after a full day on the beach.

We decided then that we wanted to leave ASAP. I politely called the waiter and told them about the food, requesting it to be put back on the grill, when she REPLIED IN SPANISH (after her first comment!) saying “the food is good, it doesn’t need more time on the grill” quickly, almost to make me not understand. She was shocked when I responded, in Spanish, that the food is cold in the middle (whilst literally picking it up with my fingers), that I wasn’t paying for it and I wanted the bill ASAP. Without taking the plate or even responding, she left.

Several minutes later at 22:37, the full bill arrived. I asked her in Spanish to remove the undercooked food. She replied with, in Spanish: “because you ate the potato, you will pay for the food”. I politely explained again that the fish was the expensive part and I will not be paying for it. She left again. Over 30 minutes later and several attempts to get attention, I walked up to the bar, paid...

Came here because it was opposite our hotel and because there were some really good reviews. We ordered several dishes including Seafood Paella, fish platter, vegetable fritters and a steak with chips.

The batter for both the fish and vegetables were bland beyond belief and tasteless. The paella visited a fair amount of complaint that the seafood were not that fresh and the rice at the bottom of the pan were burnt. We also ordered two plates of Spanish Omelette thinking it would be the standard traditional Tortilla de Patatas, but no. It was literally an omelette with potato filling. My niece loves Tortilla de Patatas, but was so disappointed with it she could not even eat more that a couple of bites. In fact, pretty much everyone was disappointed with what was served.

Service was also a little slow. At it was right at the end of low season, the restaurant was virtually empty but for my...

I have eaten here on my holiday a couple of times .food was good always good portions very large portions for 2 .anchioves in vinegar highly recommend .staff have always been very welcoming.it was just this evening had a very bad experience. My partners chicken on screwers nothing special with a side of frozen vegetables. I ordered seabass which the waiter got out the chiller which look like it was froze n covered in ice .did I want barbecued .yes came un cooked .so sent back to be cooked again. where I recieved fillet of fish.A cold jacket potatoe and cold frozen vegetables .I really never complain. BUT ! You can just tell .sometimes older people just want to chill and have dinner .not asked have another bottle or a friendly shot! Change your Strategy and don't treat people like fools.and NEVER confront your customers that our paying your bills . ON Your Menu put the price for a fish that is cooked not frozen .won't...