La Marítima de Veles e Vents I Arrocería Mediterránea — Restaurant in Valencia

TL:DR Food was moderate. Wait staff were ok if/when you could get hold of them. The whole experience took over an hour between mains and desert.

Maybe if you dress well and speak fluent Spanish you'll have a better experience?🤷‍♂️

So disappointed. Last day in Valencia and when we walked past and saw the enormous paella dishes, the beautiful restaurant and the very cool vibe, we figured we'd try our luck and see if we could get a table. It was 26 degrees outside and our family was dressed very casually - the guys in shorts and t-shirts and the girls were in long skirts. So when we asked for a table, the lady at the front desk (very pleasant to be fair) kind of looked us up and down and immediately diverted us to a lone table on the terrace outside, which kind of felt like being ushered away from the smarter guests. The waiter arrived, took our order and we thought we were in for a treat. The drinks and starters arrived quickly and while the food was okay, but we had to wait for 15 mins to get a waiter to get salt. By this time everything was cold. We joked that they were just busy and that we probably had been unlucky.

The mains then arrived, but the grown-ups had pretty much finished their food by the time the kids' food arrived, despite us asking where it was. On top of this, tbh when you pay €23/person for a sharing dish of lobster paella, you kind of expect more than a very small lobster with no utensils to eat what little meat there was on it. Given some of the very generous versions we've seen in other restaurants around town, it did feel a little like we were being ripped off at this point. And, unlike the starter, they kind of went the other way with the salt this time.

By now we were a bit disappointed but determined to stay in the positive spirit of the experience. However, we then waited another hour for the kids' dessert (ice cream)to come as well as the bill as we figured we'd already waited a long time for the other food and so we were keen to get a coffee elsewhere. When the desert eventually came (after I'd gone inside to ask where it was) it arrived with a random hair on it. At this point, my wife took the dessert back in to ask if they could change it (since we couldn't get a waiter to come out to us). Very kindly they did, just this time one that was a completely different flavour 🤦.

In the end, given the fantastic meal we ate yesterday in the centre of Valencia at Saona Alameda which was 50% cheaper, took 1/4 the time and was truly fabulous, I'd save yourself the money and head there instead.

Btw, if you've reached this far and think that perhaps it was just us being over-sensitive, etc. there were three other families/groups around us all speaking loud enough in English for us to hear that they were disappointed with the time, service and the food too.

Just gutted. While the staff were friendly they probably couldn't have given less of a sh*t if...

Unacceptable Customer Treatment and Rip-OffThey don’t respond to emails and manager hangs up the phone*

• We were charged €560 for 4 people after making a reservation at this restaurant without even eating.

• The price was not listed on the external booking platform where we made the reservation for 8pm.

• Upon arrival and learning about the price, we left immediately.

• Now, the restaurant insists on the full €560 and has stopped responding to our emails.

• Upon calling the manager she hung up the phone twice during the call!!!

Further Details:

• Offers to reach a 50:50 mutual settlement were also ignored.

• We acknowledge the restaurant sent a menu via email, which unfortunately landed in our spam folder. However, the €560 price was not mentioned in this email either, and we were never clearly informed about it at any point.

• We are young people who would never intentionally book such an expensive menu—we simply cannot afford it.

I have never rated anything one star only before, but here it seems very appropriate.

Edit after the restaurants answer: Since some information in the restaurant’s reply to our review is factually incorrect, I find it necessary to add the following points:

I have attached screenshots from the external booking platform as we saw it. Contrary to the restaurant’s statement, the special menu was not clearly displayed. The reservation appeared to be for a standard à la carte dinner (see Screenshots 1 and 2).

Additionally, I have included a screenshot of the email we received from their collaborator “Cover Manager” (Screenshot 3). The email is in German (which is appropriate, as we are German). The text in the green box outlines the reservation policies and translates as follows: “If you cannot attend or need to change your reservation, please do so at least 12 hours in advance. Otherwise, a fee of €10 per person will be charged.”

The claim that the manager does not hang up on anyone is also incorrect. The manager hung up the call—twice.

I seems to me like the restaurant simply forgot to update the special menu info on one of their external booking platforms and now fails to admit it. It is stunning why they are making this so hard for us and for themselves.

We encourage anyone reading this to form their own opinion if they’d be happy with the...

As a passionate connoisseur of local cuisine in Valencia, I can confidently say that La Marítima de Veles e Vents stands out as an exceptional representation of the region's culinary brilliance. Having frequented this restaurant numerous times and introducing it to my guests, it has become a staple in my list of go-to dining spots.

Valencia is renowned for its love affair with the sea, and La Marítima flawlessly captures this essence through its exquisite seafood offerings. The menu boasts a variety of dishes that pay homage to the region's coastal charm, showcasing the freshest catches prepared with a modern twist. From traditional paellas to innovative seafood creations, each plate is a celebration of Mediterranean flavors that never disappoint.

The setting of La Marítima is equally captivating, allowing diners to immerse themselves in the beauty of Valencia's marina and the vastness of the Mediterranean Sea. Whether you choose to indulge in the chic and cozy interior or opt for the terrace seating, the ambiance complements the culinary journey, making it a truly immersive experience.

But it's not just the food and ambiance that set La Marítima apart. The staff's passion and expertise are evident in their attentive service and profound knowledge of the menu. They are more than willing to share their insights, make thoughtful recommendations, and ensure that each guest's dining preferences are met with utmost care.

When I want to showcase Valencia's finest culinary offerings to my guests, I can always rely on La Marítima de Veles e Vents to exceed their expectations. Whether they are seasoned food enthusiasts or first-time visitors, this restaurant consistently delivers an outstanding experience that leaves a lasting impression.

In conclusion, if you seek an authoritative taste of Valencia's local cuisine, La Marítima de Veles e Vents should undoubtedly be on your must-visit list. With its stunning location, delectable seafood dishes, and top-notch service, it epitomizes the essence of Valencia's culinary heritage and guarantees a remarkable dining...