El Rincon de Rafa — Restaurant in Manchester

I can't believe it's taken me so long to try this place! Friend of mine had told me about it years ago, stating that it's more authentic than any other tapas place. I can't say whether that's true, but I can say that it is so far the best tasting tapas food I've had in Manchester!!

No photos as I was too hungry and the nature of the dishes meant they were brought to table when they were ready - and no way was I going to pause eating to take photos!!

The place has an old world charm about it, rustic and welcoming. Hidden away down the backstreets of Deansgate, this is really an amazing find!

We had Pan Salsa Verde (hot bread with olive oil and garlic), merculita (deep fried silver hake), pulpo gallega (Gallician style octopus), Lubina (sea bass fillet), Calamares, Costillas de Cerdo (pork ribs), chuletitas cordero (lamb chops), pinchitos morunos (morrocan style kebabs) and serrano ham croquettes.

Each dish was perfectly cooked and well seasoned - there was no overpowering garlic or lingering taste of any commercially used sauces. Everything tasted hot, fresh and properly home cooked from scratch.

My only gripe was that I couldn't taste the serrano ham in the croquettes as much as I'd have liked, and the fact that plain bread wasn't available on the menu - the amount of juices in the dishes would have been deliciously mopped up! In fact, once the pork ribs had been finished, I was dying to pick up the bowl to drink the leftover sauce! (I didn't, but if there wasn't anyone watching I would have).

Stand out dishes were the seabass, the octopus, the lamb chops and of course the pork ribs, but honestly all the other dishes were fantastic too. All the portions sizes were decent and I felt the price was good value - for instance, 4 lamb chops for £8.95 is impressive.

I highly recommend - there's so much choice too, I can't wait to go back and try the...

Didn’t get off to the best start when the host told the people infront of us in the queue that they didn’t have their booking, then skipped them to get to us and told us we were 35 minutes late when we were actually 20 minutes early. When she left to sort tables the couple in front of us looked at the bookings they only went up to 7pm so not sure where this info was even coming from 🤷🏻‍♀️ There was a lot of attitude for no real reason, and everyone was visibly a bit uncomfortable.

The food let the place down again too. It was just really bland on the whole, and the oil desperately needed changing. Some of it tasted like it could have been frozen rather than fresh. I mean it was okay, the prawns and the steak were both nice, but I wouldn’t be recommending it or rushing back. Patatas bravas, croquettes and crab claws were not good at all and looked a bit sad. Our albondigas didn’t show up, so can’t comment on those.

Not usually one to write negative reviews but we went here based on positive reviews and I can’t understand why there are people saying they are the best tapas they’ve ever had. You can get much nicer tapas elsewhere in the city centre and probably less sass too 😅 Not a great...

Title: A Spanish Culinary Delight in Manchester

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

If you're looking for an authentic Spanish dining experience in Manchester, look no further. This restaurant offers a delightful array of tasty dishes, all prepared on the premises with the utmost care and attention to detail.

The food is not only delicious but also reasonably priced, making it a great choice for both casual dinners and special occasions. The service is top-notch, with staff who are attentive, friendly, and always ready to enhance your dining experience.

One of the standout dishes is the paella. It's a must-try for anyone visiting the restaurant. Be prepared to wait a bit, as it is cooked at the time of ordering to ensure the freshest and most flavorful experience. But trust me, the wait is absolutely worth it. The flavors are rich and well-balanced, and the portion size is generous.

In conclusion, this Spanish restaurant in Manchester comes highly recommended. Whether you're a fan of Spanish cuisine or looking to try something new, this place is sure to impress....