Harden's says
From the Hart Bros, a terrace and Spanish grill next to Barrafina in Coal Drops Yard.
Harden's survey result
Summary
Same name, different formulae for the Hart Bros’ duo of Latino grills, named for a Spanish ‘parrilla’ (grill). The N1 original is a large outdoor terrace (plus heaters) scenically located off Coal Drops Yard, and you prepare your own food at mini-grills on each table. The SE1 spin-off is in the newish Borough Yards development and provides similar fare, but prepared for you in the kitchen. The latter does win praise for its “lovely Spanish food and very good service”, but feedback generally on both locations is sparse, hence we’ve left it unrated this year.
Summary
“A fun way to share and eat for a small group” – you BBQ your own meal at your table at the Hart Bros’ duo of Hispanic haunts in Borough Yards and Coal Drops Yard, which take their inspiration from the Spanish ‘parrilla’ or grill. You can also eat more conventionally in SE1, allowing the chefs to do the work for you, and since it opened in 2022 this has become the more highly rated branch. In N1, there’s the benefit of a large outside terrace “set under cover outside, but with overhead heaters and heated cushions so you don’t feel cold”. You might feel the chill when the bill arrives though, especially at the N1 original (“the menu looked good and the food was fine, but all I could think of was how expensive it was. £8.40 for two mini croquettes just overshadowed how tasty they were”).
Summary
“Taking the good bits from Parrillan Coal Drops Yard and improving on it X 2” – the attractive Borough Yards branch of the Hart Bros Hispanic duo has eclipsed its N1 sibling in terms of feedback. At both sites, the parrilla grill is a DIY job if you sit outside (you order para picar, and then chicken, seafood and meat for the BBQ); but at SE1 there’s also a stylish, brick-lined interior section, complete with chefs and a more conventional menu-style service. The younger branch is not beyond criticism though: as in CDY it can seem “a good all-round experience, but overpriced” and the odd reporter finds it all too “hyped”.
Summary
“In an outdoor, but well-sheltered setting”, the Hart Bros’ outside-only terrace in Coal Drops Yard has won a good following: “dining outside on a sunny day is a highlight”, and the tabletop ‘parrilla’ grills allow guests the fun of cooking their own meat, seafood and vegetables over coals. On the downside, though, “results can be very average at high prices” and “while it works as a novelty, having a proper chef to cook for you is generally a better option in a restaurant!” In May 2022 (too late for survey feedback), they opened a second Borough Yards location. Like its sibling, it too has an outside terrace (with 40 covers), also with grills. But, for the first time, you will not have to DIY here, there also being an indoor restaurant (with 60 covers) with a menu designed for sharing cooked for you in the open kitchen.
For 34 years we've been curating reviews of the UK's most notable restaurant. In a typical year, diners submit over 50,000 reviews to create the most authoritative restaurant guide in the UK. Each year, the guide is re-written from scratch based on this survey (although for the 2021 edition, reviews are little changed from 2020 as no survey could run for that year).
Have you eaten at Parrillan?
Restaurant details
Prices
 Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £35.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £5.00 |
 Extras |
|
|---|---|
| Bread | £0.00 |
| Service | 12.50% |
Opening hours
| Monday | CLOSED |
| Tuesday | 5 pm‑11 pm |
| Wednesday | 5 pm‑11 pm |
| Thursday | 12 pm‑3 pm, 5 pm‑11 pm |
| Friday | 12 pm‑3 pm, 5 pm‑11 pm |
| Saturday | 12 pm‑3 pm, 5 pm‑11 pm |
| Sunday | 12 pm‑3 pm, 5 pm‑10 pm |
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