Harden's survey result
Summary
“Counter seats are the best” at the Hart Bros’ “magical slice of Spain” – a “joyful” and thriving homage to Barcelona’s famous Cal Pep, which since its 2007 launch has steadily appeared near the top of our annual diners’ poll as one of London’s most popular restaurant groups. Its branches have multiplied, but – to a miraculous extent – the formula has stayed the same. “At the bar, it’s fun to watch the talented staff who were clearly enjoying their jobs, meticulously preparing the outstanding dishes”: “brilliant small plates, with plenty of choice” and “packed with authentic flavours” (“particularly strong on fish and seafood”); plus “an excellent range of sherries” and wines. But, while it’s maintained “impressive consistency over many years”, it can feel “like a bar experience at restaurant prices” nowadays, and its ratings drifted south of their usual peaks this year. There’s also the odd tale of caution in reports: “I’ve been almost every year since it opened. It’s still great fun and pretty good, but the last three visits have fallen below the super-high quality of the past”. Top Menu Tips – “love the Croquetes; the Cos salad with anchovy and crispy pancetta; and perfectly unctuous Tortilla”.
Summary
“It’s a great show to watch the chefs at work”, perched on a stool at the counter of the Hart Bros’ “incredibly busy and buzzy” bars – their hyper-successful homage to Barcelona’s Cal Pep. “The tapas is always first rate” with “succulent grilled seafood all prepared in front of your very eyes” a highlight. “Staff are friendly and efficient and take such pride in the dishes and their presentation”. (In April 2023, executive chef Angel Zapata Martin left the group after six years, leaving Antonio Gonzales Milla minding the central Barrafina locations, and Francisco Jose Torrico in charge of Coal Drops Yard and Borough).
Summary
“Sights and smells of Spain sitting at the counter” provide “heaven on a stool” at the Hart Bros’ faithful recreations of Barcelona’s Cal Pep: still, after 15 years, one of the most-mentioned groups in our survey. The “extraordinary tapas is full of fresh ideas” – there’s “always something new to try on the menu” (created by their chef/director Angel Zapata Martin) – and it “still deserves top marks, particularly the seafood” (which is the only option nowadays at the WC2 ‘Mariscos’ outlet). A meal is “not cheap” mind you (in fact, even fans can find prices “crazy”) but the overall verdict? “Worth the queue, and the bill!” (In July 2022, they added a new, fifth branch to the group, in SE1’s Borough Yards developments).
Summary
“As brilliant as ever… and being able to book is a big bonus!!” – the Hart Bros’ recreations of Barcelona’s Cal Pep are “still going strong”; and with the Drury Lane branch – Barrafina Mariscos – now dedicated to seafood. “Sitting at the bar is just so intimate”: “it’s fun to watch all the prep” and “watching the chefs at work simply makes you want to order more of the superb tapas”. “This is the food that made lockdown so hard. The food you can’t cook yourself… the courgette flower a crispy, yet unctuously delicious, dirty cheesy and honey- dripping delight, and the oh so, so, so oozingly fabulous tortilla with prawns and peppers”. And “the people watching is fabulous” too. One warning flag though. The ratings slipped a fraction this year, alongside the odd comment that “while it’s very good on a good day, consistency can be an issue”; or that “what once seemed almost impossibly daring now feels more familiar and comfy”. Still, for most folks, it’s plain “terrific”. Top Tip – at all branches, not just Mariscos, “the fish is fantastic”.
For 33 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).
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Restaurant details
Barrafina Restaurant Diner Reviews
"Paella with rabbit and haricot beans bot at all like paella but delicious. Pepper stuffed with smoked eel mousse rather small. Excellent tart."
"We love this place, for a quick pre theatre supper or a treat in town. Menu changes enough usually with their signature dishes remaining. This time we chose less well but it was still tasty and fresh tasting. Rabbit Paella tasty if lacking a lot of rabbit! Dessert of cheese cake is way above the usual."
"Service v friendly until they got anxious about wanting the table back. Food variable: mackerel fillet oversalted, Courgette flower v nice, fennel unexpectedly raw."
"Still great for seafood"
"Visit before Opera as they are fast (not fast food, just the service). Everything cooked in front of you by the jolly team. Much flirting in the kitchen with lady trainee.... Pink Bream special was excellent and a good size; regular favourites of fried Chiparones; Stuffed Courgette Flower and Patatas were good. Pataras perhaps less than remembered. Dessert Santiago Tarte really good. Wine is varied and affordable. Only shock was the £95 bill for a pretty modest meal! "
"The food was delicious. Watching the chef cook the food was lovely. The staff were very nice, and I liked talking to them. The food brought a pleasant smell into the air. The service was perfect and so was the ambience and food. Five-star restaurant."
"We love it here for pre opera house dinner, especially now you can book. Sit at the counter, order a glass of dry and ice cold fino and watch the kitchen action before your very eyes. Great tapas menu and lots of specials to tempt. What's nice is you can see what the plates look like before you order by watching the head chef meticulously prep the dishes before they go out. Love watching the grill section and the fish on the grill is delicious. Also love the croquetes, the cos salad with anchovy and crispy pancetta and perfectly unctuous tortilla. Has a good busy vibe and lovely 'on the ball' staff. "
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