Madrid - Almuñécar

We arrived at the bar (3 couples). We were served and immediately told they were closing soon. The waitress had an angry face on her to say the least. It was Xm... read more We arrived at the bar (3 couples). We were served and immediately told they were closing soon. The waitress had an angry face on her to say the least. It was Xmas eve and o closing early 5 pm, which we respected and they wanted to close however the customer service was awful, again stating we were closing soon. Worse to follow was when we received the bill. 6 euros for a large beer, which was very expensive, given the hotel next door it was 3.50 a pint. Frequent the town lots but will steer clear of this place !!!!!

We stopped here for a brief lunch after checking into a nearby hotel. We ordered the mixed salad as an appetizer and the server brought by oil and vinegar to us... read more We stopped here for a brief lunch after checking into a nearby hotel. We ordered the mixed salad as an appetizer and the server brought by oil and vinegar to use as dressing. After dressing our salad my wife noticed about 20 small bugs floating in the vinegar bottle. Disgusting! I brought the bottle inside to complain and the man behind the bar handed me a new bottle of vinegar! We paid for our bottled waters and told them to cancel the rest of our order. Oh yeah... The server was also strolling through the dining area smoking a cigarette and dumping her ashes in the ash trays of various tables. Avoid this restaurant. They clearly only continue to exist because of their location.

Ate here on our first night in town, as it was near hotel. There were several menu del dia choices ar 12 euros, we had fish soup, an excellent tropical salad, p... read more Ate here on our first night in town, as it was near hotel. There were several menu del dia choices ar 12 euros, we had fish soup, an excellent tropical salad, pork, beef, flan. The menu including a glass of wine too. Good value and enjoyable food.

Service was very good. We had menu of the day. One prawn cocktail and one avocado and prawn timbale which was excellent then paella and pork in pepper sauce. Co... read more Service was very good. We had menu of the day. One prawn cocktail and one avocado and prawn timbale which was excellent then paella and pork in pepper sauce. Couldn’t fault it at all. Will be back for sure

A winter month in Almunecar we were continually drawn to Bar Madrid as we discovered more and more interesting dishes.... not all of which feature on the menus.... read more A winter month in Almunecar we were continually drawn to Bar Madrid as we discovered more and more interesting dishes.... not all of which feature on the menus. It was here I discovered that a lot of things (eg certain tapas) are not offered to non Spanish as they are too 'edgy ' eg Callos con garbanzos [tripe in a spicy sauce with chickpeas). This stood me in good stead elsewhere as I earned to interrogate to find what tapas were available. Only so much mediocre paella I can tolerate. The Callos con garbanzos here was by the far the best I had anywhere. As was the sopa de ajo [garlic and bread soup]. Their tinto de verano is mixed in house rather than out of a bottle, they offer mosto [must grape juice with no additives]. On my last day I had a grilled seabass which for fifteen euro with salad and patatas pobres was a) delicious and cooked to perfection and b) incredible value. Also sopa de hinojo [wild fennel which had been gathered the day before from the farm of the chef]. Another eye opener. I thought service was slow on the first visit but then realised that everything is cooked freshly and the Spanish understand that and make the most of a meal to socialise and catch up rather than regarding it as a rushed fuel pitstop. Another lesson for me to learn. I have rated Bar Madrid as excellent as frankly the food was some of the best we encountered albeit humble in origin. We did eat at other excellent restaurants with authentic dishes but very much aimed at a wider range of diners.