Meson Juan Macias - Ayamonte

This restaurant has a great location near the market stalls, and a bustling atmosphere. It's very popular. It may be its popularity is also the source of its weakness. I wondered if the staff feel they don't need to try! Initially the service was ok, with the order taken and first course arriving in a reasonable time, though with no real welcome or friendliness. Then the main course arrived 1/2 way through the 1st course. Not ideal when both were hot dishes. The food seemed very tasty and well cooked. However, the the accompaniments to the steak were barely warm. Just a lack of effort. The advertised sirloin steak was not sirloin, but a cheaper cut, and I was not even offered a choice as to how well done I might like it. The pepper sauce however, was excellent and helped make the cheaper cut more palitable. I was dissapointed with the meal overall, but recognised that the cook was doing a good job, let down by timing and service. I would eat there again, because of its location and atmosphere, but wouldn't rush there, and it wouldn't be my 1st choice.

Busy restaurant in great location but food was just passable. Calamari while chunky and really tender the batter was soggy and in some cases still liquid. Salad was good and pork fillets with pepper sauce was fine. Pork paella was tasty but very little edible meat as it was all the boney grisly pieces that I'm sure give great flavour but a couple of nice chunks wouldn't have gone astray. At €20 for a sharing dish it wasn't cheap. I do fully understand the cover charge for bread but this is the only restaurant that charged extra when we requested butter portions. .60c each even though by the time they arrived we only got to use 1. A step too far me thinks. On the positive side service was quite prompt and the restaurant is always busy. Listing is for Huelva city but this restaurant is in fact in Ayamonte (maybe they have 2).

Looks great from the outside, lots of outside seating on the main square (in Ayamonte . Always busy with Spanish people which we thought would mean the food would be good. They seem to specialise in pork dishes as the menu is over run with pork. The food wasn't great we initially ordered too much (thought it was more a tapas place but the waitress told us that we ordered too much so we cut it down. The croquettes were good, whilst the pork in peppercorn sauce and meatballs were just ok. All served with chips which were dry and seemed to be re heated. Service is good (be aware they don't really speak any English! and it was quick. Such a shame really that the food is not better, could be a great place. The red wine was lovely.

This restaurant sums up all that is great about Ayamonte. We have been going there for 15 years and it is still as good today as it ever has been. It is always popular throughout the summer and a great place to watch the world go past. Its well worth a visit even just for a glass of Rioja and a plate of Jamon and Manchego.

We have eaten here each time we have been to Ayamonte over the years. The food is good and excellent value. Staff are pleasant and attentive. Worth a visit.