The Little Elm - Puerto del Carmen

We visited the Little Elm July 2022 and were bitterly disappointed by our experience. We had read the reviews and wanted to visit the restaurant for a long time but it’s always been fully booked. This time we decided to book before leaving the UK and were lucky enough to get a table. We arrived on time however our table wasn’t ready so we had to wait on a balcony with lots of youngsters smoking cigarettes from the club next door which I have to say wasn’t a pleasant experience. Eventually our table was ready and our drinks order was taken 5 mins later and drinks delivered promptly. We waited and waited for our food order to be taken and became frustrated as we could see and hear the waitresses laughing and talking. It was also frustrating when a couple came in 15 mins after us and had their food order taken before us. Another couple expressed their frustration as they were left waiting a long time for their bill and did acknowledge the service had been very poor that evening. Eventually our waitress came over and confessed she had forgotten about us and we eventually had our food order taken. The starters were of average quality squid and baked brie with nothing exciting about either dish. The main course was steak pie with chips that were clearly dry and over cooked. The slow roasted belly pork was just awful as it was dry, hard and the dish inedible. The green beans were also tough and difficult to chew eat. The waitress did agree the pork was “tough” and offered us free drinks and took the main meals off the bill however the evening was already ruined and a total disappointment and at that point we just wanted to leave. Sadly the little elm is memorable for all the wrong reasons, I left hungry and I cannot fathom how this restaurant has such positive reviews. It was an awful dining experience from start to finish. The waitresses seemed completely disinterested and disingenuous to paying customers to ensure they had a positive dining experience. They seemed more concerned that the restaurant was closing that evening for a holiday. If you are running a 5* restaurant then the food, dining experience and staff need to reflect this, tonight the little elm fell far short in all areas. I have been coming to PDC for 20 years this is by far the worst meal and dining experience I have ever encountered. There are so many restaurants in PDC that have attentive and dedicated staff which offer a much better dining experience with top quality freshly cooked food and deserve to have your custom. Unfortunately despite there being similar reviews complaining about the inattentive staff and poorly cooked pork (over cooked) the owners have adopted a rude and arrogant stance by not accepting customer feedback. My overall view is this restaurant thinks it’s 5* and has become complacent I doubt it’ll be in the top 5 PDC restaurants next year with the current attitude of the owners. Save your hard earned money and eat elsewhere!

FANTASTIC!!!! Gary, Kerry and the team can do no wrong! From the service to the food and all round experience this place is a hidden gem. I would advise booking but you will not be disappointed. And the Sunday roast is out of this world!! Keep going guys

Everything was lush, lovely food as always. We battled through 3 courses.. was so worth it though! Best food I've had on my holiday! Thank you so...

The best in puerto del carmen we visited the small elm at three locations in the last month. my sister had encouraged us to go as she loved it before. eating and service is simply amazing. the choice is varied with different extra special starters and snacks every evening. I had prawns in the first night and a filet steak with black pudding, boiled to perfection. I was too full of dessert. the second time I had a bark meat Wellington special, again cooked for perfection with a steak. the extras were fresh and really delicious. I went for a mandelcreme brûlée and my mother had the lemon melodies, both as expected were amazing. also the Irish coffees are delicious. the place is immaculate. they removed each kiss to clean them after dinner. the house wine (dry sauvignon blanc) is also crisp and fresh. I can't say anything, only we have the warmest reception of alan and tim that run the little elm. alan, their hosting skills and warmth could not be better and intimate as they cook the eating on this level is simply amazing. we as a group of 12 (6a and 6c) loved everything about the little elm. thanks young and the nice staff. we even met dino of mrs. browns boys who are happy to make an evening with us photos. I wish I could give it 10

Only had eating from here can honestly say it is by far the best eating we had in our vacation, we had a waitress called kim she was so helpful and could not recommend enough for us in any case, go to lanzarote! thank you.