Siempre es un gusto ir a este restaurante. La atención es siempre muy buena. Mi plato estrella es el arroz de carabineros.

Restaurante muy bonito y muy bien atendido. Solo tomamos un aperitivo, pero da ganas de volver a comer. Eso si, precios altos.

Andreas

Great place for dinner, also and especially with a big group (>40 pax), awesome kitchen, modern and cozy atmosphere! My perfect favorite - Braised fresh artichokes with salt flakes, see pic, yummy 😋

Deborah Laks

Very surprised by the quality and the value for money of this restaurant. All the dishes were delicious. I highly recommend the tortilla with bacalao , the duck and the meat with truffles. For desert the caramel cheesecake… yum! I returned recently and had the octopus and fish. They have maintained the quality and value por money :)

+1

Libby C

Absolutely Outstanding Experience – Truly Made Our Night! This was one of the most memorable dining experiences we’ve ever had. From the atmosphere to the service and, most importantly, the food – everything was absolutely exceptional. First and foremost, special thanks to GOYO and Caser, who truly made the evening perfect. GOYO’s service was incredibly warm, attentive, and professional throughout the entire night. He even proactively offered to take photos for us, and the pictures turned out beautifully – such a thoughtful and personal touch that we truly appreciated. Caser, the manager, impressed us with his professionalism and genuine care for guests. When we were about to order two mains (because everything looked too tempting!), he kindly advised us that it might be too much food and that we wouldn’t be able to finish it. This level of honesty and responsibility is rare and speaks volumes about the integrity of the restaurant. In the end, we still ordered more than planned simply because everything was too delicious to resist! Now, the food – absolutely phenomenal: 🦞 Lobster Rice – The lobster was unbelievably fresh, juicy, and perfectly firm. You could immediately taste the quality of the seafood. Every bite of the rice was infused with rich lobster flavour. All the seafood we had was impressively fresh. 🦢 Foie Gras Fideuà – Hands down, the best Fideuà I have ever had in my life. The aroma was incredible, the foie gras was perfectly rich and silky, and the flavours were deeply layered without being heavy at all. Truly unforgettable. 🌶 Padron Peppers – So addictive that we ordered a second portion. Perfectly blistered, lightly salted, and full of flavour. 🍰 Complimentary Cake – A wonderful surprise at the end of the meal. It was not only beautifully presented but also absolutely delicious and a perfect way to conclude the evening. Everything about this experience felt thoughtful, sincere, and expertly executed. The service was warm yet highly professional, the food was exceptional in both quality and flavour, and the overall atmosphere was elegant but relaxed. GOYO and Caser truly elevated the entire experience. This restaurant didn’t just serve us dinner – it genuinely made our night. We will absolutely be back and will recommend it to everyone we know.

+1

Jose Nunez

Extraordinary restaurant! One of the best that I tried here in Madrid! Since the simple Pimientos de Padrón to the Arroz con Gambas!! 2000% recommended!

+1

Mary-Ann Ortiz-Luis

This place was recommended by my SIL. We came for a late lunch. Horacio greeted us at the door and quickly organized a table for us. We wanted to try so many of their dishes. He helped us narrow them down. So, we had the Ensalada verduras (a composed green salad with avocados), navajas (razor clams), and the grilled turbot served with potatoes and roasted red peppers. We had Albariño with the food. The service was efficient but unrushed. The staff were all gracious and attentive. The room was not noisy so we could hear each other talk. We thoroughly enjoyed our meal. We even love their bread! We did not have room for dessert, unfortunately. They had a long list. Next time!

+3

Julie Garcia

This place was absolutely delicious, our waiter Horacio was the best, and all the food was amazing. We loved the lobster, octopus, and the razor clams. When I’m back in Madrid, I will be going here for dinner the day I arrive!

Adrian Socor

Very good restaurant, in 3 days in Madrid for the ESC Congress couldn’t find a better one! Food is very good, serving is wonderful, all people so nice! Excellent wine! Firstly we didn’t have a reservation, but Horatio ( who is a real treasure!) found us a table and he did that for everyone. He is very special, makes you feel welcome. Thank you so much, you have made our days in Madrid! Keep up the fine work! Ana and Adrian from Romania

Charmaine

Great seafood. Razor Clams were delicious 😋 Service amazing. Top marks

Elle Maddison

Review for El Barril de las Letras – Madrid ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Truly a wonderful experience! From the moment we walked in, we were warmly welcomed and felt well taken care of throughout our meal. The ambiance is cozy yet lively, with a classic Madrid charm that makes dining here feel both special and relaxed. We highly recommend you ask for Horacio as your server — he was absolutely outstanding. Friendly, attentive, and full of great recommendations, Horacio made our visit even more memorable. His service was seamless and genuinely thoughtful, striking the perfect balance between professional and personable. The seafood was incredibly fresh, and every dish we tried was bursting with flavor — from the perfectly grilled octopus to the mouthwatering rice dishes. The wine list was impressive, and the staff helped us pair everything beautifully. This place quickly became a highlight of our trip to Madrid, and we’ll definitely be coming back on our next visit. Don’t miss it!

+1

Angelica Pastrana

Great experience as a solo dinner! Simply went in with the thought process of an open mind for recommendations as my first dinner there. Horacio and the rest of the kind staff did a great job at explaining it all to me and making my dinner an exquisite experience. Delicious wine pairing and fish. Will come back!

Gary Fernandez

We had a marvellous dinner on our last night in Madrid. Ambience was great, Horacio looked after us so well. From entrees to dessert, everything was presented with perfection. My wife commented it was the “best meal” (of our 16-day tour). We had the monkfish, octopus amongst others. Coffee & dessert rounded off a perfect evening. Highly recommended.

Ani Yoseliani

Exquisite experience. The restaurant is beautiful and the service was very friendly and prompt. Huge wine selection, large menu. The cheese selection was a wonderful surprise. Oysters were delicious and fresh. Even our salad exceeded expectations. Squid and octopus was a welcome treat. The desserts were awesome. I think this is a wonderful restaurant and we enjoyed a wonderful, fancy dinner here.

+5

Alvaro Grande

Superb experience. Located In the heart of Madrid, we had a fabulous dinner. High quality products (as usual in all locations of El Barril). One of my favourites in the city center. You can’t miss it.

+1

Deena Alshwairikh

We went there on a Thursday for lunch and we were a party of two we found a reservation as late as 2 hours before our preferred time since it’s the weekday but it was crowded so i highly recommend making reservations especially during the weekend I think it will be more crowded. The staff were attentive and spoke English enough to get our order and also to accommodate us comfortably. Food was delicious and cooked to perfection. They will charge you for the bread and starters but trust me it’s worth it. The last two sweets we were not charged for it but it was really good. Oysters were really good. If you’re visiting Madrid with a special one or your family who enjoys seafood I do highly recommend this place!

+3

Loved staying in the Barrio de Las Letras! It's the perfect mix of cultural charm during the day and a buzzing atmosphere at night. The area is packed with great finds, from unique shops and excellen…

Loved staying in the Barrio de Las Letras! It's the perfect mix of cultural charm during the day and a buzzing atmosphere at night. The area is packed with great finds, from unique shops and excell…

Very cozy and elegant place. The food was fantastic!!! The best lobster I’ve ever had. Excellent service also. I highly recommend!!!

Very cozy and elegant place. The food was fantastic!!! The best lobster I’ve ever had. Excellent service also. I highly recommend!!!

Great food. Great atmosphere. Conveniently located. Great wines and locals were eating as well as tourists We enjoyed our experience

Great food. Great atmosphere. Conveniently located. Great wines and locals were eating as well as tourists We enjoyed our experience

Great food. Great atmosphere. Conveniently located. Great wines and locals were eating as well as tourists We enjoyed our experience

A wonderful evening experience. The restaurant was busy yet conversations were easy to have. The food was excellent and the prices appropriate. The bar and bartender w e the best we have experience…

We had a great experience and dinner at the El Barril de Las Letras. The seafood was awesome, and Horacio in charge of the helm made everything flow smoothly. From showing you the fresh catch of t…

Great restaurant in Madrid with good food and excellent wine list selections available for pairing, Good choice for dinning

What a great dinner out! great seafood and meat, not to forget the tasty postres, in an absolute amazing restaurant. Horacio our waiter has made the evening perfect. Salamat po

Fantastic ambiance and food. Started with the boquerones (fried anchovies) and shared the arroz a la marinera for 2. The latter a great tasting rice with seafood entree that, like the menu says, it…

Situado en la zona clásica de la capital, en la calle Cervantes. Buenas cartas de vinos. Pescado y marisco salvaje con buena cocina. Servicio atento y servicial. Los postres están muy bien y los sorbetes perfectos.

+1

Local bastante agradable, con buena separación entre las mesas en la zona interior del comedor. Por encontrarse en una zona muy turística, los fines de semana mejor reservar, porque ser llena. La comida correcta - tomamos croquetas y tortilla de bacalao de entrantes y de platos principales chipirones y arroz marinero, que podía haber estado más jugoso. Los postres ricos y con buena presentación. El servicio muy correcto y el precio lo normal en las zonas turísticas de Madrid, salvo por los 2,75 € por persona de "pan artesano" que me parecieron una tomadura de pelo, y los postres.

+5

Se come muy bien. Pedimos un arroz con gambas y estaba muy bueno. El servicio si que es extraordinario. El lugar está muy bien puesto y es muy agradable.

+6

Buen servicio y buena comida. En este caso pedimos para compartir cazón, que vino en grandes cantidades. Con un buen sabor y no muy fuerte. Después un atún perfectamente marcado y con gran sabor. Un buen sitio descubierto. El servicio fue bastante bueno y el local presenta buena distribución y decoración.

Markus Maier

A cozy, nicely decorated restaurant with mostly sea food. we had a lovely window seat near the bar. Unfortunately, the service left much to be desired. Staff seemed overwhelmed despite it not being busy, and there was a noticeable lack of knowledge about wine and drinks. On the bright side, the food was a highlight. The bread was fresh and crispy, and the clams were incredibly flavorful ,some of the best we've had in Spain. The garlic prawns were packed with rich garlic flavor and cooked perfectly. Seafood croquettes were decent, but nothing standout. Overall, while the food was very good, the poor service and lack of hospitality made the experience less enjoyable.

+2

Jed Song

This restaurant has the best seafood menu. I had fresh oysters, grilled squid, and grilled octopus in that order. It paired really well with Mara Mouar wine

he Literary Quarter, or Barrio de las Letras, was home to great 17th-century writers like Lope de Vega, whose house is now a museum with period artworks and a courtyard garden. Today’s cultural scene…

Very nice fish orientated restaurant near the main art galleries. Food is not flashy, but wins out by virtue of having the highest quality ingredients really well cooked. I loved my salty red tuna wi…

Very nice fish orientated restaurant near the main art galleries. food is not flashy, but wins out by virtue of having the highest quality ingredients really well cooked. I loved my salty red tuna…

An apparently simple restaurant with plain walls and tables but friendly staff, good food, and reasonably priced wine. Our hotel had made a booking for us, but we had to point our names out on thei…

An apparently simple restaurant with plain walls and tables but friendly staff, good food, and reasonably priced wine. Our hotel had made a booking for us, but we had to point our names out on thei…

An apparently simple restaurant with plain walls and tables but friendly staff, good food, and reasonably priced wine. Our hotel had made a booking for us, but we had to point our names out on thei…

The food quality is high, particularly the fresh red shrimp, which was exceptionally delicious. The squid was acceptable, though not outstanding. The Spanish fried rice has a minimum order of t…

Muy buen producto con precios salados, como en los otros barriles, y servicio digno de mejora. Es lamentable que hagan esperar tanto para mostrar mesa reservada, traer un vaso de agua para un medicamento, o que retiren el plato sin preguntar si uno ha terminado. Cada vez que pedíamos algo la respuesta era 'espere a que venga el compañero', 'eso no lo llevo yo' o un 'a mí no me lo pidió' que faltaba a la verdad. Mala insonorización, sobra decoración (el de la mesa de al lado roza con su anorak tu comida), y falta buen trato. En un buen restaurante el camarero y el maître están atentos a sus mesas. Qué importante es hacer contacto visual y no trasladar estreses a los clientes.

Fui a este ligar hace unos años, comimos excelente pulpo. Un familiar mío viajaba a Madrid ,y quería comer pulpo asi que le recomendé este lugar. Se presentó en el restaurante a las 12.45hs,pero le contestaron que abrían a las 13hs de manera seca.. sin invitarlo a pasar. No me parece una buena actitud, faltaban pocos minutos, y todo lo que tenían que hacer era hacerlo sentar y que espere sentado hasta las 13hs..yo no conozco la organización de ellos, pero entiendo que se hubiera podido evitar esa actitud arrogante y poco amistosa. Por supuesto que mi familiar fue a almorzar a otro lugar, no faltan buenos lugares en Madrid oara comer pulpo. Acabo de ver que el horario de inicio es a las 12.30hs...asi que me parece más incomprensible todavía,no sé quien fue la persona que le negó el acceso a mi familiar.

La comida bastante rica y raciones aceptables. Lo que no es aceptable, es que te gastas bastante dinero en comer 3 personas y te cobren 9€ por un bollo de pan y un aperitivo (pimiento con algo de pulpo) que no pides, te lo ponen y listo. Aparte de otra cosa que no puedo comprender, vas al servicio y tienes que estar haciendo aspavientos con los brazos porque la luz se apaga en pocos segundos. Una pena esos detalles.

Walter Levy

The salad was the only good thing here. My fish sticks were cold. The waiter took 15 min to actually come take my order. 6/10 would not eat here again.

Kitty Traveler

We ordered seafood paella and seafood soup. The seafood paella was average, $28 per person and minimum order two. The seafood was so dry except the big shrimp one on the top was ok. The seafood soup was good, I like it. Overall, we didn't like it for this price don't worth it.

+1

Great food and service and locals but be careful with some of the tourist there. The staff was amazing but there was a couple next to us that constantly told us to lower our voices constantly an…

Underwhelming ! We had a 1030 pm reservation and alarmingly and disappointingly, it was beyond obvious that the restaurant’s was rushing us through our ‘fine dining’ dinner. Why take a late reserv…

Yaolin Megan Wang

So expensive and the food was quite disappointing. Waiter charged us a bread fee that we didn’t know of until the bill came. The squid ink paella only has fish in it and was a big blob mess of just black. They also required us (2) to get two people’s portions as a minimum even though each portion was heinously big.

Ali A

The food was great. I applaud the chef for her/his skills. The preparation was perfect. Probably the best paella I ever had! That was the good part. The poor part: The service was quite bad, e.g. drinks were not constantly refilled. The waiter that takes the order suddenly left and no one else spoke English in the restaurant. Unfortunately, we had the wrong dessert ordered due the language issue. At certain point, the staff were cleaning the tables near us and they were too loud, we could hear the plates crashing each others and we could feel the anger and sadness on the staffs' faces! I don't expect that from an upscale restaurant!! After the main course and before the dessert, the waiter did not clean the table, see the bread crumbs in the dessert photo. That is a standard at process, which was not performed. In the end, the chef deserves 5 stars for the food, but restaurant deserves 0 stars for the rest.

Food was decent but we won’t be returning. Our party of 4 had a reservation for 1:15 and arrived at 12:50. The restaurant was empty, save for one party of two. The head waiter, Javier, eventually f…

Stated no reservation and restaurant is technically empty. Told us to come back after 8pm. The. I was able to reserves a table online for 630pm and still tell Me about 8pm. What a jock.

Awful service, very rushed and we can only assume it was because we were tourists, other customers were not treated the same! Starter was expensive and too big! Main course was disappointing, and r…

Recientemente he sido diagnosticado de celiaquia y fui a este sitio pensando en q ya q tenía los alérgenos, iba a poder comer tranquilo. Pensaba que los símbolos de trigo decían que tenían alternativas sin gluten, pero no El sitio será muy chulo, pero tiene escasas alternativas sin gluten y es vergonzoso que en Madrid no tengan alternativas para celiacos. Además, pedí pan para celiacos y me lo trajeron cuando ya estaba acabando de comer Por último, diré que no tenían freidora distinta para asegurar que las patatas no estén contaminadas con gluten y pedí Chuleta de vacuno madurada con patatas cocidas y el camarero trajo el mío con patatas y el de mi hermano con patatas cocidas Cuando le dijimos al camarero que yo era celíaco, me dijo que se cambiaban las patatas y ya está