La Vara
Spanish, basque · Brooklyn
Ofertes disponibles
Sigues flexible, estalvia més
Sigues flexible, estalvia més
Sobre La Vara
En La Vara, te invitamos a descubrir una experiencia culinaria única donde las tapas españolas se fusionan con las ricas influencias moriscas y judías. Nuestro elegante local, aunque situado en Brooklyn, te transportará a los sabores más auténticos de España. Con una propuesta gastronómica cuidada y...
En La Vara, te invitamos a descubrir una experiencia culinaria única donde las tapas españolas se fusionan con las ricas influencias moriscas y judías. Nuestro elegante local, aunque situado en Brooklyn, te transportará a los sabores más auténticos de España. Con una propuesta gastronómica cuidada y valorada con un 4.6 de 5, te esperamos para compartir momentos inolvidables alrededor de nuestra mesa.
Què diuen els clients de La Vara
La Vara is a highly-rated Spanish tapas restaurant in Brooklyn, known for its creative and flavorful dishes, attentive service, and cozy atmosphere. Many reviewers highlight the unique combinations and Spanish flare. Some mention small portion sizes.
Plats populars
Ideal per a
Tip: Plan to order 3-4 tapas per person, as the portions are small. Don't miss the chocolate flan!
Services
Què veure a prop
Dades de Wikidata
Explora els voltants de La Vara
La Vara es troba a Brooklyn, envoltat de llocs d'interès cultural i històric. Aquests són alguns dels punts més destacats als voltants.
Edificis Religiosos
- Second Unitarian Church (A 66m) — church building in Brooklyn, United States of America
- Congregation Baith Israel Anshei Emes (A 259m) — Synagogue in New York City
- Church of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary (A 508m) — Catholic church in New York City
Parcs i Jardins
- Cobble Hill Park (A 61m) — park in Brooklyn, NYC
- Van Voorhees Park (A 471m) — park in the United States of America
- Adam Yauch Park (A 534m) — park in Brooklyn, NYC
- Boerum Park (A 574m) — park in the United States of America
Altres Llocs d'Interès
- Germania Club House (A 300m) — recreational in Schermerhorn St., Brooklyn
- 75 Livingston Street (A 574m) — edificio de Nueva York, Estados Unidos
- 110 Livingston Street (A 601m) — building in Brooklyn, New York, United States
Dades de Wikidata
Preguntes freqüents sobre La Vara
Opinions de La Vara Brooklyn
The food is unique and fabulous. Enjoyed many of their fish and vegetable dishes. The servers were so lovely and proud of the food and restaurant. It was a real pleasure to dine at La Vara. And don’t skip dessert!
In October, La Vara helped make a very special night complete. I mentioned in my reservation that I’d be proposing to my partner before dinner, and asked if they could save two great seats at the bar. When we arrived, the host warmly congratulated us, and the bartender welcomed us with glasses of champagne. We celebrated with several dishes, each one truly stunning and delicious. We’re so thankful to the staff for their thoughtfulness and can’t wait to return!
One of my favorite restaurants in New York! The food and cocktails are incredible and they go above and beyond service-wise! We initially had a reservation on their heated outdoor patio and since it was going to be a particularly cold night proactively reached out to let us know we may not be comfortable. They then bent themselves over backwards to ensure we could get a table inside as we were coming in for a celebratory meal. Can’t recommend La Vara enough!
The food at La Vara is extremely delicious! The octopus is very rich and has an incredible texture. All of the other plates and dishes are also incredibly flavourful. However, the dishes are so rich that you can’t eat much from just one dish, and be prepared to spend a bit of money on your experience here.
My wife and I came here for dinner and had a great experience. The staff was friendly and the service was very good. We ordered a bunch of different dishes and everything was amazing. The croquettes, chickpeas and deviled eggs were delicious as was the suckling pig and bomba rice. Everything else we got was delicious as well but those dishes stood out to me. The cocktails and dessert were also awesome.
Pricey but worth it. Best tapas experience so far in nyc. The hamachi crudo pan con tomato was absolute genius, such a perfect pairing. The suckling pig was melt in your mouth delicious, I’ve never had anything quite like it. Service was fantastic, great team. All in a relaxed yet upscale environment in a lovely neighborhood. Run, don’t walk for your next date night.
Incredible place! The service was amazing, and the food was outstanding. Congratulations — I absolutely loved it!
This place serves food that makes you stop and pay attention. This place provided an amazing experience. La Vara combines positional advantage with good service. Employees were great and all were ready to assist! This place exceeds rating capabilities.
Absolutely wonderful from start to finish. It’s been a few years since we last visited and what a true pleasure to experience such warmth, professionalism, and casual sophistication of a neighborhood restaurant with stellar culinary cred. This is Spanish cuisine that reaches across time- incorporating Moorish (North African) and Jewish influence for pitch perfect, creative takes on classic combinations- with touches of local/seasonal to boot. Nothing overwrought or overthought. Everyone at our table (of very different tastes) raved. Kudos to a team that just keeps getting better.
I discovered a love of vermouth at this restaurant. The food was savory, rich, and perfect for sharing. It was also romantic.
We had an unforgettable dinner at La Vara. Very nice atmosphere, very good service, amazing food. I definitely recommend sharing so you’re able to experience many different tastes. I will definitely be returning regularly to La Vara.
What a gem of a place tucked away on the corner of one of Cobble Hill's narrow streets. This place was much more than we expected. The service and presentation was excellent, and the food was delish! Molly, that tends the bar was super friendly and chatted us up, it field like I knew her all my life! I definitely recommend sitting at the bar! Possibly our top 5!
We were visiting my husband’s daughter. I did some research on the best restaurants. This place, by far the best tapas I’ve ever had. I’m sad we won’t be able to return again and again.
Incredible and unique tapas in a very European / cozy spot. Service from Abigail was delightful, although I feel like they were a bit short staffed. Our favorite was the octopus, sausage and artichoke, and the dessert.
First visit here and the service is outstanding, we were greeted as soon as we walked in, sat at the bar and Joshua the bartender greeted us with a smile, he was so courteous. We did not know what to drink he gave us suggestions and they were on point delicious drinks and food. Definitely will be going back. Thank you Joshua for the great service.
The food is executed at a very high level. All dishes were very thoughtful. Service was top notch as well
Relaxing and delicious restaurant in a cute area in Brooklyn. We wanted to get out of the usual flavors and dishes you see at many restaurants in NY and we accomplished it here. The food was very authentic and delicious, we felt like we were back in Spain. Highly recommend it for a nice weekend dinner.
Random dinner meet up with a buddy, place was amazing from start to finish! Great service, cocktails were tasty, food we ordered all had a different flavor explosion our your mouth. Took a video of their version seafood paella, wish I could share here, absolutely the best dish! 100% will go back
The staff's attention to detail matches the kitchen's precision. This place excels in cooking, in ambiance and in attentiveness. The staff members demonstrate true workplace satisfaction. The cuisine surpassed expected excellence. I'm fighting against becoming too regular here.
They've collected plenty of feedback already. The food here is exceptional! Their staff provides superior service. The pricing structure is consumer-friendly. This spot excels in all important areas.
We had a wonderful dinner tonight by at La Vara. The menu is a tapas type menu with also some larger plates, all to be shared. The restaurant is small, cozy, quiet and immaculately clean. The staff is super friendly and helpful and they look like they enjoy working there! Will was our initial serveur and he explained the menu. He was excellent! All the servers were equally good. The items were fresh, hot and well- seasoned. There are many seafood items. The cheesecake for dessert was divine and the fruit sorbet the perfect refresher. All in all a delightful dinner.
Had such a delicious meal at La Vara. We visited on a holiday weekend and went right when they opened for dinner and there was already a line. That’s a good thing in NYC because you know it will be good. Our waitress was great and helped us pick the right amount of dishes to share. Everything was very balanced and fresh from the cocktails to savories to dessert. Very deserving of a Michelin Star.
WOWWWWWW highlights: Rossejat and Tosta tomaca. These two were ur favorite dishes we have never tired such amazing food. Everything else is great too we really liked the croquetas, the salchichón, the pipirrano a con grano and the cochinillo if you don’t like seafood. But wow for the rossejat!! The sangria is great and the dirty martini is amazing.
Elevated Spanish tapas bistro with cozy, neighborhood-y ambiance and a lovely backyard. Everything on the menu is well through out and executed, giving the tradition Spanish dishes a slight interesting twist without overly complicating the flavors and texture. The menu is seasonal, featuring fresh produce from local farms. Highly recommend the pine nuts and almond gazpacho with scallop crudo, the croquettes, spiced chickpeas, and the rossejat to share. Save room for their basque cheesecake if available!
The cuisine satisfies and servers are attentive. I plan to spread the word to relatives about this restaurant that excels in both kitchen and service. Workers make extra efforts to ensure everyone receives outstanding service. They give you enough to feel satisfied. Taste it yourself before making judgments.
Went to La Vara for a belated birthday dinner. We ordered the olives, gazpacho, salchicon, and of course, the conchinillo. Everything was delicious and prepared so beautifully. My partner and I couldn't choose a favorite because they were all amazing. The cochinillo skin is extremely crispy and the meat just falls apart. We'll definitely try to come back and try the other items on the menu, but we were so pleased with everything. The desserts were also *chefs kiss*
this is a very special place. we’ve wanted to go for years, and we finally went! i’m notoriously anti-tapas, but la vara changed my mind. each dish is a chef tasting for 2 with a symphony of flavor. the cocktails are amazing. probably some of the best cocktails in all of cobble hill. treat yourself and go, if I was rich i’d go once a week.
Located on a tree lined block in the Clinton hill section of Brooklyn this place is a perfect place to grab an amazing dinner with friends or that special someone. If you plan to visit, which I recommend that you do, reservations are highly recommended. If you do not make a reservation there is a possibility that you won’t get seated. This restaurant appears to be in high demand. So take the time to call ahead. We visited on a Friday evening for dinner. During our visit we sat outside mostly because the weather was beautiful and also because they were busy inside, most the the tables were full. The inside of this place is nice, it’s small but no smaller then a typical NYC restaurant. I would classify this restaurant as a fancy new age tapas bar. It’s Super chic and elegant. The server explained the menu in detail. Basically the smaller items are at the top of the menu and the larger items are at the bottom. We ordered the huevos rellenos, morras prensados, salchichon and the arroz melsoo. Everything was delicious with the exception of the salchichon. Salchichon is a sausage dish served with crispy artichoke. I found the artichoke to be heavy and greasy. The greasy artichoke did not take away from the over all tastes. The sausage… It was DELICIOUS. Honestly the sausage was the most delicious part of the dish. The atmosphere is somewhat fancy and the crowd is a little upscale for a simple brooklyn girl like myself. Nonetheless i found this place to be a great place to grab a bite to eat coupled with a great tasting drink. The total bill for the above items, two desserts and three drinks was roughly $206.00. The plates are small but still shareable. All over this place deserves its star rating and it worth the money.
WOW! Absolutely spectacular dishes! I mean, really, this place will Rock. Your. World. You are going to read the menu and think you know what you getting but when it gets to you, you will be amazed by the creativity, expertise and ingredients they combined to create something completely unexpected and sublimely delicious. If you want to taste, alchemy, jazz, romance and adventure, you will find it here! The wait staff are historians and know so much about what is on your plate and where it came from, so fun! It was such a an experience. I can't wait to go again.
My recent dining experience at La Vara left me absolutely enchanted and eager to share my wonderful experience. From the moment we stepped through the door, we were embraced by the warm inviting ambiance. The menu is a tantalizing journey through the diverse and rich flavors of Spanish cuisine. Each dish tells a story of tradition and innovation, expertly crafted to delight the senses. The attention to detail is truly remarkable, every bite was a symphony of tastes and textures that took my taste buds on an unforgettable adventure. Paired with the a few nice cocktails, I'm already counting down the days until my next visit!
La Vara was so lovely! Another amazing neighborhood spot. Food was so delicious - the eggplant special was amazing and I also loved the lobster rice and beef jowl. Vibe is on point - not too loud, cozy and intimate. Service was good - one thing was they kept trying to take away things before we finished. That part made me feel a little rushed. But overall highly recommend and I will be going back.
Visited on a cold NYC evening and felt immediately transported to Spain with these distinct preparations, excellent execution, and warm atmosphere.
Like another reviewer Wow! excellent food with twists here and there to make the meal interesting. Excellent guidance from waitstaff on quantity and mix of selections. A bit noisy, but to be expected from a gem tucked into a small space. Will certainly return.
Everything was delicious! The drinks and all the dishes we tried were all so well balanced and dialed in. I especially liked the pork with a really vibrant chimichurri. Highly recommended!
Cozy beautiful neighborhood spot. The dishes feel made with love, each bite unique and mouth watering. Some stand outs are the mussels, salchicon, and the lobster rice. Our server was lovely and so knowledgeable about wine, really making it a fantastic dining experience.
La Vara was so good last night. We shared a bunch of stuff and everything hit. The pulpo was crazy tender, croquetas were perfectly crispy, and that arroz dish was super comforting. Loved how it felt a little different from regular Spanish food. We were stuffed and happy. Definitely going back!
We had a great time eating at La Vara! The pulpo carpaccio was excellent. We had one of the best cavas that I have ever had for dessert. The basque cheesecake was a little denser than I like, but still quite good. We’ll definitely be coming back.
Absolutely phenomenal. Adorable restaurant in the heart of Brooklyn. The food is incredible. Simple and delightful. Hospitality is warm and friendly but very knowledgeable and attentive. Just all around a pure delight. Most dishes you will literally want to order a second round. Had to order croquetas as a starter and again to finish the meal they were so perfect. Pulpo and Arroz were stars.
Did not excpect this spot to be as great as it was and cant wait to return. Just about every dish was phenomenal! One of the best meals of the year. Couple of my friends have been telling me to go and glad i finally made it!! Some of the favorites The Tosta tomca w crudo. Pulpo de Roca Ajo Blanco The only dish we werw not blown by was the lamb belly. Would have preferred it cooked more and seasoned more. The staff were fantastic, the spot is cozy and lively
La Vara serves outstanding Spanish cuisine with remarkable attention to detail. The morros prensados and cochinillo were perfectly fatty and tender with rich, complex flavors. Their arroz meloso and rossejat delivered buttery grains perfectly seasoned with complementary spices. Everything we tried was delicious but we left slightly hungry despite sharing more than 10 dishes among our group of five, which was disappointing
La Vara serves excellent Spanish tapas, cocktails, and wine in a quiet but lively atmosphere. The menu explores the Jewish and Moorish heritage of Spain with really tasty and creative small plates. Plan to order 3-4 per person, as they really are on the small side. We especially loved the butter served with the anchovies and toast, and appreciated that our server refilled the toast. Also outstanding were the Judios a la Plancha and Rossejat (like a seafood paella made with noodles instead of rice.) Service was friendly and attentive.
just … wow. our expectations were high after just having dined (and enjoyed!) next door at saint julivert recently. they were met and exceeded! we were in on a thursday, on the later end for la vara so even though we were only two we were able to take a booth. started with delicious cocktails and ordered the anchovies, chicories salad with persimmon, blue cheese and the most interesting coffee-infused vinaigrette, and had the tosta tomaca which was so good we ordered a second! there was a special cogote—roasted kanpachi fish head with sofrito butter that was so tasty we cleaned it to the bone, and the cochinillo with tximitxurri was so succulent and flavorful and the crispy skin just takes it over the top. dessert for us was basque cheesecake and a mini of the chocolate flan that we were gifted because we just couldn’t decide and there was a birthday involved…both had a bit of salt that did exactly what it was meant to and both were incredible. Sari, our server was delightful and Rob the GM was the perfect host! i’d love to visit with a bit of a group to be able to sample more of the menu in one sitting. either way, we’ll be back … so many other dishes to try.
Came here for the first time and was delighted by the good food. We were two persons and had over 8 to 10 dishes including dessert and a few drinks. The most outstanding dishes were the salchichon, arroz meloso and morros prensados, I was pretty impressed of their taste. We had a vermut and wine to drink with the dishes. Service was superb and the atmosphere great, even though the place was full. The desserts were also very good. Overall this is an excellent Spanish tapas plates with a twist and I will definitely comeback here again.
I had an absolutely outstanding experience at La Vara on Clinton Street, and I can confidently say this is one of the finest dining spots in Brooklyn. From the moment I walked in, the staff made me feel genuinely welcomed. Everyone there was warm, attentive, and incredibly nice, striking that perfect balance between professionalism and friendliness that instantly elevates the whole experience. The food at La Vara is where the magic truly happens. Every dish is elegant, delicious, and presented with meticulous attention to detail. You can tell the kitchen takes real pride in crafting plates that not only taste incredible but look beautiful as well. Each item that came out felt like a small piece of art — layered flavors, creative combinations, and spot-on seasoning. It’s the kind of meal that reminds you why dining out can feel special. The atmosphere was comfortable yet refined, making it ideal for both a relaxed night out or a memorable celebration. After this experience, there’s no question about it — I will definitely be coming back again. If you’re looking for exceptional food, kind people, and an elevated dining experience, La Vara should be at the top of your list.
Really really good. Some dishes are a miss but maybe that was personal preference. this restaurant is excellent and I would 100% recommend it. The chocolate flan is an ABSOLUTE must. It is one of the best desserts I've had in New York City and one of the best bites of the year Favorite dishes I had here were the Ajo Blanco and the cucumber grain salad
Pretty place and great food! Everything had a lot of care put into it. By far my favourite dish was the ensalada de calamar (also really loved the beans!), but everything was good. I wish the octopus was sliced just a touch thicker, as I primarily love the texture. It was not a lot of octopus for the price. I was also a little surprised that the suckling pig didn’t come with anything else on the plate, as I feel like the tximitxurri alone was almost not enough to balance out the very porky taste of the roast. I would personally prefer coming to this place as a party of two. There were many dishes I felt myself wanting more of when shared between 3 people (mainly for the first part of the menu—excluding the last 5 more “entrée” items). If it’s a good day, I recommend asking for outdoor seating if available. It’s a quiet neighbourhood, and talking will be easier outside.
Had an extraordinary dinner here, very creative dishes, and amazing service and atmosphere. They had a wonderful sweet potato and squash tempura dish to start, a delicious and tasty risotto-inspired dish and then a truly good dish with noodles and various seafood. All three dishes rated 10/10 for taste and creativity. Only slight disappointment was the cheesecake dessert which didn’t seem fresh. But a wonderful value overall. Service at the bar was very personal and the chef brought by the dishes which was a nice touch.
My experience at La Vara, a contemporary Spanish tapas-style restaurant, was exceptional. From the gorgeous interior and attentive service to the stunning plating and beautifully balanced dishes, everything exceeded expectations. I ordered the lamb belly from the daily special menu, and it was the standout dish of the night. Having eaten lamb my whole life, I’ve never encountered a preparation like this one as it was flavorful and unforgettable. La Vara also offers suckling pig, a rare find in NYC, making it a must-visit for anyone seeking elevated Spanish cuisine.
Really fabulous tapas bar with a diverse menu, good drinks, and great service! We particularly enjoyed the eggplant dish and the salchichón. The sangria, both white and red, was delicious. The service was incredible!! We sat outside and were fully undercover when it unexpectedly started to storm. Overall, we high recommend this spot!
Great relaxing vibe and amazing food! Went with a friend here and loved it! Highly recommend and would definitely go back!! We loved the beef jowel and chocolate flan with olive oil and sea salt. Amazing combinations with Spanish flare. Our server was so nice and friendly — we loved her!
Service was amazing, our waiter was very helpful, and the food was solid
Sat in the back patio on a Thursday evening with my fiancé. Immediately seated and greeted by hostess. I recently visited Spain on a biking trip and felt that many of the dishes accurately reflected the cuisine of Galicia. Tried the octopus, eggplant special, pork roast, and the lobster risotto-like dish. Food portions are not the greatest, but the flavors explode. Well seasoned and played to perfection. I would definitely come again. Be prepared to spend more than expected though!
This Spanish tapas restaurant impressed me with its delicious and innovative food. The waiter was friendly without being pushy, though the welcome could have been warmer. Could have had more attention to detail, e.g. not leaving the sticker on the lemon. The dessert, chocolate mousse with cream and olive oil, was delightful. Worth a visit for a flavorful dining experience!
Everything was excellent - drinks, wine, appetizers, service all impeccable. The only let down was the 2 main courses which were pork and 1/2 chicken, both way overpowered by their respective spices and felt too simple after such amazing appetizers. It’s a tapas like restaurant so you can easily have a fabulous dinner combined with several types of dishes. The sardines are delicious and the chicken hearts are absolutely delicious. Would definitely recommend!
I had a nice evening at La Vara last evening. One of my best foodie’s memories are from Spain’s San Sebastián, at the heart of the Basque region. I was hoping for a similar, memorable experience. La Vara’s cuisine is Basques inspired. I can’t say it was that memorable, but it was interesting. I may have to try some additional dishes there.
Service was great. My favorite dishes of the night were the snap pea salad and the sweet corn stew. Both of them were Saturday's special. The snap pea salad were drizzled with smoker dry baby shrimps with a hint of peppercorn oil. The sweet corn stew came out with fresh crab meat, porcini and okra, very interesting and tasty combination. I also love their homemade green tahini, which was mixed in the devil eggs and also brushed at the bottom of the octopus salad. Will try some lamb dishes when I am going back next time:)
The salchichon and rossejat were absolutely outstanding, with the rossejat earning an incredible 100/10 for its seafood and aioli. The judías a la plancha surprised even a bean hater, and the arroz meloso was flavorful but overpriced for its portion. While the torta Santiago was simple and satisfying, the sobao had too much cinnamon, which should be noted on the menu for those who dislike spice. Unfortunately, the cochinillo and lamb special fell flat, with strong, unpleasant flavors that made them difficult to enjoy. Overall, the cozy ambiance and good service make it a nice spot, though the quality of dishes varies widely. It very pricey but since it’s NYC à it’s understandable.
Lovely atmosphere and great service. The dishes are creative and delicious. The anchovies dish was probably the most surprising and very good. The rossejat was a bit of a disappointment, it was pretty small, didn't have a much seafood as the menu suggested, and way too much aioli. Definitely recommend
La Vara is a cozy and inviting restaurant that offers a great selection of tapas. While the ambiance is pleasant, it doesn't stand out as exceptional. The food, on the other hand, is terrific. Each tapa is bursting with flavor, although the portions are quite small. The attentive service is a standout feature, with staff accommodating dietary restrictions and offering recommendations. The cocktails and drinks are also noteworthy, with a good variety to choose from. However, the price is a bit steep for the small portion sizes, which may leave some diners feeling unsatisfied; we ordered 5 tapas and we were not totally satisfied. To truly enjoy the experience, I’d recommended to order around 6/7 tapas for two people. Overall, La Vara is a great spot for tapas, but be prepared to spend a bit more than expected. Despite the price, the quality of the food and service make it a worthwhile visit. 4/5 stars.
Overall good presentation and service, but overpriced if your top priority is how good the food tastes, which is why I won’t go back again. We came as a party of four and the booth table by the window was quite tight in terms of space. The indoor was also very loud due to all that cocktail shaking at the bar, so hard to have a conversation. The main dishes were disappointing (we tried beef cheek, seafood “noodles” and suckling pig. Beef cheek was especially horrible due all the fat and flavor was bland, just salt). Only dish we liked was the octopus - unique presentation and decent flavor and texture.
There wasn't a wait to get in but there was a wait to get your food! To give credit where credit is due we ordered tapas at the bar but the place only holds about 50 people and it was only half-full when we came before the dinner rush. We ordered about five different small plates expecting to share together and taste everything but they bring your Tapas out one at a time... not all at once...who knew! It seemed to take us forever to get to the end of our little appetizer meal which was annoying.
This is supposed to be such a sweet neighborhood gem but it can really be hit or miss. Dinner has been great in the past but we came for brunch and the croquetas were delivered cold on the inside. Then the lamb burger was so dry it was inedible, and sort of sad on a grilled bun with a few sprigs of arugula. The tortillita de Gambas was redeeming and delicious.
Okay. Not great, not the worst either. Service was kind of rushed. Wanted to order Ajo Blanco, was told that they didn’t have scallops but “it really didn’t matter.” Not sure what that means. Wait staff tried to take full plates from our table while we were still eating. Unacceptable for a small plate restaurant as bites are supposed to be enjoyed through the dinner. My date had the Cochinillo as the main course, and absolutely loved it. I had a few of the small plates and Lascas con gurullos, which was tasty but incredibly salty for human consumption. And I’m not talking about bakalao itself, the pasta and the yogurt-y sauce it was served with was barely edible due to how salty they were. We dined inside and it was very loud for a date night, bathroom didn’t have soap. Won’t be returning but also didn’t have the worst night either.
Small plates is an understatement. Deviled eggs comes 3 per order. We were a table of 4 and weren't informed it wasn't a good share dish. 8 dishes + is recommended for a table of 4. The service was touch and go; wine service was non existent. A small business staying afloat will succeed if you staff it property. If you can't afford it don't take on all the volume. Remove tables? Take less reservations? You're worried about labor costs, food costs etc. But you're hurting your bottom line by not having a solid team and superb service. To anyone reading this, do yourself a favor and skip this place. Wine glasses weren't polished (water marks all over the glasses), plates weren't changed with each coarse. Portions were so small we went to another restaurant to have an actual dinner. We order a bottle of brut, the server spilled a portion of the bottle during "tables side service" - it was about a glass lost. Was it replaced? Were we offered a glass to compensate what was lost? No. Please go to Peasant (peasantnyc.com) in downtown Manhattan. You will be blown away by the service and food.
I don’t get what’s all the hype around this restaurant. Plates are extremely expensive for it’s size, 3 anchovies for 19 bucks, feels like getting mugged tbh. And it’s like that with every single plate. I didn’t know it was a samples restaurant… FYI, If you’re not vaccinated your not allowed to get in, and yes, children aren’t allowed in as well although they can’t get vaccinated atm.
Food is bland and disappointing for the price range. The croquettes, setas and cod dishes all lacked seasoning and the flavor you expect for the price. Croquettes had zero flavor, it felt like a dough of flour and water that was deep fried. I expected the earthiness of the ingredients to be balanced by a proper acid and refreshing seasoning. I struggled to finish the dishes as the amount of oil made it nat enjoyable. On the other side, the deviled egg were good I truly wonder what other folks find in this restaurant. Sure, the atmosphere is nice. But excellent food should be a prerequisite. Will not come back
Unfortunately a bit disappointing, it was nothing special and sooooo overpriced. The plates were so so small that you can have one spoon of one plate if you are 4 people. It should be tapas so don’t charge 36$ for a mini basic plate. Desserts were great. We had for 70$ each and I was still hungry afterwards.
The food was okay but not worth the hype. The portions were tiny, I felt like I was eating from Barbie’s plate. More like toy size instead of fun size. Overpriced
This is food with all the hallmarks of a chef who has laboriously gone through each element of each dish, seemingly intent on lowering food costs to an absolute minimum. The result comes at great expense to the flavor, though with enough art that the house stays full on a weekday night. This food made me nostalgic for Spain in the way a bad date makes you nostalgic for a lost love. We spent $100/pp. We were in a good mood, determined to have a good time, and we managed to do so in spite of this very silly food. I'm not going to waste time dissecting each dish, but I have to at least talk about the "Pulpo de Roca". Octopus from the rock, oh doesn't that sound lovely. The fresh taste of the sea on a summer day, plucked from the rock, massaged into submission and presented to you here for your enjoyment. What a lovely promise inherent in that name. No. Not for you. What you get is an octopus carpaccio, a preparation that serves to minimize both food cost and flavor. They shaved about 1oz of octopus (likely less) into a dozen or so pretty slivers, then dressed it with lemon and salt and paired it with (and this is unforgivable) a middling olive oil. The real achievement here is selling $18/lb frozen octopus at $368/lb. My god, just think of the profit to be had! Was the octopus tough? It's impossible to say, it was 1mm thick. Was it imbued with the flavor of the sea on that glorious day it was plucked from the rock? Perhaps 1mm of that flavor, perhaps none. If greed is orthogonal to love, then this menu stands as proof. That said the presentation was lovely, the service was very good until it disappeared at some point, and the restaurant had a very cozy layout, although I do think they could have squeezed in another two top in the corner to increase their profit margin by another 2 to 3%
I agree with many of the points raised by other reviewers regarding the discrepancy between food and pricing at this establishment. Unfortunately, the flavors failed to evoke the authentic essence of Spain. For example, the cochinillo lacked depth and seasoning—surprisingly omitting a quintessential Spanish ingredient like garlic. While the portion sizes of the tapas were reasonably in line with traditional standards, the pricing was far from it. Our waitress, clearly trained to recommend a minimum of seven tapas per person to feel “satisfied,” effectively turned what should have been a casual experience into a very costly one. Overall, this dining experience felt disappointing and overpriced. It’s hard to believe that glowing reviews are coming from patrons who may not be familiar with authentic Spanish cuisine or who may not have visited Spain themselves. In a city like New York, with its high culinary standards, we expect better.
I was really looking forward to trying this place, especially after hearing that the chef was from Spain. As a Spaniard myself, I had high hopes for an authentic experience. Unfortunately, it was very disappointing. First of all, the prices are very high for what you get. The portions are incredibly small, and the quality of the food just didn’t match the expectations—especially considering the price point. The dishes seem adapted for an American audience rather than staying true to how we eat in Spain. I was hoping for something closer to real Spanish flavors and quality, but it missed the mark. There were also several mistakes with our order. One of the dishes was forgotten, and they had to come back to ask if we had actually ordered it. My lamb dish took about an hour to arrive, and when it finally did, it was mostly fat with barely any meat. That was very frustrating. Service overall was not great—slow, disorganized, and not very attentive. Sadly, both the food and the experience fell far short of expectations. Definitely not a place I would return.
the food was decent, but for the price it was mid at best. each dish needs is basically a really expensive appetizer and should be at least 20-30% less expensive. it felt like our server was ignoring or avoiding us all night, even though she would continue to go to the other table repeatedly. had to order at least 1 drink multiple times and it took a very long time to show up, even though the table next to us had constant service with the same server. I will not be going back
I recently went there to spend my last night in New York, and I was extremely disappointed. First, I was seated at the bar, but no one came to take my order for quite a long time. Even when I asked the bartender to explain the dishes, all they did was repeat the names. Eventually, I managed to order a few dishes and a bottle of wine, but throughout the entire meal, I didn’t get a single glance from the staff and not once did anyone pour the wine. If that’s the case, I really don’t understand the purpose of having a bartender at the bar or why they expect tips. During the meal, a server only came by once—and only because I sought them out—to take the order, and that was it. I know it may not be like this every day, but with this kind of service, I don’t believe they deserve tips.
Inicia sessió per deixar una ressenya
Inicia sessióElimina anuncis i gestiona el menú
Explora la teva zona
Kitchen at Cobble Hill
Espresso Me
Buddy's Burrito & Taco Bar
Cafe Chili
The Long Island Bar
Stumptown No 12
Maman
Indian Table
Tripoli
Mikado
330 Fotos
Explora les fotos de La Vara
Informació sobre La Vara
Com arribar
268 Clinton St, Brooklyn, NY 11201
Destacats
Serveis
Opcions de Menjador
Informació del Restaurant
Comoditats
El Barri
Ubicació
268 Clinton St, Brooklyn, NY 11201
📍 Explorar el Barri
Esdeveniments Propers
Olive Jones
29 de juny. 2026, 18:30
Baby's All Right
Dylan Adler: Haus of Dy-LAN
29 de juny. 2026, 19:30
The Bell House
A New York Evening With Julian Lage
29 de juny. 2026, 19:30
National Sawdust
New York Liberty v. Las Vegas Aces (Commissioner's Cup Championship)
30 de juny. 2026, 19:00
Barclays Center
park in Brooklyn, NYC
church building in Brooklyn, United States of America
Synagogue in New York City
recreational in Schermerhorn St., Brooklyn
park in the United States of America
Catholic church in New York City
park in Brooklyn, NYC
edificio de Nueva York, Estados Unidos
Jocs
🎮 Guanya Punts Mentre Explores!
Juga a Find Me i canvia punts per descomptes a La Vara i altres restaurants
Guanya Punts a La Vara!
Juga a Find Me i canvia recompenses aquí
Guanya punts extra i canvia'ls per recompenses de La Vara
🏆 Recompenses de La Vara
Descompte 10%
A La Vara
Aperitiu Gratis
A la teva propera visita
Taula VIP
Experiència premium
per canviar recompenses i guanyar punts
📋 Com funcionen les recompenses?
Juga a Find Me
Cada 100 punts de score = 1 punt de recompensa
Acumula Punts
Els workers obtenen 2x punts per partida
Canvia Recompenses
Descomptes, menjar gratis i experiències VIP
És teu? Reclama'l GRATIS!
Elimina anuncis i gestiona el menú