Meson Los Barriles

This fabulous little tapas bar is round the corner from our Islington flat, and my husband and I are dedicated fans. We inevitably take family or friends out to Los Barilles when they come to visit, and without fail our guests have a great evening and come away saying they loved the food and the atmosphere.

Los Barrriles is a family run joint and this really comes through in the ambience, the tapas and the service. The owner is a British-born Spaniard - his family hails from Northern Spain, which reflects in the authentic, unfussy menu as does his unwavering passion for the region and its food. The chefs and waiters are majority Spanish, service is friendly and informal; all in all creating a highly personal, cosy and rustic atmosphere.

Upon arrival you are greeted with fresh bread and marinated olives along with delicious smells wafting from the kitchen that really get you in the mood to tuck into the tapas menu. Try the delicous crab claws in olive oil and garlic or the chorizo stewed in beans and tomato; both are divine. There is an open fish counter with a variety of fresh fish and seafood sourced daily from local markets- and always a couple of 'specials' to choose from.

Overall, this is an unpretentious little gem of a place that focuses on serving great tapas and fresh ingredients and has a warm, highly personal family atmosphere that is difficult to find in a big city. Comes highly recommended - check it out!
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Laura Salama Otaqui
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Friday, July 04, 2008

Just called this restaurant to book a table for 8 people at 9pm on Monday. The guy who answered the phone wouldn't take the booking as "they like to close early" on a monday. What shocks me is that he suggested the 8 of us "turn up anyway" just in case. None of this makes sense, why would they turn away at least £200's worth of business. They must be idiots, or quite good.
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richard baxter
Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 0
Wednesday, October 24, 2007

I used to go here regularly for lunch when I worked in the area. This restaurant is extremely popular in the area. The food is great and the service friendly - of course there are going to be days when the staff is rushed off their feet but I have always had an enjoyable experience.

I still go back there on occasion and really enjoy the wide selection of tapas! Being part Spanish myself I can never resist the chorizo in red wine...

TAPAS! TAPAS! TAPAS!
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Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 8
Monday, October 08, 2007

This restaurant looks authentic from the outside but this place is a far cry from traditional spanish tapas. unless of course your view of spanish cuisine comes from the 19th floor of a benidorm apartment block.

The serano ham is delicious but the cooked food we ate (politely left) from the kitchen tastes like microwave ready made sauce poured over poor quality ingredients. Thick, gloopy and thoroughly inedible.

Please avoid this restaurant at all costs, it's awful.
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Matt
Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 4 | Value for money 0
Monday, August 06, 2007

I don't normally comment on websites but had to write about this place after a truely awful experience I had there last night.

My friend had booked a table for 8, however as 4 of the party were delayed we sat down, had a drink and waited for them. The waiters were very unattentive and waited ages for menus and some to take our order.

Being a tapas resturant and since the friends were delayed we thought we would get some bits to nibble on whilst we were waited only to be told that we couldn't order until the whole party would arrive. The waiter's attitude was terrible and my friend whose birthday it was, was left feeling like an inconvience. When I commented on the man's attitude I was met with a VERY rude response before the waiter stormed off ........only to come back five minutes later and tell us that we couldn't eat there!!

Clearly the waiter didn't see his job to be nice to his customer and we were happy to leave - having debated walking out only minutes earlier.

Luckily the evening was saved as found a fantasic resturant round the corner that were happy to seat us.

Don't ask for much from a night out - but don't expect to be shouted out by a waiter!!

Don't go there - its dreadful
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jenny
Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 0
Thursday, July 26, 2007

The service was very good, food came quick and very tasty highly recomend.
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Roy
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Wednesday, May 02, 2007

Reasonably good atmosphere, staff a bit arrogant though and service a bit sluggish. Bit overpriced for what it is. Btw, the chorizo is nothing special. I've been to better Tapas and probably wouldn't come back here.
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HJ
Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 1
Saturday, March 10, 2007

Truly awesome! My colleagues and I have the pleasure of dining here regularly and every time the food has been first rate and authentic, service is brilliant and the atmosphere as Andaluz as it gets! Los Barriles know how to treat their loyal customers and as for prices...quality speaks for itself, you pay for what you get. Would certainly not recommend to an enemy…this is for friends and family only.
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GP-T
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Friday, February 16, 2007

After visits to many of Europe's finest tapas bars (including the famous and extravagant el Mundo in Utrecht), we can with great authority concede Los Barilles our devotion. Great staff, great chorizo and there is a brilliant morcillia kept especially for the true, dedicated and worhty conoisseurs! A must! Cicci's
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Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9
Saturday, January 06, 2007

An awful place with incredibly rude and arrogant staff and dreadful service. This resturant is not what it used to be. Unbelievably bad food coupled with the terrible service completely ruined our evening. This is possibly the worst restaurant I've been to in London ever. I wouldn't recommend it and I certainly will not be returning.
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pricimus - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 0
Tuesday, December 19, 2006