Laxeiro Tapas Bar

We went to Laxeiro recently as we just happened to be in the area on a Sunday lunchtime. In the past, I have given the place a wide berth, given a. the long queues and b. my expectation that restaurants in such touristy areas are unlikely to offer quality food. Well, I'm happy to admit I was wrong on both counts: the queue went down fairly quickly and we were then seated and served with menu/drinks/bread with friendly efficiency; even better, the food was surprisingly tasty and wholesome - we had a few Spanish classics such as lentils with chorizo, calamaris fritas, patatas bravas and others - all of which looked like fairly standard tapas fare, but actually tasted exceptional. The place really reminded me of restaurants I've been to in Barcelona at lunchtime, madly chaotic and busy, but the unflustered staff somehow achieving super-efficient and speedy service. The menu initially seemed pricy (evoking a 'typical Columbia Road' reaction) until the waitress explained that the portions were raciones rather than tapas - so the three of us were sated for around £30, including drinks. All in all, a (surprisingly) good experience.
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Shirley MK
8 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 8
Wednesday, April 27, 2011

The food at Laxeiro is lovely- authentic Spanish food at reasonable prices, and yes, it is a little cramped and noisy but it was worth it- well, so I used to think.

However, I went to Laxeiro for the third time recently. The waiter told us there was a wait of about ten minutes, my partner and I were happy to wait in line. Soon after, another couple arrived who seemed to know the waitress working there. She asked us if we had arrived first so I responded that we had.

A table became free outside, so we decided to sit down. As soon as we had done this, the same waitress came over and asked why we were sitting there. We replied that we were first in the queue. She started to become very aggressive and argumentative- saying that weren't and that the other couple were before us. She did not listen to us at all, instead raising her voice over us. We were utterly flabbergasted. The other couple looked equally embarrassed. In the end, she told us "You- move. Now." as if we were animals. I could not believe my ears. It was mortifying for us as well as the rest of the customers in the restaurant who looked awkward and embarrassed.

In the end, the manager told the waitress to leave us, and that we could sit at our table- but by this point we were beyond humiliated and upset, and left. I will NEVER go to this restaurant again. I have spoken to friends and family who are also fans of the food at this restaurant- however they were completely disgusted by how we were treated and also will not be visiting this restaurant again.

If the restaurant manager has any common sense he would reprimand- if not sack that awful waitress, who is clearly very frustrated and angry. Never in my life have I witness such appalling customer service. To be avoided.
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3 Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 6
Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Went to this restaurant on a Saturday afternoon and absolutely loved it.

We ordered the Mixed Paella for 2 and asked the waiter (probably the son of the owner) for recommendations on other dishes. He very honestly said he thought the Paella would be enough, but said we could try the cold meat platter.

We took one to share and also had a mixed salad and grilled sardines.

Everything tasted great, and the place feels very homely with a stunning cat walking among the tables.

The bread basket was also really nice with many different type of breads and the tastiest olive oil I had in a long time.

We asked to have the rest of the Paella put in a box as we couldn't finish it (he did warn us! Lol) and the waiter obliged with a smile.

The bill was a very reasonable £36 in total, so not expensive at all for all that we ate.

Will definitely be back!
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Marco
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 8
Sunday, October 10, 2010

I tried this restaurant as I was walking past with my girlfriendt. It looked busy and very pleasant.

The waitress managed to find us a table quickly attended to us with a smile despite looking rushed, she even found time to explain a few of the dishes to us and recommend a few things. The food was delicious so we ordered some more. It's not dirt cheap but then I wouldn't say it's expensive. We had a bottle of wine and ate well for under £25. I don't get what other people class as expensive??
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9 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 9
Wednesday, May 26, 2010

It's ok here, pricey but good... They are strange, they have breakfast i think which is not good and I don't understand? they are restaurant for tapas?

expensive but not that good. I used to love it.
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abila
2 Overall rating
Food 4 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 1 | Value for money 3
Sunday, March 21, 2010

Went there on a Friday night with some friends after reading a very good review in my Time Out cheap eats book. The guide says that "prices seems high but these are raciones not tapas" so we ordered only 6 tapas between the 4 of us and this was no where near enough food as they were more like tapas than raciones! at the average of £7 per "raciones".

We didn't order more even though we were still hungry as the quality of the food was very average and overpriced.

Will not be going back again.
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kay
2 Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 0
Saturday, March 20, 2010

Went to Laxeiro on Friday night, also at 9.15pm for the second sitting. Food was good, nice restaurant, but they obviously don't believe in service with a smile here. They were completely miserable! Also brought our bill before we had even asked for it. The staff obviously resented the fact of having to work through another sitting. Shame because we really liked it otherwise but will think twice about going back.
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4 Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 5
Sunday, March 07, 2010

I booked a table at Laxeiro for a Friday night. I booked the "second sitting" slot at 9.15 which I think is probably best as the service is slow - I think it took about 45 minutes before our food came.

However, I have been all over Spain every year for most of my life, and I have to say the food is very, very good in comparison to even the better tapas places in Sevilla. The tapas does unfortunately come all at once, which isn't really the point of this style of eating, but if you ordered gradually I am not sure the service could cope.

We ordered Razor Clams, which were tender and delicious and BBQ black bream, which was perfect. We also had cold meat/manchego platter (cheese portion a bit mean) and pimentos de padron, which were very fresh. Olives and bread are of a very good quality (not french stick, which I always find disappointing with tapas places in London).

The wine & sherry list is good, as is the atmosphere. The food isn't dirt cheap, but it is reasonable for the quality. A definite thumbs up and I will be going again.
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8 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Wednesday, May 27, 2009

I absolutely love Laxeiro, been going there for years and obviously the prices have gone up over the years, but the standard has remaining outstanding and worth every penny, the atmosphere is great and feels like you could be siting in your living room, it's so homely.
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Alexandra Copley
9 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Saturday, April 18, 2009