Don Fernandos

Visited last night, and whilst the welcome and service was very good, the food was a huge let down. The set menu looked excellent value and very tasty, but no thought had gone into the preparation or presentation. It wasn't bad food, it just wasn't authentic tapas. In fact it was more akin to what you would expect on a low budget all inclusive holiday in Spain (deep fried cheese was served with squirty cream!) It was incredibly greasy and left us both feeling really unhealthy - we didn't stay for desert!

The restaurant seems poplular and does have a nice atmosphere, and we were really surprised as there was no tell tale signs that the food would be so poor.

There are much better tapas restaurants which charge the same amount. Our favourite is El Pirata in Green Park, which is well worth a visit.
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Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 0
Wednesday, April 30, 2008

A great restaurant with authentic Spanish cuisine. My wife Anne & I am been going to the restaurant for over 15 years and still enjoy the visit now as much as the first time.

The staff are terrific and add to the ambience.

All of the friends and family that we have taken over the years always regard the vist to Don Fernandos as a highlight of their trip to London.
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William Bennett
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Saturday, January 26, 2008

Its such a great place to eat at, excellent choice of Tapa's,great value for money and a buzzy atmosphere. I've been going here for years and in my opinion is easilly the best restaurant in Richmond. Big thumbs up!!
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Emma G
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Monday, January 21, 2008

Maybe it's because I'm Spanish and I know what Spanish food should taste like that I'm not impressed with this restaurant....

I've been there twice and the food was awful, I came out thinking that the chef couldn't be very Spanish and if he was, he didn't have a clue how to cook.

If you still fancy giving it a try, stay well away from Spanish omelette and paella, the can't cook these dishes at all...
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Nagore - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 3
Saturday, January 19, 2008

I love this place.

I had the good fortune to work in Richmond for 6 years and this place was never far from my lunching list. The food is simply brilliant. The prices are reasonable and I cannot fault the huge choice. Favourites are chicken in garlic on the bone and squid in its own ink (I have it every time - it's delicious). They also make the best tortilla I've ever had.

About a year ago the expanded the restaurant space and the new bit is a little souless but I expect when it's full it's a lot more buzzy. The only other people in this bit when we went (7pm on a Thursday night) were a young family and a wailing child who clearly needed the toilet is never the best accompaniment to good food and conversation. The desserts are a bit bland but the cheese board is good (nice figgy chutney type stuff), and who goes to a tapas bar for cake?

It's not a fancy place. It's pretty traditional but the smell as you approach the restaurant from outside alone is enough to get you drooling.
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Frostie - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 8
Wednesday, June 13, 2007

Have been going to this place for years, and it is absolutely excellent !! Great value too.
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Noel
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 10
Tuesday, December 19, 2006

My wife and I went here on two occasions, once ourselves which we enjoyed quite a lot then again with a group which left us kind of bitter about the place. The food is reasonably good for the price though you can get better in central london. Their group booking system requires you paying in advance a NON-REFUNDABLE £5/head deposit which is deducted from the final bill - a bit of a shock as we decided to pull out a day before due to the next point (which wouldn't have impacted them since their walk in crowd packs the place most nights). The other really nasty point is everyone in your group must have the same set menu (excepting vegetarians) - for me this pretty much goes completely against the point of tapas! What are the management thinking? Crazy. Apart from that the service and food were not too bad.

Would recommend if you want some tapas in Richmond, its not half bad just don't go in for their group bookings they're a sham.
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Dan
Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 5
Saturday, July 22, 2006

Love this place!

Great food. Great service. Great atmosphere.

I regularly go to Don Fernando's to enjoy the lively atmosphere and friendly staff. The place is great for people who need a quick meal or for a party who want to take their time and stay the whole evening. I particularly love the paella.

A personal favourite of mine it was where I proposed to my then girlfriend now wife.
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Rich
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9
Friday, March 10, 2006

Quite simply the best restaurant in Richmond!

I have been going for several years now and always enjoy a warm friendly welcome.

Don Fernando's is Family run and it shows - It can get very busy (this only adds to the atmosphere), but the staff are always very attentive and the service is excellent.

The food is delicious and excellent value. A great place to take a group of friends - especially if they've never tried tapas before.

Although i have my favourite dishes I usually try to sample a new dish every visit, and have just recently discovered the fabada - a delightful tasty stew of chorizo, beans, onions and garlic.

Start your evening off with an ice cold beer at the bar before settling in for a night of tastebud heaven.

In short, great value for money and fun - all that a good restaurant should be.
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AL
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Friday, March 10, 2006

I have been going to Don's since 1996 and I have always had great food there. The wine is good too.

I have a weak spot for Chipirones en su tinta, tis the food of gods!

Get very busy, but well worth a visit!
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Tony Man
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 6
Wednesday, March 01, 2006