Fresh User Reviews for Spanish in Sydney

9.2 Highly Recommended

Food  8      Drinks  9      Ambience  10      Service  10      Value  9     

We went here for my boyfriend's birthday and it was perfect. Exactly what I was hoping for. We went for the 8.15pm sitting as we didn't want to be rushed. The staff were fantastic, not pushy and offered some great tapas (mushrooms, squid and meatballs). We followed this with the chciken skewers. The vibe was dark, sexy and romantic in the resturant. The sangria was great! It would be good though if it came in a jug as opposed to buying it by the glass ($15 per glass).
I would definitely go back again.

May 31, 2012

8.4 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Drinks  8      Ambience  9      Service  8      Value  8     

Went Saturday with friends for my birthday. The design is stylish and inviting which seemed to suit the diverse crowd. Lots of tasty tapas arrived hot and fast (prawns wrapped in jamon and paella sensational). We all had a great night so a big thanks to all!

May 30, 2012

9 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Drinks  9      Ambience  8      Service  9      Value  9     

One of the best places to eat in Crows Nest. Fantastic food and delightful service every time. Cosy atmosphere, a real gem indeed.

May 29, 2012

9.3 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  8      Service  10      Value  9     

I've been here a few times and just love this place. Japanese fusion food that does not disappoint. Very good value and good service.

May 29, 2012

9.5 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  10      Service  9      Value  9     

We had dinner at the Vintage Cafe on Sunday night, and had a truly memorable experience.

My wife and I were completely overwhelmed with how great the whole experience was, especially the live music. Fantastic singing, guitar and percussionist. Food was truly Delish, especially the paella. Decent wines too and an ambience that was so warm and inviting.

We wish there was more of this kind of thing in Sydney, especially the music, which was a standout. We were close to the musicians, and I was worried they might be too loud, but they were so amazingly good that they knew just the right volume. Real professionals! Mushrooms were outstanding, and the salmon pizza with the signature peri peri was to die for.

Cafes of Sydney take note: this is how you should be doing it. First get a brain, then get great musicians, get good food and you might have a hope of being as fun as this place. We'll be back!

May 28, 2012

4.3 Below Average

Food  6      Ambience  3      Service  6      Value  2     

I’m a reluctant tipper because I don’t believe in rewarding mediocrity. When the service or the overall dining experience is that good, I have no issues showing my appreciation. Vintage Cafe didn’t get a tip. When you step into the Rocks, you can’t help feeling a sense of history. While highway robbery was a common practice in the Rock’s heydays, there’s no excuse to keep the practice alive today.

The much vaunted hallmark of the Vintage Cafe is the paella. When the $55, dish for 2 arrived, modesty stopped me from asking when my partner’s meal was coming. To make matters worse the $55, dish would have yielded a $40, net profit for the proprietor considering there was 1 chorizo, 2 chicken thigh fillets, 4 prawns, 4 black mussels, ½ a blue swimmer crab and 4 calamari rings.

The flavour of the paella was just fine but the lack of value left a sour taste. And as for ambience, we were jammed into a corner on a thoroughfare, both my partner and I looking at a stone wall, albeit a historic one. As for the live music, I’ve heard better buskers.

The service was efficient and friendly enough but the charm came thick and fast as diners settled their bill. Staff were extra friendly, warm and charming making up for any shortfall in service or quality.

I appreciate the traditional paella is after all, a peasant food to be shared around at the gathering of family and friends. But this is Sydney 2012 and this dish has been elevated to the status of signature dish. I’m really glad I tried it but I wouldn’t bother going back.

May 28, 2012

8.8 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  8      Service  9      Value  9     

Went last week and found a real diamond, highly recommended.

May 27, 2012

8 Recommended

Food  8      Drinks  6      Ambience  8      Service  9      Value  9     

We went there for a dinner before going onto our movie. Food came out quickly and staff were attentive and helpful and tapas are delicious. However, the drinks selection could be improved.

Ambience is quite nice. Restaurant feels cosy but in a nice way. It is a great little gem in crows nest. We discovered it on the way home and glad we did.

May 26, 2012

2.5 Not Recommended

Food  2      Ambience  4      Service  2      Value  2     

Not recommended for family gatherings or special occasions, however, it had lots of dancing and loud music in a dark cozy spaces if that's your thing.

May 26, 2012

4 Below Average

Food  5      Ambience  4      Service  4      Value  3     

Pick of the Spanish restaurants around liverpool st. Still not the best so I've not been back.

May 26, 2012

8.8 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  9      Service  9      Value  8     

Went here for my birthday tonight with two other friends. The decor is adorable, it's a very cute and cosy place. We ordered 6 tapas between us, and they were all so great and very filling. I think the sirloin was undercooked, but most people would find it cooked well (I like my meat very well done) but it was still tasty regardless.

I strongly recommend the potato sofrito, sherry wild mushrooms and garlic/ manchego cheese bread. The sangria is very nice, but might be a little sweet for some depending on your tastes. Service was good, staff were friendly. Including drinks and churros for dessert, the bill ended up being $50 each (it adds up!). Strongly recommended and would love to return some day.

May 26, 2012

5.8 Average

Food  7      Ambience  6      Service  3      Value  7     

Great place in lovely Summer Hill. The food is really tasty and it's a cute cozy place but the service from the senior staff is awful, she's particularly grumpy. Corkage fees are ridiculously overpriced! A shame as it would be perfect if it wasn't for those 2 bad points.

May 25, 2012

9 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  9      Service  9      Value  9     

Great service, nice atmosphere and environment, delicious and unique European/Japanese fusion food, and good value. Very affordable meal for special occasions! Spent $86.50 for both myself and my girlfriend. They are very welcoming.

May 22, 2012

7.3 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  9      Service  5      Value  7     

First time, we tried going here on a Thursday night but couldn't get a spot, so we tried again on a Tuesday after being told by Porteno that the wait would be 2 hours. We had an ok appetiser in the bar at Porteno but didn't feel like waiting and Porteno's pretentious hosts/waiters, so we went to the Carrington where nice people make good food for nice people.

What a good decision!

The food was very tasty (beef cheeks outstanding, melt in your mouth, mushrooms yummy, jamon bread like a good ham/cheese sandwich). Good value at just over $20 for a main and service was friendly and helpful (not very attentive towards the end of the night, but otherwise good).

Wine list is nice, too, with pretty good value (Tarrawarra Pinot Noir for $42).

Recently, we went back for lunch on a weekday. The restaurant was pretty full, so we sat down in the bar area, where they serve the same food. The problem: For lunch on Fridays they don't employ enough staff. As a result, we waited more than 1 hour for Any food to arrive at our table, even as several other tables were served. We complained, but it didn't change a thing. They also messed up the orders of several tables next to ours, serving the wrong food, which simply seems like an issue based on not employing enough people.

May 21, 2012

6.5 Recommended

Food  7      Ambience  8      Service  7      Value  4     

We went on a Saturday night, a group of four, and lucky to get a seat as we had not booked, the place was packed! We did not go the set menu as thought 2 tapas each and bread was enough for us, and got drinks. It worked out better value for us that way, though it was really expensive overall compared to other tapas we've had and other choices in the newtown/glebe area.

They did shortchange us one tapas as well (we ordered, they billed, but missed our lamb skewers), so would recommend counting your tapas as you go! Sangria was tasty, and the Spanish entertainment was fun. Great vibe. Don't forget you can use entertainment book cards here for 25% off bill up to $30.

May 20, 2012

6.8 Recommended

Food  8      Drinks  5      Ambience  6      Service  8      Value  7     

Best things here are the service, friendly vibe and tasty food choices, lunch meals are more creative that found at many cafes. Ingredients are very fresh. Quick service, no mix ups. I always have the salmon salad - yum! It's so nice I can't be tempted with anything else. The only negative thing I can say about it is about other customers' kids. Last time I was there, there was a nappy wearing kid sitting on top of a table! Yuk! but not the fault of this great cafe. Oh and it can be hard to snag a seat.

May 19, 2012

6.8 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  7      Service  7      Value  5     

Ordered the fondue for two, chocolate is amazing, but wouldn't recommend also ordering a hot chocolate also, couldn't finish it, due to intense sweetness. I would go back, however, was pretty happy.

May 19, 2012

8.8 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  8      Service  9      Value  8     

I found very good food and nice service. I'm a student in sydney from spain and good service, fleminco dance with sangria awesome.

May 18, 2012

8 Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  8      Service  7      Value  8     

Churros with dipping sauce are amazing! Fondue for 2 is also quite good -> churros, peanuts, pretzels, banana, strawberry, choc brownie + 2 dipping sauces

May 17, 2012

8 Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  7      Service  9      Value  7     

I met some friends and went here last Friday night and we all loved it. The restaurant is set up nicely and it quite dark and romantic. Again, we had a nice welcome note of our table and the service was great.

The food was lovely, we decided not to have the paella based on the reviews I had read so we had all tapas. Hot Tip - try the zucchini flowers, they are expensive at $5.50 each but worth every cent as they are absolutely amazing! The meals are small but I didn't mind this too much as you get a bit of everything, they probably should note on the menu how many of everything you get for that price.

The only disappointment was the size of the dessert. We had the Churros which was Yum but way too small, even for one person. All in all it was a nice night. Suitable for couples as well as small groups. I wouldn't suggest going there in a big group as it may be difficult to share the small meals. We ate and drank all we could fit in and the bill was $260 for 5 of us, we were really happy and would happily return to Big Stone.

May 15, 2012