Varela Café in Madrid

"We had dinner at Cafe Varela in Madrid this July and enjoyed the experience overall. The service was excellent — the waiters were very attentive, and the inside decoration gave the restaurant a welcoming, classic feel. The clams and salads were especially good, fresh and flavourful. Our only disappointment was the beef, which was overcooked and a bit tough for our taste. Otherwise, the food was enjoyable and the atmosphere memorable"

"Excellent restaurant in the heart of Madrid. Friendly staff, great food. Extensive wine selection. This is our sure stop every time we visit Madrid."

"I went to this restaurant with my colleagues, we were about 10 people. The food was amazing, especially the meat honestly one of the best I’ve ever had. We shared some Spanish-style starters and fish dishes that were excellent, and the meat with fries was fantastic (though the portion of fries could have been bigger for the table). On the downside, the dessert was disappointing my tiramisu wasn’t good at all. The service was just okay; communication was a bit difficult since our waiter didn’t really speak English. Also, at the end of the evening the smell of trash from the street next to the restaurant took away from the atmosphere, which was a shame. That said, if you love great meat, this is a place I highly recommend. The food itself really stands out."

"Varela Cafe is like stepping back in time to an age of royalty! My family and I felt welcomed, even without a reservation, which I recommend you make! The staff were accommodating, professional, and I felt seriously important to them. The staff was attentive to the last detail! Food was delicious, presented with care, and cooked to perfection. My only gripe is that I can't go there often as I live abroad."

"Great place to have traditional food. Service and atmosphere are also nice. Scallops and paella highly recommended."

"To start off, food is very good with variety, I’m sure you will find dishes you like. Price is very reasonable. I see lots of returning locals here. Waiters here are very nice and welcoming, I very much like that. I feel I find gem in this tourism area. I visited two days in a row."

"Wonderful staff who made us feel welcome from the moment we arrived. The location is perfect, and the food was not only delicious but thoughtfully prepared. Highly recommended."

"My friend and I just found this place on a whim on our first night in Madrid. We were sat in the beautiful window seat. Delicious olives were served as tapas. We got the seafood croquettes to share (yum!). For mains, I got the scallops and my friend got the veal tenderloin, both were delicious! The waiter gave my friend a joking side eye when she asked for ketchup for her fries. Service was great. Highly recommend."