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Restaurante Gala
C. de Espronceda, 14, Chamberí, 28003 Madrid
We visited Restaurante Gala with high expectations, encouraged by its “Michelin Bib Gourmand” recognition—typically a reliable indicator of good value and quality. Unfortunately, our experience fell well short of that standard.
Service: Well-Intentioned but Poorly Managed
The staff was friendly and clearly made an effort, but the overall service was disorganized and inconsistent. A glass of wine we ordered never arrived, and after three separate requests, it took approximately 20 minutes to receive the check. The team appeared overwhelmed and lacked coordination, which negatively impacted the dining experience.
The Food: Disappointing at Best
We ordered a variety of dishes to give the menu a fair chance. Regrettably, most ranged from mediocre to inedible.
Scallops: Served cold in the center—something that simply shouldn’t happen at this price point.
Tuna Tartare: Overly sweet, which overpowered the flavor of the fish.
Ceviche and Steak: Bland and uninspired. While technically fine, neither dish left a positive impression, especially considering the cost.
Several other dishes were particularly disappointing:
Grilled Squid: Served in a heavy cream sauce with chorizo and excessive oil—reminiscent of cheap microwave pizza. The flavors and textures did not harmonize and were unpleasant overall. The dish was left mostly untouched.
Beef Tartare: Prepared by the manager at a small stand in the middle of the dining room—right next to the dry, unremarkable bread. The setup raised hygiene concerns, as the same individual was also managing the floor, directing staff, and interacting with guests. When we politely noted that the tartare didn’t taste quite right, the manager was dismissive and insisted it was prepared correctly. Regardless, the flavor was off, and we chose not to finish it.
Lamb with “Mole”: The lamb was mostly fat, grey in color, and the sauce was overly sweet. It lacked balance and depth, and the dish, like others, was left mostly untouched.
Final Thoughts:
While Restaurante Gala may carry the Michelin Bib Gourmand label, our experience did not reflect that level of quality or value. Between the disorganized service and disappointing food, we left feeling let down. In a city with so many excellent dining options, this is unfortunately not one we would recommend.
Also, we couldn’t help but notice that many of the positive reviews appear questionable—most are written by “TheFork reviewers” or designated “Local Guides,” with nearly identical writing styles. The uniformity and tone of these reviews raise suspicions about their authenticity.
