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Hours
Tue
12:00 - 15:0018:00 - 23:00
Wed
12:00 - 15:0018:00 - 23:00
Thu
12:00 - 15:0018:00 - 23:00
Fri
12:00 - 15:0018:00 - 23:00
Sat
12:00 - 15:0018:00 - 23:00
MICHELIN
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Ratings and reviews
4.5
Travellers' Choice 2024
MICHELIN
View more on MICHELIN GuideRATINGS
Food
Service
Value
Atmosphere
Food and ambience
Mediterranean, Spanish, Catalan, Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options
“... and perfectly cooked, the winter salad was fantastically fresh and dresse...”
“The croquettes, Gambas, tomato bread, anchovies, jamon and pork special were...”
“... best I have ever tasted- recipe please?), gambas, sardines and tomato salad.”
“Also croquettes, chicken thighs, and the gambas al ajillo, there version of p...”
MICHELIN Guide's Point of View
A characterful, laid-back restaurant in an old townhouse; its name translates as ‘Black Octopus’. The stylish interior features exposed brick, rough fl...
Read more on MICHELIN GuideBib Gourmand: good quality, good value cooking
Does this restaurant serve Romagna food?
Details
CUISINES
Mediterranean, Spanish, Catalan
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options
Meals
Lunch, Dinner, After-hours
FEATURES
Reservations, Seating, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service
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4.5
589 reviews
Excellent
424
Very good
92
Average
42
Poor
19
Terrible
12
Vinden_G
London478 contributions
Aug 2020 • none
Having lived in Spain for 5 years, we developed a liking for good Spanish food.
After our self-isolation of 2 weeks on return from Florida, we had a delayed celebration of our 21st wedding anniversary.
We had intended to sit outside but the 3 or 4 tables were right on the pavement in the main street, so we asked to go inside.
The very helpful Polish lady (Domenica or Mika for short) patiently explained the precautions the restaurant was taking, such as disposable menus and hand sanitiser on the table.
We started with bubbles made from Albarino grapes & very pleasant it was too. Mika asked if we were here on a special occasion, so we explained….
Nibbles were some olives, *delicious* warm, crispy bread with aioli, one of our favourite things in the world!
As is typical with tapas, the meals arrived as and when they were ready, so everything was piping hot where necessary.
We had a tomato salad as that was recommended to cleanse the palate / accompany the brandade. “Brandade is an emulsion of salt cod, olive oil, and usually potatoes. It is eaten in the winter with bread or potatoes. In Spanish it can be called brandada de bacalao.”Wikipedia This was *truly delicious* 9/10 and something Eve is going to cook at home for sure.
Other main dishes we had were huevos rotos, “broken eggs”, which was nice (7/10 but amazing egg) but we prefer good chunks of sliced potato vs. the thin strips served here, plus chicharrones (9/10). ” Chicharrón is a dish generally consisting of fried pork belly or fried pork rinds.” Wikipedia This was scrummy.
We chose a Ribera del Duero red (6/10) to accompany the above, which was OK, but not cheap at £7.50 for a small 125ml glass.
We had a Basque cheesecake (8.5/10)to share to finish. Scrummy!
Service & kindness in adding the celebratory words around the plate: 10/10.
Written 3 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Graeme M
Newbury43 contributions
Feb 2020 • none
When my local friends said lets try the new local upmarket Tapas I just heard tapas and bad food & bad service - perhaps that is what I've always had, except in Spain.
Service was incredibly helpful especially with us novices, even when we dithered.
Very busy for a wet Tuesday night - that tells you something
Not cheapest but quality costs right.
I'd definitely return....and pace myself
Written 3 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Roux62
Northampton94 contributions
Aug 2020 • none
Two of us visited for dinner in August 2020. COVID-19 precautions all in place.
Great service from all members of staff, a really lovely selection of tapas offering good value for money. Very good wine to accompany the food.
c. £100 for meal including wine represented decent value for money given the quality.
Written 16 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
hornbeam01
Salisbury89 contributions
Aug 2020 • none
Food was excellent , small plates , good options ,
Carved Iberico Jamon , very tasty . Corgette flowers With goats cheese also good . For the meat eaters the beef croquetas were superb .
Good small wine list and suggested sherry to accompany dishes .
Rustic small restaurant , wooden tables , bare brick walls
Staff and service very good , small but excellent desserts
Highly recommended
Written 6 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Phyl G
2 contributions
Sept 2021 • couples
I booked a table for two seven weeks in advance to celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary, having eaten there once before and having an outstanding experience, foodwise and service-wise. On arrival, we were put at what I can only describe as a shelf running along the window sill and facing the street. Not exactly an intimate start to our celebration. Our waitress was very good, taking time to find out if we were conservative eaters or more adventurous and she recommended what turned out to be the best dish of the evening. The downside was that while we were choosing (we'd had a power cut all day and hadn't eaten so were pretty hungry) we said we'd probably be ordering more and were informed in the nicest possible way, they needed the table back at 9pm. (Our booking was for 7pm and we arrived in plenty of time). Hmm, nice to feel valued ...... well, for 2 hours anyway! Food was nice to mediocre to bland, but of course, this is very subjective. Expensive too ..... £12 for a small (albeit beautifully cooked) octopus tentacle? You can get much better value for money at a Michelin star restaurant. Compared to our visit last year, when the food was amazing, it was awful. The final straw was that despite there being plenty of room behind my chair, which I'd pulled in as tightly to the "shelf" as possible, it was constantly kicked and banged into by passing waiting staff. I did bring this to the attention of our waitress, but only so that I could apologise to the waiter, whose first time knocking my chair resulted in me exclaiming "for goodness sake!"
At the end of the evening when your server asks "how was everything?" and you immediately think "I just want to go home", pretty much sums up how disappointing the experience was.
A very expensive mistake and we won't be back.
Written 11 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nickyg54
60 contributions
Feb 2020 • none
On a cold Thursday lunchtime, we were made to feel very welcome. A really cosy atmosphere, good background music and friendly helpful staff. The food is imaginative, fresh and very tasty. Service was faultless and the is an excellent wine list. Five stars, we need more restaurants like this.
Written 6 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
spenzoking
Southend-on-Sea29 contributions
Aug 2020 • family
We visited while on a short break. The food really was lovely with a great choice.
Our waitress was really helpful going through and explaining the menu to us and recommending what dishes compliment each other and what to order.
Wine was good as was the sherry.
The restaurant has a great atmosphere.
If you stay in Alresford you really should try here, we will do when we come back!!
Written 8 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Adorabelle Dearheart
Winchester58 contributions
Jun 2021 • couples
This place is such a treat. We ate there last night and were sat outside. The menu is outstanding and we over ordered and ate like someone was going to snatch it away. The chef is very talented, we particularly enjoyed…pretty much everything, but recommend especially the pregnant bread, prawns, meatballs with lentils, Catalan tomato bread, croquettes, and their new salt cod slider. We had to take the pork ribs home which they were kind about. Politely ignoring our utter greed. The vinho verde is delicious, slightly sparkling and you can order a half carafe of it. My partner enjoyed a couple of icy pints of Estrella.
The staff deserve a mention too because every single person we came into contact with was friendly, helpful, attentive and one particular chap was very funny. Even the booking process was lovely. After reserving a table we were emailed a day or so before the meal and offered to eat al fresco.
Obviously we couldn’t handle dessert but I had a carajillo which is better than any I’ve had in Spain. As well as the coffee and brandy they had added orange and cinnamon which elevated it to something really special. Like everything about Pulpo Negro. I can’t recommend it more highly. Thank you for a brilliant meal.
And lastly the price. For a Michelin restaurant it is very very reasonably priced.
Written 15 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
julie r
2 contributions
Jul 2022 • none
The plus side - the food was very good and our waiter was extremely professional and very knowledgable about the menu. We will not be returning, as the music was very loud and more conducive with a night club than a restaurant. Our table was in the basement and we asked for the music to be turned down 4 times and our requests were ignored. We were a table of 6 and there were 2 other tables of 6 and they were also complaining. We eventually got the attention of the Manager regarding our complaint whose response was “this is what we do”, in other words just put up with it. Unbelievable! If you’re 18-25 you’re be happy. If you want an evening being able to hear anything other than thumping base music give it a miss. Such a shame, as so many other things great about this place, especially the staff (with the exception of the manager).
Written 28 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AlexMbishop
Winchester31 contributions
Jul 2020 • none
1st time out in 4 months so we choose an old favourite and it didn’t disappoint ! New menu since we last visited and food was fabulous . Chicken wings and courgette flowers probably our favourite . We were a family group of 6 with , some pescatarians easily catered for .
So glad they have not altered the pre diner cocktails as the mojito my absolute favourite
Service lovely and clear measure to keep everyone safe which was reassuring but not obtrusive .
Written 19 July 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jo
Basingstoke15 contributions
Jan 2022 • friends
Delicious tapas with a varied menu. Highly recommend the pregnant bread (pastry with chorizo, honey and Parmesan) and the beef cheek croquettes. The jamon is so melty. Service was good although none of the staff were wearing masks which made us feel a little uncomfortable. The toilets were clean but quite cold. Unfortunately it was very noisy inside, we were seated below the speaker and the wooden floors enhanced the noise of people’s chairs/waiters walking by around. We struggled to hear each other so chose to go elsewhere for pudding and coffee. I would definitely go back as the food was wonderful, but perhaps not with friends we haven’t seen in a while.
Written 29 January 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GreyNomad100
Arequipa183 contributions
Oct 2021 • none
In almost 50 years of restaurant dining, I’ve never had my booking seriously doubted as it was at Pulpo Negro. As it wasn’t showing on his computer screen, the greeter was convinced that WE had been mistaken. Despite having also sent my text confirmation the day before in response to the restaurant’s SMS text, the greeter strongly suggested that we’d accidentally replied Cancel instead of Confirm, with not a thought that perhaps it was his system that wasn’t correctly functioning. Which, of course, it wasn’t. Astonishing behaviour.
Once we’d provided all the proof that we’d not been mistaken, and we’d calmed down, we settled into a wonderful mix of Spanish cuisine. Other reviewers have suggested 5 dishes between two people is sufficient, a view with which we would concur. The Gambas Al Ajillo were exquisite, with plenty of plump prawns in lashings of garlic drenched oil, accompanied by sumptuous crusty bread for dipping. Steeped in smoked paprika and topped with aioli, the Patatas Bravas stood out from most others I’ve ever eaten. The Alcachofas Crujientes (fried artichoke hearts) melted in your mouth, especially when dipped into the aioli dressing on the side. As an alternative to the conventional wafer-thin slices of Jamón Iberico, we tried the salami-sliced style (lomo) that was on offer that evening. It was excellent but the more traditional way is the best. And you can’t go to a restaurant called Pulpo Negro without eating that very dish: barbecued to give it a crispy exterior and served with a delicious black ink paste, it was exquisite. While waiting for dishes to turn up, we nibbled on Gordal olives which are to die for – they are without doubt the best in the world! To finish, I sampled the Crema Catalana, which offered a suitably sweet contrast.
There was a good selection of wines, quite a few of them by the glass though I would have preferred the usual 175ml and 250ml option rather than the 125ml that Pulpo offered. I would have preferred a few more priced below £40 a bottle too, and a Verdejo by the glass.
Would I go again? On the basis of the food, I would be delighted to return. But Pulpo’s booking system and the attitude of the greeter need serious attention.
Written 28 October 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
rwal1991
Cambridge8 contributions
Aug 2021 • friends
I was incredibly impressed by each and every plate we ordered. It was clear the ingredients were of the best quality and every bite was divine. The staff were welcoming and very passionate about the menu. Any questions we had were quickly answered and the waiters were able to give full details of ingredients in every item of the menu and they even shared how the dishes are cooked. I would highly recommend the octopus, pregnant bread and the rib. Best authentic tapas I've had outside of Spain no doubt!
Written 24 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rebjyo E
London45 contributions
Feb 2020 • none
We booked for valentines day and had to pay a deposit. Was a bit disappointed- there was nothing special put on for the occasion at all and it wasn't very busy. The music was a bit like being in Revs on a Friday night, which is fine, but there's a time and a place and there wasn't a romantic or chilled ambience that you would expect. The food was generally very nice except for the steak which had an overwhelming taste of vinegar. That said, it was removed from the bill with no questions.
Written 17 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RJP
Winchester233 contributions
Nov 2021 • family
One of the few local restaurants to be listed in the Michelin guide.
Deservedly so in my view.
The restaurant is quite small / intimate with an additional cellar part. As it’s very popular getting a reservation through their online system can be hard. Note they have separate online booking forms for the ground floor or cellar. So if one is full try the other.
However the food / tapas is lovely and the list of tapas dishes changes regularly although favourites tend to remain.
The staff are usually also very good.
Dinner fairly priced (about £25 a head including desert without wine).
Cosy / busy / bistro ambience
Their popularity is unsurprising.
Written 21 November 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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