What is Travellers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Bar San Juan
Review
About
Travellers' Choice
2024
Located in South Manchesters Chorlton. Embodying the heart of Spain serving traditional tapas along with some modern twists and adaptations on Spanish cuisine. With an offering of imported Spanish beers, a selection of speciality wines, gins, ciders and classic sherries. Whether it’s just for drinks or a table of tapas, we welcome you to a little corner of Spain.
Features
CUISINES
Mediterranean, Spanish
Meal types
Lunch, Dinner
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options
FEATURES
Accepts Credit Cards
Full Bar
Outdoor Seating
Seating
Serves Alcohol
Table Service
Does this restaurant serve Romagna food?
Save this restaurant
Hours
Closed now
• Opens at 12:00 PM
Sunday
12:00 - 22:30
Monday
Closed
Tuesday
16:00 - 22:30
Wednesday
12:00 - 22:30
Thursday
12:00 - 22:30
Friday
12:00 - 22:30
Saturday
12:00 - 22:30
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4.8
1,140 reviews
Excellent
956
Very good
134
Average
20
Poor
12
Terrible
18
These reviews are machine translated from their original language. Show machine translations?
This service may contain translations powered by Google. Google disclaims all warranties related to the translations, express or implied, including any warranties of accuracy, reliability, and any implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose and noninfringement.
Smudge
Manchester37 contributions
Feb 2025 • couples
Oh my word!! What a beautiful find! We have wanted to come here for a long time and finally came for my husband’s birthday for lunch. It was well worth the wait. The place is small, authentic and has an amazing vibe. The food was outstanding, the waitress advised us not to order as much as planned and that we could order more later on…she was totally correct and we appreciated her guidance. I am still thinking of the food weeks later! We cannot wait to go back. This place gets booked up quickly so I would suggest booking if there is a particular date you need. Amazing place and cannot wait to go back ❤️
Written 24 February 2025
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.
Loobyloo
Manchester97 contributions
Sept 2024 • family
This little bar is a gem. It's often booked up so plan your visit. This time we visited on a Friday lunchtime, it was busy but they did manage to squeeze in a couple of walk ins by 2pm.
The food is done well. Really well. This is the real deal, its popularity is a testament to that. We had 7 plates for 3 of us including beef cheeks in a warming sauce with crispy leek topping, grilled octopus and lamb parcels in a rich wine sauce. I could go on but honestly anything you choose is gonna be good. Lovely selection of sherry and aperitifs. My favourite being the Ponche Caballero, a brandy infused with orange and various spices. A revelation.
The intimacy of the bar and the liveliness as well as the decor really adds to your experience. We've been several times now. A real treat.
Written 9 September 2024
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.
Christopher B
1 contribution
Feb 2025 • couples
Spectacular - the best tapas I have ever tasted. The lamb is a particular recommendation, and the sangria is fresh and flavourful. Everything was freshly made and piping hot when brought to the table. The atmosphere was fantastic. Service was brilliant.
Written 14 February 2025
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.
Mees U
Eindhoven87 contributions
Oct 2024 • couples
Eating here after visiting Old Trafford, especially because the reviews are so glowing. Well, not today. The food was good, let me start with that. Other than that, it was a great deception.
We were assigned a very tight table next to the bar, even though we had already made a reservation a month ago and the whole place was otherwise empty. Well, then we were asked what we wanted to drink and our order was taken further.
After our glasses were empty, we were never asked if we wanted to order another drink. Also the cards were removed after we ordered the food. As a result, after the first three dishes, we were no longer offered the opportunity to order something extra.
The service was in a word dramatic. The food was ‘thrown’ on our table as soon as it was served after a long time, without any worries. The staff ran up and down the place, really chaos and not a quiet place to enjoy the good tasting tapas.
All in all not recommended for me, despite all the good I read about this case in other reviews.
Automatically translated
Written 22 October 2024
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.
Spottydog777
Manchester19 contributions
Jul 2023 • family
I can honestly say that the service and consideration today when it started to rain was appalling…you sat us at the beer barrel outside, and my husband was getting wet through. We asked if you had alternative seats. But the waitress just shrugged her shoulders, and said … No Sorry.
After travelling 20 miles to eat with you.
We were disgusted, and left.
Never have I been treated with such disrespect….
You may serve good food, but don’t think you are too big not to be able to treat people with respect…..
Written 8 July 2023
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.
Bea950
United Kingdom22 contributions
Feb 2022 • none
Fantastic tapas, fresh and perfectly cooked, accompanied with homemade sangria.
The food was very authentic and the choice is amazing, the staff are very friendly and helpful in explaining all of the dishes and helping put a great range of dishes together.
We had slow cooked beef cheeks, pulpo (one of the few places outside the Med where the polpo isn't tough, belly pork, scallops, swordfish, mussels, slow cooked veg, croqettes.
The place was busy but with a very relaxed ambiance, really nice.
Some of the best Spanish tapas we have eaten in the UK and it's worth the trip from Holmfirth to Manchester to get good tapas. You have to book and it's not easy to get a table. We need to get our next table booked.
Written 30 April 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.
Barns.
Peak District National Park310 contributions
Mar 2023 • friends
This place has probably the best tapas in Manchester. We ordered a lot of dishes between the three of us, all of which were excellent. A particular stand-out was the Carrilleras De Ternera. The Fritura de Mar was also fresh and tasty and we had some of the best Padron peppers I've found anywhere.
The food is on par with a good tapas bar in Spain and the atmosphere is very authentic - we really didn't feel like we were in Chorlton. The sangria is also excellent and we were really satisfied with our meal.
Written 6 March 2023
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.
nicmad1
Manchester308 contributions
Aug 2021 • friends
There was an unexpected heavy rain pour and the staff were attentive and focused on keeping us dry, as we were sat outside.
We had loads of dishes - The food comes as when it’s ready, but all dishes are flavoursome and perfect portions.
Ordered the wine which is delicious- so much, we bought a bottle to take home.
Gorgeous food and can’t wait to return.
Written 28 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.
triptilut
Manchester55 contributions
Jul 2021 • none
A big statement, but having lived in Spain for 2 years, I haven't had better. The bravas sauce is almost gravy like, unlike anything I've had before, and far better. The croquetas are to die for. Everything is cooked perfectly, and most importantly - massively tasty. Make sure you get a plate of padron, and definitely get a plate of jamon de salamanca - the 12 month cured ham - it's insane.
On top of this, the staff are great. Very friendly, and even let us order a couple exta plates shortly after they'd stopped serving, because we had to have more ham and croquetas.
To be quite honest, this was one of, if not the best dining experience I've ever had, nevermind tapas. The only downside is how quickly it's over, because you can't stop wolfing it down.
Written 19 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.
sumdj
Haslingden186 contributions
Oct 2021 • couples
A few minutes in, I had this place down as a 4, maximum. We were sat by the door which was opening repeatedly and letting the cold in.
A guy came and asked if we wanted to move since another table had become free so we did, up next to the kitchen. Much better.
Then the food came and I realised that I could have been sat in Helmand Province and this food would have still warranted a 5. It was incredible.
The beef cheeks were so tender, the fillet oozed with flavour from every bite, the peppers were crunchy and amazing, the bread, the sauce, even the humble potatoes were delicious.
The desserts were out of this world and every single member of staff said goodbye when we were leaving.
These days with the amount of places to eat, you have to be special to have people return and we would definitely return here.
Thanks to all the staff, we loved it.
Written 3 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.
Bernadette G
Eccles8 contributions
Nov 2023 • friends
Wasn't really that impressed. First time I have visited. I did try to call them to ask if they were card only no option to check. The food we had was ok. I ordered clams but some looked like they had no actual clam in the shell. However will give it the benefit of the doubt The rest was ok. My friends ordered a dessert and one didn't arrive. They were very busy but for me service slipped a bit. Not really inclined to go again.
Written 11 November 2023
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.
Mark H
2 contributions
May 2021 • family
The tapas came out painfully slow. Sometimes upto 20mins between each dish (Tues early evening booking). The food was 'ok' but I wouldn't class it as the best tapas that we have had, especially for the bill/how much it cost. Would I go again? It wasn't terrible but it was enough of a painful experience to go elsewhere in future.
Written 22 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.
Alison R
Manchester85 contributions
Jun 2021 • none
My partner and I dined here on 15 June 2021. We had previously dined here in on 4 November 2020. The date we had chosen at the time coincided with Lockdown, but one of the wonderful members’ of staff rang me to ask if I wanted to change the date to the same time on an earlier day.
As of the first time, the food (and drink) was remarkable - especially their sangria, to which I took a carafe home. Unfortunately, two of the tapas I wanted to order were off the menu on this day, so I had to settle for the same as I had the last time - this being the prawns and the steak. However, the Papas (Patatas) Bravas were, as usual, the best I have ever tasted.
The desserts were also lovely, but the one thing that I was a little annoyed about was my double espresso. This was not a double espresso in the sense of the word as it was one shot of espresso, watered down. I asked the waitress if I could have a “proper double espresso that wasn’t watered down” to which she immediately replaced.
The staff here are wonderful and very helpful - you just cannot fault any of them.
I didn’t leave a review on here the first time we visited as we were going straight into Lockdown and I never anticipated that this would be for so long.
Written 29 June 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.
Marie
Salford66 contributions
Oct 2022 • family
There’s nothing not to love about this place, booking is essential, you don’t want to get this close to such great food, and not be able to experience it. This isn’t your high street tapas, it’s beautifully cooked and thought out, modern Spanish food. Quite possibly some of the best food I’ve eaten. The quality, flavours, textures are absolutely on point. The lamb parcels was filled with pure lean meat, the black pudding rice cake dish was stunning, but the beef cheek blew us away. Food comes when it’s ready, this won’t be a quick meal, but sit back and savour.
Written 12 October 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.
Natt F
Manchester31 contributions
Mar 2023 • couples
My favourite place to eat in chorlton! Everyone I know raves about it. the lamb parcels are just INSANELY good last time I went the monk fish was new on the menu I think but also well tasty and perfectly cooked. Good veggie options for my sister and gorgeous red wine for me 🤣 bit gutted the omelette had gone from the menu but only because that was also SOOOOO good
Written 16 August 2023
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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