This place is one of our favourite tapas joints & is one of our hotspots for a working lunch!
The staff here are super friendly, food delicious & white sangria to die for!
Our favourite are the Lamb Ribs – so tender, juicy and sauce so Moorish!
Did we mention the white sangria? So. Delicious.
I've always liked the food here that caters well for those loving to share dishes. The Monday special of Seafood Paella sounded pretty good for $20. First they serve up a charcuterie board of jamon serano, Spanish salami, olives and pan con tomato. Love the big olives they use. Cured meats were nice. Wash downed with an Estrella Spanish beer on tap that's included in the price, or a glass of wine if you prefer. Seafood paella comes with chorizo, saffron rice, black mussel, prawn, calamari. Nice deveined prawns and a tasty rice underneath which is more a dry style than wet. The seafood seems to be added to the rice base rather than being cooked with it. A squeeze of lemon goes a long way with bring the dish together on the palate. Service was friendly and efficient.
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I specifically made an account so I could leave a review after having had dinner here- the food was delicious! I took my partner there for our anniversary and we went a bit overboard, had scallops, zucchini flowers, jamon toastie, croquettas, cauliflower salad and ribs between us. All were amazing, really rich but balanced and delicious. Big standouts were the ribs, with a sweet caramelised marinade, and the comforting cauliflower salad, followed closely by the scallops. My partner ordered waffles for dessert which had a great caramel sauce, too. For drinks, they had one of my favourite beers available (Lord Nelson Three Sheets), a great wine list (bit out of my price range!) and sangria. I've ordered jugs of random sangria, but here they make each one almost like a cocktail. My favourite was the Real-based sangria which was nice and strong, without being too sweet.Staff were attentive without being in your face, which is a great accomplishment for a small space :) they were friendly and accommodating, and didn't turn their noses up because we are students (I was concerned that, given the location, we'd be a bit out of place and may be judged).Lovely spot, I'd love to go again!
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Absolutely worth every dime that you spend here! Quite enjoyed the little selection of crostinis to start as they were just a nice and refreshing mouthful but I think the bread was a little soggy. Really loved the scallops, they were cooked to perfection with a nice pan sear on the outside but a springy centre. Major fan of the beef cheeks and the lamb ribs as they were both soft and falling off the bone, really great cuts of meat with just the right amount of fat. Both dishes were juicy, succulent and coated with a nice sticky gravy. Also tried the prawn salad which I thought was a little heavy on the dressing. The braised octopus was also not a crowd pleaser as it was a little rubbery and lacked depth of flavour.
Waitstaff could do a better job though, it was very hard to get their attention even though they were right in front of you and I had a small disagreement while paying my bill which I thought could be handled a bit more curteously.
A bit more consistency would probably be good but overall not a bad experience given the moderate pricetag.
Very cosy bar with a interesting menu of Mediterranean fusion. We had the cauliflower salad, beef cheeks and tuna. We'd go back just for the salad. The beef cheeks are tender but very sweet. Tuna was probably the least favourite.
50% on all food on a Wednesday night made our meal very good value. However, if I'd paid the full price I don't think I would have been as impressed. Food was good, but not amazing. Beef cheeks and patatas bravas were the stand out. Calamari and Croquetas were average. Roast pumkin and beetroot salad could have been fantastic if served warm rather than out-of-the-fridge cold. Service was only average, despite the place being almost empty.
Stumbling upon this place in the CBD for the first time and how I was amazed with the delicious food, drinks and tapas! Coming on Wednesday and realising that tapas on the seasonal menu was all at 50% off you can't go wrong. As entree, main and dessert was served one by one I was both amazed and delighted by the Lamb ribs that's just falling of bones, crispy and soft calamari, beautifully cooked tuna and too good to be true desserts! I've already booked in my next visit.
Overall a pretty nice place. The service was good. I had the Jamon And Manchego Croquetas, Tomato Salsa. Flavour of these were tasty however the middle of them were lukewarm and tomato salsa was cold so ruined a nice dish. I also had Artisan Cured Meats and Pan-seared Scallops With Chorizo And Sweet Corn Purée. Both of these were delicious and very tasty. The cured meats was a grazing board and portions are quite generous.
This place is not really a casual dining place but more for business meeting, as it is located within that area.
So going on a weekday did make us feel a lil out of place.
Nevertheless the tapas were really good. We enjoyed all the dishes we had.
Worth dropping by if you work close by.
Overall I was happy with the food at Barrafina. The scallops were done well, the lamb tasty and the fig salad sweet and refreshing. The soft shell crab sliders were a let down - they were nice but not outstanding and definitely not worth the $9 price tag for one. Between two people we definitely over ordered on dessert, ordering both the profiteroles and the banana waffles. The waffles were definitely better than the profiteroles - I think the chocolate sauce and Icecream made the profiteroles too overpowering and rich.
The highlight of the night for me was the seared tuna - it had a nice sesame coating and an interesting complementing sauce.
The service was not spectacular in any way and actually quite inattentive. The only chance we got to request anything was the occasional time they came to take out used plates.
Between two people you would probably need to order around 6-8 dishes.
Baz Juan Pablo Sanchez
+4
Quite an enjoyable experience, staff were lovely and well presented.knowledge of the menu was very good and I was guided in the right direction
Food itself was very well presented making full use of the vibrant colours within the menu. I'd come back for more
The Tapas and share plates are generous and absolutely delicious, well worth the money
Hidden gem in the city! Loved their pea sprout and prawn salad, juicy lamb ribs, anchovies on polenta, and soft shell crab sliders. Highly recommend it for a social gathering and some wine over tapas!
Odd part of the city to find a tapas bar, but seems to trap enough people leaving the office.
Wine list is pretty good, beers are OK, some good Australian supermarket pale ale, and some execrable Spanish offerings: I think Estrella is Spanish VB, in a much nicer bottle.
Soft shell crab sliders are awesome. Hanger steak is great, treated with respect by the chef. Patatas are OK. Churro really damn good.
Nice stand by for this part of the city.
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I don't know if it was how hungry I was that night, or if it was just the food speaking for itself, but either way, I attacked each and every flavoursome dish at Barrafina like a starving, rabid dog tearing into a juicy chicken drumstick.
We started off with soft shell crab sliders, where the crispy, deep-fried soft shell crab worked amazingly with the light avocado mousse and chipotle mayo. The health trip continued with croquetas in a tomato salsa - crumbed and crunchy on the outside, with decadently creamy jamon serrano and manchego cheese insides. "Fish fingers" (unlike any other fish finger you've ever had before), with white anchovies was probably one of my favourite savoury dishes of the night, though calling a favourite is nearly impossible when tossing up between succulent pan-seared scallops with chorizo and a sweet corn puree, amazingly fresh swordfish ceviche with tangy beetroot puree and dill aioli, or seriously finger-licking good, fall-off-the-bone, braised lamb ribs.
Our least favourite was probably the slightly bland pork and pistachio meatballs, but that was all forgotten with the arrival of the yamba prawn salad with fetta and beans (my friends proclaimed it as the best salad they'd ever had), and the meat grazing board (complete with heaped piles of various meats, pickles, chicken liver parfait and crusty breads).
I don't know how we did it, but us three girls managed to polish off two desserts, even after this behemoth amount of food: "stoner's delight" - fluffy waffles with caramelised bananas, vanilla ice cream and drowned in a butterscotch sauce, and "pop your cherry" - a supremely rich, chocolate fondant that oozed molten chocolate lava when cut open, with cherry foam and sitting in an absolutely glorious pool of chocolate sauce. I will unashamedly admit that I have a food fetish about sauces with my food (please sir, can I have some more?), and I almost died and went to heaven when I saw the generous puddles of sauce with each dessert.
The meal definitely wasn't cheap, and we did honestly feel like the price tags for some dishes definitely weren't justified, but man - it was seriously good while it lasted.
The tapas and share plates here are amazing. Everything is so delicious and flavoursome. The atmosphere is romantic and soft at night and the ambience is very chic. The customer service is attentive and engaging. I was recommended this place by a friend and its great. Every wednesday night they do 50% off tapas menu. I suggest getting a few friends together and getting the grazing boards they are really good value.
My work colleagues really like this place as the staff are friendly, food really good and selection of plates pretty impressive.
We really like the Scallops with Chorizo and the Soft Shell Crab Sliders.
Definitely recommend for business lunch or after work drink
Sir And Mlady Dine Out
+4
Barrafina is a dash of Barcelona, with a twist, right in the heart of Sydney CBD, the real business heart downtown. In this case they're right on the corner of Bligh and Bent streets.It's a place that has that certain feel to it - you relax instantly in the chic yet casual surroundings just knowing that you're in for a good night.
It shares a neighbourhood with the most polished and formal of skyscrapers in Sydney’s CBD district, you’re more likely to spot the latest in officewear trends with a glance your fellow diners, and its interiors of dark walls, light wooden wall furnishings and metallic accents channels minimalist sophistication. One conversation with Barrafina executive chef and owner, Peter Varvaresso, however, reveals that the energy driving this tapas bar is anything but stiff-necked or formal.
Barrafina on Bligh Street in the CBD is serving up delicious, well balanced and full flavoured Spanish tapas and share platters. Come for lunch or settle in for an evening of fine-dining… Spanish style. Step into Barrafina, where you will be greeted and seated by one of the very friendly waiters. Black canvas menus are handed out and inside, gaze your eyes upon a tantalising list of tapas dishes and wines from all over the world.
Sir And Mlady Dine Out
+4
Barrafina is a dash of Barcelona, with a twist, right in the heart of Sydney CBD, the real business heart downtown. In this case they're right on the corner of Bligh and Bent streets.It's a place that has that certain feel to it - you relax instantly in the chic yet casual surroundings just knowing that you're in for a good night.
Good atmosphere, perfect for small groups and first date, relaxing but not too causal. The slow cooked lamb ribs were amazing, best ribs I ever had, was in its perfect shape but sooooo tender and it came off the bone the moment your fork touches it. Definitely a must have! A bit pricey though.
Barrafina pulls out all the stops with their jamon and manchego cheese croquetas served with salsa tomate. A crusty exterior tears easily to reveal piping hot innards of smoky cured meat and creamy semi-melted manchego cheese in a fun loving mix of silky potato. You fight off the urge to steal your companions balls and shift your attention instead to the next plate. Pa Amb Tomaquet - crisp baguette, shaved zucchini, vine tomato, manchego cheese, extra virgin olive oil. Do a little shut-eye from quiet contention. The toasted baguette an excellent vehicle to deliver the thin ribbons of zucchini, sweet tomatoes and shaved manchengo cheese into ones mouth.
Confessions Of A Glutton
+4.5
It was therefore no surprise to see predominantly businessmen and women at the establishment, spilling out into the outdoor dining area on the street as they chatted and mingled with a glass of wine or fragrant sangria to wind down the working day. I’ve had mostly good experiences with tapas throughout my dining history. While the size of the dishes are usually somewhat lacking, they never fail in their ability to leave you speechless with an explosion of flavour and textures. I was here tonight with a few select work friends in tow to see if Barrafina would live up to this standard. The interior is sparsely furnished and moodily lit with tea candles at each table. I had one look at the menu and immediately felt out of my depth with the large amount of Spanish ingredients on it, and so asked our waitress for some help. To cut a long story short,
Cancel the rest of the day’s meetings and camp out for the afternoon, or show up after work for an evening. Muy bueno indeed.
Mademoiselle Mange A Sydney
+4.5
These all day braised pork ribs were my absolute favourite dish of the evening. The meat was a melt-in-your-mouth-piece of goodness, falling of the bones. The sherry vinegar gave it a sweet and sour flavour which I loved.
It was the third time I visited Barrafina, staff was friendly and attentive as always. Got some great recommendations from our waitress, enjoyed both the grilled octopus and the fig salad. Will definitely be back!
We used a voucher on this occassion. For $100 we were allowed to choose any 10 dishes from their menu (including the grazing boards) and a jug of sangria (we opted for red instead of white). I was dying to try the liver parfait but they ran out. We enjoyed the lamb ribs, wagyu steak, scallops with chorizo, prawns and calamari. Try give the grazing boards a miss and opt for the small and share plates.
Lovely Staff. We had a great time here at Barrafina Tapas
Excellent dishes were brought out one after the other. HIghlights were the soft shell crab slider, the jamon croquetas and their version of fish fingers - spanish style - fried polenta sticks, salsa romesco + succulent white anchovies. delish! As good as my favourite dish (fish fingers) at Bodega in Surry Hills. Great Tapas
Staff are friendly and the fit out is very CBD chic
Estrella on tap and good bar snacks = happy. Went in for the Estrella and had some tasty bar treats, soft shell crab slider was brilliant and the fish fingers where an unusual and beautiful combination of flavors and textures. will come in for dinner soon.
Good food, great flavors and service with a smile. Had a great lunch in barrafina, close to work and convenient. highlights where the tuna and hairloom tomatoes, would be back again for sure. reading on their website I've noticed a few tempting lunch deals throughout the week, will be sure to check that as well.
Food is good but service is extremely slow. Do not go if you are hungry. Be prepared to wait for half an hour for each dish.
Great little place Food is.... Great little place
Food is very fresh and the menu changes a lot to keep thing interesting.
The service has been amazing tonight.
It's an all round great experience with good wine at an affordable price and great food.
Do try this little gem
Will go back again.. Had a business meeting here 01/04/2014.
. Everyone commented on how good he food was. The tables were a bit cosy, and the seats are not very comfy for a long lunch.
Some of the portions could have been a little larger for the size, or keep the sizes and reduce a little on the price.
Yellow Fin Tuna was excellent.
A great addition to CBD drinking/dining. I've been to this restaurant 3 times in the last 4 weeks. The staff have always been very friendly and enthusiastic. The food is good and you get what you pay for. The nature of tapas and the variety of dishes on offer mean that you'll have no problem finding something you'll like. Personal favourites would be the ceviche, the iberico ham and the calamari. The slow-roast lamb shoulder was also excellent. The beer and wine selection is good. Potential downsides for some would be the noise level can be high, and at busy times food isn't that quick to arrive (but this is tapas-so just relax and wait). Overall, a great place to enjoy drinks and nibbles after work, or a proper lunch/dinner.
Believe the hype. I had heard that this new tapas place in the CBD was really doing tapas the way they do it in Spain and I was not disappointed.
Seriously good Tapas here folks.
The boquerones (imported from barcelona no less) were so sweet and full of flavour. A simple dressing of white wine vinegar, chilli and parsley was all they needed.
We had the spanish blue cheese and walnut croquetas with a beetroot creme and they were also so tasty. A little rich but oh so good. Cannot wait to try the jamon croquetas on my next visit.
The ceviche of snapper was equally brilliant. Very fresh and just so simple but so good. Garden mint, lime and avocado complimented the fish perfectly.
Beef ribs were great - messy - but great and the all day braised lamb shoulder was to die for.
Book in to this great place before the word gets out and you cant get in. I already have!
Cheers
George
Love it!. Barrafina is a breath of fresh air amongst overpriced, overrated tapas restaurants.
Friendly service and tasty food, as well as their yummy sangria makes it a winner!
Fave menu items include the gorgeous Mexican- style ceviche, bursting with flavour, succulent slow roast lamb with eggplant dip and ratatouille, and the scallops with chorizo and corn puree. Their pinxtos are delicious and the wine list is great too.
Highly recommend!
The food is amazing and the rosa sangria delicious. Absolutely worth on Wednesday night with half price tapas deal!
Great selection of tapas and sangrias! Definitely going to visit again!
The tapas was mostly delicious but pricey. Go on Wednesday evenings where they have half-price specials (food only) and it becomes really good value. The portions are decent and would recommend going with a few friends to share more dishes.
So happy I discovered this little gem. Went there with a Groupon deal for 10 tapas with two other people. Staff was very nice and accommodating, food was absolutely delicious and all three of us couldn't even finish off the desserts as we were so full! Mind you one of the best waffles in caramel sauce in my life! Would definitely recommend it and would be happy to go again soon! It was yummy!
Delicious and authentic Spanish tapas. Reminded me of the tapas I ate in Madrid and Barcelona. Estrella on tap was nice. We did the Groupon deal 10 tapas for $79 including a bottle of sangria and it was amazing value. We were able to pick anything on the menu, including all the platters. We paid extra for dessert. The churros were the only thing we didn't really like, but the waffles made up for it and everything else was great.
This is a solid tapas place that has livened up the area. All your usual tapas favourites here and grabbing the banquet means you get to try their main specialties. No particular dish stood out as exceptional or exceptionally bad, but what did was the pleasant surprise when the bill came and the attentive staff. During the day it's almost entirely businessmen, possibly due to the staff, yet with decent coffee and a nice outdoor area, it could be that as well. Turns into a cool little bar at night.
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