El Rincon de Rafa

On a Tuesday, just after one of the Algebra seminars, we ended up here because the speaker fancied Spanish for dinner. It’s not the place you can randomly find on your way, since the main entrance is in a dark and narrow pathway just behind Deansgate. The venue is huge and airy, and the white walls adorned with Spanish paintings definitely remind of far Mediterranean restaurants.
I always find the idea of sharing food with the others very appealing, since it allows you to try many different courses and underlines the social role of meals, also giving you the chance of making comments about food. Hence we opted for one of the two menus (the 14.50£ one); both of them includes about a dozen different dishes.
I literally loved every single dish they served. Meatballs, lamb, chicken, mushrooms… Probably those that I liked more are patatas bravas (slightly hot roast potatoes served with tomato sauce) and chicken steamed in zucchini sauce. Unfortunately I’m not fond of seafood, but my friends were very positively impressed by the fish courses. The red wine we got was very enjoyable as well.
Never underestimate the places where Algebra leads you.

If there were a Narnia centered around spanish food and atmostphere then the door to it would be down a little alley which backs onto deansgate. The food here is awesome, the langoustines wrapped in bacon, the various lamb based stews, chorizo, calamari, its all fantastic. The wine menu is good with cheap cava on offer at ~£20 a bottle from memory.
Food aside the atmosphere is why I like this place so much, the staff seem to all be spanish speaking and the feel of the place is just very Spanish, who needs a cheap easy jet flight when this place is on our doorsteps!
There are not many restaurants where I can’t find fault, this is one of them

This is one of those places where you need to book ahead for a Saturday night, which I guess is a good sign, we were given an early two hour time slot, and in fact even though there were 16 of us we still managed to have a good 40 minutes left over to pay. So the food was efficient and good, I would particularly recommend the pork, honey and tomato stew on the set menu (the slightly higher set menu at £16.50 a head).
The staff were good although it was hard to notice as things just felt a little too rushed, we were a fairly quite stag group and considerate to the other diners so it was purely a financial decision to try and get us in and out as soon as possible so they can have more table turn over. There was one incident of a waitress not being aware enough of the table space and covering one member of our group with the contents of his glass (luckily it was water), and to be fair this could have been avoided really, but again I think it was not due to the rush to put plates down in front of us all.
All in all the meal was lovely, and there was a good selection of things although I think it might have been good to get a few more vegetables as the whole menu was very meat heavy, and tapas at its best can provide a healthy balance between meat and vegetables. I have eaten here a few times, and suspect you get a better menu when you are picking from what is on offer instead of having a set menu and also if you are a smaller group, I think next time (yes I will be back) I will attend with 4 or 5 people.

Went on Saturday afternoon with my partner. As there were only 2 of us, we didn’t book and found a couple of seats by the bar. Once we had realised we had to order at the bar, and got drinks we started to enjoy the relaxed Spanish atmosphere, and lovely Rioja. The food came in a few stages which suited us. Overall, nice place, good food and relaxed ambience. Don’t expect quick service but expect authentic Spanish tapas and great wine. All-​good.

I’ve been recommended this place for years and finally went a few weeks ago with a friend of mine. The location is a bit random, it’s pretty much down a quiet side street next to a carpark. BUT boy won’t you be surprised when you go in. It feels like you’re in Spain, the majority of the staff are Spanish and the food is just insane, real authentic tapas.
It was so busy and we got there around 6ish on a Wednesday so it’s definitely worth booking a table if there’s more than 4 of you and you’re planning to go later. Really glad I visited and I’d definitely go back.

Due to its slightly weird location El Rincon de Rafa gets avoided more often than not as a spot for lunch in town. I remember frequenting this magnificent Spanish eatery a fair bit back in 2009. It wasn’t just the fact that they were one of my clients in a previous job, ‘Rafa’ (the proprietor) was an absolute gentlemen, and the food/​atmosphere was divine.
I’d delayed writing a review until I made a more recent visit and having done that, here it is. Although, had I written this review in 2009. A) Not many people would’ve read it as there weren’t many Unilocalers around at that time in Manchester. B) It’d be out of date and not very helpful as a review today anyway and C) It might have got 5 stars instead of 4. I’ll explain later.
It was an extremely cold afternoon and having experienced that January chill with an early meeting with Arnold Clarke, a friend suggested we get lunch. Where? Fancy Tapas? Why not! A platter of hot seafood Paella was a welcoming image as I played frozen statue at a bus stop outside Old Trafford. Having discussed our options Rafa came up in the conversation. The idea was sold in the space of a very short conversation.
Walking down the stairs and into the restaurant, it’d been a while since I’d felt THIS happy with my luncheon choice. Moving from the bitterly cold/​grey nature of the exterior to the the warm/​inviting oasis of an interior, I was awash with satisfaction. I felt content before I’d even touched the menu. Salsa music was playing at the appropriate volume. An old couple sat in one corner sipping on their red wine post-​meal. A cute Spanish grand mother, mother, (toddler) daughter were in deep conversation with one of the waiters. Through my scattered understanding of the language I could just about make out it was about their last visit back home. It was perfect ambiance for a relaxing lunch.
In fact we were in such a good mood, we decided to order a jug of Sangria. A fantastic decision only for the fact I couldn’t indulge too freely. (Had to pick up the car in the evening from Arnold Clarke innit!!) As it turns out the Sangria was A-​ok but nothing to shout home about. Dimitri’s (down the road on Deansgate) Sangria remains the best in town. Rafa’s inncarnation tasted like they’d used (bog standard) fruit juice instead of fresh fruit, a little disappointing but the atmosphere made up for it. Onto the food/​service…
Let me now explain the aforementioned comment about the rating. The waitress that served us put a slight downer on an otherwise perfect experience. It felt like she was playing an out of tune guitar with her service narrative. The notes were all wrong for a happy song sung with a serious (I don’t really wanna be here) face. It was a very cold reception in a very warm place.
For starters, we had mushrooms in blue cheese sauce, Spanish salad and chicken livers, a seaefood Paella as the main to share, and cream caramel + Churros to conclude the foodie experience. As you can see from the pictures they all looked incredible. They tasted just as good. Even though the blue cheese sauce (according to my friend) is supposed to be much thicker, I enjoyed the runny nature of it. In fact I loved it. Mushrooms soaked in it were delicious. The chicken livers were ok, but I’m so in love with the spicy nandos sauce dripping variety, compared to which these tasted a tad bland. The Paella was nothing short of sensational. On par with the best I’ve ever had, which was in Tenerife if memory defeats me not. The caramel cream was served chilled, which was a pleasant surprise, bit like ice cream. The Churros were also delicious although having never tried them before a bit savory for a dessert.
The food was reasonably priced, the drinks not so much. I think the Sangria pitcher was overpriced at £15 given the quality of it. The water bottles were also a tad steep given their size. When 38% of your bill is made up of beverages, it’s time to order tap water next time I think. I joke. No, seriously if you’re ever feeling blue and the weather is horrendous, book a dinner table or go for lunch at Rafa’s. You won’t regret it. For those still trying to work out how much my bill came to, answers on a post card (or to me directly at the next Unilocal event) please. Last but not least for the observant few of you who saw my photos, yes they do have Rape on the menu. It’s pronounced Raaa pay, a Monk fish dish that I’m told ish delish and very much on my wish lish.
I’ve been practicing the pronunciation for my next visit. I don’t want the following question to the waiter being misconstrued in anyway shape or form. «Excuse me would you recommend Rape?» Adiós mi Unilocalmigos.

Been here a few times and enjoyed it every time, yesterday being the most recent.
Chicken in paprika, meatballs, patatas bravas, manchego cheese etc to name but a few, all delicious.
And I like the place itself too. Just off the beaten track
Can’t wait to go back…

I’ve gotta say that I do enjoy tapas — there’s just something nice about sharing food with friends and not knowing what food is gonna come next. In fact because we had a large table, that was exactly what happened as we ordered off of their group party menu (£14.50 each) where we had a couple of portions of each dish brought over to our table through the night.
The setting is fantastic — like a proper little Spanish enclave underground and the staff and general feeling were as authentic as you can get. I especially liked the range of Spanish beers they had on tap (sometimes places can just be lazy and pop just San Miguel on tap but they had at least 4 on tap and others in bottles)
The highlights of the food had to be the meatballs, the patatas bravas and the bowl of paella you get for the table was also pretty decent (so much food for such a reasonable price)
We didn’t have dessert as we nipped down to MFDF for churros but I’m sure I’ll be back again soon for a starter, main and dessert — plus of course a few nice beers!

Muy bien!
Out of the numerous dishes brought to our table, I particularly enjoyed the paella, patatas bravas and meatballs (albondigas), although nothing else really stood out that’s fairly good going. I also really like the space –the high ceilings and large room are a surprising coming as they do from a basement on a nondescript side street.
The tortilla wasn’t sensational like my Spanish bff’s (or her mum’s) so they can’t get five stars even though that is a basically an impossible test.

The 2014 winner of the ‘That’s not how I expected it to be inside’ award definitely goes to El Rincon.
Had it not been for the trusty map app we’d probably have struggled to find it, (it’s on the corner of Longworth Street, which is off St Johns Street, which is off Deansgate…).
Head through the doors and you descend stairs that resemble a London Tube station’s with a central hand rail. At the bottom, a small replica of Picasso’s ‘Guernica’ painting is high above you, with a traditional-​looking tiled restaurant sign on the back wall. Turn a corner and you’re met with a cavernous space, double height ceilings and a huge bar (where you can sit and eat at as well).
I’m certainly glad I booked as it was very busy and throughout our meal there was a constant stream of customers (some ‘winged it’ and were seated where they could find space, one small group ended up sitting in the entrance area!). We could tell it was a popular place so were looking forward to getting stuck in.
As a group of seven we didn’t need to trawl through the menu as we had a choice of two set ones (opting for the slightly more expensive, but we got two extra tapas dishes plus a paella; and it was only £2 per person extra).
Jug of sangria poured, the first of fifteen dishes started to arrive (I’m not going to list them all so don’t worry), but lots of tapas faves were included, as well as some I hadn’t heard of before. I thought pretty much everything was delicious (though still not convinced by artichokes…).
As I’ve said a few times now I love shared dinners, so tapas is perfect. We all really enjoyed our time here and I’ll certainly be back again for more.

This place is a little gem. It’s got a real 70s/​80s vibe which makes it feel like a restaurant you’d have gone to as a kid on holiday in Spain with your parents. It’s cosy in there and the food is beautiful. It reminds me of what La Tasca was like before they became a chain and all looked the same. The Fish is paticularly good.
A good place for large groups and you can’t book!

Can’t quite see what all the fuss is about here. Its a rather unremarkable space, loitering in the basement off a back alley I suppose its kinda charming in its own bric a brac fashion, what with all the hanging football paraphernalia. The staff are quick and polite if not a tad to the point — they had us in and out in no time at all.
Then there’s the food. It’s um ok, but really what is everyone else eating here? Is the paella life changing? Our table of five shared quite a few of the tapas plates and I don’t recall anything striking me as excellent.
More than several dishes had that prepared ahead of time feel which the crazily long menu only served to fuel my concerns about. Sauces on several dishes had an unappealing ‘gloppiness’ too them — its a word, go look it up. Even a dish like fried sardines which could turn market fresh fishies into beautifully golden bites, turned up as languid, shriveled bites of FishTM. Not once did I get a sense the chefs had been down the market that day, inspecting what was looking killer. Nothing showcased the ingredients in a focused light.
I’d probably skew more to a two star if it weren’t for the fact our group had a generally good time, nothing was particularly unpleasant and Spanish inflected cuisine is still an anomaly in Manchester.

V tasty nice paella

The best tapas I’ve had in the UK. A lot of the staff are Spanish. The place is always busy. Be prepared to wait for a table.

El Rincon de Rafa has to be seen to be believed. However, seeing it is something of a problem considering that it’s one of Manchester’s most tucked-​away little gems. But at the same time, I’ll say that it’s also one of our city’s worst-​kept secrets. It might be hard to find, but heck, it’s always packed to the rafters. My five stars is based pretty much on the delicious Spanish authenticity of the food (as well as the décor, which I’ll come to) — I have no beef whatsoever with those who prefer La Tasca’s less traditional fare. But if you want a true Español experience, El Rincon’s the way forward.
Hiding down a dubious-​looking back alley off Deansgate, myself and my colleagues exchanged worried glances when our boss brought us to El Rincon to culminate a successful induction week back in the Spinningfields office days. I’ll tell you the easiest way to find it — opposite the Hilton, go past Liverpool Street and skirt round the back of Imli where all the 70s-​looking presumably massively expensive houses are, and you’ll find it if you carry on as if towards Spinningfields. Simples! Walking down the tiled stairs and viewing the strange amalgamation of Spanish bric-​à-​brac and football memorabilia, one might feel somewhat unsure. However everything falls into place once you’re ushered to a rustic wooden table and given time enough to relax and peruse the extensive menu. This is Mediterranean dining after all. It’s nothing if not languid and easy-​going.
A generous portion of olives with a variety of breads was a plentiful pre-​dinner snack. Wines are tasty and reasonably priced, and the food is a delight to behold. Being a daughter of Canarian expats I ensured to order my favourite Spanish traditions — tortilla patatas and patatas bravas, as well as a variety of seafood. The former was as paradoxically dense and fluffy as it should be (it is possible, believe me), and the latter was spicier than I’d anticipated, or experienced. It looked like this was slightly more authentic than the Spanish cuisine I’d previously indulged in. Anyone who writes off insipid patatas bravas with the excuse of ‘It’s only potatoes and tomato sauce after all’ should come to El Rincon and bear witness to this fiery concoction. And then be ashamed of themselves.
Owned by a Stockport County player turned chef and restauranteur, the football camaraderie is evident — rumour has it that Manchester United have held post-​match celebrations at this venue, with Rafa closing it to the public to cater for them. And what’s good enough for those talented treasures/​overpaid excuses for athletes (delete as applicable) is good enough for us Mancs. If you’re adventurous of tongue and are keen to experience Spanish authenticity, give it a try, but remember to book well in advance and not as a couple (parties of two cannot pre-​book) but as a group. As I said, it may be well-​hidden, but it isn’t half popular!

Went here last night and it was great food. We went for a set menu which was tapas and also paella. Not sure about all the names of the tapas dishes but they included meatballs, seafood salad, potatoes with tomatoes/​salsa, diced pork, sautéed mushrooms, breaded crabclaws and paprika chorizo. About 12 tapas dishes into total plus the paella.
Set menu was £16.50. If you don’t want paella, its about £2 cheaper.
The only problem with tapas is that there are so many dishes, you always run out of space quickly. You have to quickly eat dishes so you can make room for others.
The food came very quickly. Good job as we were all hungry. The paella came about 40 minutes after we ordered — a good sign that it was cooked from scratch.
Overall a very good evening. It was very busy and a group were actually sitting on the tables situated in the sort of «lobby» area at the bottom of the stairs near entrance (and near the entrance to toilets). I assume they were given the option if they wanted to sit there.
I have heard El Rincon is very popular and you always have to book a table. There is quite a bit of football memorabilia on the walls and, as Emma-​Louise H has also mentioned, I have heard that Manchester United have visited in the past.
El Rincon is actually not situated on Deansgate as it has been mentioned on some places. Its actually on a small dark street parallel to Deansgate — which you could argue looks a bit dodgy especially when it was all dark and wet last night — typical Manchester rainy weather! El Rincon is not the easiest place to find and I would imagine doesnt get much passing custom.

Another great evening at El Rincon. We didn’t have reservations (the waiter told me they’re getting booked up 3 weeks in advance now) but the slotted us in.
Food was great — ok it’s not gourmet, but it is good basic Spanish tapas. We had, whitebait, fillet steak, crab claws, sardines, lobster bisque, chorizo, mushrooms w blue cheese, garlic bread, prawns… Think that was it. Have to agree with review below, crab claws not good, but everything else was good.
Beer cold, service timely, very reasonably priced, and you’ve got to love the rustic surroundings. One of my favourite places in Manchester.

What a little gem this place is! Not the easiest to find, but undoubtedly well worth it when you do get there. La Tasca and its contemporaries have got nothing on this authentic Spanish tapas bar.
It is tucked away in a basement just off St John’s Street, Deansgate. The atmosphere welcomes you as soon as you walk in, it just feels so traditional, yet quirky at the same time, with signed and framed football shirt decorating the walls.
The tapas dishes are excellent, extremely varied and full of taste. The wines are fabulous, and it all just makes a wonderful combination, especially as it doesn’t leave too much of a dent in your wallet either!
This place would have scored 5* however there are two things that have peeved me recently. Firstly, when I ate there the other night, One Born Every Minute was on in the background on a giant plasma screen TV. Thankfully there was no sound but I did not enjoy watching a woman giving birth whilst I was eating.
Secondly, whilst some of the staff are lovely, most of them I find to be very rude. No matter how polite or friendly you try to be, it just seems impossible to get them to smile. However, the quality of the food more than makes up for this.
I’ll definitely be going back for more.

In my opinion you can’t get better tapas in Manchester than that on offer at El Rincon. Tucked away on a back street off Deansgate, you’d be forgiven for thinking that it was unlikely to be busy. You’d be wrong of course because El Rincon is always busy. Queuing for a table is well worthwhile though as the quality of the food will make you forget you even had to.
The portion sizes are generous and the menu is extensive. Prepare to wait for some items as everything is cooked fresh to order. The staff are friendly and extremely knowledgeable. The atmosphere is bustling and loud and it feels like a very ‘authentic’ tapas experience. The décor is traditional and simple and, all in all, it’s the perfect place for a celebration or just a spot of tapas after a long day shopping.

My favourite places to visit are those that turn me into a fan of whatever it is they are pitching, and El Rincon de Rafa falls squarely into the above category by serving excellent food at a good price. It seems difficult to find a place that can actually do this consistently, but you occasionally hit gold.
It’s hidden away in Deansgate, and upon entering you are struck with a interesting choice of décor where football clashes with Spanish traditions, but I guess it sort of works. Fortunately, it is not indicative of the rest of the service. The waiters are friendly and willing to recommend for those who are unsure, and the general atmosphere is relaxed and laid-​back. The tapas especially are ridiculously good, so I’m certainly going to revisit at some point.