Best Tapas Restaurants in Commercial Drive

Our server was helpful and accommodated a change to the menu for an allergy. He was patient and around just enough. The food was so delicious and flavourful. My favourite was the taro chips and dip. The prawns were also delish. Even though we were seated on the outdoor patio in December, it was warm enough. Just wish there were slightly more substantial chairs. We were seated on very small stools.

Food was excellent. Ceiling vents, lamps and walls were covered in layers of grease mold. One waiter was excellent, but our waiter often left us for long periods. We had to hunt down people for glasses of water, napkins, and at the end they forgot we were in the restaurant and were surprised to find us still waiting for our bill. We had to remind them desert was included. So A on food, C+ on service, B on cleanliness.

Barbara is a beautiful experience of lovely staff and excellently executed dishes. As mentioned in other reviews, the space is intimate yet stylishly appointed. We wouldn’t have it any other way. In a city where one can have an endless variety of foods, Barbara manages to be quite more than a cut above the rest while remaining true to the vision of the owner/chef, Pat. Literally every single bite of our order: beef tartare, the in-house made stracciatella, the octopus, the celery root and the Arctic char and beef short rib managed to make ingredients we have had before become something special again. Be sure to order an inventive cocktail and save room for the included dessert. Ours was a Concord grape granita with maple drizzle that seemed made for each other. If you’re local or visiting this beautiful city, place Barbara on your list of “not to be missed” restaurants and make this reservations in advance. You’re in for a real treat.

Delicious and inventive, each and every time. The room is small but sexy, a bit noisy in the evening, but overall a lovely spot for a small gathering or date. Looking forward to returning again.

We ordered the full course chef’s choice. Every dish was interesting and delicious. A 2 and a half hour dining experience. Staff was informative, attentive and did not rush us through the many dishes.