A cozy Mediterranean spot in Arapiles with eco-friendly decor — think wood, recycled materials, plants, and restored furniture. The concept is fresh, healthy cooking at accessible prices, but reviews are genuinely mixed: Google gives it a solid 4.5, yet TripAdvisor diners report inconsistent dishes and slow service. Come for a casual beer and tapa rather than a full sit-down meal.
A cozy Mediterranean tapas bar with reclaimed-wood decor and budget-friendly prices — better for a casual drink and a bite than a full dinner.
Stick to simple tapas and drinks rather than ordering full plates — reviewers report the kitchen struggles with more complex dishes like bacalao al pil-pil.
Charming eco-decor, but the kitchen doesn't always deliver
El Capricho sits on Vallehermoso in the Arapiles neighborhood, and you can tell someone put real thought into the space — reclaimed wood, recycled materials, lush plants, and restored furniture give it a warm, eco-conscious feel that's a cut above your average neighborhood joint. The menu leans Mediterranean with international touches, and the pitch is fresh, healthy food at prices that won't make you wince. On paper, it's exactly the kind of place you'd want around the corner.
The reality, though, is more complicated. Google reviewers rate it 4.5, but TripAdvisor tells a different story — complaints about glacially slow service, a bacalao al pil-pil the chef apparently couldn't execute, a tataki de atún that arrived cold and dry, and a plate of chipirones that was scant and bare. One diner summed it up: fine for a beer and a tapa, but don't build your evening around it.
That feels like the right takeaway. If you're in the neighborhood and want a relaxed drink with a bite in a pleasant setting, El Capricho can deliver that. But if you're planning a proper dinner, the inconsistency is a gamble. Go in with modest expectations, stick to the simpler tapas, and you'll likely leave happy.