I first went to the original Mechela in the Barrio del Museo back in 2013, and in 2017 saw that partners Álvaro Retamero (chef) and Ernesto de Anca had opened a larger, more sophisticated sibling in the Arenal and was quick to visit. Then for some reason it kind of fell off my radar (so many bars, so little time) and so when it was recently recommended to me by clients I decided it was time to go back. And I’m glad I did. First of all because it was a lovely surprise to find my old pal Yann working there, and secondly because the food was fabulous.

The discreet entrance of what used to be the original Porta Rossa opens into to a spacious and chic interior with hip art on the white washed brick walls, warm wood and leather tones throughout and attractive lighting.

There were a few dishes I remembered from before, such as the cashew ajoblanco with crispy noodle-wrapped prawn and the Ibérico rice, but the market-based menu has been expanded and there are also a few daily specials. The corvina croquetas with roasted pepper mayo were perfection and we also loved the crispy fideuá with grilled calamari and squid ink alioli. The aged presa Ibérica came with a delicious selection of sautéed mushrooms and veg and the monkfish was also lovely, with a smoked cauliflower cream and topped with bits of mojama. There’s an excellent wine list and Yann is happy to give you recommendations. Save room for dessert!

I certainly won’t leave it so long again to return. Reservations recommended.

Bread/Service Charge: 1.50€ PER PERSON (includes aperitif)

Pastor y Landero 20
Tel 955 282 566
Open 14.00 – 16.00 / 20.30 – 23.45 Tuesday – Saturday
Closed Sunday & Monday
€ € € €

Food 8 | Wine 8 | Service 8 | Ambiance 8

salmorejo aperitif

sea bass croquetas with piquillo pepper mayo

cashew ajoblanco with crispy prawn, figs, herring roe

spinach and mascarpone “strason”

grilled octopus with vichyssoise and croutons

crispy fideuá with calamares and squid ink alioli

crispy arroz de Ibéricos

monkfish with smoked cauliflower cream and mojama

grilled presa Ibérica de Bellota

cheesecake with raspberry sorbet

Yann

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Updated July 2024

A pleasant gastrobar in Los Bermejales, Sanbers was in the process of changing its menu when we visited. There is bar and restaurant seating (same menu available at both) as well as a sidewalk terrace.

The fusiony menu offered more than it could deliver. The pad thai, well, wasn’t really, though it was tasty enough. We fared better with the “award winning” tuna in salmorejo, but our boneless Iberian ribs were so tough they were inedible. But I’d give it another chance.

Bread/Service Charge: 0.60€ Per Person

Avenida de Alemania, 9
Tel 955 64 15 47
Open 13.00 – midnight Monday – Sunday
€ € € €

Food 5 | Wine 5 | Service 6 | Ambiance 5

the bar

wine list

mushroom and prawn “pad thai”

tuna ijada roll filled with watermelon & strawberry, with almonds, roe and salmorejo

boneless ribs with mojo picón and chips

my favourite thing about Sanbers… this!

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I have to say that the food is good, even better than its predecessor. The grilled octopus was lovely and the fried boquerones were crisp and delicious. However we found the service a bit pushy – the waitress kept trying to get us to order more than one tapa at a time, probably assuming we were tourists. And when we were charged for bread we hadn’t ordered or eaten she got quite stroppy, insisting that we should pay her 1 euro each for her time. FAIL. Too bad. I won’t be back.

Bread/Service Charge: 1€ PER PERSON

Albareda 22
Tel. 954 22 68 52
Open 13.00 – 16.00 / 20.30 – midnight Monday – Thursday
Closed Sunday evenings
€ € €

Food 7 | Wine 6 | Service 3 | Ambiance 5

 fried boquerones

fried aubergines with cane honey

  grilled octopus

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