Enjoy generous portions with Old World flair at Elena's. They've won a bunch of awards for a…read morereason, maybe due to the unique concept, but they do a nice job combining Scottish pub and Spanish panache. Of course many come for the tapas, and you'll get more than the typical microscope-required dishes at other places. Get your imported beer here on tap as well. It goes well with the diverse choices that should keep everyone happy. Croquettes are sharable but that didn't stop me from eating them all. You get a variety but notice: the chicken ones remain hot! The lamb was tasty and sides filling. A couple drafts later I'm waddling out satisfied. It's a nice alternative to the Argyle area dining scene, and I'll hope to return and try much more.

This is the best Spanish food to be had in Glasgow by a country mile and then some! Why haven't I…read morefound this place sooner? We'd recently returned from a short break in Malaga and were pining for some Spanish ambience, so I was very pleased to discover Elena's, even more so when we spotted the Paella de Marisco (seafood paella) - I'll be having half of that, yes please! They have a pretty good wine list too, and we soon settled on a nice fragrant Alberino, which was a pefect accompaniment to the seafood. The table was soon very cluttered with dishes, wine cooler and glasses, but we managed. I'm afraid I forgot to take any pictures of the food, it was too yummy not to get stuck in. For dessert, I couldn't resist the chocolate brownie, although I opted for coconut ice cream instead of the lemon. I probably shouldn't have had either given my lactose intolerance, but sometimes you have to be prepared to suffer. It did almost finish me off, it was so chocolatey, but wow, it was worth it. I'm only giving four stars as I thought the service was a little lacklustre in places. They didn't offer to pour or let us taste the wine, didn't provide a finger bowl or any wipes for the sticky fingers, and - more importantly - didn't tell us about the menu specials when we were ordering. We only found out about those when I spotted the specials board on the way out. I don't know if it would have made much difference actually, as we were pretty committed to the paella before we arrived, but it would have been nice to have had the choice. Annnd.... I've just spotted that they have Caipirinhas on the cocktail menu - now I'll definitely have to go back!

Dessert (cheesecake and pudín de caramel) plus coffee, alcoholic and non options, were delicious…read more the waitstaff was courteous although not attentive at all. We sat with our menus closed and ready to order for 15 min before we had to wave to someone. They wouldn't even make eye contact. Same for during and after the meal. Plus they were not busy.

Had a delicious meal of two salads. One salad featured asparagus and artichokes. The other was a…read morebean salad. Topped it off with a sorbet.

LADIES' LUNCHEON My…read moretwo friends and I decided to have lunch here after wedding dress shopping (eeeeeeeek!! EXCITING!!) last Saturday. The location is great, being within the (COVERED!!) Merchant Square...so in he middle of the Merchant City in town! There's a variety of places to eat/drink in Merchant Square, but on the penultimate day of the Merchant City Festival, this was the only place with any free tables!! I hoped this wasn't a bad sign..!! ;-) Turned out after taking a seat ourselves (pretty sure there was a hostess to do the seating but it was mad busy and the table was empty!!) and looking at the menu, we were looking forward to having a good munch! They do a special lunch offer where you can get three tapas dishes for £8.95...bargain!! We decided to combine all of our choices so we could try a better variety of dishes! This turned out to be a FABULOUS idea! ;-) We ordered (you'll HAVE to forgive my spelling as I know NO Spanish, pretty much..!!) : 2 x patatas bravas, 2 x calamari, 1 x haggis nuggets, 1 x meatballs, 1 x queso croquettas, 1 x croquettas de polo and a wee tomato salad with manchego...we also got some extras of onion rings and chippies-we should have bothered with the extras!!! There was TAPAS-A-PLENTY; it seemed like the waitress just kept bringing our food out-LOL! Everything was delicious and well cooked...I was really impressed! I don't eat tapas all that often (I SHOULD!) but reckon I'll be back here again VERY soon! :-) We finished off lunch with some French Martinis which seemed strrrrrrong-NOT a complaint, by the way... I would DEFINITELY recommend this restaurant to anyone...and I'm doing MORE wedding shopping soon, so will pop back in!

The only standalone Spanish tapas restaurant in the Merchant City - there is one integrated into…read morethe bar complex Arta - Mercado sits on Bell Street and opens out onto the Merchant Square. I've been here a few times, not because I love it, just cos as I said it's the only standalone Spanish restaurant in the Merchant City. So for the same reason we went there again, but this time we only got offered the lunch menu. It's cheap for sure, £7.95 I think for three tapas, but here is the twist, beware of supplements and drinks prices. I opted for Albondigas, Chorizo, and Beef Ternera, and a side of Garlic Bread with Cheese. All were served with a smile, all were tasty, all were very small. The garlic bread was certainly not worth the extra £4.50-odd either, and my Spanish pint was a little expensive at nearly a fiver. I don't love being forced to choose a set menu, nor do I love sneaky charges that bump the price up. I'd rather pay the normal prices and get more food. Ultimately I left feeling slightly hungry and that makes me slightly grumpy, but the food was very decent, it's no El Sabor but it's still 3 stars.

I just visited this place and I don't know what the other reviewer on here is on about! The waiters…read moreand witresses make you feel totally welcome and it is laid out for you that the cheapest option is the set menu. Drinks are always on offer and they are really quick with food and drink. Kids love it, the place is nicely decorated like a real Spanish cafe and the food, the other reviewer forgot to mention, is kick-ass, out of this world. The lamb you have to try! This sounds like I work here, I promise you I don't. I just had to defend them against a snobby review!

Myself and family attended 'Ola' one weekday evening. The meat dishes were fine, but vegetarians…read moreare looked at as if they fell from Mars and, frankly, a giant bowl of rice and peas passed off as a Vegetarian Paella simply shall not do. The portions are small - when they say Tapas they mean Tapas - and my own party, as well as one I spoke to on leaving, felt a bit ripped off. The set menus are recommended as, if you stray onto maitre de recommendations, you may find the bill balloon. The maitre de, a Spanish national I believe, has to curb his tactile histrionics - like Basil Fawlty crossed with Manuel - if all but lunching workies are going to enjoy themselves there. If you are used to chain restaurants with a Spanish or Hispanic theme, like Nando's or Chiquito's, 'Ola' will come as something of a shock. It does not know what it wants to be, it is a small business with chain aspirations and will have to work on a more welcoming atmosphere - the maitre de thinks sexism and sarcasm pass as this and the otherwise friendly Eastern European waitress needs training - and better deals if it is to survive. If you are not a drunken work's group or hen night, with the bill spread about many people, avoid!

Food & service were excellent! Restaurant with nice bar & plenty of indoor seating with limited…read moreoutdoor seating. Popular place! Definitely make reservations.

Stopped by this spot for Italian while walking around Edinburgh and had a nice experience overall…read more We ordered the minestrone soup, penne pomodoro, and a margherita pizza. The soup was warm and comforting and came with a piece of bread on the side. The pasta and pizza were both a little saucy, but tasted very fresh. I also liked that they added fresh parmesan on top of the pasta. The ambiance was really nice and there was plenty of seating. For dessert, we shared the Coppa Rocher sundae with pistachio and chocolate ice cream topped with whipped cream. The ice cream was very creamy and it was a great way to end the meal. The servers were friendly, and the food came out without too much delay.

Shocked I haven't reviewed this place yet as I eat here almost every day. The coffee is a proper…read moreItalian one to get you going which exactly what I need in the morning. The best things in here though are a toasted flatbread called a piadine which is just great and I have never had one anywhere else. The inter-piadine (after inter Milan) is my husbands and sons favourite. It's perfect according to them but I am pretty keen on the pancetta scone (Italian Parma ham toasted between two tattie scones) which is slightly mind blowingly yummy. I sometimes have them add herbed halved cherry tomatoes to it. Boom!

A regular stop for us Love the atmosphere and decor…read moreGood feel and great coffee Try to visit most days for a caffeine boost and a read of the papers. Always good tunes on in the background A true Italian feel in the heart of Stockbridge

Small, intimate dining with excellent service. Lobster ravioli was an outstanding dish. The entire…read moreevening was wonderful, and I highly recommend it.

Excellent! Every dish was absolutely spectacular! The wine was equally delicious. The staff was…read morewonderful with their never ending drive to be attentive. We were so happy to have a table side visit from the chef himself as we dined on his most outstanding pasta and veal dishes. Run don't walk to this fine neighborhood establishment.