FANTASTIC Houston Restaurant Week Experience- Dinner @ $55/person. 2 hour session, 4courses. Watch out: Policy and HRW website says 20% auto gratuities included for groups of 6+ but my party of 2 included 20% gratuity... shady, but I didn't want to make a scene. Just keep an eye. This did cost a star. Book a special location for a date night and this place delivered. Well paced, knowledgeable and attentive service. They have an interesting interior design that is futuristic, experimental, and full of unique space themed and illusionary art. The bathrooms are also extremely cool and have a very well-known mirror Hall! The food was a fantastic experience . It was much appreciated that the Houston restaurant menu was very clear that the appetizer was one piece so we didn't feel misled. We were surprised by the size of the paella!! Course 1: Bites. The crispiest exterior of what I could only describe as a thinly fried croquette with melt in your mouth mashed potatoes and Iberico ham. Delicate, but a flavor bomb- great warm-up. Course 2: Seafood. Decided on a Tuna Tartare and MEJILLONES (Mussels). The muscles came in this creamy, slightly lemony sauce that paired so well with a fresh sourdough bread served at the table. Tartare was standard, well plated, and well done. Course 3: Entree Got a full Paella Valencia with 6oz Octopus/Pulpo, and a Filet Mignon. Presentation of the paella was gorgeous, with decadent spice, saffron rice, juicy and crisp, sugar snap, peas, and tomatoes, with the most tender octopus I've ever had, second only to a fresh octopus off the Grecian Coast. It was so filling I could not finish it; worth coming back for this dish. The filet mignon was done excellently, but it is a standard cut of meat. The stand out is the potato side dish it is served with, which is like a light almost, pudding like consistency, but it is full of flavor. Course 4: Dessert Order the gypsy arm and flan. The gypsy was very similar to a roll cake, but has a crème brûlée finish. The cold cream contrast with the roll and harden sugar exterior so decadently. Flan was well flavored, berries were a bit tart but otherwise, gypsy arm is the dessert to go to. Fantastic dining experience. Would love to return and try more of the menu, superb Spanish cuisine. read more

See all

We were here today for Brunch and celebrating my sister birthday. It was nice of them to give us a private room since we have a party of 12. Food was good but service wasn't impressive. I guess the server knows that tips were already included so he didn't care much on not having his tips. We even to serve our own water on a few times during the service because he left a pitcher in a corner of the room but didn't come back and check on how we are doing and of course not refilling the water. Reservation was clearly mentioned that we come to celebrate a birthday. The bussers did a way better job than the server himself. The restaurant ambiance is nice and food was good but the lack of service made it a bit less enjoyable read more

See all

We went for a celebratory dinner and left without finishing the any of the three appetizers we ordered for the party. Nothing was "bad", just very bland. The distinct aroma of old shellfish filling the restaurant ultimately had us pulling out our phones, looking for better options. read more

I've been to MAD several times now, however all times were during brunch so my review is based on their brunch service/menu. All times have been made with reservations as well, however their weekend brunch doesn't seem to be packed. Could definitely just walk in without a reservation. MAD is a solid tapas place, however after coming back from a trip to Spain, I realize the difference of taste and price. I've tried half of the appetizers listed on their current menu. I feel like I've tried other things that are no longer on the menu. I'd definitely recommend the croquetas (3 pcs of creamy goodness) and jamón ibérico (good, but overpriced imo). The pulpo just doesn't taste as good as it does in Spain obviously. Paella Valencia - should try if you've never had paella. Chicken thighs were cooked just right. Pato & apricot - duck recommended to be cooked medium rare. The duck was delicious, but the way the rice was prepared wasn't as good as the paella Valencia. Cochinillo ibérico - more worth it to order this than the appetizer. Scalloped potatoes and scrambled eggs make it a true brunch dish. Basque cheesecake - would recommend this as dessert of choice. It was delicious, light, and fluffy. Spanish churros - nothing like in Spain. They're super thin and definitely too oily. The chocolate ganache dipping sauce was also too oily for my liking. Love the aesthetic of the restaurant. The bathroom must also be seen as well. Definitely a place you can celebrate something special. Good for a date, group of friends or family. I can imagine how it would look at night, probably busy. Definitely want to try their dinner sometime. Park in the parking garage next to the restaurant. It was free every time I've been. :) read more

See all

Extremely disappointing experience and some of the worst service I have encountered. The food quality was poor (maybe due to HRW, we dont deserve equal quality?) and did not taste fresh at all. The Spanish paella was badly overcooked, which made the overall dining experience even more disappointing. More importantly, I was very uncomfortable with the way the female manager interacted with us. Her attitude was dismissive and unprofessional, and I felt that we were treated differently based on our race. Regardless of the reason, no customer should be made to feel unwelcome or disrespected because of their background. I hope the restaurant takes concerns about both food quality and customer treatment seriously and provides proper training for its management and staff. read more

MAD - Spanish Near Me - Houston, Texas

Food - pretty decent, got the chicken paella, shrimp appetizers, branzino, and a side of grilled vegetables. Flavors were pretty strong. I really enjoyed the shrimp! Service - the lady server was pretty aggressive and kind of rude. Ambiance - nice upscale casual vibes, good for dates and group hangs read more

See all

You CAN NOT beat their Thursday happy hour special for G&Ts. My former editor (and now bestie) dropped in after a 3:30 flick at iPic (Devil Wears Prada 2). The patio at MAD was empty, and I don't know why, because their Thursday G&T special (5-7pm) is the best in town. They have $5 G&T (choice of the "Fresa" or "Flor de Sevilla" plus it includes a side of batatas bravas. That means our bill was only $10 for two drinks and two apps. MAD indeed. ;) read more

See all

Came here with a large group for a friend's birthday and we all did the tasting menu for $55 per person which I think was worth. However, I wasn't really impressed with any of the dishes I tried and found it all to be a bit underwhelming. For my first appetizer I tried the onion soup. It was incredibly flavorful and very oniony, but there wasn't much else besides ONION. I then had the bravas tomas which was not bad, but it was basically just a fancy Taco Bell cheesy fiesta potatoes. For my entree I ordered the mushroom paella which was very stunning in size. It had a deep earthy flavor profile from the mushrooms, but I found the overall dish to be a bit too mild for my liking. For dessert I had their gelato but I don't think it was anything particularly special. read more

See all

I have heard good things about MAD, so I recently visited to catch up with a friend over brunch. We arrived close to the kitchen closing for evening prep, but the restaurant accommodated us well. The food came out very quick and everything was delicious. The ultimate croquetas and pulpo a la gallega were my favorites. The afterglow cocktail was super yummy as well; if you have a sweet tooth this is the cocktail for you. I enjoyed my experience, you cannot go wrong with Spanish tapas. The interior is lovely too, I will be back for a dinner in the future! read more

MAD - Interior - Spanish Near Me - Houston, Texas

I went here for lunch. The service here didn't seem up to par with the reputation. Upon arrival, I wasn't greeted right away. I didn't wait too long until she arrived to the front. She seemed to be helping clean up tables. I'm thinking they're understaffed and this brings down customer service. Even the dishes and napkin were poorly cleaned. I received a dirty plate and napkin. The place didn't even offer anything comped for this mistake or oversight. The place had really nice decor and looked like they had history behind the pieces. Even going to the bathroom was creative with mirrors and lighting on the way to the door. I liked that they had a holder for your purse next to the table then your purse isn't just lying on the floor. I tried the ultimate croquetas which were crunchy and creamy. I really enjoyed these and would order them again. The next item i tried was the lobster roll. I felt like the bread was a little dry and too thick. It was too much bread for me, it took awhile to get to the lobster. The fries were crispy and were the perfect taste. I also tried one of their drinks and it was basically a margarita with a spicy kick. The last item I tried was conchillo iberico it had pork and eggs and a sweet sauce that pulled everything together. read more

See all

Came here for lunch. The restaurant is stunning and service was on point. We ordered the bravas tomas and jamon Iberico as starters. The bravas tomas was very good. However, both entrees we ordered were overly salty in my opinion - the paella Valencia and the shrimp & pasta fideua. I was starving yet I couldn't eat very much of my entree in one go due to the heavy salt content. The entrees were also enormous and I feel the waiter could have warned us that one entree is shareable. Instead we ended up with a ton of leftovers. Might come back to try other things on the menu but first impression was mediocre. read more

See all

MADe a reservation for a fun night out with friends. Thank you to Hannah who was able to add another couple after my initial request. I've had MAD on my list of places to go for a while. Nice to be able to enjoy the ambiance, the food and the service which exceeded all expectations. MAD, the airport code for Madrid. What an amazing city. MAD, the restaurant. What an imaginative concept. So nice to learn about what makes MAD so unique. Just entering the space is such a visually intoxicating sensory experience. From the large bear (who knew that bears once roamed in the forest near historic Madrid) and Salvador Dali statue that greet you to the wall of original Picasso ceramics, it is truly like eating in a world class art gallery. From the Dale Chihuly hand blown glass chandelier to the trippy mirrored neon hallway to the bathroom, there is so much to see. Love the KAWS inspired astronaut at the bar. Would love to have an "art tour" to learn more. Lucky to be able to sit at large table with comfy blue couches as well as swivel leather chairs. Love the Dale Chihuly chandelier that lit up our corner space. The restaurant is infused with so many joyful colors. Decided to enjoy the 2026 Eat, Drink, HTX menu which includes an appetizer, an entree and a dessert for $25 with some optional upgrades. This special menu is good until the end of February. The Tomato and Burrata Salad was so fresh and delicious. I don't know where they buy their cherry tomatoes, but they are so sweet and juicy. Loved the combination of the cherry tomatoes, tomato jelly, olive oil caviar, and half of a burrata. A delicious starter. The Lentil Soup was also a hit at our table. The traditional lentil soup is slow simmered with carrots, celery, and onions in a savory vegetable broth. So warm and cozy. For our mains, our table chose the same two entrees. I was happy to see a vegetarian option, Mushroom Rice. The mushroom stock bomba rice with mushrooms and seasonal grilled vegetables was so rich. Bomba rice is used to make paella as it soaks up flavors while keeping its shape and texture. The guys really enjoyed their Filet Mignon. The 6 ounce prime beef tenderloin is served with ibérico crumbles, Spanish country potatoes, sautéed zucchini, carrots & onions. The Filet Mignon is a great choice with a $15 upgrade. Finished our meals with scoops of house-made chocolate gelatos and the Tarte de Santiago. This traditional Spanish almond cake from Galicia was a great way to end a beautiful dinner with friends. A special thanks to our server, Dario, who shared so many fun facts about MAD and Madrid and to Hannah for helping with our reservation. It was so nice meeting you on a sunny afternoon on the patio a few days ago. We will be back to check out the art and another meal with the delicious tastes of MADrid. read more

See all

I went to MAD for restaurant weeks with my mom and it was SO GOOD. We got the seafood croquet to start. For our appetizers we got the mussels which were coated in a thicker cream sauce and gambas al ajillo which were delicious. The star of the meal was the octopus pállela, it was cooked perfectly, highly recommend if you're a fan of octopus. We also got the ribeye and shishito peppers. For dessert, the gypsy arm is definitely the way to go. All of the food was incredible, the restaurant has really cool modern decor, and the service was great as well. Would love to come back sometime! read more

MAD - Mussels and gambas al ajillo - Spanish Near Me - Houston, Texas

See all

MAD was such a fun restaurant with a culinary experience that went beyond my expectations! Their happy hour menu (which they're very strict about where you sit for it) was a great deal on their delicious apps and drinks. They also had a dinner prixe fixed menu that was only $25 for three courses, a great deal that we all took advantage of in my group. At first the service was a bit slow especially considering how empty the restaurant was, but eventually this was made up for by the perks they brought for my birthday (including an extra free dessert and free shots for the table!). The happy hour drinks were a great deal. Both of the gin and tonic options were delicious! Ultimately croquetas - good crisp with a ham-reminiscent flavor on the inside. A small little bite from the happy hour menu. Hamachi tostada - served with a bubble foam on top that looked very gastronomical. The bite itself was good but not super memorable. Empanadillas - some of the best apps, with a very flavorful filling. However only 2 come with the order, wish there was more! Bravas tomas- these potatoes were a standout. The sauce really makes the dish. Burrata - so fresh and creamy with cut Roma tomatoes and tomato jelly (was very interesting). Loved this one as well. Filet mignon - one of the best steaks I've ever had. I still think about it. A delicious crusted exterior with a perfectly cooked interior that left me savoring every bite. Mad burger - did not personally get this but others at my table did, apparently a popular choice. Gambas al ajillo - only 6 came with the pre fixed menu, but is a good option for a lighter main. Tartar de Santiago - a dense, sweet cake with a lemon almond flavor, I liked it! Yogurt spongecake - a bit lighter and less sweet, also delicious! Because we got to try the happy hour menu and the pre fixed restaurant week menu, we got to order so many things and they were all delicious! Also got to take some great pictures inside. Will definitely come back in the future! read more

See all

Went to MAD for the early NYE seating. $125 for the prix fixe with an additional $50 wine pairing. Went with a friend and we enjoyed the wine pairing along with a few cocktails. The G&Ts are always a hit here. The event itself felt a little rushed. For a prix fixe tasting menu, each course came out quickly, and the wine pairing timing felt off because of it. You really had to down the wine to keep up with the food pacing, which took away from the experience. Overall, the food was good. One drawback was that our server was very difficult to hear. We had to make a few assumptions about what was said throughout the meal. The night was also advertised as having both a DJ and a cellist. The DJ was good, but there was no cellist. We asked about it on the way out and were told it wasn't happening. Still a fun way to ring in the new year, but the pacing and a few missed details kept it from feeling as polished as it should have been for the price. read more

See all

Love love love this place. I've been a few times and the food & drinks are always good. First walked thru the door & fell in love with the vibe. Energetic, vibrant atmosphere. Just beautiful & classy. Upbeat music pumping in the background. Very audible but you can still hold a conversation. The bartenders had a pot of something they were stirring on a burner behind the bar. When I asked about it, they said it was something they were working on for a drink. They didn't do anything with it while I was there but that's my kind of innovative bartender/ mixologist that I want making my drinks. I enjoy their flavored gin & tonics very much. I've always enjoy the beet salad, lamb chops, and the paellas. The Branzino, one of my favorites, is now served with mashed potatoes & artichokes. The fish was cooked properly & seasoned but the overall dish combination with mashed potatoes & artichokes was not the best combination of flavors for me. I will wait to order branzino again when they change the flavor & pairing profile or I would ask for a mashed potato substitute. Mashed potatoes & fish. I just don't get it! This is a place for someone who has a strong appreciation for chic ambiance, likes creative dishes & drinks and is ok spending a few dollars to sample different foods & cocktails. read more

See all

I had a bit of a disappointing experience at Mad restaurant. The staff was friendly, we sat at the bar the bartenders were nice, but not very engaging. Part of the reason I enjoy sitting at the bar is for the interaction, so that was a bit of a letdown. The food was just okay, nothing that really stood out. What really impacted the experience, though, was the environment. The AC seemed to be broken--it was hot, humid, and there was little to no airflow, which made it pretty uncomfortable. We ended up eating quickly and leaving. For a $200 dinner for two, I expected a much better overall experience. read more

Remember that song with the lyrics every time you go away, you take a piece of me with you? Well, MAD has done that with some of my favorite menu items. Normally, I would not be very happy, but - I'm always pleasantly surprised on what they add to the menu and its place. If you're a fan of tapas, whether there would be jamon Iberico, papas bravas, pulpo, or just good old-fashioned steak - this is a place for you. You'll find most of my reviews centered around food. And while the food is good here, the cocktails are equally impressive. Same story goes as the food. Drinks, I've really enjoyed have gone off the menu with no option to prepare them anymore and your drinks join the menu. When you visit, make sure you take a visit to the restroom whether or not you have to go. The hallway is the source of many selfies and Instagram posts. You'll see what I mean. The staff are always very friendly and very attentive. My only grip about the place is that I can get very busy and somewhat loud. That's to be expected with a place like this. If you have not been, go check out, MAD. Warning, people prepared for a good time as well as a high bill. read more

See all

I brought our party of 7 to MAD to sample their 2025 Houston Restaurant Weeks dinner menu. To make the reservation for a Saturday night the restaurant required me to guarantee the reservation with a credit card. $25 per each no show. They offer free valet parking along with free garage parking one short block away. When we arrived we were seated in a room beside their main dining area that had a large open door. The room was semi private with two other small parties inside with us. For the $55 four course HRW meal, I chose the seafood croquetta to start with and gambas al ajillo to follow. For the main, I asked for the paella valencia and then the gypsy arm for dessert. The croquetta was small but quite tasty with a rich seafood flavor. I liked it a lot. The gambas al ajillo were 5 sautéed shrimp with olive oil, garlic and white beans mixed together. The shrimp were spicy and joined well with the beans. The paella had chicken mixed in with the rice and was a large serving, I thought this course was salty and another member of my party said their was to. Finally the gypsy arm was sponge cake filled with whipped cream and custard inside. It was cool and refreshing. Absolutely delicious! Table service was good with each course delivered to diners at the same time. Other than the salty paella, I had two main issues with dining at MAD. First was the noise level. Even though we were in a 3 sided room the noise from the main dining room spilled into ours making conversation strained. I wish nice restaurants like this would pay more attention to acoustics. The other issue was payment. While they accept up to 4 credit cards per group (which was the number our party wanted to use) we were not allowed for the actual costs to be paid by each responsible party. They only allowed us to use percentages of the total bill so that we had to approximate how much to put on each credit card. This policy is really inflexible especially for diners that usually have high ticket prices (ours was almost $800 in total). Less expensive restaurants allow this so why doesn't MAD. It's for those reasons in total that I give 3 stars. read more

See all

The concept was great! We did the Chef Table and the after the 2nd course I threw after each plate in disgust. Terrible food safety concepts. Also placed notes in res confirmation on allergies and luckily I caught it as the facility failed to heed such easy restaurant safety. Just to give you a small portion of the evening, I had to get up after waiting 20+ minutes to go to the bar to get a refill on my Diet Coke. Also their is no dress code read more

MAD - Spanish Near Me - Houston, Texas

See all

We came for Eat Drink HTX brunch and it was absolutely delicious! Excellent deal. $25 three course meal. The food was really good and pretty authentic. The croquetas and bravas were a must. Very tasty. I loved the Gambas al ajillo. Mine came out sizzling. My mother's didn't so that was a little disappointing. The bread that came with it was very good. The lavender gin tonic was so beautiful. Very nice cocktail. The service was exceptional. The decor is a little over the top. The red light in the toilet of the restrooms really made me dizzy so I think they should adjust that and just have normal lighting. It's not fun to get dizzy before eating a nice meal. read more

See all

My girlfriend and I came here for Houston Restaurant Week because it had been recommended by one of our friends. We got there and the restaurant was beautifully decorated and the smells coming from the glass windows of the kitchen filled our table so we were excited for what was to come. Parking: there are multiple places to park to get to Mad. There is street parking along the street where Mad and the iPic movie theater are. There is also a paid parking garage next to the restaurant and there is valet service right in front of the restaurant if that is your preference. We paid for street parking across from the restaurant so I do not know if they validate garage parking. Ambiance: the ambiance is Madrid meets Houston. They have a glass window that lets you look into where the paellas are being cooked over open flame and where they are broiling the meats. They have high vaulted ceilings and there is a bar in the middle of the restaurant that is extravagantly decorated. It feels like you've entered a whole new place when you step into this restaurant. Service: the service here was very good. They spaced our courses out well so each dish was hot when it came to the table and we never had to ask for our water to be refilled because our waitress was very attentive. Drinks: we ordered a couple of drinks. I had the Pasion de Madrid which had vodka, passionfruit and lime and tased super refreshing. I enjoyed this drink a lot. My girlfriend got the Fresa which had gin, strawberry and mint. This cocktail was also very refreshing and light. Food: the HRW menu comes with 4 courses which was two sets of appetizers, one main entree and one dessert. They had many options to choose from and each dish was normal size. I know sometimes when restaurants do special menus like this the portion sizes come out smaller than if you were to order off of the regular menu but that was not the case with Mae's HRW menu. 1st course: we got the seafood croqueta and empanadilla to start. The seafood croqueta was awesome. It was crispy, had great seafood flavor and a light crunch from the fry. The empanadilla was succulent and the pork was juicy and seasoned well. I would highly recommend both of these starters. 2nd course: I got the gambas al ajillo and my girlfriend got the tuna tartare. The gambas al ajillo was probably my favorite dish of the night. This came with 5 shrimp dressed in garlic and olive oil tossed with some beans and served with bread. The shrimp had a little kick but the seasonings knocked my socks off. GET THIS IS YOU COME HERE! The tuna tartare was also good. It was light and refreshing but the Gambas stole the show this course. 3rd course: my girlfriend got the filet mignon and I got the seafood paella. The filet was cooked perfectly and came with potatoes and some veggies. This was a full plate! The seafood paella was enormous and came out in a huge cast iron skillet. It came with shrimp and small pieces of calamari and the rice was cooked and seasoned so well. It was so much food! Once again the shrimp was well cooked and paired well with the rice in the dish. 4th course: for dessert, my girlfriend got the Gypsy Arm which is a sponge cake filled with custard and whipped cream. I got the peach cake which was a yogurt cake topped with a peach compote. The winner of this course by far was the Gypsy Arm. This dessert was cold and still light even with the custard and cake. It had crystallized sugars on the cake which gave it nice contrasting textures. I should have ordered the Gypsy arm instead of the peach cake but I wanted to get something different than my girlfriend. The peach cake wasn't bad but it wasn't extraordinary. Overall, Mad has become one of our favorite restaurants of the month! We will definitely be coming back for their normal menu after HRW is over. The atmosphere of this restaurant is a little upscale so I would come dressed for a fun night out. If you just want some nice cocktails, the bar area is beautiful to hang out at but you should definitely order some food because the food here is spectacular! read more

See all

Tonight, we went to MAD Houston because we had a $40 OpenTable dining credit. The food and service from our server were genuinely great, and we were excited for what should have been a really enjoyable night. Unfortunately, everything changed when it was time to pay. The $40 credit we booked through OpenTable was completely disregarded, and when we politely asked about it, the manager on duty (I believe his name was Dario) responded with unnecessary aggression and disrespect. Instead of helping resolve the issue or even listening, he dismissed our concerns entirely and escalated the interaction in a way that felt hostile and unprofessional. What stood out most wasn't the missing $40 -- it was the complete lack of hospitality. Good restaurants understand that customer service matters just as much as the food. A manager should never make guests feel threatened, belittled, or unwelcome for asking about a promotion that was advertised and expected. It's disappointing because the kitchen and waitstaff did their jobs well, but the way management handled a simple concern ruined the experience entirely. We left feeling disrespected rather than valued as customers, and that's not something you expect from a restaurant positioned as an upscale dining experience. read more

See all

The food the service and the artwork is something truly special. Each entree was so well executed and the service was like no other. They were timed in their delivery and each course was brought with precision. The food was extraordinary! If you want a truly unique dining experience then this is your place. We tried their restaurant week special so we were able to sample a variety of their dishes which was phenomenal. We will be back! read more

See all

I came here with a girlfriend for some drinks and light apps since we were hanging out and hopping to other places as well. We were seated at the bar and the restaurant is super big and spacious! We were initially greeted at the front by 2 hosts and then escorted to our chairs for the bar. This was about 7PM and they were fairly busy with multiple tables enjoying dinner together. The bar is very decorative with lots of different features to showcase Houston and Madrid and the TV's played something about Madrid. Our bartender Edgar took care of us really well! He's super friendly and took our orders promptly after we had a chance to look over the menu. He also threw in an order of the empanadas which were quite delicious! We ordered shishito peppers which are my favorite. The Hamachi crudo tostada was definitely good and very light as well! Both our drinks were very good and quite large for both of us so we didn't get to finish them but I'd definitely plan to come back again and try more food on the menu! read more

See all

We celebrated my daughter's 18th birthday at MAD, and once again, it was an exceptional experience. We were a party of six, and from start to finish, everything was perfect. Our waiter truly stood out--he had excellent customer service, was incredibly attentive, and knew the menu inside and out. We trusted his recommendation and ordered the seafood paella, which was absolutely delicious. This was my second time dining at MAD, and both visits have been amazing. The food, the service, and the atmosphere all come together to make it a memorable experience. Highly recommend for any special occasion--or any time you want an outstanding meal! read more

See all

Valentine's at MAD was outstanding. Service as always excellent!. Everything was delicious: papas bravas, croquetas, gambas al ajillo, jamon ibérico, pulpo, branzino... perfectly prepared. The dessert was a work of art: beautiful and delicious. The four-course menu had a lot of great options and well priced. Highly recommended! Come for the full menu or few tapas and their signature Gin Tonics. You are going to have a great experience read more

MAD - Strawberry mousse dessert, flying eggs, strawberry gin tonic - Spanish Near Me - Houston, Texas

As a Spanish girl living in the U.S., this place is my absolute go-to! It truly feels like a little piece of Spain away from home. If you're not sure what to order, here are my must-haves: start with the Ultimate Croquetas (so creamy and flavorful!), Jamón Ibérico with pan con tomate, wagyu crisp, hamachi tostada, and the classic gambas al ajillo -- perfect for sharing, just like we do in Spain. For mains, you can't go wrong with the pulpo, cooked perfectly, and of course the traditional seafood paella. The rice is authentic, rich in flavor, and exactly how Spanish seafood rice should taste. And definitely leave some room for dessert and order the "huevos voladores"! It's the perfect sweet ending to an amazing meal. If you're craving a true taste of Spain, this is the place! read more

See all

Incredibly fresh ingredients, good execution and great ambiance for date nights and celebratory dinners. We got the 6 course ($125) and 4 course ($55) experience. Added the wine pairing for $28 to the 4 course and it was exquisite. Our server Sophia was super attentive and proactive. Having visited Barcelona and Madrid before, this meal brought us back to that trip. Loved the suckling pig, seafood paella and visually appealing, bright colors used in plating and appetizers. Thank you MAD Houston! read more

See all

MAD is definitely one of the slickest, most "posh"-looking restaurants in Houston -- very trendy, very polished, and honestly a bit on the snobby side in terms of vibe. The presentation of the dishes is fantastic, and the food itself is good with solid flavors. But if you're looking for true Spanish cuisine, this isn't the place. The menu feels more like an Americanized, upscale take on Spanish dishes rather than authentic flavors. Service, to their credit, was excellent -- attentive and professional. Overall, it's overpriced, but I understand the appeal since it's a hot, trendy spot. Still, for me, it's not worth going back. I'd much rather go to BCN for a more genuine and satisfying experience read more

MAD - Spanish Near Me - Houston, Texas

See all

Phenomenal. An experience. From drinks to desserts, it's very much worth the price. I love the decor inside, but usually opt for the patio. I keep coming back for the bravas tomas. read more

See all

If you are looking for a retro and modern style date night then MAD fits the ambiance. My fiancé and I opted for the tomahawk special for $125 which was a great deal. You get a very well seasoned tomahawk steak with a delicious paella and a red bottle of wine. Our server was very attentive and suggested options that would fit our dinner; such as selecting from four different types of paella. He also presented our dis that was presented in a huge skillet and then transferred it to a nice plate. read more

MAD - Tomahawk steak - Spanish Near Me - Houston, Texas

We were lucky to get Vic as our Server. He was fantastic! The food was equally wonderful and the cool ambience makes for a really great dining experience Plus... the bar tenders make wonderful cocktails that you definitely want to explore. Valet out front makes parking easy. read more

See all

We decided to come to MAD for after brunch drinks and cake for a friends birthday. This was my first time here. Our waiter recommended light bites while we drank. They were super tasty. The potatoes were extremely fresh and hot. Be careful. Haha They were about to close in between lunch and dinner and allowed us to stay. There were no other customers there. We began to ask questions about the art and our waiter graciously took us around the restaurant on a tour. He was extremely thorough and engaged. You can tell he was passion Su about what he was sharing with us. If you haven't been. The food is so good and the staff especially Tito did an amazing job. Check out the ambiance. There is so much history in one space. When you think of MAD remember Madrid enjoy! read more

See all

Tapas are great, good atmosphere as well Paella is delicious and good portion ........................... read more

MAD - Spanish Near Me - Houston, Texas

See all

I had an incredible experience here this past Saturday night and cannot recommend the team enough. Despite it being a busy evening, the staff was absolutely amazing!! Welcoming, accommodating, and attentive to every detail. From the moment we arrived at the host stand, we felt like a priority. I also inquired about hosting a future event, and the event manager was incredibly helpful, clearly explaining all the different options and layouts they offer. To top it off, the servers and their assistants that provided seamless, high-level service throughout the entire night. If you are looking for a venue that combines professional event coordination with a warm, high-energy atmosphere and good food, this is it! read more

MAD - VALENCIA ARROZ - Spanish Near Me - Houston, Texas

See all

The restaurant was beautiful and the service was great. Went with a friend for restaurant week and really enjoyed their menu and selections. I loved the big parking garage that's available and it was easy to access the restaurant. We had some happy hour menu items to start. The ultimate croquetas were amazing and the mini empanadillas were tasty, the papas Tomas has to be my favorite with the aioli, but it did fill me up. From the restaurant week menu first course we got the ginger roll and the waygu crisp. They were alright, got some good pictures of the waygu crisp but nothing to order again. Second course the burrata and the gambas al ajillo. Burrata was lacking lots of flavor, also missing the caviar. The gambas were amazing. The beans shrimp and fresh bread, amazing. No comparison to the burrata plate which was totally lacking. Probably our least favorite. Third course we have the fillet and the seafood paella. The fillet was dry, the sauce helped but it was dry. The paella came out in the beautiful cast iron. It was very tasty but I wish it had other seafood rather than just shrimp. Finally we ended the meal with the peach cake and the gypsy arm. Both very delicious. One thing I didn't like that gratuity was already added, it was only two of us and we sat at the bar. Would I come back, maybe just for drinks and happy hour menu. read more

See all

As one of the only dedicated Spanish tapas establishments in HTown, MAD (#1) has been one of River Oaks' splashiest restaurants with an equally fancified take on Spanish gastronomy. It is the kind of vibe dining (#2) that evokes the the upscale nature of the neighborhood. It is a date spot through and through and worthy of a special occasion for the scene and be seen.(#3) There is no doubt the place is beautiful from top to bottom. The interior is festive yet intimate, modern yet convivial with the feel of a premium establishment even without ordering anything. This is not a place to come and be frugal, this is a place to splurge. The entire menu is basically various selection of tapas. Some are labeled as appetizers and mains, but really everything is shareable. There are some traditional items on here but many dishes have incorporated some kind spin that deviates from the classic dishes. I'd be hard pressed not to recommend the iberico jamon, which is salty and a perfect starter. The calamari bocadillos is also very tasty and I have a fondness for the ultimate croqueta, which both jamon and chicken stuffed with creamy bechamel with a hint of nutmeg. I am also high on the patio paella and the foie gras with wagyu. I've had mixed results with their tartare, both steak and tuna. Some days it's chilled and a wonderful texture and other days it's room temperature with a little too much funk. I haven't gone wrong with the cocktails, which are some of the best I've had in the neighborhood. Like the food and decor, a lot of care goes into the presentation and most cocktails are bordering the sub $20 range. While I give them high marks (#4) in most everything, one ding comes from the service. I've had stellar results with one wait staff member, but the rest have been a bit tough with a 'tude, especially the bartenders. While it's conceivable that I'm simply going on their busiest nights, I also think that spending more should also mean enhanced customer service. The other issue is also subjective but the portions are always just so minimal. No tapas joint is going to offer big portions since the point is to have a taste and share a plate. But I often feel like the price for the taste is stunted partly because many things are just a bite. It's a solid bite for the most part but I've left here with many zeros on the receipts and still walked out with the ability to eat some more. First world problems. At the end of the day, it's an experience. For folks looking for a variety of everything with a vibe to truly match it. I recommend coming here with a group of folks, have a few cocktails and order a bunch of plates. No matter how stellar the experience is or isn't, good company is always going to save the day. __________ (#1) Which I believe is the "Mad" in Madrid. (#2) Almost all the trendy restaurants in Houston are in this category. Except MAD actually had good food. (#3) If this is hard to understand just stop reading and go for a walk. (#4) Not as high as these bills. Sheesh. read more

See all

Some dishes/drinks come are done table side. Patatas bravas are a classic staple in tapas and are present here with a very rich aioli. Sommelier is available to walk you through your bottle and thoroughly goes over the wine. The foie gras was hands down my favorite bite as the raspberry paired extremely well with the saltiness of the foie gras. The ambiance rid quite lovely. When I went they had multiple art pieces such as works from Picasso and a mural imported from Chile on display. I enjoyed the fact it was not hard to have a conversation as the music was not overly loud. read more

See all

Really delicious paella and tapas. Service was super attentive and friendly. Enjoyable atmosphere No complaints at all! read more

See all