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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. :)
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.
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
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. ;)
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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!
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!
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.
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.
2 years ago
This restaurant is really cool! The decor and ambiance is fun and filled with twists and turns. I wasn't impressed with the food as much as I expected. Kinda reminded me of playing in my little kitchen lol fun ways to display everyday items. read more
I love this place for upscale, moody vibes. From the trendy decor and funhouse mirror bathrooms, they really hit the mark on atmosphere. I've come here for my birthday and also girls' brunches. The gin & tonics are *amazing* - not cheap at $16ea but sooo delicious! The food presentation is also eye-catching. One of my G&Ts came with flaming garnish. Another win for MAD is their happy hour! They have both drink + food specials, and it's a great way to try new dishes at a lower price point. The reason I'm rating 4 / 5 is for the consistency in food quality. Some dishes are amazing (like the pulpo) and others are disappointing (pork croissant). There are also some weird quirks with service... they ask you if you want still or sparkling water but fail to tell you that still and sparkling are $8pp, while "regular" water is free (tap). I've learned to always say "tap water is fine," but some people in my group did not and were surprised at the $40 charge for water on our bill. Additionally, service speed is inconsistent. It was not particularly busy on either occasion I've visited this year, but sometimes drinks come out right away, and other times it could take up to 20 minutes. The food comes out as it's ready, so not much to complain about that. Regardless, it's a fun spot to visit and overall a positive experience! read more
1 year ago
The ambiance was amazing! We tried the tasting menu, which did not disappoint. Food was well paired with wine from the Spanish region. Not only did it taste amazing, but the way it was presented was beautiful. I enjoyed every dish and left very satisfied. Definitely will be back! Worth to try the tasting menu with wine pairing. read more
3 years ago
The vibe is cool, the restaurant decor is fun and lively. We've been three times, most recently April 2023. Service was attentive and good. The food is quality but way overpriced. I get that it is quality over quantity, but wow is it too expensive for what you get. The churros are delicious. The Jamón Ibérico with the tomato bread was my favorite ($35). The bread is delicious. The croquetas (4 for $16) were good and very rich. The Jamon Bao Buns (ham and butternut squash) were very good and small for $16. At $8 per tiny bao - it's just not worth it. The Beet Ravioli was very pretty and unusual. The Porcini Bomba Rice with Cochinillo Iberico (mushroom rice with suckling pig) was the most expensive thing we got at $85. The suckling pig is delicious and we would totally get that again. The porcini bomba mushroom rice was so so greasy. It was dripping in oil. Talking to others who have gotten the same rice, I think ours was just badly made. Others said there dish wasn't swimming in oil. Some of the items were delicious but at $200 (no alcohol), the food (quantity and quality) just isn't commensurate with the price. read more
They'll be your dream, they'll be your wish, they'll be your fantasy They'll be your hope, they'll be your love, be everything that you need You'll love them more with every dish truly, madly, deeply do I am not wrong, I will be faithful 'cause MAD will give you A new beginnin' A reason for livin' A deeper meaning, yeah I wanna order two more hamachi I wanna taste more yuzu foam I wanna eat like this forever Until my stomach bursts open on me And when the croquetas come out fluffy with the most perfect fry You'll take that first bite, it is so good and will make you want to cry The tears of joy for all the pleasure and the creativity You'll be surrounded by many options and concoctions Of the highest powers During dinner hours You'll devour everything An' I wanna order two more steak tartare I wanna taste more of that edible paper I wanna eat like this forever Until my stomach bursts open on me Oh, can you smell it, foodies? You don't have to close your eyes They're cookin' right before you All that you crave will surely come Ooh, yeah They'll be your dream, they'll be your wish, they'll be your fantasy They'll be your hope, they'll be your love, be everything that you need You'll love them more with every dish truly, madly, deeply do I am not wrong, I will be faithful 'cause MAD will give you A new beginnin' A reason for livin' A deeper meaning, yeah I wanna order two more Rabo de wagyu I wanna taste more of that delectable beef I wanna eat like this forever Until my stomach bursts open on me -Sailor out read more
2 years ago
Had brunch with friends on a Sunday at Mad and it was an awesome experience. Absolutely love the vibe and decor! The sangria was beautifully made. We had the seafood paella, octopus, lobster roll and a side of potatoes. Really good cheesecake and churros. Great service too! read more
3 years ago
We were running late to our reservation but they still honored our table, so good customer service starting off. Our waiter was good. When my bubble on my drink popped before he arrived, he brought me out another bubble lol. The decor overall was nice, but I have to say I really did not like the close quarter seating arrangement. We literally could reach over and get something off of someone else's plate, that's how close we were. In fact the guest next to us heard our conversation and then made suggestions on what to try lol. We were nice about it but just know that most of the seating is close together. I don't remember the names of the dishes but I had the duck taco and it was super tiny I mean smaller than a fortune cookie. It was interesting , but not something I would order again. We also had the beet ravioli. The ravioli was light and a good palate cleanser after the duck taco. For our main dishes my husband had the chicken and rice (forgot what flavor his was). I had the octopus and squid ink rice. The squid ink rice was very good and the octopus was tender. I would recommend that dish for sure. My husbands chicken was very tender but I preferred my rice better. If your into photos, the restroom area was the photo spot with all the cool lights. Also they have valet that is complementary. When the valet guy dropped the car he tried to tell us it was $10 dollars and then when we corrected him he said we work for tips. Well he was going to get a tip but when he pulled that stunt that blocked his blessing from my pocket. Overall it was a cool experience to have a different dinner date night. read more
2 years ago
MAD was a lot of fun. Come for dishes that place visual appeal above all else, just enjoy the art. The dishes and cocktails were interesting and the interior of the restaurant itself is interesting. The Jamon Iberico was, by far, the standout star. I did not personally taste the pulpo, but my friend said it was wonderful. The wine list is enviable. read more
1 year ago
1 year ago
Came here for a quick dessert for our anniversary and didn't know it was happy hour! Nice options on the menu. I've come here several times and enjoy it. Beautiful indoor restaurant, service always nice. We ordered a small bite off the happy hour and two other desserts. The lava cake is a MUST every time. The cheese and wine pairing in a dessert is so delicious! They also gave us a free little dessert for our anniversary which was very cute. read more
3 years ago
Reservation highly preferred! No rules about reservations on Monday (happy hour all day) I made a reservation a week in advance for 715pm on a Monday night and we got seated immediately. The interior is exquisite with beautiful light fixtures, nice comfy seating, and great lighting. I ordered the happy hour wine and some bites to share with a friend and we were happy with all of our choices. The bites seem to all be fried, using something fried, breaded or in lots of cheese so if you're looking for healthy this is not it. Each dish was cooked perfectly and presented in such a cute way. I think this is a great place to take someone who's in town visiting or if you're looking to a fun date night. read more
Bae and I had a date night. He picked the place and said he had been there once before. Seeing as though I was missing Miami, he said this would be the perfect place. As we entered, I was impressed by the ambiance and decoration, very vibey. We were seated in a small booth towards the back. I started off with a glass of the Raventos de Nit Cava Rose, subtle and bubbly. My partner had the Watermelon mocktail - and said it was delicious. My partner knew I was doing a review so we decided to try a little of everything. For appetizers, we started with the Bravas Tomas, Empanadillas, Steak Tartare, Rabo de Wagyu, and Grilled Shrimp Al Ajilio. The Bravas Tomas was filling and savory. The empanadillas were decent - lacking flavor but crispy. The Steak Tartare was made so intricately - I loved the display of it and the fact that it was made with edible potato paper was so cool, the taste was nothing memorable. The Rabo de Wagyu was absolutely delicious. The grilled shrimp al Ajilio came out steaming and hot but I think they were old because they smelled a bit funny and were overcooked - rubbery to taste. Before we even ordered appetizers, we had decided on our entrees after tasting the appetizers, I was like no. Let's share something because I definitely wanted dessert. We ended up getting the Valencia Arroz with the Shishito Peppers. The waiter asked if we wanted it for one or two people, my partner said one. Initially, I was like um, I don't know about that. But when it came out, there was no way one person could eat this. It was the perfect thing to share with two people. The rice was okay, I felt it was slightly undercooked, but maybe that's just how it comes. The showstopper was the chicken - literally juicy and delicious! The shishito peppers were delicious as well, I loved the seasoning they put on them! A couple next to us got the dessert-tasting menu, so we asked them what their favorites were. They said get the Huevos Voladores. We decided to also get the Praline Bar, because who doesn't like chocolate and peanut butter? When the Huevos Voladores came out, it was presented by the server "Tito" - the way he described the dish was amazing. Honestly, I wish he would've been our server because our server was less attentive. The Huevos Voladores came and left no crumbs, such a delicious dish! The Praline Bar was not my favorite but the mango sorbet that came with the dish paired perfectly with the Huevos Voladores. I would come back for the drinks, the ambiance, and the Valencia Arroz, Shishito Peppers, and Huevos Voladores. read more
3 years ago
If you're looking for an amazing food experience, this is the spot. This has to be one of the best spots we have been to in Houston. The moment you walk through the doors and are greeted by the lovely host(s/esses), you are swept away with the theming of the restaurant. We had reservations and I always recommend making them, however, they didn't seem to be completely necessary (at least tonight). We had the privilege to be served by ERIC! This is our second time here and we made sure to ask for him. He made excellent recommendations, was attentive, friendly, and truly seemed to go over the top to ensure we had a memorable experience! Everyone is definitely friendly and attentive, but a big shout out to Eric (he is also bilingual which for us is a big plus). Food was incredibly delicious. The drinks were terrific. Overall we had such a great time and we definitely plan on coming back. Parking: there is valet parking which is very convenient but there is also street parking available if you get there early enough. Third option is garage parking. We were lucky enough to find street parking when we arrived at 5 pm on a Friday. read more
Such a fun experience... presentations, textures, service, company.. tapas with a twist. Looks like the menu changes regularly so can imagine another session here in the future. It's a whimsical place so go have some fun... read more
We did the tasting menu and it was a nice experience to enjoy the top dishes the restaurant had to offer. Service was the best, with an attentive team to bring out different dishes. Great location for date night or an intimate dinner. Hands down would recommend leaving the little ones at home since menu is a little intricate and $$$ (as we left our 2 tots at home). read more
2 years ago
This place is MAD experience (in a good way). They serve unique and delicious Latin cuisine. I highly recommend MAD read more
An absolutely beautiful restaurant with great food. The art and decor is incredible giving the vibe of fine dining in a contemporary art gallery. Mad offers an experience that is difficult to match with a staff that gave the impression that they were happy you were spending time at their restaurant. (Not just doing their job). We started with cocktails giving us time to soak in the surroundings. The mixologists are highly skilled and take pride in their craft. However not practical, you'll want to try every beverage on the extensive craft cocktail list. My food was as amazing as the cocktails so go with friends and share different dishes. The Pulpo (octopus) was grilled, tender and full of flavor. The menu is has something for everyone and takes time to sort through so many options. Of course, they are on the must repeat list to continue my journey through the menu. read more
1 year ago
I've been wanting to try this place for awhile now and finally got around to visiting! My husband and I went for restaurant week and was amazed by the interior decor and the food! They did an awesome job with the ambiance, it has such a nice vibe, with the live music and private art piece collections from Picasso and Salvador Dalí! We've always had an appreciation for gastronomy and MAD did not disappoint! The tapas were both delicious and playful, for the main entree I highly recommend the Fire & Ice, the sweetness of the piquillo pepper sorbet mixed with the creamy spinach on top of filet mignon really added another dimension of flavor! We also tried the restaurant week cocktail pairing and were blown away by how tasty the drinks were! We had their Gin & Tonic, some kind of spicy rum drink (sorry didn't catch the name of it), and the Carajillo. The staff were very attentive and friendly, and I love how their manager Andrew came and checked in on us and took the time to tell us about the art pieces in the restaurant! Overall we had such a spectacular time and can't wait to visit again! read more
the atmosphere is fun. There is a live DJ and the interior design is elegant and mysterious. We ordered: -Papas bravas ($14): this was my favorite dish, because although it was simple, the foam sauce on top was really good. The portion size was also more reasonable. -Virgin mojito ($12): probably should not have gotten this drink because I paid $12 for lemonade -16 oz. Fillet mignon ($95): this dish was absolutely overpriced. A 16 ounce filet mignon shouldn't cost this much, unless it comes with special sides. But the side that came with the steak was creamed spinach, which is so cheap and not unique. The steak itself was pretty good, but filet mignon is naturally good. -tuna appetizer ($18): this was good, but you can't really go wrong with tuna sashimi in a citrus marinade. I also think that two slices of sashimi for $18. It's also a little much. -sashimi ($22): this appetizer, although small about four slices, I believe, was very tasty. It also came with a little bit of caviar, so the price point was much more reasonable. We made a reservation days in advance and unfortunately we got seated at the worst table possible. There is a lone table that is away from everything else, right next to the DJ, and right in front of the entrance. So, of course we were away from everyone else which wasn't great, the music was booming in my ears, and the cold breeze kept blowing towards us every time the door opened. I asked to be moved, but unfortunately, there were no other tables. Service was also not good. They checked on us multiple times before we ordered to see what we wanted to order and then after the food came, they never came to check on us. read more
2 years ago
Highly recommend. Wife and I had a date night here and were not disappointed. The food was excellent and the atmosphere was great. I loved the Astronaut theme sprinkled throughout. The 2-top seats facing the kitchen kept the meal interesting, watching the cooks stoke their flames with a fan. They were a little "intimate" and close with the other guests, but it's not a large place so it is what it is. We had the Waygu on Toast, the Truffle Toast, Croquettes, Carbonarra....alll incredible. From the cocktail menu, the Cosecha Abudante was a winner! read more
3 years ago
This place is a vibe!!! Service and food is good. I would come back for some dishes but honestly mostly for drinks. Our server Josh was superb. He told us about the astronaut experience or I forgot what it was called lol. He creates a tasting menu for us it's great for when a group doesn't know what to get. Honestly everything on the menu looks so amazing but I didn't love any of the dishes. Each dish is unique but has a lot of different flavors going on. The paella wasn't too great either it was soggy. Lowkey just tasted like the frozen Costco fried rice it wasn't crispy either. A lot of the dishes I tried did have a fruit/jam ingredient in it too. They have little holders for your purses which I love! Also beware when you go to the bathroom it's trippy haha. Hamachi Crips 8/10 Foie gras 5/10 Pulpo 7/10 Lobster carpaccio 5/10 (I wanted to like this but had a lot of garlic chuncks) Paella 4/10 Steak Tartare 9/10 Wagyu 10/10 read more
2 years ago
What an experience! Straight from Madrid... the food was exquisite! The customer service was great and the ambiance was eccentric and lively. If you're looking for something different, then this is a great spot. It's going to cost you (see receipt)... but, it's worth every penny. My only complaint is going to be the seating arrangement. The space where we were seated was a section cramming 4 tables within 3 feet of one another. I think they should eliminate at least one of those tables to give the couples eating a little more space. We could literally hear everything thing said by the coupe next to us. Other than that... a great experience. The huevos voladores were truly the highlight of the evening! read more
Our waiter, Daniel, made a delightful first impression. He said they are known for their G&T's, so following his recommendation I ordered the Fresa: the strawberry and earthiness of the gin are both prominent flavors. HRW: the food came out family-style, so I was fortunate enough to try several items. The Bravos Tomas had a very creamy flavor with the occasional hint of spice, but nothing really stood out. The watermelon burrata wasn't the best pairing of melon and cheese. The winner of our first course was the Serranito. It's all the right combo of savory flavors and the epitome of an excellent tapas sampling. In true HRW fashion, our rule is that no two people may order the same item. As such, I ordered the Spanish Huevos with shrimp. My friends ordered the daily rice and the MAD burger. Once I tried the MAD burger, every other dish faded into oblivion. Y'all. The burger is to freaking die for. Everything else is a waste of your time and precious tummy calories. The burger was so good, I can't even fathom taking another bite of my subpar eggs and fishy-tasting shrimp. I'm regretting my life choices and just watching my friend enjoy the rest of her burger. So, overall, fun ambiance. Great burger. Everything else was alright. read more
2 years ago
I have a love and hate relationship with Tapa restaurants. You get great and flavorful food but it is small plates so often times I feel leaving hungry after spending tons of money on food. I dined in at mad during restaurant week and it was reasonable priced with a decent amount of food. I was little skeptical as the first couple of dishes were small. As the meal progressed on the plates started to get bigger. They really take the great dishes and flavors of Spain and deliver them to your table. Some of the standouts to me were the ultimate croquetta and the paella was so flavorful. The octopus was another hit with me. It was cooked just right it wasn't too crunchy and didn't taste slimey either it is hard to get octopus cooked right. A very trendy and posch vibe to the place. A place to go to get seen in the trendy Royal Oaks neighborhood. If you are looking for a great place to get dinner with excellent tapas I can't recommend this place enough. The staff treated us well and gave us a great rundown and recommendations on the menu. read more
3 years ago
Let's start off by saying this restaurant is stunning! The design is upscale and fun. They also had a dj playing the night we went. Our server was so attentive and really took the time to break down the menu for us and offer various suggestions. The menu was sectioned off into three sections: individual tapas, shareable appetizers, and entrees. For an appetizer, we shared the tuna tartare and it was amazing! For entree, we wanted to try a paella. These were offered in two different sizes as well as an option to create a custom paella. We chose the small size of the surf and turf which is said to be good for 1-2 people. It was perfect! The filet mignon and lobster tail were great portion size for two. My only critique is that for the price I felt like the paella was missing more paella. They definitely could have added more of the rice. For dessert we went with our servers suggestion of their award winning dessert called huevos voladores. The presentation was beautiful, but it wasn't my favorite. It was ok. Since it was our anniversary they gave us a complimentary cake. The thought was nice but it was the tiniest slice ever. Thanks MAD, I will take it. Overall, liked the restaurant but would skip the dessert and maybe go for the drinks. read more
2 years ago
2 years ago
MAD is a Houston must for any adventurous eater! The ambiance and branding are creative, just like their fresh takes on Spanish flavor profiles. My family went on Christmas Eve and had a blast; our waiter was friendly and had great recommendations on which starters and cocktails to get. I sipped on a torero nacional. For tapas we did the tuna tartare, bravas tomas (a must-try!), and the Spanish chopped salad. As a solo pintxos I did their marrow y caviar, a crunchy, creamy, unctuous bite that was the perfect size. I had the pan seared branzino as my main, expertly cooked with crispy skin, accompanied by creamy mashed potato, apple roulettes, trout roe, and a silky cava beurre blanc. For dessert I enjoyed a raspberry and red wine sorbet, which was the perfect end to such a well-prepared meal. I will definitely be going back to try their brunch or happy hour menus! read more
3 years ago
This is a review for the 2023 Houston restaurant week menu. Everything was yummy, and we got four courses. We ate at the bar and absolutely loved our bartender, though we didn't catch his name, and he was listed as "Bartender 2" on our receipt. Our service and recommendations were excellent. Do be aware that they add gratuity automatically for restaurant week, no matter your party size. We wouldn't have caught that if we had read the itemized receipt. Here's what I had: - Hamachi tostada: Small little plate to start of the meal, delicious flavors and different textures, yum! - Beet ravioli: The "pasta" part was actually made of beets, so it wasn't quite what I was expecting, but it was really good if you like beets! - MAD chicken: The sauce was so delicious, and I actually liked it better than my husband's branzino (seabass), which was one of the upcharge options. - Basque cheesecake: This was a generous-size piece of cheesecake for a HRW menu, and I gobbled up every bite. I also thought my husband's apple finacier cake was good too, but if I had to do it again, I would still order the cheesecake because (1) I love cheesecake and (2) there was more of it! read more
4 years ago
This place was really beautiful and artistic located in the heart of River Oaks, but if you're looking for good food this place will really leave you MAD! There was nothing inventive or unique about the food, the quality and flavor was lacking. You will pay a lot of money for mediocre food. This place is all hype and no real substance. Sorry, not sorry! read more
1 year ago
1 year ago
I had so much expectation from this restaurant because I heard sooooo many good reviews about it. The ambiance of this restaurant was probably the best thing about the whole evening We did a tasting menu that was $100/pp Upon receiving our food, we peeped at the menu and was excited. Everything SOUNDED delicious and my mouth was watering -- baby eel, suckling pig, waygu??! Hell yes. Not. Everything was either too salty, gamey, or fishy. Portions are VERY small which I knew that coming in. But the sad part is 5 out of the 9 dishes remained on the plate when the server took it away simply because it was not appetizing. Some items worth mentioning: Sautéed baby eels -- looks like worms and tastes very fishy 1/5 stars Suckling pig -- very gamey 1/5 Fish of the day -- Branzino ( I love, LOVE branzino) but this was fishy. And the rice was FISHIER because they use a seafood stock. Everything was underwhelming and we left very dissatisfied. For the price you pay, the quality has to be better !!! GM came up to us and I expressed my concerns with some of the menu items but he just thanked us for the feed back. I gave an extra star because they didn't charge us for bringing in a cake and they gave the birthday girl free dessert. I don't think I would give this place another try. The drinks were tasty but food was very mediocre. read more
2 years ago
The Food was very amazing and delicious. The drinks were very well made and the ambiance was euromodern read more
This is more of a preference review. I love Spanish Tapas style restaurants and thought this one would also be a hit for me. While I'm used to Tapas style restaurants having raw options, I'm not used to the majority of the menu being raw options only. I'm a foodie, but my food game hasn't leveled up to raw fish or rare beef. Maybe in the future. Otherwise, the ambiance was nice. It's perfect for a date night spot. Service was 6/5 and the punch bowl gin and tonic was excellent. read more
3 years ago
4-star as a bar. The ambiance and decor are interesting if you are seated in the main dining room area, or at the bar (but the small curtained off sections are a little awkward). The drinks were also interesting. 3-star as a restaurant. The entrees are ridiculously expensive and the tapas are weirdly pretentious without much flavor or quality to back them. For drinks, I had... The Fresa G&T - which was nice - Zephyr gin, St. George Aqua Perfecta, basil, mint, strawberry, lemon, green tea, Q Elderflower tonic And we also had a special take on a margarita cocktail which was special that night, and was pretty good. For Tapas, we had... 2 of the Olivas Liquidas - which were really weird...they tasted like butter, and while I personally really like olive juice... I did not like this at all. Ultimate Croqueta - One with Jamon Iberico and the other was Mushroom; My preference was for the Jamon, but both were just fine. Tuna Tartare - Which was good, but not great. Hamachi Tostada - Which I liked, but I did not care for the foam. Fried Octopus Tapa - Which was just terrible, very chewy, neither of us could finish it read more
4 years ago
This place is the place to be for girls' night or the after party!! It's a bit too loud for date night though on Thursday to Saturday evenings, since there's a DJ and he BLASTS the music. If you've ever been to Las Vegas or even in midtown, imagine you're at a club but also eating small bites. There's a free parking garage nearby and it's not a far walk to the restaurant. You also find street parking as well. Do note that they are no longer serving the empanadas with the jelly. I was so saddened to hear that the last time that we went, but our waiter told us that the restaurant changes the menu often. Hopefully they bring back the empanadas! That's why I docked the one star since I was quite disappointed. The other food like the "Houston's tiniest taco" and the other dishes (pictured) were a burst of flavor in your mouth! To get the most flavor, eat it in one bite!! Make reservations in advance! No reservations needed if you're just getting drinks. Good for large groups! read more
Solid place for tapas. Went for the first time after a recommendation from work. Came here on a weekend afternoon during the summer. The parking situation is a bit rough, given it's location in an outdoor mall. The inside is top notch in terms of decoration and vibes. The inside has a good mixture of tabletops, barseats, and booths for a bit more privacy. My friend and I sat at the bar. Drinks were strong and the bartender was very knowledgeable with the menu items and despite closing soon for the post-lunch pre-dinner break, was attentive and didn't rush us. The food is good. It checks the box if you are looking for tapas. I think I'm spoiled having been to Spain twice. My favorite was the octopus, and I am a sucker for Spanish omelettes any day of the week. I will be back! read more
More info about MAD
4444 Westheimer Rd
Ste C180
Houston, TX 77027
Highland Village, Galleria/Uptown
Directions
(281) 888-2770
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http://www.madhouston.com
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Ask the Community - MAD
Have a res this weekend for outside seating at 7PM. Scheduled to high 85 degrees at 7. Are there any fans or anything or will we just melt in the sunset?
They have fans and yes will melt outside
Would you guys recommend having a birthday dinner on a Friday or Saturday night?
Yup , book well in advance and be prepared to spend , and have a great time
I wanna take my girlfriend for her birthday, how much should I be ready to spend just for the two of us?
Food alone, probably $70-$80, add a few cocktails and you're over $100
Is this a good place to celebrate my 20th birthday?
It depends what vibe you're going for! I recently came here for a birthday dinner & it was cute! It's a lot of small bites (tapas) so your bill can add up - but we ended up sharing a lot of dishes so it worked out great.
Would sneakers and ripped jeans be allowed?
I would say yes as long as you wear a dressy top you should be fine (:
Is the outdoor patio dog friendly?
I know during brunch hours it was. I'm not completely sure about dinner. They are usually super busy during dinner times so I think it might be best to leave the pup at home during dinner.
Is it 21+ or 18+?
It is a restaurant, not a bar, so I don't think there is an age limit.
How does MAD compare to BCN restaurant? Is it same thing but more modern/hip?
Let's say we are similar yet very different. Chef Luis' attention to detail, unwavering demand for highest quality ingredients and desire to bring amazing Spanish cuisine to Houston is unchanged but his MAD genius really shines here. Our MAD menu is…
Is there a bar area and seating ? Just for drinks or do you have to reserve that area like BCN bar
There is seating at the bar area, however, I believe you still have to have a reservation to sit there.
Are there gluten-free options?
Yes. Paella is rice, which is gluten free. There are other options, too.
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34 reviews that are not currently recommended
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MAD - spanish - Updated August 2026
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