Esquina

Really enjoyed our meal here and would give this place a solid 4 stars. The portions are surprisingly generous, especially for the price, so it definitely feels like good value for money. Everything we ordered was tasty and satisfying. The restaurant has a really nice vibe too. It is spread across two storeys, with bar counter seating downstairs as well as outdoor seating, which gives it a lively and relaxed feel. There is a 2 hour dining restriction, but that was quite reasonable for our meal and did not feel too rushed. Our server was efficient and the service was good throughout. What really stood out was the little gesture at the end. We did not order dessert, but they still offered us two mini desserts to finish the meal. Such a nice and thoughtful touch, and definitely something that left a good impression. One small downside is that there is not really anywhere to put your bags, so we had to use a baby chair to hold them. Not a huge issue, but something they could improve. Overall, a fun Spanish restaurant with generous portions, good value, nice vibes and genuinely thoughtful service. Would happily come back again.

We celebrated our wedding anniversary with a little taste of Spain at Esquina, and it turned out to be a wonderful choice for the occasion. Tucked away in a shophouse along Jiak Chuan Road, Esquina is an intimate tapas bar serving contemporary Spanish and Catalan cuisine by Barcelona-born Chef-Owner Carlos Montobbio. The setting is cosy and lively, with an open-kitchen concept that lets you watch the team at work. We went for the tasting menu, which gave us a chance to experience a good variety of dishes and flavours. The standout for us was definitely the Spanish suckling pig. The skin was beautifully crisp while the meat remained wonderfully tender and flavourful. One bite immediately brought back memories of our travels in Spain, which made the anniversary meal feel even more special. The service throughout the evening was warm and attentive, and the pacing of the tasting menu allowed us to enjoy each course without feeling rushed. Esquina manages to deliver refined cooking while retaining the relaxed, convivial spirit we associate with Spanish dining. Great food, intimate atmosphere, and a lovely place for a date night or special celebration.

We visited this Spanish tapas bar for its 15th anniversary nostalgic menu, and it was such a memorable experience. Every dish felt like a journey through the restaurant’s history, from the fresh Cadoret Oyster to the rich Foie Gras. Our favorites were the Carabinero “al ajillo” with its fragrant garlic oil and the Mini Uni Paella, packed with lobster, uni and seafood flavors. The atmosphere was warm and lively, especially sitting by the bar with drinks. The complimentary petit fours at the end were a lovely touch. A perfect place for date nights and anyone who enjoys restaurants with stories.

Food was good, there were a lot of interesting items on the menu so we can't help but to over order. But actually lunch set was actually adequate. The restaurant gave us a very good gastronomical experience with us being able to see how the food is being prepared, plated and served to us. The tastes of the food were fantastic, would recommend coming in small groups as the seats are mostly counter seats. Waitresses were attentive and pronto in action. Worth coming back! For those who haven't tried, I'd highly recommend!

Headed over for birthday celebration. First off about the ambience and service: The floor outside the restaurant is so oily! It could’ve caused someone to fall if not careful. Second, we found out that the toilet door was spoilt and it couldn’t lock. And we told the staff about it, they only said they’ll have someone to ‘look after it’. This is atrocious! Our friend got opened their door midway through business. Luckily it was same gender else it’s just outrage of modesty. Third, we had made reservations and even messaged them to confirm if we needed to book the suckling pig. They had said it wasn’t necessary, but when we arrived, it was already sold out! What a disappointment. We also noticed that we were celebrating birthdays and would have appreciated it if they had mentioned that the cakeage charge was applicable. We didn’t know this until we arrived, and while we appreciated the staff’s willingness to keep the cake for us, it was a waste of effort to have it if we couldn’t actually enjoy it after dinner. Last, food was alright. Mains were good such as the octopus, lamb and tenderloin and iberico pork. Though I must say servings is rather small but I guess it’s spanish food so tapas size? Total bill ~$295 excluding any alcohol. Filtered refillable water at $2++ per pax.

Hidden gem !! Everything is nice here. Tapas place means you get to try many dishes. I love their oyster and the sauce with it. So appetising and super delicious. The truffle sour dough is perfect with the caramelised onion. Roasted pork is surprisingly nicely done but im not a roast pork person. Strawberry Dessert is so balanced, not too sweet and with the right amount of liquor. Service is good and fun to sit at counter seats. Will definitely be back to try more other stuff. They are having 15th anniversary dishes now. Yummy!

Came for Esquina’s 15th anniversary menu and not only the flavour wows, we appreciated the spiel behind the each creation through the years, to taste the first tapas that chef Carlos presented when he first arrived in SG and such a treat to be served “off the menu” items. For the 15th anniversary celebration, the uni paelle which is usually only available in a tasting menu is ala carte - do make space for this. Absolutely delightful evening - casual lively vibes and josper grills that hits the spot, explains why it stands after fifteen good years. Congratulations Chef Carlos and team Esquina 🥂

Here’s a polished version of your review: Food Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ The food was super delicious and beautifully presented. Every dish was well-executed, with great flavors and quality ingredients. The only downside is that the portions are on the smaller side, so don’t expect a very filling meal. The biggest issue was the waiting time. We waited almost 1 hour for the food to arrive, only to finish everything in about 10 minutes. Considering the portion sizes, the long wait felt a little excessive. Pricing is also on the higher side, which makes the overall value slightly harder to justify. That said, the food itself was excellent and definitely the highlight of the experience. Overall: Great food, small portions, long wait times, and a fairly pricey bill. Worth trying if you’re not in a rush and don’t mind paying a premium for quality. 🍽️✨