We are from Portugal, and some of us speak fluent Spanish. We wanted to try authentic paella in Valencia, so we searched TikTok for local recommendations to avoid tourist traps and found Yuso.
We made a reservation through Google, and they called us three times before we realised it was the restaurant. When we called back, they asked what we planned to eat and told us we could not dine at the time we requested (21:15) and needed to come at 20:45 instead.
When we arrived, a man we later learned was the manager was sitting at a table on the terrace. He told us brusquely that the restaurant was full and that there was no space for us. Once we mentioned our reservation, his tone changed and he directed us to our table.
Inside, we noticed many empty tables. We chose a table in a room where all tables were unoccupied, but the moment we entered, there was a strong sewage-like odour. The manager then asked us to move to another room, where the smell was somewhat less strong but still unpleasant.
The menu listed paella for €16, which seemed low, and with no indication of size or number of portions, we assumed it was a standard serving. We also ordered sangria, which tasted like pre-made boxed sangria served with ice and lemon.
The paella itself was not terrible, but the seafood did not taste fresh. Although the pan was large, the rice layer was very thin, so the portion was small.
When the bill arrived, we saw that the paella was charged at €16 per person, which was different from how it appeared on the menu. Another table nearby also questioned this, so we asked the manager. His response was dismissive and he made gestures that felt unprofessional. When we suggested the menu should more clearly state that the price was per person, he replied in Spanish that this was not going to be changed, in a condescending way.
Overall, it felt as if this practice was common, and the behaviour of the staff was unhelpful. This was one of the most disappointing dining experiences we have had in Valencia.
Bottom line: I cannot recommend this restaurant based on the service, pricing clarity, and atmosphere. read more