South Tyneside
La Vina

La Vina

42 Front Street, South Tyneside, United Kingdom, SR6 7PG

Tapas • Pizza • Coffee • Cheese


"Before I continue, I want to clarify that this is not a tapas restaurant. If you are looking for authentic Spanish cuisine, this is not the place to go. They mainly serve side plates and pizza. My first experience at this restaurant was not great as we were constantly bothered by flies on a cold January evening. Despite this, we decided to book the restaurant for a special family dinner to celebrate a 70th birthday. However, the service was extremely slow and disappointing. It was a busy Saturday night, but with only three waiters working, it was difficult to get their attention. After 35 minutes of waiting, we had to ask for drinks ourselves. When we finally ordered our food, we were told to wait for two other tables to order first. It took 90 minutes for seven out of eight pizzas to arrive, and the last pizza took even longer, causing our food to become cold. To make matters worse, it was the birthday girl's pizza that was delayed. We had to beg for our second round of drinks, which arrived just before we received the bill. The only efficient part of the night was paying the bill. Despite the busy night, the staff made no effort to rectify the situation or offer any apologies. If they cannot handle a full restaurant, they should not accept so many reservations. I have not given this restaurant a one-star review only because the price for the food is fair. Overall, our family was extremely disappointed and will not be returning."