Best Tapas In Chicago
Cafe Iberico
737 N. LaSalle Ave.
Chicago, IL 60654
(312) 573-1510
www.cafeiberico.com
For a festive, spacious atmosphere and one of the most popular tapas restaurants in all of Chicago, head to this River North restaurant. The restaurant features regional cuisine from all over Spain -- including paella -- but it's their tapas that people truly adore. Choose from cold tapas like caldo gallego to hot tapas like a delicious patatas bravas, a spicy potato dish. While the menu has plenty of options, be sure to save room for dessert -- which you can enjoy tapas style too, or save it all for yourself.
3656 N. Ashland Ave.
Chicago, IL 60613
(773) 404-2855
www.buleriastapas.com
Named after the Spanish flamenco dance, Bulerias in Lakeview is the perfect place to have a leisurely dinner. Whether you're in the mood for vegetarian tapas (artichokes tossed in dressing), meat (like traditional serrano ham with manchego cheese), shellfish, fish or even rice, there's literally something for everyone. While the restaurant is open every day, be sure to stop in on Sunday nights when they offer a Cana y Tapas special (as long as it's not a Flameno Sunday), which means getting any beer for just $3.50 with the purchase of any tapa.
Cafe Marbella
5527 N. Milwaukee Ave.
Chicago, IL 60630
(773) 853-0128
www.cafemarbellatapas.com
Classic, as well as creative, dishes are Chef Virgilio Trujillo's forte at this Gladstone Park restaurant. While you can take your pick from their entrees as well, it's easy to make a whole meal out of their tapas offerings. Enjoy a leisurely meal of sopa de aijo, calamares a la plancha, tortilla espanola, and so much more -- including a rotating list of specials. Just make sure to bring drinks with you, as they're BYOB.
626 N. State St.
Chicago, IL 60654
(312) 698-5000
www.quartinochicago.com
If you're looking for Italian small plates -- or tapas -- check out this lovely restaurant on the Near North Side. Tapas here are different than the usual, as the small plates are quite simple... but no less delicious. Take your pick of olives, as well as salumi. And don't stop there. Their choices of formaggi (cheese) are perfect pairings to go with all that delicious meat, like soppresetta and truffle salame. For something a little bit more, opt for the spuntini section of the small plate menu, which includes items like simple but wonderful roasted peppers with capers and garlic, or a roasted beet salad. With this wonderful menu, Quartino is great for groups (all the more you can try off the menu!) and they do a great job at planning private events in the restaurant.
1146 W. Pratt Blvd.
Chicago, IL 60626
(773) 856-3486
www.twistedtapas.us
As the Rogers Park restaurant's name implies, these aren't your traditional tapas. Rather, all the small plates here are a fusion of flavors, from Asian to Italian, and everything in between. To go with the wagyu short rib, chicken meatballs, fish tacos, and escaragot (we told you there's variety!), take your pick of crafty cocktails. To make this dining experience even more wonderful, the service here is top-notch, and all the wait staff will gladly help you narrow down your dining options, ensuring you have a fabulous meal.
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