Celebrate NYC Tapas Week with 13 Delicious Tapas Restaurants in Spain & NYC
So we all get it, your girl studied abroad in Spain and let me tell you with National Tapas Week coming up June 12-19th, it’s time to show some pride for the best thing ever created- Bienvenidos T A P A S. I am so excited for you guys to get a taste of this beautiful region.
To preface, Andalucía is another name for the Southern region of Spain. It encompasses, Seville, Cádiz, Jean, Granada, Málaga, Córdoba, Almeria and lastly Huelva. The culture and history of this region is so rich. If you have ever heard of flamenco dancing and bullfighting- BINGO, they originated in Andalucía. Traveling to Spain is on my bucket list and I have already been there! It’s because there is truly so much to see, experience, and learn in Andalucía. One of the best ways to learn is through eating and that’s where tapas comes into play. For more information on Andalucía visit here.
What are tapas and why are they so damn good? To answer this question fully, we have to consider that Europeans are such classy individuals, specifically when it comes to their drinking culture. Compared to Americans who drink to get obliterated and trashed. I mean sororities were fun and all but it was a lot of partying! (I was in a sorority so I know there was more to it but the point still stands). Europeans recognize that you need to eat while you drink so that you won’t be sick and one of the most popular things to do is order tapas with your beverage. Tapas are small plates, appetizers if you will. Compared to American culture where you get scolded if you only order appetizers at the restaurant, Spaniards and the rest of Europe don’t take offense to ordering lightly. There are so many different types of tapas and it only makes sense to give you a run down on the most famous ones- paella, croquetes, jamón íberico (MY FAVORITE), jamón serrano to name a few. If you are interested in learning more about the origins of tapas and the full breakdown on the many different types, visit here.
Once you feel ready to go through the list and I mean you need to brace yourself because you are going to start craving this food. Lucky for you, if you are based in NYC, I have added two of the best tapas spots that will satisfy all the cravings and make you forget that you are not traveling to Spain. Shall we? Pack your bags and let’s fly to Andalucía!
1.La Tradicional
The first on our list because this place was one of the first places that really gave me that Andalucían hospitality and fell in love with Spanish culture. The workers here were super friendly and is only a block from the nearby Cathedral. The service was excellent and the tapas were delicious. If you get the Seville and happen to like your rice a little more moist and juicy- this place is for you! I also got little squid which tasted so delicious. 10/10 recommend.
2.Rosario Varela
This was the first place that we went to in Granada and my friends and I really wanted to get tapas! This place was fantastic. We just got drinks, but then they ended up serving us ham and mayo (again classy Europeans don’t want to see their customers completely sloshed) Should I be impressed or is that the bare minimum? Very delicious if you’re asking someone who does not love to eat ham.
https://www.facebook.com/rosariovarelabar/
3. Realcázar
BY FAR THIS SPOT WAS MY FAVORITE. If you are planning on visiting Spain (which should never not be an option on your bucket list) I urge you to visit this spot. When you get to Spain, you’ll find that its location is right in the center of town and even better, right in front of the university that I was studying at. I passed by this place every day on my way to class and it was truly a privilege to eat here. A must if you are visiting Spain. The food was to die for, so scrumptious with every bite, a literal dream.
From Left to Right: Lomito Ibérico de Bellota, Croquetas Caseras, Patatas Bravas e Indomables
4. Rooms Vita and Bar
This place came with a little culture shock. American food portions are wayyy bigger than Spain and unfortunately, we learned the hard way. We were starving but then we learned a big lesson on dining in Spain which we never forgot. We got the salmon, and avocado tapas and I wouldn’t recommend them because I personally don’t like them, but my friends enjoyed them a lot so that’s something! There were so many other things on the menu so don’t let that get you. The vibe here is immaculate, the service was excellent, the price was very inexpensive! A set of 2 tapas and beer for all was only 25 for 10 people, pretty crazy!
Slight disclaimer, I couldn’t find the location on google maps. While wandering, we just happened to find it on the side of the street and chose to go there for dinner. It’s located on the intersection of Calle de los Damasqueros & Plaza del Realejo.
5. Hostal Restaurante Híspalis
Sometimes little is more and there isn’t must to say about this place other than IT’S THE LEGIT BEST YOU MUST GO! Out of all the paella that I have eaten in Spain, this by far, was the best. Who would have known that a restaurant along the side of the road near a hostel would be the one. The rice was cooked to perfection and the seafood was delicious. Highly, highly recommend this spot!!
6. Boca Borbolla
This place is one to try if you’re looking to splurge a little bit. I would recommend trying the other ones and going to this one after because I felt that the food was very similar to American food which was not something I was looking for. After eating a lot of seafood within the first few days in Spain, this plate was a great change to the typical diet but again reminded me of American food so don’t go here if you want to eat more Spanish-esque food. This restaurant is a little pricer than the other places I have been to because we later found out that they charged 1.5 Euros per piece of bread on the table. My friends got paella and I was extremely jealous because it looked delicious, but you need two people to get the dish.
7. La Zalea
A beautiful little spot in Seville with delicious food. This place is nestled in a pretty popular and local spot of town where you gt to live like you are a true Spaniard and dine like one too! I would recommend to get the Tomate relleno aguacate y gambas because it was delicious and I typically do not like to eat guacamole.
8. El Capricho Ronda
One of the best places that I have been to. If you happen to be in Ronda, please go here. I promise you, it will blow you away! The papas bravas were a little spicer than the other places have been so make sure to order another plate of food to ease your palette. I got the shrimp kabob and it was alright, but my friend got the chicken kebob and I wish I had ordered that one instead. As for the sangria, it was delicious, tasted a little different than others that we have had but after a few sips you get used to it.
9. Antigüedades Bar de Tapas
Another delicious tapas place and it was definitely a place I would go back to. We got the typical Iberian ham with bread and papas bravas. The bread wasn’t the typical hero bread that they service but it added a different taste with the different kind of bread.
10. 21 BOU Castrobar
Malagá changed my life. Let me rephrase, Malagá’s paella changed my life. Ah that’s more like it. Since this city is RIGHT along the water, it was a no-brainer that THIS would be the spot!!! I have never tasted rice this good and I don’t think I ever will. Malagá really raised the bar and raised my standards for life. When you visit Spain (yes honey I am manifesting that trip for you)- make your way to Malagá and get a taste for yourself!
11. Baja Surf Café
I literally hate myself because to most of these I am like IT’S MY FAVORITE!! But this place blew it out of the water for two reasons. 1. THE SIZE & 2.THE PRICE. I believe this was around 8 euros, 8 EUROS. Technically this dish was designed for two people but my friend barely eat which meant MORE FOR ME:) If you have the chance to take an excursion to Tenerfie in the Canary Islands, this place is a must! We traveled to the Northern part of Tenerife and there were such hidden gems like this one that blew us away!
So, there we have it now you’re ready to conquer Andalucía! Spain for one is on my list of favorite countries and now I hope you can understand just why that is. getting a taste of Spain never felt more real than this blog post. This is horrible for me because I am looking for the cheapest flights over there- JUST BOOK IT people!!
BONUS TAPAS SPOTS IN NYC
Okay we get it. If you’re subject to corporate America (my fellow corporate baddies) and occupied with work- it is super hard to travel. I know it is an extreme privilege to be able to and that is why I want to bring Spain to you if you are dying to get a taste of the cuisine and a little glimpse into the wonderful world of Andalucia. The Brooklynite Abroad adored her city and NYC has just about EVERYTHING Let’s get into it shall we?
10. Boqueria NYC
You guys know how much I ADORE SPAIN. Everything about the culture is just so rich and exciting and eating here brought back so many amazing memories and just reminded me that I NEED to get myself back to Spain one of these days. The vibes here were absolutely amazing and the place is so cool. We sat at the bar, ordered the one and only
Jamón Serrano, Paella de Mariscos (Shrimp Paella) – note that this is a dish that you have to share with two people because there is literally so much food and let me tell you, we ate every single bite!! & of course, we got red sangria to match the Spain vibes.
PRO TIP: Order a little dish of salt and olive oil for the Jamón Serrano. The best way to eat it is by ripping a piece of it and putting it on a piece of bread, THEN drizzle olive oil and salt and let me tell you, it’s A M A Z I N G. Just remember that the paella takes a while to make (around 40 minutes) so you’ll definitely want to order an appetizer (hint the Jamon Serrano)
11. El Mercado, Little Spain
Welcome to the Chelsea Market of Spain- behold El Mercado Little Spain. Lemme put you on. DELICIOUS FOOD. DELICIOUS DRINKS. AMAZING VIBES. Viva España babesitaaaa! If you’re looking for a place to eat, it’s pretty well hidden in the Hudson Yards Mall; but trust me, you’ll never forget it. I have reviewed this place before but if course, some places are just too good to go once which makes is a TOP DESTINATION to visit. Get…..Jamón Íberico, Sangria Rosada (it has gin in it and we know how much I LOOOOVE gin), Patatas Bravas (potatoes w tomato sauce & garli aioli.
There You Have It & Celebrate NYC Tapas Week June 12-19th!
Can you tell how much I adore Spain? I mean seriously it’s a tad pathetic but whatever we will let the obsession slide. June 12-19th get ready for an entire week dedicated to T A P A S. 14 restaurants are celebrating tapas week and you better hurry and reserve your seat before it’s all taken. I promise you this is an experience you must have and now is the time to celebrate food and Spain! Check out these links for more information on it! They are even hosting a giveaway- a free trip to SPAIN!! WHATTT. Find out more details here!
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