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The Seven Best Tapas Restaurants in New York City

Tapas restaurants usually focus on classic Spanish dishes with smaller serving sizes. Tapas are great appetizers and snacks and they are a great idea if you want to try a bunch of exciting dishes in one sitting. So with that in mind, here are the seven best tapas restaurants in New York City. Feeling hungry? Get in on some of the best tapas NYC has on offer!

Boqueria- 171 Spring St & Other Locations

Boqueria are popular tapas bars and they have locations in SoHo, Flatiron and the Upper East Side. Dishes like gambas al ajillo (shrimp) and cojonudo (fried quail eggs and chorizo on toast) are worth the trip alone but they have a big tapas menu so we are always trying new things!

Amada – 250 Vesey St

Amada Tapas

Chef Jose Garces who won the second season of The Next Iron Chef opened a beautiful new tapas restaurant in Brookfield Place called Amada. We love to sit outdoors here, enjoying dishes like crab-stuffed peppers, patatas bravas (spicy potatoes) and lamb meatballs.

Cata – 245 Bowery

There are a number of exciting dishes at Cata that are hard to find elsewhere such as quail eggs benedict and crispy prawns with chili oil. Cata is just a short walk from Chinatown and Little Italy and close to the New Museum so we make our way to Cata a lot.

Pata Negra Spanish Tapas & Wine Bar – 345 East 12th St

We are so glad that we discovered Pata Negra while getting our mac and cheese from S’MAC next door. Pata Negra has been a mainstay and staple of the tapas food scene for years. They have all the classic tapas and we especially love their selection of hams and cheeses.

La Nacional – 239 W 14th St

For the authentic tapas experience, you can’t beat La Nacional. La Nacional is currently under renovation but the good news is that they are expected to reopen any day now so bacon wrapped dates, grilled octopus and chorizo awaits in the very, very near future.

Casa Mono – 52 Irving Pl

Casa Mono founded by legends Mario Batali and Joe Bastianich is another excellent tapas bar and their razor clams and foie gras are to die for. But you really can’t go wrong with any of their tapas as we love every dish we tried here. Also check out their sister restaurant Bar Jamón (125 E 17th St).

Socarrat Paella Bar – 259 West 19th St & Other Locations

Socarrat Seafood Paella

Finally we love Socarrat for their delicious paellas but they also have amazing tapas. Their Galician styled octopus, sizzling shrimp and roasted suckling pig are all delicious and highly recommended.