Brian Nagele
Atlanta’s culinary landscape offers a delightful journey through the world of tapas, where small plates deliver big flavors and Spanish culinary traditions come to life. These authentically Spanish restaurants in the heart of the city allow guests to experience the culture of sharing meals and savoring every bite. Atlanta’s small-plate dining scene becomes a showcase of culinary inventiveness, offering inventive dishes that blend influences from all over the world alongside traditional Spanish favorites like gambas al ajillo and patatas bravas. These restaurants offer a lively and social dining atmosphere where the joy of sampling a range of flavors takes center stage, whether you’re dining with friends or enjoying a quiet evening for two. Join us as we embark on a flavorful journey through the best tapas restaurants in Atlanta, where each dish is a delicious testament to the richness of Spanish cuisine.
Cooks & Soldier
691 14th St NW, Atlanta, GA 30318
404-996-2623
Visit Website
Cooks & Soldiers delivers an upscale experience from start to finish with the finest ingredients, classy plates, and outstanding service. This tapas restaurant isn’t far from Georgia Tech, just south of Berkeley Park. Its Basque-inspired cuisine mixes delicious cuts of meat with grilled vegetables. Meat lovers will love this spot with tapas that feature ingredients like chorizo, Angus beef, chistorra sausage, braised pork cheek, or Jamon Iberico, a type of salted and cured ham that brims with flavor. Another standout was the woodfire grill that truly enhances meat and seafood flavors. The wine list impressed me with its classics like Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, but Cooks & Soldiers also has an impressive selection of Spanish and Portuguese imports. The bikini, an upscale take on finger sandwiches with grilled white cheddar and black truffles, is among the restaurant’s most popular tapas. The chistorra in a blanket is another popular dish with spicy sausage and flaky crust.
Eclipse di Luna
Multiple locations
Visit Website
Eclipse di Luna is a vibrant local chain known for small plates and lively Latin atmosphere. If you’re looking for great good and live music, the chain has a location in the Dunwoody area on Ashford Dunwoody Road and another in the Pine Hills neighborhood on Miami Circle. This chain serves classic Spanish tapas like lamb chops, Patatas Bravas, a type of spicy potatoes popular in Spain, or seafood tapas like calamari fritters. The cocktail list features some fun creations, and it’s a great spot for groups since you can order cocktails by the pitcher. I also enjoyed the dessert menu with treats like tres leches cake or flan.
The Iberian Pig
3150 Roswell Rd NW Suite A3, Atlanta, GA 30305
404-994-4990
Visit Website
As its name suggests, the Iberian Pig is a tapas spot that serves Jamon Iberico and other plates featuring charcuterie. You’ll also find a fantastic cheese selection, seafood, and vegetarian options, making it one of the best tapas restaurants in Atlanta. I loved this relaxed spot with a retro feel. Our waiter recommended we try the restaurant’s most popular small plates. It includes the pork cheek tacos, the bacon-wrapped dates, and the albondigas, a Mexican-inspired soup with some of the best meatballs I’ve had in my entire life. The happy hour specials were a plus, and I enjoyed discovering the Buckhead Village neighborhood and its upscale malls after dining at the Iberian Pig.
Barcelona Wine Bar
Multiple locations
Visit Website
I’m not a big wine drinker, and I must confess I had never been to a wine bar before dining at one of the Barcelona Wine Bar locations around Atlanta. The warm and welcoming atmosphere made me feel at ease right away. I loved the woodfire in the dining room and the bench seating because it creates a communal feel. The place has a wine list with more than 400 wines you can order by the bottle and a smaller selection of wines you can order by the glass. The classic Spanish-inspired menu features favorites like the hanger steak, Patatas Bravas, or seafood paella. There are two locations for this small local chain, including a wine bar in the Inman Park area and another in Atlantic Station.
Bulla Gastrobar
60 11th St NE, Atlanta, GA 30309
404-900-6926
Visit Website
Bulla Gastrobar is a successful tapas chain with locations in Georgia, Florida, and other states. The ATL location is in Midtown, at the corner of 11st Street and Crescent Avenue. It’s a popular spot with a contemporary and bar-like atmosphere. The Spanish-inspired tapas include dishes like Patatas Bravas, ham croquettes, grilled octopus, and a delicious tuna tartare. With private dining and catering options, these fantastic culinary creations can be a part of any special occasion or event you’re planning. There is an impressive cocktail, beer, and wine list with some Spanish classics like Sangria, but this place also serves some of the most refreshing lemonade I’ve ever had!
Gunshow
924 Garrett St, Atlanta, GA 30316
404-380-1886
Visit Website
Gunshow was unlike any other tapas places I tried in the ATL with its communal tables and roving carts. I loved the eclectic feel of this Glenwood Park restaurant and fully understand why it’s a favorite spot among locals. The upscale menu creates a unique contrast with the relaxed feel of the place. In artfully-presented small plates, you’ll find high-quality ingredients like quail, rabbit, lamb, foie gras, or seafood. However, Gunshow only serves the freshest ingredients and updates its menu daily to reflect what’s available. I highly recommend trying the pork belly and the short rib if you can.
Gypsy Kitchen ATL
3035 Peachtree Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30305
404-939-9840
Visit Website
Gypsy Kitchen ATL is in the Garden Hills neighborhood, not far from the Frankie Allen Park and Buckhead Theatre. The restaurant takes tapas to another level by mixing Spanish cuisine with Moroccan and Indian flavors. I loved the communal table and the fact that the place stays open until 11 P.M. some nights, reflecting the Spanish tradition of dining later in the day. The Patatas Bravas, garlic shrimp, and roasted mushrooms are especially noteworthy, but this modern tapas spot has an amazing menu that includes meat and cheese boards and larger plates. The happy hour menu also makes Gypsy Kitchen ATL an excellent spot for going out with friends.
Kyma
3085 Piedmont Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30305
404-262-0702
Visit Website
Kyma is a Greek eatery that borders Buckhead Village, one of Atlanta’s best neighborhoods for dining. While tapas aren’t a Greek tradition, Kyma offers small plates in the form of a tasting menu. You can choose between three five-course tasting meals, or order small bites at the Ouzo bar. The menu also features items for sharing, such as the whole fish. Some of my favorite small plates from Kyma include the lamb pie, the spinach pie, and the baklava. I loved the chic blue and white decor, the impressive fresh fish display, and the relaxing patio!
Bar-Bacoa
1000 Virginia Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30306
404-815-9155
Visit Website
Bar-Bacoa felt very chic and welcoming with its Spanish-inspired decor and its patio. This tapas spot is in the Virginia-Highlands area, between Virginia Avenue and Clemont Drive. I enjoyed the mix of Spanish and Mexican cuisine with classics like tacos, empanadas, and salads, but this restaurant also has some American-inspired items like a delicious mac n cheese small plate. While most of the restaurants on this list serve tacos, Bar-Bacoa had the best selection, probably because the restaurant name is a play on the word ‘barbacoa,’ a traditional cooking method for barbecuing meat. The skirt steak salad, shrimp tacos, and beef barbacoa are among the most popular menu items. People also go to Bar-Bacoa for the fun margarita menu and the craft cocktails.
Why Trust Us?
When it comes to local restaurant recommendations, we pride ourselves on being a reliable and trustworthy resource. Our suggestions are not just based on our personal experiences, ensuring a more authentic and well-rounded perspective, but also on extensive online research. We diligently searched the internet and reviewed 6 credible sites and blogs, including Atlantaeats.com and Tripadvisor.com.
We compiled all the findings in one location and sorted them by the frequency of mentions to ensure you receive top-notch recommendations. We strive to present you with a curated list of establishments that truly stand out, allowing you to enjoy the best dining experiences possible.
Interested in the sources we consulted? Check out the list of all 6 sites we referenced below this paragraph, offering transparency and an opportunity for our readers to explore further. Our commitment is to deliver trustworthy and unparalleled recommendations, helping you make informed decisions on your culinary journeys.
https://www.atlantaeats.com/blog/tapas-restaurants-atlanta/
https://www.opentable.com/cuisine/best-tapas-restaurants-atlanta
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurants-g60898-zfd10942-Atlanta_Georgia-Tapas.html
https://foursquare.com/top-places/atlanta/best-places-tapas
https://www.accessatlanta.com/atlanta-things-to-do/10-of-the-best-tapas-in-metro-atlanta-for-the-perfect-date-night/S7NRWDZQQFHORMSFGF3TOHZLDM/
https://www.atlbucketlist.com/2017/01/18/where-to-find-the-best-tapas-in-atlanta/
Fogon and Lions in Alpharetta!!