Few things are as classic as drinks and snacks. This combination has become a worldwide phenomenon originating in Spain, known as tapas. Tapas combines small plates of savory dishes, either served hot or cold, with bar drinks such as cocktails. When combined, tapas can make a delicious meal full of a spread of delectable snacks with refreshing drinks.
Seattle has a wide range of bars available, from cabaret clubs to dessert bars. Tapas is a perfect fit for the bars of Seattle, combining local and international flavors to create new and exciting dishes. Below are 12 of the best tapas restaurants in Seattle, where to find them, what they serve, and more.
1. Maripili Tapas Bar
Serving both brunch and dinner, Maripili Tapas Bar combines imported Spanish flavors with local Washington produce to create a unique reimagining of tapas. Their dishes are beautifully complimented with a variety of beverages, including Estrella Galicia, Spanish and Washington wines, and custom cocktails.
Their dishes come in varying sizes, ranging from seafood with crackers to shrimp paella. There is also a wide variety of meats available, including shrimp, octopus, oxtail, lamb, and pork. Their brunch menu has both sweet and savory dishes such as churros and eggs benedict. Drinks include classics like sangria, house speciality gin and tonics, and non-alcoholic cocktails.
2. Itto’s Tapas & Moroccan Cuisine
Featured in the Seattle TImes, the Stranger, the West Seattle Blog, and more, Itto’s Tapas & Moroccan Cuisine is one of the best places to get tapas in Seattle. This fusion restaurant combines Spanish and Moroccan food to create unique and modern drinks and dishes. Additionally, their menus boast a wide selection of vegan, vegetarian, and pescatarian options so everyone can enjoy the food at Itto’s.
From cheese platters and spiced olives to seafood paella and lemon chicken, Itto’s has it all. They have two happy hours per day and wine specials in addition to a menu consisting of appetizers, seafood, and meat entrees. Their drink menu consists of beer, cider, sherry, wine, and specialty cocktails made with house-infused gin and seasonal fruit.
3. Ocho Taberna Española
Located in Ballard, Ocho Taberna Española serves both traditional and modern tapas with a wide selection of wines, sherries, ciders, and beers. They have a restaurant and bar, as well as a weekend brunch special and happy hour from 4 to 6 PM on weekdays. Their menu changes during Seattle Restaurant Week, offering special dishes that cannot be found anywhere else.
In operation for over a decade, many of the recipes for their tapas were developed in-house, truly making Ocho one of the most unique restaurants in Seattle. Their menu also includes many seasonal offerings based around fresh ingredients like foraged mushrooms. Their menu includes vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options while their drink menu offers both bottled spirits and specialty cocktails.
4. Terra Plata
Always sourced with organic and sustainable ingredients, Terra Plata is a community driven and people conscious restaurant with equal emphasis on food and love. Their restaurant is complete with an outdoor heated terrace, brunch specials, Monday night paella, custom cocktails, and so much more. They also work with The Food is Love Project to provide healthy and filling meals to kids and families in need.
Their regular menu consists of artisan cheeses, charcuterie boards, stuffed dates, and more. Dishes like oxtail ragu, steamed mussels, hanger steak, and manila clams provide delectable protein combined with refreshing vegetable side dishes. Their brunch menu features salads and egg dishes while their Monday paella menu focuses on seafood. Drinks include house special gin and tonics and old fashioneds.
5. The Harvest Vine
From small appetizers to desserts, the Harvest Vine has a wide array of dishes of all sizes, colors, and tastes. Complete with an extensive wine list, including dessert wines, guests can mix and match drinks and dishes to create a truly unique experience. During summer, they offer a paella focused dinner experience, combining food with community.
Their smallest dishes consist of beet salads and cured meats, while larger dishes contain Spanish octopus, seared prawns, grilled lamb chops, and pork sausages. Part of their menu is focused solely on cheeses while their dessert menu offers things like flan and chocolate tarts.
6. Tapas Lab
The eclectic menu of Tapas Lab combines traditional Japanese sushi, tapas, and poke bowls into one menu. Guests can find simplistic dishes like sashimi or edamame, as well as spicy pincho dishes and modern sushi rolls that blend the flavors of Japan, Spain, and Korea together into one delicious meal.
Tapas Lab is a great place to try something traditional or entirely new depending on the experience you want. Their pincho dishes bring out the classic flavors of Spain while things like wagyu burgers and ricotta meatballs combine elements of Asia and Europe to make new tapas dishes. Their sushi rolls range anywhere from singular ingredient fillings to bulgogi and tapas inspired rolls.
7. Moon Tree Sushi and Tapas
Seattle’s history and connection with Asian immigrants make it a prime spot for fusion food. Moon Tree Sushi and Tapas is yet another restaurant that combines flavors from Spain, Japan, and Korea to make something entirely special. They have separate menus dedicated to sushi and tapas individually, as well as a happy hour menu and weekday lunch specials.
Their tapas menu alone is quite extensive, consisting of soups, salads, meat and seafood dishes, and rice and noodle dishes. The sushi menu is mainly split between traditional nigiri or sashimi and a variety of house special rolls. Omakase is also available. Their drink menu consists of wine and beer while the lunch special menu has bento boxes and salads.
8. Jarrbar
Founder Bryan Jarr traveled through northern Spain and Portugal before creating Jarrbar, bringing home classic flavors to be combined with local seafood, meats, and spirits. With a heavy focus on cured seafood and meats, Jarrbar is small but mighty. Their intimate space is perfect for kicking back and relaxing with a combination of unique snacks and drinks.
Located just outside of Pike Place Market, Jarrbar is the perfect resting spot after a long day. Their drink menu features classic cocktails and Spanish sherries as well as beers and wines from both Iberia and local distilleries. For food, guests can find anything from Marcona almonds to imported meats and cheeses.
9. Barnacle Bar
Inspired by Italian cuisine, Barnacle Bar combines the concept of tapas with the flavors of Amari. Although their food menu is more limited than other restaurants, their dishes are carefully curated to make the most out of bread, meat, cheese, and seafood. Their drink menu is greatly extensive, with a plethora of cocktails and even non-alcoholic cocktails available.
Their food mainly features seafood, including oysters, sardines, anchovies, and caviar. Dishes also feature salami, bread, whipped ricotta, and more. The drink menu has local and imported beers, ciders, and wines. The cocktail menu features amaro classics and flights while their specialty cocktail menu utilizes gin, sparkling wine, port, and much more.
10. Poco Bar & Lounge
Featuring both small and large dishes, Poco Bar & Lounge serves Mediterranean food in a tapas inspired style. Although the flavors may be a departure from classic Spanish fare, the ingredients are locally sourced and span from savory to sweet. Vegan, vegetarian, and gluten free options are available as well.
Their happy hour runs from 4 to 6 PM and they have plans to introduce a Sunday brunch soon. Guests can even book the restaurant for private events. Their drink menu includes beer and wine as well as seasonal cocktails, with flavors ranging anywhere from coffee to grapefruit. Food includes simple dishes like mixed vegetables and mixed nuts as well as unique entrees like jackfruit sliders.
11. Black Bottle Gastrotavern
Designed for mixing and matching dishes, the Black Bottle Gastrotavern is designed for unstructured dining, meaning guests can truly create their own experience. Not only is their menu extensive but they also have separate menus for gluten free, dairy free, nut free, and sesame free dishes. Vegan and vegetarian options are also available.
Black Bottle Gastrotavern truly has it all: salads, seafood, meat, flatbreads, and desert. Happy hour is from 3 to 6 PM and includes special deals on drinks. They also have rotating beer and cider and wine by the bottle. They even have a private event room complete with a separate bartender for parties.
12. Nue
With a flavor palette that encompasses multiple countries, Nue is true to its vision of combining the ordinary to make something extraordinary. They have different menus for weekday lunch, weekend brunch, dinner, and happy hour. They also have vegan, vegetarian, and gluten free options on all of their menus.
Nue is truly a place that serves all kinds of food. Their dishes are inspired by cuisine from Thailand, the Caribbean, the Philippines, Vietnam, Beirut, Syria, Egypt, Korea, Brazil, Malaysia, South Africa, Portugal, Israel, and more. Their drink menu features their own take on classic drinks like margaritas and old fashioneds while also showcasing flavors from Scandinavia, Ireland, Vietnam, and more.
