Diners' Choice: Tapas / Small Plates restaurants in Chicago / Illinois

OpenTable

Updated November 05, 2026

Looking for restaurants with the best overall Tapas / Small Plates cuisine in Chicago / Illinois? You’re in the right place. Each month OpenTable analyzes more than 400,000 new diner reviews. We sort the results by category to help you discover new favorites. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Tapas Valencia

4.8

4.8 (2559)

$30 and under

Tapas / Small Plates

South Loop

About the restaurant

Located in Chicago’s South loop, we offer creative Spanish tapas, unique cocktails, and a lively atmosphere with walls adorned in multi-colored mosaic artwork reminiscent of the art of the great Spanish artists Joan Miro and Antoni Gaudí! Whether you’re dining with friends and family, exploring on a first date, or planning your next big event, Tapas Valencia is the perfect backdrop for any occasion. We carry on the tradition of great food and service that was started at our original location, Mesón Sabika in Naperville.

Top review

AliceGold

Dined on Oct 23, 2026

Ariana was such a dream and she didn’t let is forget out to go order! Food is great as always and the show ails were a delight. Thanks for making my friends birthday special

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Experience

Tapas, Guitar & Flamenco

Experience

New Years Eve 3 Course Prix-Fixe Menu

Altiro Latin Fusion - Wheaton

4.8

4.8 (213)

$30 and under

Tapas / Small Plates

Wheaton

About the restaurant

Altiro Latin Fusion brings bold Latin flavors and a lively atmosphere to the table. Enjoy tacos, shareable tapas, and other Latin-inspired favorites, along with cocktails made for pairing and celebrating. Whether you’re meeting friends for dinner, stopping in for lunch, or celebrating a special occasion, we look forward to welcoming you.

Top review

KennethGold

Dined 7 days ago

Meals and service is always excellent at Altiro! Can't wait to go back.

Meson Sabika

4.8

4.8 (12367)

$30 and under

Tapas / Small Plates

Naperville

About the restaurant

Located just west of downtown Naperville, Mesón Sabika has been serving the community since 1990. Built in 1847, the pristine four-acre estate and beautiful mansion welcome you before you reach the driveway. Whether you dine in one of the mansion’s eight dining rooms decorated in traditional Spanish décor, attend a wedding or corporate event in the pavilion, or sit out back on the patio, the cuisine of Spain and delicious drinks make for an unparalleled dining experience.

For a quiet, romantic dining experience we recommend a week night reservation. The small mansion rooms fill up on the weekends, making for a more lively dining experience.

Our dress code is "proper casual/casual dressy." Gentlemen, we respectfully ask that you cover up your arms (no tank tops). And ladies, we ask that the majority of your midriff is covered (no bandeaux’s). We ask that everyone remove their baseball hats when dining inside the mansion.

Thank you!

Top review

Dined 3 days ago

Food and service was really good. Warm welcome and courteous service.

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4.8

4.8 (787)

$31 to $50

Tapas / Small Plates

River North (Chicago)

About the restaurant

Located on Clark Street in River North, Lil’ Ba-Ba-Reeba! is the little sister of Lincoln Park landmark, Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba! The restaurant brings a welcoming, lively energy to downtown Chicago, just a short walk from the Chicago Riverwalk, the Merchandise Mart, and the Magnificent Mile.

Led by Executive Chef Eric Jorgensen, the kitchen serves a wide variety of iconic small plates and pintxos meant for passing around the table. The menu features favorite signatures like sizzling Patatas Bravas, Bacon-Wrapped Dates, and the Beef Tenderloin Toro Skewer.

Open for weekday happy hour from 3:30 PM – 5:30 PM and weekend brunch, the restaurant serves classic sangria, Spanish wines, and craft cocktails across its main dining room, bar, and enclosed Veranda. The versatile venue also hosts private events, accommodating small parties up to 20 or full buyouts for up to 50 guests.

Top review

PaigeGold

Dined 1 day ago

One of my favorite restaurants in Chicago! Always so good and the servers are incredible.

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Popular dish

Ibérico Ham Croquetas

Popular dish

Garlic Shrimp

Popular dish

Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad

Café Ba-Ba-Reeba

4.8

4.8 (9900)

$30 and under

Tapas / Small Plates

Lincoln Park

About the restaurant

Located on Halsted Street in the heart of Lincoln Park, Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba! is Chicago’s original tapas bar, serving authentic Spanish cuisine since 1985. Centrally located near the Lincoln Park Zoo, DePaul University, and Chicago's lakefront, the restaurant is known for the energetic, welcoming atmosphere that has made it a neighborhood staple for decades.

The kitchen, led by Executive Chef Eric Jorgensen, serves a classic menu of Spanish Tapas and Pintxos meant for passing around the table. Signature dishes include sizzling Patatas Bravas, Bacon-Wrapped Dates, Baked Goat Cheese, and traditional Valencian paella.

The restaurant features daily happy hour from 4 PM to 6 PM, weekend brunch, classic house sangria, Spanish wines, and craft cocktails. The space also includes private dining options for groups and hosts ticketed events like live Flamenco Shows and Paella Demos.

Top review

Daniel

Dined 3 days ago

No room at the bar for happy hour which is usually the case and evidence of good food. Had reservation and were seated relatively quickly. Extremely nice and attentive waitress. Food is consistently delicious and high quality and served so quick.

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4.6

4.6 (55)

$50 and over

Tapas / Small Plates

West Town

About the restaurant

Chicago's First Basque Tavern

A place for pintxos, porróns, and unpretentious service. Lively and intimate. A celebration of eating and drinking in Spain's Basque region.

"You're a child, Gilda. A beautiful greedy child. And it amuses me to feed you beautiful things because you eat with such a good appetite."
- George Macready, Gilda, 1946

Top review

barelyfound

Dined 4 days ago

Celebrated my husband’s birthday last night and had the best time. Everything we ordered (and we ordered a lot) was delicious, and the service was amazing. We loved this restaurant and can’t wait to go back. 10/10

Tapas Barcelona

4.7

4.7 (871)

$30 and under

Tapas / Small Plates

Evanston

About the restaurant

Dine on traditional Spanish cuisine at Tapas Barcelona. Located 1615 Chicago Ave, north suburb of Evanston and just south of Northwestern University, this restaurant offers casual comfort and a friendly setting for dining out. Tapas Barcelona has various dishes on the menu, such as baked snails and pizza topped with spinach and goat cheese. It also serves seafood and vegetarian entrées. Tapas Barcelona has a full bar that offers guests various drinks, including Spanish selections of wine. Its atmosphere is ideal for meeting up with an old friend for lunch or having dinner with the family. This restaurant welcomes reservations and provides take-out services.

Top review

Jeffery

Dined 1 day ago

Always a treat to dine here. Food is reliably always good and service was great. I enjoy supporting a long standing restaurant in my town

COA - Drake Oakbrook

4.6

4.6 (600)

$30 and under

Tapas / Small Plates

Oak Brook

About the restaurant

Nestled inside The Drake Oak Brook, COA, embraces unbuttoned luxury by elevating dining through the artful pairing of premium steaks, fresh seafood, and an exceptional selection of spirits. Our menu highlights bold flavors and refined techniques, rooted in tradition yet crafted for today.

While the heart of our cuisine celebrates the richness of land and sea, subtle Spanish influences add depth and flair, creating a unique fusion that feels both familiar and exciting topped off with an excellent selection of tequila, mezcal and COA curated craft cocktails. All are welcome to gather around in our vibrant oasis where new traditions are made and every sip, every bite and every moment reflect the essence of the COA experience.

*If you're experiencing difficulties with booking, please contact us at 630.264.1550 for further assistance with reserving a table.

Top review

jack

Dined 5 days ago

Excellent skirt steak, phenomenal octopus, short ribs w mole were great!

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4.4

4.4 (548)

$31 to $50

Tapas / Small Plates

West Loop

About the restaurant

An energetic Barcelona-style tapas bar serving Spanish favorites, seasonal specials, and curated cocktails in a contemporary space with a lively patio in Chicago.

Perfect for a shared meal of small plates, a memorable date night, weekend brunch, and private events hosted with Spanish hospitality!

We strongly recommend that parties of 6 or more share one of our Chef's Tasting Menus (starting at $47 per person, plus tax and gratuity).

Please let us know if you have any seating requirements when making your booking, and we'll be happy to accommodate! We will hold your table for 15 minutes, so please call if you're running late.

Restaurant Week Lunch: Mon-Fri 11:30am-4pm
Restaurant Week Dinner: Mon-Thurs 4pm-10pm, Fri-Sat 4pm-11pm, Sun 4pm-9pm
Restaurant Week menu is not available for brunch service.

Top review

ShawnnaGold

Dined on Oct 27, 2026

I've been to Boqueria twice in two weeks and had wonderful dishes that were full of flavor! You can't go wrong with anything. Boqueria is my new place for Spanish tapas!

Mercat a la Planxa - Located in The Blackstone Hotel, Chicago

4.3

4.3 (4886)

$50 and over

Tapas / Small Plates

South Loop

About the restaurant

Mercat offers an authentic dining experience that combines fresh meats and produces with the energetic spirit of a Barcelona market.

Top review

Roger

Dined on Oct 21, 2026

Excellent meal , great food and service , thank you!