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

OpenTable

Updated June 05, 2025

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!

Lil' Ba-Ba-Reeba!

4.8

4.8 (484)

$31 to $50

Tapas / Small Plates

River North (Chicago)

About the restaurant

Welcome to Lil' Ba-Ba-Reeba! in River North. The little sister of Cafe-Ba-Ba-Reeba! in Lincoln Park, Lil’ Ba-Ba-Reeba! stays true to its Spanish roots serving a wide variety of iconic small plates like Patatas Bravas, Bacon-Wrapped Dates, and our signature Beef Tenderloin Toro Skewer. Of course, no celebration would be complete without our classic Sangria. ¡Salud!

Top review

TomVIP

Dined 3 days ago

Went for Happy Hour midweek. Enjoyed apps & sangria - always consistently good food, drinks and service. Never disappoints.

Meson Sabika

4.8

4.8 (11682)

$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

JoeVIP

Dined 3 days ago

Meson Sabika consistently serves up delicious food with great service in a beautiful environment. It's a great experience - prices are on the higher side but you do get a quality meal. They have beautiful outdoor tables as well. Definitely give it a try

Café Ba-Ba-Reeba

4.8

4.8 (9518)

$30 and under

Tapas / Small Plates

Lincoln Park

About the restaurant

Cancellation policy:
For parties of 5+ you need to cancel by 9am on the day of your reservation, otherwise it is a $25 fee. For smaller parties, please give us one hour in advance, in the event of a last minute cancellation or no show it is a $25 fee.

Located in Lincoln Park, the All-Season Courtyard and Dining Rooms at Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba! are open with our new AIRPHX Air Filtration System. Your health is our top priority in all that we do. Steps we are taking: disposable and digital menus, continuous sanitation procedures & hand washing.

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined 4 days ago

Fabulous restaurant! Been going for over 30 years.

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4.8

4.8 (2502)

$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

Phil

Dined 3 days ago

We read many 5 star reviews on Open Table after a day at the Chicago Art Institute and visit to the Bean. We made our dinner reservations based purely on the 5 star ratings and the ratings were spot on and well deserved! Dinner was amazing! We tried quite a few selections of scallops, salmon, lamb, and chorizos. All arrived to our table hot and sumptuous. Couldn't have asked for a better final meal for our visit to Chicago. Don't hesitate or miss out on this experience ... book your reservation to Tapas Valencia. If you love tapas, you will not regret it.

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Experience

$3 Bar Bites Every Day At the Bar

Tapas Barcelona

4.6

4.6 (703)

$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

Dianne

Dined 4 days ago

We love this restaurant. The food is always delicious, and the variety of items is amazing.

Little Madrid Tapas Cafe

4.5

4.5 (328)

$31 to $50

Tapas / Small Plates

Andersonville

About the restaurant

In January 2020, Little Madrid Tapas Café opened in Chicago’s Andersonville neighborhood, a small, cozy, and colorful space. The restaurant transported guests back to Old Madrid with its warm atmosphere, delicious flavors, and enticing aromas that emanated from the kitchen. With a global pandemic raging around the world, Little Madrid Tapas Café remained a steady presence in the neighborhood and soon emerged as one of the best Spanish restaurants in Chicago.

Top review

AbrahamVIP

Dined 1 day ago

Wonderful experience! I have finally found a delicious Spanish restaurant with excellent wine option and mix of dishes for both vegetarian and omnivore palates. Service is amazing, ambiance is warm, and the light jazz background music is perfect for deep conversation whether it’s catching up with friends or on a date. 10/10 will return.

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Experience

“Money Heist” LA BOTA at Little Madrid

Experience

Everyday Happy Hour & Pinxtos Specials

COA - Drake Oakbrook

4.5

4.5 (320)

$30 and under

Tapas / Small Plates

Oak Brook

About the restaurant

Nestled in The Drake Hotel Oak Brook, Coa continues the hotel’s standard in unbuttoned luxury. Our Spanish Tapas with Latin Fare restaurant is a testament to authentic culinary experiences and an unwavering commitment in delivering bold flavors and tapas-style dining with warm hospitality.

Our thoughtfully crafted menu is a fusion of Spanish and Latin cultures, rooted in tradition, paying homage to the past while celebrating the present. All are welcome to gather around in our vibrant oasis where new traditions are made while enjoying our one-of-a-kind tapas and our excellent selection of tequila and mezcal flights.

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

Top review

Dined 3 days ago

Amazing ambiance, food and cocktails were delicious

Boqueria - Chicago

4.5

4.5 (371)

$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 the heart of Chicago's Fulton Market.

Perfect for a shared meal of small plates, happy hour with the team, a memorable date night, or weekend brunch!

Let us know if you have any seating requirements when making your booking.

Please note that by making a reservation through OpenTable you are agreeing to receive marketing communications from Boqueria.

Top review

Terri

Dined 4 days ago

Awesome food, love the selection. Margaritas were delish. The service outstanding.

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

4.4

4.4 (4936)

$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

Renee

Dined 3 days ago

Restaurant was fantastic!!! $32 to valet for 1.5 hr???? You have GOT to be kidding?!?!? Blackstone hotel is robbing Mercat of customers by putting such outrageous price on parking. Won’t be back ONLY because of this.

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The Top Rooftop Bar & Lounge

3.8

3.8 (183)

$30 and under

Tapas / Small Plates

Rockford

About the restaurant

Experience panoramic views of historic downtown Rockford, Illinois, and the Rock River from 12 stories aloft. Featuring an inviting and modern atmosphere with an indoor lounge and seasonal two-tiered outdoor deck, The Top Rooftop Bar & Lounge is the only one of its kind in Rockford. Serving hand-crafted signature cocktails, an extensive wine list, craft beers, and an expansive menu of shareable dishes inspired by cuisine around the world – The Top is the perfect spot for dinner or drinks.

Top review

Melissa

Dined on May 25, 2025

Everything about our brunch at The Top was excellent. The delicious food and drinks, the attentive service, and of course the best view in Rockford! The portion size of the orders were also very good for the price. I can't wait to come back with more of my friends and family!

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Experience

4th of July Experience

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