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

OpenTable

Updated July 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 (517)

$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

Bridget

Dined 3 days ago

erin is awesome. she took great care of my family and made my dads birthday and my half birthday awesome. tysm :)

Meson Sabika

4.8

4.8 (11781)

$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

Peggy

Dined 2 days ago

My husband’s physical therapist recommended this place when he told her he wanted to take me somewhere special to celebrate my birthday. Gustavo, our server, was outstanding! He explained how tapas are best ordered. He was attentive but never interrupted our conversation. The food was delicious and had great presentation. To top everything off, they gave me a card with a beautiful saying and a profiterole with ice cream. Mesón Sabika is located in a beautiful historical building and there is ample parking. We highly recommend this dining experience!

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Popular dish

Pasta Vegetariana

Popular dish

Ensalada con Queso de Cabra

Popular dish

Queso de Cabra

Café Ba-Ba-Reeba

4.8

4.8 (9574)

$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

DennisVIP

Dined 2 days ago

Food was fantastic, as always. Server same. Well paced and enjoyable.

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4.8

4.8 (2514)

$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

Tammy

Dined 4 days ago

Delicious tapas and drinks … chef’s kiss! Will be back.

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Experience

$3 Bar Bites Every Day At the Bar

Little Madrid Tapas Cafe

4.5

4.5 (337)

$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

Schyler

Dined 7 days ago

As always, this place was outstanding! Each plate was better than the last. Quality ingredients and amazing flavors!

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Experience

“Money Heist” LA BOTA at Little Madrid

Experience

Everyday Happy Hour & Pinxtos Specials

Boqueria - Chicago

4.5

4.5 (378)

$31 to $50

Tapas / Small Plates

West Loop

About the restaurant

Located at Fulton Market in the dynamic center of Chicago’s West Loop, Boqueria channels the spirit of Barcelona’s tapas bars into a lively, beautifully designed space ideal for group gatherings and date night alike and the perfect place for a brunch or happy hour with friends.

The menu features croquetas, blistered shishito peppers, and garlic shrimp, alongside signature paellas, seasonal sangrías, and a curated list of Spanish wines.

Located near the West Fulton and Randolph shopping district and cultural destinations like the Lyric Opera and Museum of Contemporary Art.

Please note that some large party reservations may require a set menu. If that is the case, a host will reach out to confirm with all the details.

Top review

JuliannaVIP

Dined 7 days ago

Paper Plane plus tapas on the patio. The chips with the boquerones are divine.

Tapas Barcelona

4.6

4.6 (721)

$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

OpenTable Diner

Dined 5 days ago

Consistently the best restaurant in Evanston, and one of the best in Chicagoland. Every dish is absolutely delicious. Service is always attentive and gracious from hard-working staff with smiling faces. Whisky Chicken is our new favorite dish and the Spanish version of Tiramisu, our new favorite dessert.

COA - Drake Oakbrook

4.6

4.6 (345)

$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

Maggie

Dined 4 days ago

Food, drinks, and service were all fantastic, and we loved eating on the outdoor patio, it’s a beautiful setting!

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

4.3

4.3 (4943)

$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

Peggy

Dined 6 days ago

We were tied up in traffic, I called to inform the restaurant we would be late. They assured us that it was no problem and they would honor our reservation. When we arrived, we were taken to our table immediately. We ordered from the tasting menu and the food was outstanding. The menu provided a broad selection of items and was a great value. The service was prompt and professional. I would recommend this restaurant and plan to return when I visit Chicago again.

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The Top Rooftop Bar & Lounge

4.3

4.3 (191)

$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

GrangerVIP

Dined on Jul 12, 2025

Great view, fun menu, great service. Go Go Go...

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