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Name: Tapas Valencia
Address: 1530 S State St, Chicago, IL, 60605
Telephone: (312) 842-4444
Price range: Under $11
Rating: 3.85

Tapas Valencia

1530 S State St, Chicago, IL, 60605

(312) 842-4444
Store is closed

Tapas Valencia Menu

Soups

Sopa de Alubias Negras
Salads

Pequeña

Tudela

Cabrales

Ensalada Temporada

Gabriela
Cold Tapas

Seta Salvajes

Salmón Curado

Ensalada pollo Marbella

Quesos Españoles

Jamón Serrano

Rollito de Buey

Coctel de Gambas

Tostadas de Centollo

Tostadas con Mariscos

Salpicon de Mariscos

Berenjena con Queso

Aceitunas Aliñadas

Canalón Relleno

Alcachofas con Crema

Tostada de Ternera

Patatas con Alioli

Tortilla Española

Tomate y Queso
Hot Tapas

Cazuelita de Pollo

Empanada de Buey

Pipirrana de Buey

Gambas al Ajillo

Pollo a la Gabardina

Salteado de Hortalizas

Pimientos del Piquillo

Pato Confitado

Champiñones

Pasta con Hortalizas

Queso de Cabra

Salmón a la Plancha

Tilapia Marinada

Mejillones a la Mallorquina

Pincho de Pollo

Solomillo con Moniato

Vieiras al Albariño

Faldilla a la Parrilla

Crepe Rellena

Chorizo y Morcilla

Pincho de Solomillo

Calamares a la Plancha

Dátiles con Tocino

Patatas Bravas

Cordero al Pastor
Paellas

Vegetariana

Valenciana

Mariscos
Specialty Desserts

Profiteroles del Pirineo

Plátano con Helado

Bizcocho Borracho

Tarta de Chocolate y Caramelo

Tarta de Pera

Tarta de Pacanas

Cazuelita de Chocolate

Crema con Chocolate

Flan del Dia
Dessert Martinis Coffees

Chocolate Heaven

Banana Foster

Healthy Meal suggestions for Tapas Valencia

Soups

Sopa de Alubias Negras [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Salads

Pequeña [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tudela [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cabrales [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Ensalada Temporada [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Gabriela [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Cold Tapas

Seta Salvajes [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Salmón Curado [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Ensalada pollo Marbella [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Quesos Españoles [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Jamón Serrano [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Rollito de Buey [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Coctel de Gambas [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tostadas de Centollo [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tostadas con Mariscos [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Salpicon de Mariscos [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Berenjena con Queso [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Aceitunas Aliñadas [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Canalón Relleno [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Alcachofas con Crema [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tostada de Ternera [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Patatas con Alioli [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tortilla Española [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tomate y Queso [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Hot Tapas

Cazuelita de Pollo [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Empanada de Buey [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pipirrana de Buey [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Gambas al Ajillo [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pollo a la Gabardina [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Salteado de Hortalizas [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pimientos del Piquillo [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pato Confitado [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Champiñones [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pasta con Hortalizas [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Queso de Cabra [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Salmón a la Plancha [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tilapia Marinada [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mejillones a la Mallorquina [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pincho de Pollo [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Solomillo con Moniato [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Vieiras al Albariño [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Faldilla a la Parrilla [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Crepe Rellena [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chorizo y Morcilla [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pincho de Solomillo [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Calamares a la Plancha [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Dátiles con Tocino [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Patatas Bravas [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cordero al Pastor [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Paellas

Vegetariana [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Valenciana [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mariscos [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Specialty Desserts

Profiteroles del Pirineo [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Plátano con Helado [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bizcocho Borracho [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tarta de Chocolate y Caramelo [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tarta de Pera [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tarta de Pacanas [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cazuelita de Chocolate [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Crema con Chocolate [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Flan del Dia [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Dessert Martinis Coffees

Chocolate Heaven [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Banana Foster [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

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Write An Anonymous Review

Rachel A.

This place is great. We made a last minute reservation on Open Table and went on a Sunday night. There were plenty of open tables and we chose to sit outside. The servers were attentive to us outside and our waiter told us what his recommendations were. We got 4 tapas... Pipirrana de Buey- Steak with blue cheese, the steak was cooked well and was tender, great flavors Croquetas de Jamon y Pollo- Ham and chicken croquettes! I love croquettes and these did not disappoint Queso de Cabra- This is described as goat cheese and garlic bread but it comes with a delicious tomato sauce that is almost like a tomato bisque to dip the bread in Calamares a la Plancha- Grilled squid... I do not like grilled squid typically because of the texture but I tried it and it was pretty good! Sangria! We got both white and red sangria.... the red tasted like it had more alcohol but I liked the way the white tasted better! Free dessert with a check in on yelp! I chose a chocolate pecan cheesecake and it was really good! They have a rather large selection of desserts, included different kinds of cakes, flan and ice cream.
(5)
Riva L.

At first, I would have given this four stars because the first three tapas dishes we had - the goat cheese, the tilapia, and the chicken - were all good. The tilapia and goat cheese were the best: the tilapia was thin and crispy and nicely flavorful; the goat cheese/ bread dish was so tomatoey and super savory. The chicken was a little dry, but it was not bad. However, we ordered the seafood paella and everything about it was wrong. The seafood was overcooked and rubbery. Scallops should NOT taste like that; I shouldn't choke on squid (or octopus) rings; shrimp shouldn't be rock hard; mussels should not be tiny and shriveled inside of their shells. The seafood itself was a total, overcooked, nasty disaster. The paella itself was bland and had nO crispy bottom or anything like that. Nothing about this dish was good and we paid $20 for it. What a waste. bright side - good sangria, and if you check in on yelp, you get a free dessert -- the pecan cheesecake is to die for delicious, not too sweet and very tasty.
(2)
Ivy Z.

Being so in love with tapas I am surprised it took me until now to try Tapas Valencia. Located in the South Loop (sort of near Chinatown) I was surprised to find a tapas restaurant there, but I really am glad I did. This might be my favorite tapas place in Chicago for now. I highly recommend the $35/person prix fixe menu because you get to taste so many of the best dishes they have to offer. Here are some of the highlights: - Jamon Serrano: Just how I had it in Barcelona! - Tostadas de Centollo: My favorite cold tapa. The crab was delicious. - Vieiras al AlbariÃ±o: By far my favorite warm tapa. Perfect scallops and great flavor. Ambiance: Fun, decorated with some tiles that seem to be Gaudi inspired. I would say Cafe Babareeba is a little more girls-night-out and fancy atmosphere than Tapas Valencia, but I would definitely pick here for the food. Drinks: Sangria was a little bit of a let down compared to some others that I've had, but the food really makes up for it. Definitely will be back!
(4)
Jeni H.

The grilled squid, cold seafood salad and duck confit were wonderful! All the seafood was tender and was seasoned perfectly. The duck fell off the bone and the apple + mushroom that came with it was delicious. The beet salad was nothing special - literally it just tasted like beets - I wouldn't order that again. For two people we have enough left overs for a snack tomorrow. The wine was also very reasonably priced. All in all I'm excited to go back and try more dishes!
(4)
Khiang S.

Had a great time here celebrating a birthday. They have prix-fix menu (min 2 ppl) as well as a regular menu. We had 5 ppl, 2 ordered the prix-fix menu ($35 each) and the rest ordered 7 items to share. That's plenty of good for everyone. It was hard to stuff in dessert. Place - nicely decorated with Valencia tiles on the wall - imagine yourself in Parc Guell. Drinks - tried the mango margarita and cava sangria. Have to say I have had better ones else where. Food - excellent. The beef tenderloin were tender, scallops were fresh, crepes were thin and crispy. Very tasty all around. Dessert was good too! Not the usual super sweet type. Bonus - free dessert with yelp check in and when I told the server we were celebrating a birthday, he came out with a ice cream puff with a candle on top! Highly recommended and will return.
(5)
Rick F.

The south side has really changed, love the area, loved the service, the decor was exciting, the staff seemed to be having a great time, laughing, playing and making sure we all were well provided for. I'm a fan of tapas and they did not disappoint. Cheese fondue was great. Paella was excellent. My favorite was the skirt/flank steak with mashed potatoes simply amazing
(4)
Karen J.

I've been here a few times now and it's always fantastic. Most recently, I came in on a Saturday evening with my sister and her three kids (ages 3, 6, 8). They do have a kid's menu and the live music and Flamenco dancer kept them occupied. Highly recommend the beet salad, duck confit, paella valenciana, and bacon wrapped dates. I've never had anything I didn't like. There is a nice selection of desserts, too. The chocolate caramel tart was my favorite!
(5)
Samantha H.

Can't believe I've lived here for 7 years and never been to Tapas Valencia. Overall I like the place but none of the food blew me away. The decor and ambiance is very cool and the server we had was outstanding. Half price bottles of wine on Wednesdays? Yes, please! They give you some olives to start as opposed to a bread basket or chips and salsa. The food came out at a decent pace, slightly too quickly. I like that they have fresh plates and forks right at the table cause that is always the problem with tapas. We started with the serrano ham. The dish was prepared nicely but the serrano itself was just meh. We got the empanada. It is one, huge empanada so not optimal for sharing. It was also soggy. The flavor was pretty solid but not a fan of the way it was served. We got the grilled shrimp with lemon butter, which was my favorite dish of the night. We tried the scallops which were okay. The spicy potatoes were decent. I know we got some sort of beef or lamb but that is not not memorable it was that I can't even remember which. Overall, not a bad spot and none of the food was bad but nothing was awesome either.
(3)
Christopher K.

Wow! Awesome. Googled tapas and came up with Tapas Valencia and super excited and happy I did. I was going to head to Cafe Iberico or Cafe BaBa-Reba and was tired of the same old same old... Our waiter was extremely knowledgable of the menu and made excellent recommendations from the wine to food to dessert. I recommend trying their signature cocktails and recommended dishes. You. Will. Not. Experience. Disappointment. Highly recommended for the food, service and atmosphere. Place - great. The decor was on point and it did not echo... So I did not feel I had to shout across the table to talk and I was not straining to hear my fiancÃ©. It was clean and tidy. Food - yes. Fresh taste, excellent presentation, and reasonably priced. Drinks - Great selection. I had the spice and ice, a cucumber martini and then we ordered a bottle of wine and desert drinks.
(5)
Marilynn P.

FOOD- The tapas were pretty delish. We ordered mostly hot tapas since it was a freezing Chicago day. The menu is pretty extensive but definitely overwhelming to look at. I think we ordered a little bit of everything. Items that really stood out for me: Gambas ajillo, queso de cabra, crepe rellena, and Chorizo y morcilla (was so excited that morcilla was on the menu! I haven't had it in years and the last time I had it was in Madrid!). For dessert the platano con helado was my favorite. AMBIANCE- The space is well-designed. The decor reminded me of Spain and felt very culturally authentic. The mouthwash in the bathrooms were appreciated. But something was definitely missing though. It felt weirdly quiet... perhaps the music could have definitely been louder. Maybe the lighting/temperature was off? I just didn't feel cozy and comfortable being in the space. SERVICE- The service was alright. The waiter suggested we order a few tapas and after those came out we could continue ordering. I think that is a good approach to tapas dining, however not when dining with a large group (we had 10 people). We ordered 3 tapas to start with, and they were devoured in 3 seconds. Then we waited for a while before the next round came out, etc. The wait period was too long for me between rounds of tapas. I just prefer when everything comes out all together. Overall it was a good experience. I'd definitely come back with a smaller group. Making reservations was easy. ALSO- check in on yelp once you are there! There is a free desert coupon! =)
(4)
Jordan P.

So I wasn't really that impressed with this place. The food was good, but nothing to write home about. The service was ok. The best thing I ate all night was a dish with crab and avocado. We ended up ordering about 3 of those. The fish that one of my dining companions had was also pretty good. It had some sort of pineapple butter on it, which was amazing. Everything else was meh. Also, the sangria was terrible! It just tasted like straight up wine. If I'd wanted wine, I would've ordered it. Then at the end of the meal the server apparently gave us the wrong check, but none of us noticed. We paid the bill, left the restaurant, and next thing we know someone is running down the block screaming for us to come back. When we get back we were told we were given the wrong check and of course the correct check is more expensive than what we originally paid. Now, I have no problem paying for my meal, but if I've already left the restaurant then that's on you. I really think they should've just eaten the cost. Anyway, I'll be back if I'm in the neighborhood and I don't have any place better to go, but won't be going out of my way to eat here any time soon.
(2)
Abena A.

This happy hour is very affordable and the tapas are delicious! My favorites were the crostini with avocado and crab and the bacon wrapped dates! I'll certainly plan to come back. Great drink specials and delicious small plates! Plus a free dessert when you check in on yelp!
(4)
Chary H.

Amazing tapas. They are fresh and made with quality ingredients. They have a vast variety of hot and cold tapas and there is definitely something for everyone. They have vegetarian options as well and plates are reasonably priced.
(5)
Hannah P.

Great food, awesome service. Very attentive and we had the best drinks. We ordered tons of stuff: blood sausage and chorizo, garlic potatoes, octupus, queso de cabra, dates wrapped in bacon, paella, salad, pepper studd with crabs, etc. Everything was good. I was too stuff to eat a lot of paella but what I noticed was that there was alot of seafood on it...at some places, it's mostly rice.
(5)
Sasan A.

Very good choice specifically when you are in the Mccormick place. Not many other good options are around that area. I tried their Remolacha beet salad which was very decent. For main course, I tried Faldilla a la Parilla which was so tasty. Of course since it is a tapas place, you might want to order more than one item to make sure you don't leave the place hungry.
(4)
Morgan C.

The staff is so incredibly kind!! Very polite and accommodating as soon as we walked in! The menu looked great and the prices are very affordable. This place also has awesome specials each day of the week. The decor is lively and very cute. I ordered a charcoal skirt steak with garlic mashed potatoes which came out sooooo fast. It was delicious and really tender! I love this place I will definitely be back to try more on the menu.
(5)
Kendra N.

Wow - everything at this place was amazing! We came here with 7 people and we were able to call and get a reservation for a Friday night the day of. TIP - there was more availability for reservations if you called than online. The service during our meal was great. There are so many options on this menu so you can really please everyone in the group. Our group chose to order by couple, so each couple ordered for themselves as opposed to sharing a lot of things amongst 7 people. It made sense in some ways because a lot of the meats were best shared amongst two, but things like potatoes were big enough portions to share amongst the whole table so it's up to you how to order. I usually don't like Sangria because it's too sweet. Their sangria was not nearly as sweet but I still wouldn't order it again. If you like Sangria, you'll like theirs. Normally, I review each item that we ordered but everything was just so tasty that it's easiest to just say order whatever sounds good to you and know that it will be delicious! We ordered 4 items between two people and that seemed like an appropriate amount of food (no leftovers).
(5)
Natalie B.

Tapas Valencia is the best kept secret in the south loop! The food is exquisite and unique, the staff is friendly (especially Sergio and Jose) and they even have authentic Spanish dancing on Saturdays. We live in the area and eat here at least weekly. The menu is large and diverse, and you can get a different experience every time you come. Happy hour is $3 tapas with drink specials until 630pm every day. The brunch on Sunday mornings is unrivaled by its peers in the area. There's no wait, $5 mimosas, and awesome food, including their full Tapas menu. Tapas Valencia is River North quality with South Loop prices!
(5)
Ina B.

Packed and loud, just like a tapas place in Madrid!! Tapas are great in taste and portions are reasonable. Reservation is a must and next door there is a couple of nice bars to continue the evening. Bacon wrapped dates. Solomillo tapas. Eggplants rolls and baked goat cheese were excellent!! Sangria...ahhhh!!
(4)
Tavi J.

Except for one occasion I have only been to Tapas Valencia on dates. It is such a good date spot...not saying don't go with your friend...but fellas if your looking for a cute, affordable (during happy hour), and trendy spot to take your date I recommend this place. I went here on a blind date and after the embarrassment of approaching the wrong person, I was ready to have a cocktail and settle in. :) Definitely check happy hour times before you go. During happy hour a tapas that's normally $8 could be $3 The food and cocktails are really good! I had the championes, bravas potatoes, and the bacon dates. All delicious! The guy I was with just had a beer, but he seem to enjoy it. Lol The servers are really friendly and the atmosphere is very inviting. Another plus is they have patio seating outside (love the outdoors!). I don't frequent this place nearly as much as I should, but I do plan on coming back again.
(4)
Mike B.

A friend and I went here last night after her arguing against dimsum. Neither of us had ever had tapas before, but we're both adventurous eaters, and she'd been driving past this place for a while, wanting to visit more and more each time she passed. So, we both put down the bottle of vodka we'd been drinking, walked the dog before leaving, packed a road beer, and drove from bridgeport to this place. Yelp said it was casual attire, i was a bit skeptical, but both she and i were wearing tshirts and blue jeans, so if it was dressy, at least I wouldn't be alone. We arrived, and it had a nice mix of fancy & casual. A bar in the first section of the restaurant, and a dining area on the other side. We opted for the dining half, promising ourselves that we'd get several drinks regardless. The food & drink here are both ridiculously good. I'd never really experienced that whole 'explosion of flavor' thing people talk about, but I definitely found it here. Everything that they cooked for us was fuckin' ridiculously delicious. The food was so good that I didn't even care what the price tag was going to be, i just wanted to taste all of it. I can't remember all of what I ate, because of all the drinks that we had last night. I remember eating a really juicy skirt steak with onions at some point, at another point I had this delicious salmon, some time before that I had this dish which was like artichokes and other vegetables in this creamy tomato sauce. The drinks, with the exception of the 1st and the last are a complete mystery. The first one was this cucumber martini, which was just insanely good. Skip ahead like 4 or 5 drinks, I had this delicious horchata martini for desert. I would have gotten desert, but we were both full. So, we paid the bill, and took off down archer avenue. I was pretty worried that we were going to be pulled over, but we made it home safely.
(5)
Alfreda D.

It was the day before Valentine's Day and the dÃ©cor reflected as such. The gentlemen at the door (valet guys I believe) were really sweet, opened the door and greeted us warmly so I immediately had a good first impression. My friend and I were just stopping for a drink at the bar so we seated ourselves. I didn't catch the bartender's name, nor did he give it, but he was ok. I gave him a playful hard time about little things like wanting my water lukewarm, with lemon and a straw to loosen him up a bit. He was helpful with the wine list since I wasn't too familiar with all of the Spanish wine options. He directed me to a red that was similar to a Pinot Noir which I thought was decent. I mean, it was only $7-8 so it couldn't have been fabulous but I was satisfied with it. I didn't order any food so I can only speak to the service (ok) and the wine (ok) so that's why it's a 3-star review (a-ok). On our way out the manager (I think) came over and handed us each a single red rose and wished us a Happy Valentine's Day. That was a lovely surprise. Nice touch! Oh, I did find it hilarious that when my friend asked about ordering salty bar snacks like chips (with salsa or guacamole), the bartender suggested bread and butter. Wait, what? LOL. Then we realized he was serious. :-/
(3)
Shereene M.

Twas yum. Try a bunch and check in on yelp to get a free dessert! The plates are small so either we should have ordered more of each dish instead of a ton of variety. I think the dessert was my fav part!
(4)
Eric B.

I've traveled extensively in Spain and know my way around excellent tapas y pintxos. I had heard much good about this S. Loop spot so decided to give it a visit. I had fairly high expectations and was hoping I could make this a regular tapas destination. It fell short unfortunately. The first impression is good. The valet / door man, hostess, owner, bartender and wait staff were all friendly and very service oriented. The owner is also very socially responsible and supports many charities. That says much good in my book. The red sangria was tasty. The food though had as many misses as hits. And let's face it, the food is where ratings are earned. I started with Patatas con Alioli (garlic potato salad). The presentation was boring and lacking - a dull scoop on an iceberg lettuce leaf. The potato salad itself was reminiscent of what was served at a typical grocery store deli. Solid miss. Next was Pulpo a la Feira (Spanish marinated baby octopus). This is a hard dish to get right as octopus can easily be rubbery and chewy. I was very impressed here as they nailed it. Very flavorful and the octopus was delightfully melt in your mouth tender. Solid hit. The Pincho de Pollo (Grilled chicken skewers) was good. The chicken was tender and properly seasoned. It just didn't wow me especially at $7 a skewer. Last course was the Calamares a la Plancha (Grilled squid with garlic olive oil). This was the hit of the evening from a flavor standpoint. Very tasty and a solid hit. That said, I could replicate this recipe easily at home for a fraction of the cost. I have no problem paying for an excellent meal but I just didn't feel the price tag reflected what I got. At the end of the night, I think I could have gotten much better for my $45 tab. I would have been much happier at about a $25-$30 price point. They do have a $3 tapas menu daily. I have no problem returning for this as I think that is a fair price point for the food quality offered.
(2)
Kondapur A.

Queso de cabra was the best. Would definitely go their again for that. The wine collection was also great.
(4)
Jamie H.

I actually came here about a year and a half ago for my 30th birthday with my family. I thought I had reviewed the place already, whoops! I remember being pleasantly pleased with everything we had! We were there for lunch on a Sunday so we also had Mimosas and when we got the check we were very surprised; it seemed way less then it should have been!
(4)
Rose N.

Came here last night for my birthday .. I am so impressed with their food and service. The ambiance was great and the overall look of the restaurant was nice. They offer valet parking but street parking is easy to find as well. They're paella wasn't dry and their sangria was really good ! If you like Baba Reeba you will like this place too. They're not too overly priced either and just their food overall was delicious !
(4)
Madison L.

I loved this place. Such great food- the seafood paella was to die for and one of the best that I've had. Jesus, our waiter was wonderful. #TasteofSpain Would definitely come back. Great date spot.
(5)
Heidi L.

This restaurant is one of the biggest tapas restaurants I've ever been to! It has a different feel than most tapas places--a bit more loft/industrial, which was kind of an odd atmosphere for tapas. However, overall we had a good experience. There was a slight delay in getting waited on, but the eventual waiter made up for it by giving us a complimentary dessert (which I really appreciate--it seems like a lot of places now don't care if they give you bad service and won't even think about comping you with anything). The food was good and the portions were large compared to most tapas places. I would recommend.
(4)
Christine U.

Very good food. Lots of choices. Service was good in the beginning and then fell off when our server got a large group. Overall good experience and I would definitely go back.
(4)
Saif A.

Best potatoes I've ever eaten in my life. Every single item was amazing, but the portions could be bigger. The Flamenco dancing and signing was a treat! Highly recommended :)
(5)
Janet P.

Enjoyed the food, atmosphere and fun flamenco music and dancing. Hard to find decent tapas outside Spain but they did a good job.
(5)
R A.

We really enjoyed our dinner here. The cocktails were delicious, the food was tasty. We will be returning.
(4)
Sasank N.

Amazing food and great service. Wide variety of delicious tapas dishes. Highly recommend the scallops, stuffed mushrooms, and lamb. This place deserves 4-5 stars
(5)
Susan C.

I like eating Spanish food. This place is great to go to with friends or a big group of people. I went with my best friends and we share cold and hot tapas. We also had paella with seafood and it was delicious. The tapas that we had was great to. The service was great and the waitress make sure we had everything we needed. It is so close to where I work and it's not that far taking the train or bus from my house. I have yet to go back to this place.
(4)
Shari B.

Came here with a large group of friends. It was the longest dinner of my life. I was about to pass out at the table. Service was slow and confusing. We received the wrong steak dish. My friend never got his dishes. We didn't even complain because it would take too long to correct it. Two people ordered paella and they admitted they forgot about the order and gave us free dessert. The food was average. The skirt steak with blue cheese was a tiny portion of steak on top of a lot of onions. The duck confit was overly sweet. The baked goat cheese was good. And the sauteed tiger shrimp were overdone. They had some live music and flamenco dancing that night, which was entertaining when you could see them. The place is pretty spacious and would seem good for large groups, except for that they couldn't keep our orders straight. Oh well, there are plenty of other places to go.
(2)
Candice C.

I was most impressed with the exterior and interior design and appearance of Tapas Valencia The clientele was diverse and the overall mood and setting was relaxed and inviting. My boyfriend and I ordered eight different tapas that sounded delicious on the menu. Each dish was consistently flavorless.. bland, and dry. The mashed potatoes were instant and I could tell they came from a box. The Sangria was ok, but it wasn't spectacular. I had expectations of a "Tapa's" Restaurant and expected more flavor in the food and zest in the sangria. The beef empanada was mushy and soggy.. and uneatable. Our server came to our table as soon as we sat down. She spent a lot of time explaining the wine list to us and seemed disappointed when we ordered Sangria. She brought us bread and butter, which was nice. Our food was brought out quickly and all of the servers were extremely pleasant, kind and smiled. I will go back to Tapas Valencia for the atmosphere and the inexpensive cost for bland food and box of wine sangria. The music was loud, but our ears adjusted. We watched the Bull's Game on TV and overall it was a pleasant experience. The price we paid for a large amount of bland food, pitcher of sangria made with box of wine was fair.
(3)
Sujin Y.

All of our food came out cold. Our waiter was never around. I've definitely had WAY better tapas. Will not be coming back here. So disappointed.
(2)
Pan F.

Street parking was surprisingly easy, and they have valet. Flamingo on Saturday nights I went to, and the dancing sure added flavors to the meal. Great place for informal gathering, I don't think it's as loud as some of the tapas restaurants downtown. Service was great, and the food too.
(5)
Monica M.

Great food and atmosphere was very inviting. I've had better but this spot was pretty good.
(4)
Julianne Z.

I really enjoyed this place and it was a great choice for Restaurant Week because the service was amazing and the food was great too! The menu included salpicon de mariscos which is almost like a ceviche with shrimp, calamari and scallops, tostada de jamon con queso, and patatas con alioli y pisto manchego. I really loved the patatas actually, because even though it was just potato salad, it was just really tasty! The second course included stuffed mushroom caps, grilled tiger shrimp and bacon wrapped dates. The dates were amazing! The bacon itself was a bit candied and that sweet and salty combo was really nice. The main course was grilled beef tenderloin and grilled tilapia. The tenderloin was amazing and the sweet potato pure was awesome! Finally, the best part of the meal was dessert because instead of just giving us champagne and a slice of cake, they gave us one of every dessert from their regular menu. We felt so special! The Tarta de Pera was AMAZING! It was an almond pound cake with pears and was by far the best! We also had profiteroles del pirineo, tarta de chocolate y caramel, tart de pecans, and cazuelita de chocolate. Yum! Overall, it was a great dinner with great company! I can't stress how amazing the servers were so I highly recommend this place, even if it isn't restaurant week!
(4)
Isabella W.

A group of 6 of us went here on a Friday night. I made reservations for 7:30 and a table was promptly ready for us. The atmosphere is very relaxing and the place is very clean! I will start off with the drinks. Of course we had to get sangrias! The first one, made with white wine, was a little weak. We told the waitress, but she insisted that it was strong. I guess we are a bunch of alcoholics that have high tolerance. The second sangria we got was made with champagne and this time, it was a lot stronger! The third one was made with red wine and it was very tasty and pretty strong as well. The food was really tasty! We got the Taste of Spain option since it is a little bit of everything that is popular, and some other small plate (that's why it's a tapas place lol). The presentation was very nice and everyone loved the quality of the food! I think my favorite one was the squid. It was very fresh! The spicy potatoes, something that I always get at a tapas place, was just spicy enough, yet not blazing hot, which is what I like. The dessert was unbelievably delicious! We got a tray of different ones, since it came with our meal. The flan was soaked in a coffee cream...fantastic! We also got some chocolate custard pie, vanilla ice cream, and the waitress was nice to throw in an ice cream pastry puff on the house. When we finished, there were nothing but empty plates and satisfied customers =). I would definitely come back! The service is very attentive and great and everything is super clean and organized...even the bathrooms! I would say this place compares to Cafe Iberico or CafÃ© Ba Ba Reeba. However, those two places have things on their menu that I love, but I cannot find in Tapas Valencia. Come check this place out if you have a chance! There's paid meter parking and valet if you don't want to drive around. But beware! DO NOT park in the residential area! There is a sign posted that you need a permit, but it's really small and if you see tickets on other cars, that's usually a sign that you can't park there. I would love to try their goat cheese next time I come back. I usually order that dish every time, but no one in my group likes goat cheese.
(5)
Maree S.

Fabulous tapas and paella! Great restaurant and food was excellent. Loved the paella with added shrimp. All the tapas we tried were delicious and cannot wait to go back and try other tapas.
(5)
Bryan F.

Love the no reservation system. Great tapas selections for both the not so advanturious crowd and foodies.
(5)
Dan L.

My wife and I have been here on a number of occasions and each time we're always really impressed with the quality of the food. In my opinion, its actually the best Spanish Tapas restaurant in Chicago-land...food wise. I would highly recommend the olives, stuffed mushrooms, and the Talapia. The ambiance is a little more low-key than some other tapas restaurants, but that actually makes it a great place for a romantic date or to get a large group together where you can actually talk. Service here is always fantastic and the manager always seems to make it to every table to see how things are going. The only downside is that being on south State, its a little more out of the way and not as central to the rest of the city. You wouldn't go to dinner here and then wander to a nearby pub or bar. With apps like Uber or Hailo though, its pretty easy to get a cab and get back to more lively parts of the city.
(5)
aloha g.

Found on Yelp, WOW. 4.5 stars. We had the chef's fixed menu of like 10 items for I think about $55 or 65 per person. It had most popular items. Incredibly tasty and well done. Only reason not 5 stars is I don't think every dish was 5 stars worth. Had a mango sangria which was also really good. Very friendly. Great place. Definitely will come again.
(4)
Jules H.

Terrific food. Everything we got our tapas on with was delicious! Olives, a nice salad with octopus, beef brochette, chicken brochette with chorizo, nice sized portions for tapas, well priced! Service was good, but a tad off. One minute we couldn't get our water glasses refilled, and then 10 minutes later the waiter, water refiller, and food server would all appear at the same time asking if we needed anything. They were all delightfully nice, but need to space their table visits. Valet parking! Miro-esque murals on the walls. Good tapas spot!
(4)
Mark Y.

Love this place so much. Diverse fantastic food, service, location, ambience. Perfect place to bring a group or out of towners!.. Just wish they still had the tudella salad;)
(5)
Julia S.

I have been here 5 times. Clearly I keep coming back! Most of the servers are incredible. We have only had one instance in which service was very poor. That was certainly the exception. Each time we have gone the food has been very consistent. The tasting menu is wonderful to get an idea of which plates you enjoy and is reasonably priced. Our favorite dishes are the Tostadas de Centollo (toast points with crab and avocado) and Tarta de Chocolate y Caramelo for dessert.
(4)
Kait G.

Tapas Valencia was a pleasant surprise! The service was excellent. Water was always full, table was always clean, and the food came out at a perfect speed. They brought out each dish 1 or 2 at a time. I really enjoyed the skirt steak, crepes, and salmon with goat cheese. They have drink specials through out the week so I had the $5 margarita which had a generous amount of tequila. The decorations and music give it a relaxed but elegant atmosphere. Would love to come back with a larger group to try more plates because they are a bit pricy for tapas.
(4)
Mona M.

Went here with 10 girls on Saturday night. Great atmosphere and food. The waiters were very attentive and the bill with drinks was very reasonable given we ordered tons of food and drinks. Really enjoyed the flamenco dancing as we'll!
(5)
Niraj G.

We had the veggie paella, penne pasta, stuffed peppers, chicken skewers, and the cazuelita de chocolate. The paella was above average and had more veggies than most places I've seen, which was a good thing. The stuffed peppers were the highlight: Great balance of cheese and black bean sauce. The pasta and skewers could have been better. All in all, a nice tapas place in the south loop.
(4)
Stephanie M.

From start to finish, the service and food was impeccable! Jose was the manager on duty and he truly made our night special. My colleagues and I went for a girl's night and was instantly enchanted by the decor of this restaurant. They have this beautiful mosaic tiling all along their walls giving the whole restaurant a Barcelona feel. Being recently back from Barcelona, it felt like I was transported back to my favorite European city. Jose introduced us to the specials of the day, and gave us a moment to look over the menu. We were interested in the wine, however very unfamiliar with Spanish wine. Jose narrowed down the choices to then his top 3 favorites of the menu. We had the bottle of Rioja "Conde de Valdemar Reserva" and two bottles of their new Toro that was off the menu. He wanted to gather our input on what we thought of the new wine and if they should keep this brand. I thought that this was a great marketing strategy on their part and a great treat for us. The food was equally amazing. He helped us pair our meal with the different tapas that would go well with the wine selections. Everything felt very European! He didn't rush us during the dinner event. I say event because we savored every moment of this meal without thinking of rushing out that door. After our few courses of tapas, we ordered additional dishes. To start, the jamon de serrano platter is a great sharing plate. Great thin slices of the traditional Serrano ham with monchego cheese wedges and fresh bread with pesto. I also highly recommend the bacon wrapped dates and the grilled calamari. Fantastic! Everything was absolutely fantastic. For dessert I had the tarte de chocolate y caramelo. Wow~ talk about heavenly decadence! By the way, you won't want to share this dish. I also tried the platano con helado. This is like thier version of a bananas foster. If you wanted a lighter dessert, this is a very refreshing dessert.
(5)
Jessica S.

Made a reservation for a quick dinner here last night, pre-Beyonce/Jay Z, knowing that it would be busy. It was about 80% full, but we experience horrible service (and I say this knowing what it's like to work in the service industry for 10+ years). Waited nearly 40 minutes for our third round of drinks. Another server who was helping out with our table told us he would get the manager to come over because he could sense our frustration, while our own waiter was oblivious. I had to hunt down the manager after 10 minutes of waiting to request that we receive our drinks immediately so we could cash out and leave. He took the final round of drinks off the bill but didn't seem too apologetic that we were neglected for about 40 minutes. Instead, I saw our server running around filling up waters instead of leaving that job to the busboys, which is the norm at most restaurants. The food was good, nothing incredible, but solid tapas food. And I really really enjoyed my mojitos (only $5 on Thursdays along with martinis and margaritas) but I really can't imagine ever coming back to deal with terrible service.
(2)
Allison M.

Love the $5 margaritas, and the friendly wait staff who didn't even mind when I had to plug my dying iphone in. I also love that this restaurant really doesn't have much around it, makes it clear that it is worth going to as well as much-needed in the neighborhood. The food is good too: my favorite (unsurprisingly-- it's always my favorite at tapas places) was the Queso de Cabra. We also tried the Pimientos del Piquillo which were super tasty. I think we also had a rolled-up eggplant sort of thing, but it's hard to remember now... those $5 margaritas hit hard! I appreciate the number of vegetarian items on the menu, and the prices are fair. This was definitely a winner!
(4)
Joyce D.

Happy Hour is da bomb! $3 tapas and $5 mojitos! Great mojitos and I love the patatas bravas. If you don't eat pork like me, then options are somewhat limited but there is plenty of seafood. I had mussels for the first time and enjoyed it! The patio is open in the summer.
(5)
Nitin K.

The Clara beer is awesome.. cured meats tapas, goat cheese with garlic bread are my favs
(4)
Liz K.

I came here when it first opened and then recently with a big group. It was a Saturday night and well most of us know Saturdays are busy (we had reservations though) but wow the service was slow and a bit off. The place is decently sized with a great big bar and well that night almost every table was taken. Now I LOVE Tapas & Sangria. I just loved getting a little bit of everything. :-) I had: Setas Salvajes= Yum! Pincho de Pollo=OK Ensalada Pollo Marbella=Good! Tortilla Espanola=Very Good Patatas Bravas=Umm no thanks I have had better One thing about this place is the sangria is Gooood! Now I was expecting a pretty big bill since I felt like we all ordered so much...but in the end it wasn't bad at all. At least not for what we felt like we ate. Overall, the experience would have been better if service was better. We kept getting food we didn't order and then had to wait forever for some of our dishes. Now I remember it being way better when we first went about 3 years ago...or maybe I just had too much Sangria that day. ;-)
(3)
Michael S.

Tapas Valencia seems to think its something more than it really is. We are local family and live across the street, we arrived at 7:00 with plenty of tables available in the dinning room to be told they are full until 9:00. We were offered a table in the bar. In total transparency we had two kids with us, we frequently dine with our kids who love tapas. I'm not sure when tapas Valencia decided they are above the level of serving kids. It's disappointing and frankly not in the spirit of True Spanish tapas. For now, we will seek other options in our neighborhood. BTW- the patas bravas are soggy. If they can't get that right then don't expect much else to be better.
(2)
John Z.

Tapas Valencia seems like it's trying to be a gaudy and fancy restaurant in a neighborhood that's largely devoid of high end tapas, but falls well short of expectations. The menu is massive, and some of them are good (try the tenderloins and scallops), but none of it is worth going out of your way for. But just like your local diner with too big of a menu, Tapas Valencia has its share of misses. Jamon Serrano comes on slices of boring white toast. Potato salad comes in an unappetizing scoop that reminds me of picnics. I've had their tasting menu, and for the price you pay, you should be getting higher quality than what you get. For a tapas restaurant that looks impressive from the outside, things just feel tacky and subpar on the inside. Plates feel cheap, and plating is uninspiring. I passed by this place quite often, and it is usually quite empty. Just like the menu, the restaurant is way too big for its own good. There's a host in the front, but you'll probably find him bored and staring at the television at the bar. There's sometimes a live band, but unfortunately it's not a great band, and they're way too loud to sit next to. There's tons of great tapas places in Chicago; unfortunately most of them often have a large crowd. But there's a reason why most of those places have a crowd, and Tapas Valencia still remains empty.
(1)
Tia M.

Went for a late dinner last night, the place was packed which I took as a good sign. The servers were attentive, the food came out hot & was really yummy. I had a martini and split a pitcher of sangria, martini was great but the sangria was just okay. Also there was a flamenco dancer making her rounds in the space & that was a nice surprise. I will definitely go back go back for dinner, ambience & drinks.
(4)
Tonye T.

My favorite tapas restaurant in the south loop. Love the bacon wrapped dates (que the Homer Simpson drool) even though I'm not sure if it is an authentic tapas fare . The ambience is nice and the staff friendly.
(5)
Laila C.

I really wasn't expecting much when we decided to come for dinner. The reviews for this place are pretty mediocre but given the non-abundance of dining choices still around the South Loop, I took a chance. And I'm so glad I did!!!! First of all, pretty good red sangria...and a great deal!!! Favorite plates include: skirt steak with bleu cheese, grilled shrimp, chorizo and blood sausage, grilled octopus, AND shockingly...I looooved the chocolate custard!!! Bitter-sweet chocolate that is rich but so delicious! No good: onion soup...well that's our fault. My bf's an idiot and decided to get french onion soup at a tapas place. jamon and cheese plate. It was fine....but it was ham and cheese...not even anything they make in house. I can do that at home. Not impressed.
(4)
Kristen C.

We went to Tapas Valencia on a Saturday night and the food was absolutely delicious!! We ordered a few cocktails and beers- all were really great! For the food, we started off with the bread and butter they provided, and also ordered the grilled calamari (fantastic!), bacon wrapped dates (pretty good), skirt steak (sooo good!), a seafood salad (you could taste how fresh it was), a beet salad (awesome!), octopus and potatoes (not exactly what I was expecting, so this was my least favorite), the seafood/chicken paella (thought this was also really good!). As I mentioned above, the food was really really good! The service on the other hand was not very good... we maybe saw her a total of 4 times the entire night, when she greeted us, when she brought drinks, and when she came to check on us, and then to bring the check. Also, I'm not sure if the kitchen forgot to make our the calamari and steak dishes, but we waited for about 20 minutes after everything came out (including the paella which we ordered last), until the server finally came back and asked how we were doing. Then we told her that we didn't get two dishes yet but still wanted to try them. After that, it came out in about 10 minutes.
(4)
Vincenzo N.

My brother in law took us here for dinner earlier while visiting from San Francisco and I must say that this restaurant was the hi lite of our trip. Our waitress Clemencia was very accommodating. The food was exceptionally great. The Paella Valencia was to die for. We had 4 pitchers of Sangria Blanco and my wife left her LV purse at the reception area while waiting for our car. By the time she realized what happened after like an hour from the time we left the restaurant; she was in panic mode. But the manager Jose kept her purse and my wife could not thank him enough :) What an experience !
(5)
SasaChaCha C.

My favorite tapa place! Love it!
(4)
Paul H.

My evaluation of this place is based on the sangria, it was just okay. We came here for happy hour, and they have a great cheap tapas menu to accompany the drink menu. The food was good and I would stop by for a quick drink and snack with friends again.
(3)
Raquel D.

Overpriced and underwhelming. The tapas are OK here, but definitely pricier than the moreknown spots in Chicago (ahem Iberico - my fav!). Maybe it's unfair that I compare everything to (ahem Iberico), but that is just how tapas should be in my book. If you can't get on their level, then definitely price below them. Wasn't worth it for me - dollar wise and calorie wise.
(3)
Janene M.

I've returned multiple times since my first review. The service has gone down. The owner/manager (not sure what his role is) knows his regulars really well. The last time I was there, he stopped and greeted every single regular, but my sister and I had been there for a couple of hours and he never greeted us. He walked past us several times. Everyone is a paying customer, not just your regulars. I called not 10 minutes after we left because it really annoyed me, to speak with the manager. At first he acted like we were never there. Then, after I described us in detail and where we were sitting, he goes, Oh, yes, now I remember you. Please, do not insult my intelligence, you knew who we were. He stated, those are my regulars. Ok, so you don't need the money we just spent on food and alcohol? Well, if your business doesn't need people who aren't "regulars" that's great. It's back to Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba for me.
(2)
Magda M.

Their homemade olives are the best I have ever had.
(4)
Lauren C.

We came here for the first time and loved it! The food was wonderful and the service was great as well. Our favorite was the goat cheese and skirt steak! This is a must try if you are near the south loop.
(5)
Charles S.

Great find in the south loop! What an awesome and authentic place for tapas! Nice atmosphere and great food! Make sure you get the skirt steak and bacon wrapped dates! $5 margaritas and mojitos on Thursday!
(4)
Lady N.

My husband and I went here on a whim today and liked the place. We live a few blocks and a few streets away and because we liked this place, I like that we have this restaurant in the neighborhood. First, we were somewhat surprised by how expensive the prices were. We didn't go in thinking it would be one price or the other but found it somewhat more expensive that Cafe Iberico and around the same as Emilio's but with fewer less expensive options. The service was really good. Our server was attentive, personable and friendly. The busboy was efficient, polite, and unobtrusive. We liked the food - we had the bacon wrapped dates - we've had better ones at other tapas places but this was good too; patatas - can't really go wrong with this, pretty darn standard tapas fare; the steak with mashed potato which was soft with creamy potatoes; and empanadas were good. For two of us with only 4 items, our bill was over $40 with tips so definitely not cheap but it is a good neighborhood restaurant and it got really busy (which we like because we like more restaurants to open in the South Loop). I liked the ambiance, the staff seemed really efficient and friendly, and food was good.
(4)
Melissa C.

This place isn't bad. We had bacon wrapped dates, calamari, and sangria. I just wasn't impressed. If you like tapas, cafe ba ba reeba is much better. The food was just okay and unimpressive. Too expensive for the quality of food
(3)
Anne S.

I liked this place. The only problem is I thought it was a bit overpriced. This is in a good location (easy parking, 3 blocks from the Roosevelt Red, Orange, and Green line stop). The space is cute, the staff is unbelievably friendly. (Our server was so sweet, and made some great recommendations, the bus boys were all very friendly, one even ran to open the doors for us).They were playing great music, and the food was good. So all in all it was a nice atmosphere. There were 2 of us and we had: Spanish omelet- good Goat cheese- good Scallops with couscous- amazing Almond encrusted White fish- okay (I thought it was okay, my dinning partner loved it) A dessert that I don't know what it was- okay I also had pomegranate sangria and peach sangria, both of which were good. The peach was quite sweet. Overall I was quite impressed. I do think that all of the dishes were good for sharing with 2 people. We would not have gotten very much of each thing if there were more than 2 of us. Sharing as a large group seems like it would be quite difficult. (As would eating with someone with a large appetite).
(4)
Lawrence Y.

I've been here a few times now and have thoroughly enjoyed each experience. While the restaurant is on State Street it's really kind of isolated and not in a main restaurant corridor. It is worth the trip and search though. It's a really spacious restaurant and has a good flair in terms of decor. The service I've had here has always been great, as well. The first time was last year during Valentines where we did the San Valentin prix-fixe (including Mixtos de la casa, tapas frias populares, mixtos caliente, mar y montana... and delicious white chocolate pistachio mousse and french vanilla butter cream cake for dessert) and wine flight combinations. In my more recent visits, I did the Taste of Spain prix-fixe (which is a really good value!). Some of my favorite items are the Tostadas de Centollo (king crab and avocado), Calamares a la Plancha (grilled squid), and Vieiras al AlbariÃ±o (grilled scallops with couscous). There was only one thing I didn't like off that tasting menu and it was the breaded chicken breast (with each chew all I kept thinking was ew, Country Fried Steak lol). Favorite dessert by far is the Crema con Chocolate (custard)... YUM.
(5)
Raph V.

I'm not a fan of Tapas restuarant's, but this was ok. The Sangria's are good, but becareful they will mess you up. I ordered the dish with scallops(amazing) and that was the highlight of my night there.
(3)
Brandon T.

Everything was good. Like the decor, food comes out fast and pretty good, good service. Will come back.
(4)
Shradha A.

After an amazing time at Meson Sabika, I was looking forward to this experience. Unfortunately, that never materialized. The service was extremely slow after the initial order-taking. The menu was a mix of American food, Americanized tapas and that too - paella was too soggy (watery), patatas bravas had too much cheese on it, the apple-cheese crepe was interesting.. I absolutely did not enjoy the food here and while the ambiance was colorful and the restaurant is spacious, the food is really nothing to remember it for.
(2)
Colleen C.

Take THAT Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba! Tapas Valencia has finally filled the niche so badly needed in Chicago: good (no, great!), well-portioned tapas served in a fun, funky atmosphere. Truthfully, as I've expressed many a time...tapas does not do it for me. Small food, large prices, lackluster quality. Tapas Valencia however, does it right...and does it well. As a new kid on the South Loop block (open a month), they are kickin' it into high gear... Parking: Valet for $5, or there is street parking to be found for those with a bit of patience. But hey, for $5...why not? Another bonus: complimentary coat check. Very cool, indeed...though I do not wish to be wearing a winter coat anymore, c'est la vie. Ambience: Think tapas funky style, bright colors mixed with the lofty interior of a converted South Loop warehouse. High ceilings, large cement pillars and sleek floors, roomy tables, a large sweeping bar in the front, and enough intimacy to share a meal and be able to chit chat. The place is brand spankin' new...and it shows. Service: Not a kink in site. Smooth, fabulous recommendations (not so easy with their HUGE menu, I'd think), quick and friendly. Drinks: a few glasses of Cristalino cava....only $7 per glass, started things out on the right foot. Cold, crisp...it's what every girl date should begin with ;) Now, the fun part...the FOOD! Complimentary stuffed green olives and toast points with soft butter (mmmm, thankful for these, or the champagne would've hit me like a ton of bricks). Cream of broccoli soup (lovely, and for only $3.50 a steal). Cold Tapas: Rock shrimp over crusty bread (cold tapas special, HUGE and tasty). Serrano ham and cheese over muffelatta (also HUGE, also hit the spot). Each of these plates came with 3 large portions...a great start. Hot Tapas: Beef empanada (heft portion, perfectly flaky, gooey beef and cheese on the inside, mmmmm), Crepe Rellano (pine nuts in there! whoa! ooooey gooey sinful crepe). Crab fritters (little balls of crab with heaping side of garlic aioli...mmmm). Dessert (was this my favorite? of course!): the creme brulee with bittersweet chocolate. My gal pal and I wolfed that sucker down in about 2 minutes, and were all the better for it. Wishing we had time for coffee, but dashing off to a show....we discussed the merits of hiding chocolate within creme brulee, and decided that might be the only way it should ever be prepared, ever. Fabulous from start to finish, it is literally the only tapas place in Chicago I would recommend to friends/family, etc. Everything I had was nothing short of excellent, which I rarely can say at Cafe Ba-Ba-what's-their-name. Perfect for a LARGE group or party, as their dining room is very large and roomy...or a little date night :) Just what the South Loop needed...
(5)
Jose E G.

Wow, a wonderful eating experience. The paella was extraordinary. The cold and hot tapas were out of this world. The dessert Flan de CafÃ©, superb. I highly recommend this place and will definitely come back next time Im in Chicago. I also like to thanks Jeanie for her attention. She was very asserted in her recommendations.
(5)
Rochelle W.

Arrived on a Thursday night with my mom around 5:30 pm. We didn't go for the happy hour special since the hostess told us the portions were smaller than what you get from the regular menu.... We were quickly seated and given a dish of some type of marinated olives. Delicious. I ate every one of them, although I usually don't like green pitted olives. We skipped the sangria to save that money for something from the dessert menu. First we ordered the salmon curado (cured salmon). I thought it was delicious, the toast points were not too hard and the dill creme sauce was great. My mother felt that it was too salty, but that was due to the capers they piled on top. I still thought it was good. Next, the tostadas piquillo (toast points with a salmon/shrimp/scallop mix under a poblano pepper). These were DELICIOUS and I was upset it only came with two of em. The creamy vinaigrette it came with was so good I started to sop it up with the bread they gave us...... The Pato Confidato (duck confit with mushrooms and apples) was soooo good. The orange reduction sauce was just too tasty. The meat of the duck was falling off the bone! Then we got the Crepe Relleno....(crepe with goat cheese, spinach, pine nuts and apples). It came with some type of orange sauce that was tasty....The crepe was light and crispy. Very good. We were stuffed by this point, but still decided to order the whitefish with Mediterranean couscous. It wasn't as good as the other tapas, but still delicious. My mother was veryyy excited about getting the flan for dessert, and the waiter informed us that the flavor was vanilla- her favorite. Then, sadly, he returned to say that the flavor would be coconut instead. At that point, we just skipped it and got the bill. Overall, the place was great in terms of the prices and ambiance. I will most definitely return!
(4)
Mark M.

The tapas were hit or miss. The special rainbow trout was very good, but the NY strip special with bacon wrapped asparagus was overcooked - The steak was well done and chewy. All in all we had 6 plates, 3 cold and 3 hot, and none other than the trout was memorable. Service was spotty. Tapas would all arrive at once - wait staff timing to order next selections seemed to always come with the food. Pleasant enough but not equal to the atmosphere they are trying to create. The specialty drinks were quite good and they had a nice selection of Spanish beers. If I happened to be in the neighborhood I might give it another chance - especially sitting at the bar for the $2 and $3 tapas offered with drink purchase - but I wouldn't make a special trip.
(3)
Jeff S.

Happy to see a tapas restaurant in the Near South and decided to give it a try tonight. Went for the $2 tapas menu and ordered a bunch of different dishes. Everything I ordered was excellent, with my favorites being the Bacon-Wrapped Dates (of course) and the Spanish Omelette with Salmon. The tapas menu is quite different from what is currently shown on their website, with many of the items we ordered appearing to be new additions. I'm reserving 5 stars for places like CafÃ© Ba Ba Reeba but if I could give 4 1/2 stars here I would. I'm not sure how the portion sizes change for the regular dinner menu but for $2 a dish you can't beat it.
(4)
Jeremy P.

Tapas Valencia is one of my favorite places to eat. Delicious food and fun atmosphere. If your going, try everything. You will be satisfied.
(4)
Diana G.

I'm going to go with 3 stars. I went with my guy and we sat there for a few hours. We were never rushed or anything. We originally just wanted to go in for a drink and ended up staying a lot longer. We went on a Saturday and it was not super busy. He started off with a passion martini and I had a glass of white wine sangria. We ended up ordering a pitcher of red wine sangria and some food. He also ordered 2 other drinks with vodka.They started us off with some olives and bread. My guy ordered an appetizer, but I don't remember what it was called, but it wasn't all that. He ordered lamb and I ordered the grilled squid with garlic lemon olive oil. I thought it was good. Our waitress was cool and very friendly. I give it 3 stars since I loved the ambiance, a very nice place to just chill and relax and the friendly waitress. We did think it was a bit pricey and the drinks and food was not that great.
(3)
Carolyn R.

Holy crap, I think the scallops with couscous may be the best thing I've ever put in my mouth. Seriously. Thumbs up on the grilled octopus special too. Awesome customer service, manager came by twice and was so charming. Good waitress too. Drinks were interesting, but a bit pricey. Anybody who has visited Mexico (or lived on the West Side) will appreciate the spicy chili salt rim mangotini drink and recognize its origins. Wish my mango garnish had been riper but the drink itself was full of booze and delish. Decor was quite mmmm..... Miro / industrial. It worked. Room can be loud when full, esp if you sit next to a Toddlers and Tiaras kid who likes to kick the plywood bench support, almost trips two waiters on her way back from the washroom and seems to have attended pole dancing lessons. Seems like perhaps 9 pm on a Saturday is a wee bit too late for taking your six-year old out for her dinner so I don't blame the kid for being antsy. Note to the entire towns of Barrington and Schaumburg -- See, the reason why late family dining works in places like France or Italy is that everybody takes a nap on the weekends and isn't buzzing around from sports practice to kiddie manicures to language enrichment class to shopping with Helicopter Mom. You can't go-go-go all day long with a six year old and expect them to behave at a real restaurant. You may accuse me of being anti-child but really it's you, the parents, I can't stand. They are at your mercy. Please realize they are not adults. OK, thanks.
(4)
Michael C.

Note: this is a review from a November, 2010 visit to Chicago that I neglected to post. This was a nice place with a great ambiance and wonderful service. I had the following: - Tapas Frias (potato salad, sauteed vegetables, chicken curry salad) - Pincho de Pollo (skewered chicken with cumin sauce on the side) - Holla de Mariscos (seafood in broth) - Poncho de Solomillo (grilled brochette of beef tenderloin) - Cordero al Pastor (lamb tenderloins) - Tarta de Pera (Pear tart?) - almond pound cake with pear served with caramel sauce and ice cream. Good food and drinks, definitely a place I would visit again.
(4)
Vanessa R.

I love the idea of being able to sample little portions of tasty, morsels of food and making a dinner out of it. So recently, a friend and I ventured over to Tapas Valencia in the south loop for dinner on a Friday night. Long story short: Tapas Valencia is certainly the poor man's CafÃ© Babareeba or CafÃ© Iberico. This place is huge - with a ton of seating. However, we were seated off in a corner that made us feel like we were at the back of a warehouse. In fact, despite the bright colors and the fact that there were a lot of patrons at the place, it felt very sterile and depressing in there. Onto the tapas: we each ordered two tapas - I ordered 2 hot tapas: the patatas bravas (spicy potatoes) and the chorizo & sausage. My friend ordered the goat cheese & the empanadas with beef. The spicy potatoes were a bit rubbery, and didn't have the great flavor and spice of the aforementioned cafes. And they were draped in cheese. I know I am clearly in the minority here since EVERYONE loves cheese (and I don't), but it kind of ruined it for me. Wish it had been on the side. But despite the cheese, even when it was scraped off, the potatoes were pretty bad. I figured this was not a good sign of tapas to come if they couldn't even get the basic potatoes right. Well, at least Tapas Valencia was consistent. The sausage and chorizo tapas were pretty bland and forgettable as well. The chorizo was charred, completely dry and flavorless; the sausage tasted a little better (at least it wasn't burnt) but also, nothing to write home about. I passed on the goat cheese so can't review that, but I did have some of the empanada. Again, this was covered in a layer of cheese & scantily stuffed with ground beef. After removing some of the cheese, the empanada was pretty mediocre - dry and lacking any sort of flavor. We didn't give them a chance with desert, so headed out to the restroom before leaving. Problem: my stall was completely out of toilet paper (both dispensers empty), there were all sorts of toilet paper scattered on the floor, and to top it off the paper towel dispenser was broken. I understand they were busy, but you could tell that the bathroom had been unattended for quite some time. I will say that staff was very friendly and attentive and the peach sangria was delicious. They also had many different sangria flavors and a pretty decent wine list, so for that, I'll give them 2 stars. Overall, my experience here can be summed up in one word: bland. And I'll throw in another word: disappointing. I will certainly not be coming back here anytime soon - because I know I can get tapas 10 times as good elsewhere in the city.
(2)
S F.

Overall, a great dining experience. Would have been better if we liked all the dishes we ordered. Started off with the guava sangria but could hardly taste the sangria or the guava (too much ice!!). For the tapas, we ordered two rounds. Round 1 - mahi mahi, balck pepper skirt steak, empanadas and lamb over couscous. All these dishes were excellent, the best being the skirt steak. Round 2 - beef tenderloins, seafood over angel hair pasta and the duck confit. This course killed the entire meal - the beef was so-so, the duck was too sweet and the seafood dish was too fishy (so fishy, I couldn't the leftovers the next day). We skipped dessert since we were so full after all the other tapas we ate. The ambience is very nice inside the restaurant though it is pretty deserted outside and kind of sketchy when trying to park your car.
(3)
Dhruv P.

Chicago isn't immune to the prevalent tapas craze. By no means do I hate tapas, in fact, I quite enjoy it especially with a few friends who have the same dietary specifications (i.e. vegetarian). Otherwise, it gets tricky when the final bill comes and we subsidize those that eat everything. But the above has no bearing to Tapas Valencia. Its a gripe in general. I went here for a friends birthday dinner. The service was excellent and atmosphere was fun. But the food (at least the veggie portions) were so-so. It just seems they didn't put any thought into the dishes that I would end up ordering, and there weren't just too many choices. I got enough to fill me up, but nothing that made a impact or desire for me to order again. Everyone else who had much more choices enjoyed their food. But I'll stick with Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba
(3)
Navid N.

Extremely addicting. Been going there 2~3 times a week since they've opened. The most friendly staff and managers, very affordable and mouth watering dishes, great seatings, modern Spanish style decor and lots of convenient parking make this place my all time favorite restaurant...Enjoy Navid
(5)
Joanne C.

My sister and I love coming here for sangria and tapas. It's so close to us so we just walk there when we feel like eating the garlic-packed potato salad (YUM!) and grilled calamari (double YUM!). Besides the 2 dishes I mentioned above, we usually order a cheese and meat plate, mussels, skirt steak with blue cheese, and maybe a salad. Depends on our mood and how hungry we are. Bread basket is always kept full, water is filled, and if you run out of the complimentary olives, just ask for more. (I love those olives.....) For dessert I always ask for the flan of the day and if it's coconut, I get that. Mmm...coconut..... Ahem. If that's not available then I get something chocolatey, like the vanilla custard with chocolate or the bittersweet chocolate terrine with raspberries. I like having a tasty tapas place within walking distance to us so we don't have to trek all the way to the north side and fight for a parking space.
(4)
Bettina S.

We went to Tapas Valencia cause we saw on line that they had $2 tapas from 5-6:30 for happy hour. Sounds like a great deal right? We thought so too. Plus I drive by there all the time and keep saying that I'd like to try it. We went at about ten to 6 and were greeted at the door. We asked for a table for 3, and when we told the greeter we didn't have a reservation, she told us "not without a reservation, but you can sit in the bar area if you can find a table." Okay, no big deal, we'll sit at the bar. Our server greeted us and when we asked about the $2 tapas, he told us that it was AT the bar only, and that it was almost 6:30 anyway. Okay, but I thought we were sitting in the bar area and we still have about 30 minutes to order.... That was disappointing but we decided to stay; we're not that cheap :) We tried three different tapas, the goat cheese, the sausages and chorizo, and the empanada. Nothing was wow, but the empanada was pretty good. The sangria was pretty good; just a bit light on the fruit. All in all it was just alright. When we got our check, we were then asked to fill out a survey; shortly thereafter, someone came over to our table clearly in reaction to our responses, which really weren't that bad. It was a double edged sword, on one hand, they are in tune with their customer's opinions, on the other hand their survey had NO anonymity. Oh well. Probably won't go back, but I'm glad I gave it a try.
(2)
Patti R.

This near south side restaurant used to be in the western suburb of Bloomingdale several years ago - we liked the food then, but the service was just okay. Wondered if by changing locations things had improved. Atmosphere: We ate outside since the weather was perfect. Road noise was high, but otherwise we had a nice experience. It looked like the inside was decorated nicely - I was surprised they weren't busier on a Sat. night. Drinks: I had a glass of the red wine sangria, which was good. Food: we ordered goat cheese marinara, spicy potatoes, tiger shrimp with honey sauce, beef empanada, and salmon and cheese rollups. The goat cheese marinara was by far the winner of the bunch, always my favorite. The potatoes were okay, nothing special. I liked the beef empanada, but it was more of a croissant pastry dough rather than the empanada dough we're used to. The salmon was good, as was the shrimp. Service: While our waiter was pleasant, we had to ask for him a few times for food, water refills, our check. Overall, we liked the food, but the service was just too slow for us. Would I go back? Sure, but if given the choice I'd probably pick another tapas place in the city, as there are many.
(3)
Ahmed N.

Vibrant environment and delicious food. We had the grilled calamari and the paella and both were good. Only thing to add is to space the tapas and not brig all together.
(4)
Elliott C.

Cool place to take a date.
(4)
Aivin M D.

I visited the restaurant on the last night of my trip. Found it just by coincidence. The service was good. And the place it self looks nice. The food was good, but I've had better. It was nice to have olives and cheese instead of bread, that is usually given when you sit at your table. We had the dates wrapped in bacon, and they were pretty good. We also had manchego, serrano and chorizo Cantimplano on toast with tomato puree. Those were very good. What I really enjoyed was the cazuela de conejo ( like a rabbit stew) the taste was perfect! I also had the Cava sangria and to be honest didn't impress me. It was good, but it was more champagne than sangria itself. I you are used to eat spanish tapas and know your food, this place probably is not going to impress you. But is not a bad place either. I would go again.
(3)
R P.

Standard Tapas joint. Food is ok. Drinks are also. I'd recommend going here to satisfy your craving for queso de cabra, patatas bravas, etc. - again, the staple tapas dishes. Ambiance is pretty chill (mosaic tiles on the back walls are pretty cool) and service was good.
(3)
Kimberly S.

I LOVE THIS PLACE!! I've been here about 4 times. And every time I have come the service has been impeccable and the food arrives at your table, hot and delicious! And the presentation is fabulous! My husband and I had dinner here Saturday night (3/15/14). I didn't know they had live music. They had 2 gentlemen playing Spanish music on the guitar. Very nice! And as always the food was delicious and the service was top notch! We had a pitcher of Sangria with our dinner which was very good! We even had room to share a dessert! The decor is very cool and the ambiance is really nice. This is a lovely restaurant and I highly recommend this place!
(5)
Federico D.

Great place to meet with friends and have some simple fresh food. Service could be slow at times but always friendly. We had the crab tostadita and avocado spread, a great way to start, fresh not over seasoned. Crab was sweet and fresh like is supposed to be. Dates and bacon were just good, i had better ones. Jamon con tomate was descent. Overall, food was fresh. Wines were fairly priced. I'll come back
(3)
Matthew D.

This place sets the bar for Spanish/Tapas cuisine in Chicago. Iberico, babareeba... No thanks! Dates, stuffed peppers, queso de cabra, and the patatas bravas or simply amazing. The service is amazing, atmosphere and portions are great for the price. Not very expensive and to top it off the food is of top notch quality ingredients. Will be back, great addition to south loop!
(5)
Grace Z.

Great service, friendly and knowledgeable, we had Walter as our waiter and he was exemplary. Food was good too, not take-off-my-hat amazing, but pretty darn good. Selection was perfect for tapas. A little of this, a little of that, not too much, not too little. Also, we sat outside, and while State street may not be the ideal curbside location, it was surprisingly pleasant. As for ambiance, festive and fun indoor space, very spacious but without feeling empty. Hostess was charming and her joy was contagious. Overall, the experience was positive and I will be back.
(4)
Kimberly D.

A great new tapas place in the South Loop and I have to say one of the best I have had in Chicago in the two years I have lived here. Nice open space so you're not rubbing elbows with the next table. The host made me feel very welcome when we walked in and we were greeted by every member of the staff that we passed as we were accompanied to our seats. It was a very large menu with a selection of traditional tapas dishes and non-traditional but unique and creative dishes. I ordered the red sangria and my boyfriend ordered the peach sangria. Both were delicious but could have probably been stronger. My 2nd sangria tasted a little watered down. Once we were seated, we were given a little cup of olives. I hate olives but still try to like it and each time have to spit it out. But, the olives at Tapas Valencia were delicious....it tasted like a hot dog, which is why I think I was able to enjoy it. Our server had a great attitude and looked like she enjoyed working there. She was very helpful in providing recommendations that were genuine and from the heart. We couldn't decide which ones to get so we ended up ordering what seemed like everything! The plates came out fast and were still hot and everything tasted fresh. They were also quick to remove the used plates and made sure the table was always clean for the next plate. I've commented next to all the dishes that we ordered below. Some were pricey for the small portions but definitely tasted the quality. For dessert, we had the coffee flan, which was AMAZING. So tasty and just melted in your mouth. Overall a great experience at Tapas Valencia....from the service to the atmosphere to the menu to the dishes. We will definitely return and highly recommend. 1) PORTOBELLO RELLENO -MARINATED PORTOBELLO MUSHROOM WITH RAISINS,PINE NUTS, AND MANCHEGO CHEESE - Another favorite dish of the night. So refreshing and flavorful. 2) CHIPIRONES -SQUID STUFFED WITH SHRIMP, CRAB AND TILAPIA SERVED IN AN INK SAUCE -- Delicious 3) PIPRRANA DE BUEY-SKIRT STEAK WITH BLUE CHEESE SAUCE - My 2nd favorite dish of the night. Very flavorful. Was not a fan of all the onions that layered the dish 4) GAMBAS AL AJILLO- GRILLED SHRIMP WITH GARLIC LEMON BUTTER - Fresh and flavorful 5) MONTADITOS DE CERDO -GRILLED PORK MEDALLIONS - Was just ok to me 6) SALMON A LA PLANCHA -BAKED SALMON WITH GOAT CHEESE - Salmon was fresh and cooked perfectly. For price, expected more. 7) CALAMARES A LA PLANCHA -GRILLED SQUID WITH GARLIC LEMON OLIVE OIL -- flavorful and not rubbery. Sprinkled with serano ham that made the dish so delicious. My favorite dish of the night 8) PATATAS BRAVAS-SPICY POTATOES WITH MANCHEGO CHEESE - potatoes cooked perfectly and sauce was great
(5)
Nicole L.

Innovative dishes, great service, convenient location with nearby on street parking. The rabbit stew, chicken stew, and duck confit were delicious and moist. Definitely give it a try! Someone please remind me why Cafe BABA Reeba is Chicago's premiere tapas restaurant? Tapas Valencia beats them hands down.
(5)
seth l.

Had an excellent dinner here last night. The sangria was very good and the food was excellent. We had a few of the specials, the crabmeat topped pastry puffs were really tasty and the lamb shank and couscous dish was super tender. A nice touch also was that at many tapas places the food comes out all at once so you feel like you have to eat quickly to make room at the table, but here even though we ordered all at once, they brought items out two at a time so we could enjoy them and as soon as we were done there was a replacement. Service was excellent and the manager came to our table to make sure we were enjoying our meal. Will definitely go back soon!
(5)
yazzmatazz d.

My favorite will (probably) always be IbÃ©rico, but Tapas Valencia has delicious tapas. Standouts were the grilled duck and the patatas bravas (so many places put way too much sauce on them)! If you get the chance, their sister restaurant MesÃ³n Sabika in Naperville is awesome.
(4)
Robin W.

Almost went with a 2 star "Meh," but the food is decent enough. I've just had much better tapas in the city. Average food, average tapas prices. I tried a lot off the menu and had lots of sangria, because my boss paid. Not really impressed though. I'll stick with Babareeba or Twista. Didn't think I would come back here, but after reading the reviews mentioning the $2 appetizers from 4 -6 on Fridays, I might return for their only decent food at THAT price. Nice...
(3)
Junjie Z.

For restaurant week, we had a dinner here. The shrimp was pretty nice! And beef, dessert were good too!
(4)
Jonathan M.

One of the better tapas places I've been to in the city. A little more expensive than some of the other known tapas places in Chicago but still a great place to go. Their sangria is pretty good and the food was excellent. The wait staff was also very attentive, energetic, and not shy about what their personal preferences were and very willing to share their opinion on things. a great place to eat. I hope this place stays around awhile as I've heard that a bunch of places have come and gone in this space.
(4)
Van D.

Solid tapas but nothing to differentiate it from the ubiquitous herd of tapas restaurants in Chicago. Quality of food maybe slightly better than other places but prices also slightly higher. Sangria was weak though. Hostess who helped us a couple of times in the spring and summer was extremely nice and thoughtful
(3)
Big Brown R.

Great for large groups! Not the best in the city, but very good.
(4)
Brenda V.

Nice, modern, clean decor with a very nice menu selection, great food and wonderful service.
(5)
Jennifer G.

I've visited the sister restaurant in Naperville and I have to say I was very sad when I left here as I believe the food in the sister restaurant is of better value. I wasn't too excited when the skirt steak with blue cheese came to the table looking like a heaping mess. There was one great point of the dinner out though, the service. Our waiter was the best! He was right there to refill our drinks, answer any questions and clear everything away once we had finished.
(2)
Erin A.

Best tapas I've had in Chicago. Everything was amazing. Patatas Bravas and Bacon Wrapped Dates are very clear in my memory. I wish that Tapas Valencia was either not in the South Loop or that I was in the South Loop. The location for me is the only reason I haven't been back.
(5)
Justyna K.

My friend and I decided to try this place out for brunch one Saturday afternoon. We drove up and swore there was nobody in the restaurant- it just looks so dark and lonely from the outside! When we walked in we were surprised that most of the tables were full. We were seated towards the back with a nice view of the buffet style set up- nice! Then our waiter came over. Dirty metal food container in hand, "I probably should not be coming over with this", and then he proceeded to explain the brunch menu while dripping dirty old tomato sauce all over the chair. I wanted to leave but my friend was so enticed by the buffet we stayed- BIG mistake. The food was alright. I admit, they had some good and creative dishes, but compared to other places around the city it was nothing spectacular. We finished our meal and asked for the bill. Our waiter disappeared and half and hour later came back with the wrong bill. Another fifteen minutes and he got it right. We had our credit cards out so we wouldn't have to wait any longer. Again, he walked away into the great abyss of time destruction and came back twenty minutes later. Yup, he charged us the wrong amounts- you're still looking at the old bill, buddy. He went back to fix it, but when he came back we found that he charged us the right amount, but when he processed the refund he refunded the right amount. We're still paying for the wrong bill. Confused yet? He was! Finally, he came back with the right receipts and we happily left- two hours later. When I checked my bank account a couple of days later I found I had three charges from Tapas Valencia and no refunds. It took a whole week to straighten the mess. I am never coming back to this place and I hope you don't waste your money or patience here either.
(1)
Angie C.

A fun new tapas place in the South Loop! We came on a Sunday for brunch - the brunch buffet was awesome! A great variety of cold and hot tapas dishes, along with huge bowls of fresh fruit and traditional brunch dishes. I'm not a fan of not showing the brunch price until you get the bill....I think it was $25 but it included an omelette of your choice, a mimosa, drinks and dessert. The omelettes were not good....plain and dry, and we didn't have mimosas or dessert. But I did make a couple of trips to the tapas buffet and they were delicious! It would be nice to have an a la carte option on Sundays for those that don't want the buffet. I would definitely go back, but probably for dinner instead.
(3)
Allison E.

Actually, 3.5 would be more accurate, but I guess I have to round up. came in for dinner on Saturday with my sisters and assorted friends. We were starving, which may have been part of the problem. The food was absolutely delicious. There was nothing that we were disappointed in. The skirt steak with blue cheese was sensational as was the crepe with goat cheese, apples, and pine nuts. And of course, my favorite, bacon wrapped dates. I know its tapas but still, proportions were tiny, especially for the prices. I feel like you get much more food/$ at Cafe Iberico. The Bacon wrapped dates calculated out to about $1.00/individual date. We stuffed our faces and made lots of nom nom nom sounds but this was definitely a splurge for my wallet. 4 pitchers of sangria, btw, added an additional $100 to the bill. We all thoroughly enjoyed the sangria, it was delish, but as the Designated Driver, I was not so excited about 4 pitchers of the stuff. Still, I will probably be back as the food and service was wonderful, and I will certainly keep an eye out for groupons, specials, weekly deals, etc.
(4)
Cassie O.

I love tapas, so I was super disappointed with this place...especially because I just work down the street. I know they are new, so I would have been a little bit nicer except they have other locations, they should have their act together. The actual food was a little below average. Not bad, just not good. I would have given the food alone 3 stars. Service is what really brought my rating down. My waiter was horrible...that's ok, they aren't all gems. But, our tapas were brought out in a complete wrong order. The funny thing about this is that the waiter recommended the order of the tapas...but then brought them out in a complete different order which messed up everything. I was just very far from impressed ;(
(1)
B C.

Food is below average. We ordered some hot tapas and they're all at most luke warm. Not particularly flavorful and bad presentations. Overpriced compared to many other competitors in town.
(2)
Dawn K.

Went for dinner on Saturday. The service was GREAT, the food was really good, the ambiance, so-so. We had the scallops, paella mariscos, tortilla espanola, patatas bravas, smelt and anchovies....all standard spanish fare. Each was flavored well and true to tradition. The sangria was also delightful. We truly enjoyed our experience. I don't know if it is better than Cafe Iberico, but the food was solid and service was outstanding! The wine list was wonderfully extensive and had a good list of after dinner drinks like sherry, which my husband enjoyed. Also, the valet is very cheap $5 and needed on this pretty desolate part of State Street.
(3)
L Z.

I'm not thrilled with the sangria, but the tapas are amazing. stuffed mushrooms are wonderful, also the red snapper (a current special) is amazing!! i filled out their comment card the 1st time i went and complained about the stale bread and the next time i went, it was very fresh and even warm. coincidence?
(4)
Raymond M.

The space is visually appealing, the staff beyond friendly and attentive. We had our sangria flavored with pomegranate and it was muy bueno! The food was flavorful and satisfying, and the desserts were out of this world. Hard to find any fault here.
(5)
Shawn O.

I was really looking forward to eating at this restaurant, after living in Spain I was craving a good Tapas spot. While the restaurant is very nice, comfortable, and obviously had a lot of thought put into the decor... the expectations of the food fell way short. The Tapas dishes we tried were "super sized" which kind of goes against the purpose so you don't really get the opportunity to try a lot of things as you would at an authentic Tapas restaurant. The ingredients all seemed pre-packaged and pre-prepared, for example the the peas in our seafood paella were still frozen, the rice was kind of clumpy, and had little flavor, there were maybe 5-7 pieces of shelled seafood. Saffron was non-existant. None of the servers could really tell us about a dish other than it was "popular". Our desert was something that had been frozen and reheated. Nothing appeared to be fresh, it all kind of came across kind of processed. Don't get me wrong the place is not terrible, the staff was friendly and the atmosphere was nice. The eggplant Tapas was actually pretty good, and was served up in an interesting way. One might say that it is "American-ized Spanish" cuisine, but based on what we had I wouldn't say it was Tapas. For the expectation falling short based on how it's presented I don't think that it will be a repeat for us.
(2)
Angela T.

I have been here twice in the last week and I love it! The staff is great and the food is outstanding. The first time I ordered the banana dessert and the carmel tasted burnt but that was my only issue. Give it a try!!
(4)
Sandra A.

I love this place. The food was simply d'lush. We had the couple's special and the food was rather quick. Our waiter Casey was such a character and we really enjoyed the service. I highly recommend this Tapas Valencia.
(5)
Rhonda W.

The tapas is amazing. Every single dish, even those that you have seen many times before, all had a minor twist which elevated the dish. We tried the strawberry sangria which wasalso great. The service is terrific. The waiter paid incredible attention to every detail, timing everything perfectly. He never made us feel like he was rushing us or that we had been forgotten.
(5)
Tex N.

Bring your wallets and your fly swatter. Don't go there late, and hope your server is better than ours. Food was palatable, service was deplorable, wait-time was long and the place was empty. Much better tapas places in the city. And for the price...yukkko.
(1)
Matthew W.

I went with my wife early on a Friday night. There were a fair amount of people there even at 5:30, but plenty of room for us to sit right away. They have a very big space that they've decorated well. Especially compared to the rather tacky looking outdoor sign, the inside was sleek and interesting. My wife has Celiac disease, so our first criteria is always how well allergies are handled. Our server was very helpful, checking with the chef and offering alternatives. We started with marinated shrimp and beef tenderloin with dates and mushrooms. The star of the evening was the duck confit, cooked perfectly and great with the orange sauce. Our server (Josh) was very knowledgeable about the wine list and the whole menu. Overall Tapas Valencia has a good representation of classic tapas with some interesting variation. Great to see more restaurants coming to the South Loop, we'll definitely be going back.
(4)
gretchen b.

Had a girls night out at Tapas Valencia last night and it was GREAT! The place is rather large, so it wasn't all that crowded on a Wed night, but we were a party of 10, so fine by me. The food was great! I've lived in Spain, so know a thing or 2 about tapas and these were pretty tasty (and authentic). We sampled the following: pisto, tortilla espanola, marinated olives, queso de cabra, empanada (beef), garlic shrimp, scallops, bacon wrapped dates & olive tapenade on toast. I think that was it. I gotta say, everything was GREAT! The only dish that was "take it or leave it" for me was the empanada. It was just fine. The dishes I could eat daily and be a happy girl include the dates (glorious), shrimp (licked the plate clean), pisto & scallops. The red sangria was wonderful and my friends slurped up the cucumber/jalepeno martinis. The service was great. It's definitely a fun place to go, especially with a group so you can try a lot of tapas. And - for all the food and drinks, tax and tip, we tossed in $30/each. Not bad! Que bueno, Tapas Valencia!
(4)
joco w.

Before this place as a Tapas restaurant it was known to me as the first lounge I went to when I first move to Chicago - I think it was called Solo, I was absolutely devastated when Solo closed but was pleasantly surprised that i was replaced with this cute Tapas restaurant. - Both their hot and cold plates are really good, I went once in the summer and set outside and once and ate at the bar -- they have Tapas specials from 4-6pm during the week, and both times service was great. You have to check it out .
(4)
Yan X.

Sorry to say, they no longer offer the Sunday brunch other than holidays including Mother's and Father's Days.
(4)
ilove m.

My husband and I love this place. The tapas are delicious and reasonably priced. You must try the Patatas Bravas or the Queso De Cabra if you dine here. They have $2 tapas at the bar from 4:30 to 6:30 pm. If you're looking to try out the restaurant on the cheap, this is the way to go.
(4)
Kami T.

Looooove this place. I have not had anything on the menu I didn't like. The service is awesome!
(4)
Julie A.

I'm happy there is tapas in the South Loop, as further options go. It was pretty slow when I went here, and we sat at a bar table. Our server was very attentive, and they have a good wine list. We only ordered a few basic hot tapas, and they were good. I honestly don't think we ordered enough variety to have one mind-blowing review, but I'm quite sure I will be visiting again. Very cute decor, nice and dim, just the way I like it.
(3)
M R.

Loved this place!!! The must try are the patatas bravas and skirt steak. The patatas have a little twist to it, they add manchego cheese and garlic. The skirt steak was full of flavor and very soft. I was not too thrilled with the pincho de pollo, I bit bland in my opinion. Very happy to have tried this place. Can't wait to go back and try other items.
(5)
Jerry B.

One top restaurants in the So Loop. Food is fresh and varied- they serve classic tapas dishes as well as create their own renditions. Service has always been attentive.
(4)
Joe S.

Overall, a solid experience. The two of us had several tapas plates including, chicken, veggie, and beef. We also had the pialla (sp?), which was fantastic. Service was pretty good, and the drinks (sangrias and margaritas) were pretty good too. Only complaints were 1. that the waiter (or bartender) botched my margarita. I ordered it up no salt, and it came rocks salt. Who knows maybe they got it mixed up with another order. And 2. We were seated at least 15 minutes after our reservation. Check for 2 with drinks was near $100 all said and done. Came hungry, left full and satisfied - I'll be back.
(4)
Craig D.

The food was very good. I was especially fond of the meat items on the hot tapas menu. The skirt steak was marvelous, lamb was excellent, quail was most memorable. Mushrooms & dates were good. Cold tapas was alright. 4 stars for the food. 5 stars for the service. The staff were extremely attentive and nice. They treated us very well. This is my third tapas restaurant experience in Chicagoland. Tapas Valencia is the best of the 3.
(5)
Candice G.

I mean, it's good ...but this might be one case where the suburbs get the win. Tapas Valencia is the sister restaurant of Meson Sabika in Naperville. Valencia is pretty new, they've got great service, good food, and decent sized bar but they just don't work it like their sister. I think the ambience is missing something. The 2 times I ate here, it was cold both outside and in... I mean that in terms of temperature and decor. It just needs to be warmer. How? I don't know, I'm not a decorator, but just something a little spicier would be nice. For the most part, the food is the same as Meson Sabika but in your mouth, it's just not as good. I think there's just WAY too much oil on everything and though it tastes good at first bite, you pay for it later when it weighs you down. All I want to do after I eat it is go home and sleep. It's like food roofies.
(3)
Holly S.

I have been here a couple times most recently in October. It is almost always busy but the wait time never seems long. The atmosphere is very relaxed and welcoming. The wait staff is very attentive and helpful. I really enjoy the goat cheese and the scallop dishes. I recommend this for a first or second date, romantic but not too over the top. Great food & atmosphere!
(4)
Julia V.

Decent food. Good service :)
(3)
K M.

They serve an amazing holiday brunch! We've been 2 years in a row for it. Otherwise, on a regular night, it's pretty good too. A bit pricier than Cafe Iberico, and the patatas bravas aren't as good as Iberico, but their brunch is another story, it's heavenly:)
(4)
Norma G.

The food is decent. I was not to happy about the service. My finace and I waited at our table for over 15 min to be served, and it wasn't even busy. The drinks a ok too. Overall it's ok. I am being generous at giving Tapas Valencia a 3.
(3)
Nichole M.

DELICIOUS! We went here on the night when they were donating 100% of their proceeds to Haiti relief. We had a reservation for 5, but had to change it to 3 when we got there, and they were so kind and fine with it. Atmosphere was really nice. It can be either a nice date place or a place for some friends to get together and share sangria and lots of great food! Waitstaff was just ok. She was a little awkward and our last round of tapas order got lost somehow, but she realized this and had them make our tapas as soon as possible. Here is my review on each item we tried: Sangria- very good, pitcher seems pricey, but were were able to get 6 glasses out of it. Spicy potatoes- pretty good, nothing special Chorizo and blood sausage- also good, but hard to mess up Grilled Calamari- the absolute best calamari I have ever had besides from the coast. The juices left of the plate were the best for dipping our bread in! Skirt Steak- we had two different skirt steak dishes, both were wonderful. One was peppered, which was my favorite, the other marinated, also delicious. Stuffed Mushrooms- great, and I don't like mushrooms Bacon wrapped dates- delicious Grilled Shrimp- good, but nothing special Octopus- very tasty Steak Empanada- Terrible, do not get this! the only bad thing we had Yes, we ate a lot. Overall, I was very impressed and I cannot wait to go there again. Besides the empanada, everything was worth what we paid. They give you unlimited bread to soak up the juices of all the delicious foods...calamari, steak, shrimp, etc. As you can see, we ordered a lot of food. If you are not saving room for dessert, you are going to have to order a few tapas at a time, multiple times. We were stuffed at the end and 3 of us shared the above and had some bread, but did not have room to try any desserts. I definitely recommend this restaurant for those who, like me, enjoy having a little bit of a lot of great foods.
(4)
Heather L.

Tapas Valencia is my favorite tapas restaurant! Try the queso de cabra, It is life changing. The food is all delicious, the sangria is the best I've had in the city and the manager Jose is incredibly kind and accommodating. Such a south loop gem. I will be coming back often!
(5)
Janice G.

OMG! Wonderful service, wonderful food. Our server was Michael and I was the first to arrive and was seated right away. I loved the stuffed mushrooms, the puff pastry and the vegetable paella. Michael was wonderful, just the right amount of attention. I will definitely come again.
(4)
Mopsie B.

We really enjoyed our meal here last time but I'm taking stars off for not allowing dogs on their patio. Tonight's the perfect night for a cocktail and some apps outside with our little buddy but we just called and they said no dogs. OK, then- no $$$. I don't get what the problem is in Chicago. In Colorado, people take their dogs to patios all the time with no problem. And don't even get me started about Europe!
(2)
Craig B.

This restaurant is located on the ground floor inside one of the hi-rises on State Street. The restaurant itself is very (too?) spacious, with some walls covered with shiny mosaics, and other bits left as open concrete pillars and unfinished wood board. This gave the whole place a sort of 'trendy' vibe, but at the same time I'm not entirely sure what effect they were going for. Between the two of us we ended up ordering four dishes, which along with the complementary olives and bread ended up being enough food. We got: Crepe of goat's cheese, apples, pine nuts and spinach -- Not much spinach in here, it's a small, rolled up crepe with apple and cheese bits. Would not order again Grilled shrimp with garlic lemon -- Five shrimp, really well flame grilled. There is a picture of this one in the gallery for this restaurant (a row of shrimp on a plate with a piece of lemon). I highly recommend this! Mozzarella, tomato and salsa -- Three pieces of mozzarella with a tomato and a bit of salsa on top. The salsa was pretty nice, but I feel that this dish was pretty overpriced for what you got. So far, that doesn't sound like enough food for two people, the thing that really saved this meal was: Vegetable paella -- A one-person portion ($9.95) consists of a large bowl (think small dinner-plate sized) full of paella, covered with zucchini, artichoke, mushroom and peas. Really good! One caution, though, the paella is freshly cooked so takes about 45 minutes to arrive, expect it to be the last thing to appear. Somehow this costs only a dollar or two more than the three pieces of mozzarella cheese! That's it for the food. Not bad, not overwhelmingly good. If the paella hadn't been such good value I'd definitely have been disappointed with what we got. Drinks: Not much of a beer menu, which I guess can be expected from a tapas restaurant. Huge wine list. Glasses of wine are very expensive ($8+ per glass), which seems to be a pretty common thing in the US, but go on a Wednesday and the bottles are half price. Sadly we didn't want to bust open a whole bottle so ended up spending too much money on two glasses of (quite good) wine.
(3)
J. D.

I love this place! They also give free coupons!
(5)
Karen N.

I nice tapas choice if you're downtown. Service was good and the tapas were mostly up to par with a few outstanding dishes. Cafe Iberico and Emilio's are so last decade. Mussels-sauce was excellent and mussels plump and juicy Dates with Bacon-everyone has mentioned how good it is grilled squid-the best! baked goat cheese-good Pippirrana de Buey-skirt steak with blue cheese sauce-good A couple of downers too: grilled chorizo and m_____-I can't remember the name but it's two kinds of sausages grilled. I bit boring. I thought it would come with some grilled onions or sauce... something. Stuffed peppers in black bean sauce-npt a good combination. I think I will go back and try a few more seafood tapas next time.
(3)
Gary R.

This place was awesome! We came here for our wedding anniversary and couldn't be happier with our decision. Julio (our waiter) was the best waiter anyone could ask for. I'm assuming Jose is the owner or manager. He was extremely friendly as well. The service was EXCEPTIONAL!!! The ambiance is very cool. And of course, the food was awesome!!!
(5)
Roy H.

I feel like the Tapas trend has died off and was replaced by the whole cupcake thing (that is now starting to die)... but whatever, tapas are delicious!! I tried a ton of stuff and cant remember most of it since it was a while ago.... but the two EPIC standouts where the dates and the duck. SO GOOD!!! Another really good thing was the sangria... some of the best I have had. The interior is very nice, and the crowd is pretty nicely dressed. I almost felt a bit under dressed in a polo and jeans... for how nice the place looked the prices seemed reasonable. You can get pretty full (and try alot of stuff) for ~25 a person. The only bad part was our waiter was really slow. I am not really the person to get upset with service too...so when I see a problem thats bad. The place was not very busy at all (weeknight) so I am not sure why it took forever between drinks and ordering food... and also with refills. oh well... it was still a great meal and I will go back for another try sometime.
(4)
Liliana H.

Being in the south loop, there aren't many places to eat that dont involve bar food. Having lived in Gold Coast and being so close to Iberico, I thought I would have to trek back there for my tapas fix. not so! Tapas Valencia is a great restaurant with moderately priced tapas. They have an extensive menu to choose from and everytime I've gone (middle of the week, weekends, lunch) they have a good crowd. The weekends can get a little packed so make sure to make reservations. Service is good and anytime I've had questions, the wait staff has been knowledgeable about answering my questions. They have a nice variety of sangrias and my top must try dishes are the chicken croquettes, empanadas, bacon wrapped dates and the goat cheese with tomato sauce. delish!!
(4)
Lawrence H.

We came here for the first time at the invitation of another couple and were very impressed at how good it was. We shared a variety of tapas plates around the table and every single dish was exceptionally good. The wine list was excellent, and the staff was very pleasant and helpful. We will certainly be back!
(4)
Kirsten A.

This tapas place is just okay. We weren't disappointed, but weren't impressed either. Their menu selection and prices are decent. But overall the food is not very memorable. Everything is is good, but doesn't have the wow factor of other tapas places I've been. Like Vivian Y. said, it's just "meh." A lot of the dishes, the beef tenderloin, the salmon and goat cheese, taste like something I could make at home. The one exception was the delicious bacon wrapped dates. The bacon wrapped dates were by far the best. The service was decent, great bus boy staff...always attentive with water and clearing plates. But the hostess was just a little weird and we didn't get bread until after our 4th tapa order had arrived. And when we ordered the cava sangria, they just brought us plain cava. Which was fine, we drank it anyway. Also, the atmosphere feels very casual, and the acoustics aren't great. It was a little hard to talk to my husband on the other side of the booth. I was glad I tried the restaurant and we went home stuffed, but it won't be first on my list to go back to.
(3)
Jennifer V.

This is one of our favorite spots in our neighborhood. Probably the best Tapas I have ever tried, as well. We have been regulars since they opened and love the staff, the food, the atmosphere ... everything. The manager is SUPER attentive and always visits your table, the hosts are always friendly and helpful. The $2/$3 Tapas deal is fantastic. Wine selection is wonderful. They also have the best olives on the planet. We've also gone to brunch several times and that has been a great experience as well! My husband and I started coming here when it was just the two of us. We now have a one year old and that does not stop us from getting our Tapas fix. We've always been accomodated, even being offered steamed veggies/fruit for our little guy so he'd be able to dine with us.
(5)
Peter S.

Best tapas restaurant in Chicago in my opinion
(5)
Jim P.

We made our reservation through Yelp and arrived much earlier than expected. The staff were accomodating so that was nice. We noticed a couple of families with kids around, which is what we had also hoped. The waiter was excellent, very professional and knowledgeable. The food was interesting and good. Not the most exciting we've had before, but still good. The stufed mushrooms were very tasty and we opted for the vegetable paella that takes an additional 20 mintues to prepare but was well worth it.
(4)
Karen T.

To celebrate a friend's placing in the 98th percentile on the DAT, we hit up Tapas Valencia the other night. A mix of Cafe Babareeba and Cafe Iberico, I was really pleased to find that the best of both had been incorporated at this new South Loop spot. The highlights of the meal? First, a pitcher of red sangria to split between the two of us - at about two glasses per person, this was a perfectly proportioned and prepared solution to our imbibing situation. Second, we ordered two of the classics: Queso De Cabra and Patatas Bravas, both of which far exceeded expectations. Baked goat cheese is hard to mess up, but the potatoes had a subtly delicious kick to them and the perfect amount of manchego sprinkled on top. Um, I'd definitely hit that again. Third, we also had a duck confit with mushrooms and apples, lobster bisque and a zarzuela, or stew of clams, shrimp and scallops. The duck was so incredibly tender and succulent it pretty much fell off the bone as soon as I touched my knife to it. My mouth is watering just thinking of it. The soup was relatively mediocre for lobster bisque (they salt with a heavy hand), but lobster bisque is always delicious. And the zarzuela was amazing; the sauce was so orgasmic, I wanted to sop up the excess with a piece of bread. After all of that, you'd think we wouldn't have had room for dessert, but we ordered a Bizcocho Borracho (Spanish-style tiramisu) for kicks. Next time I'm trying the cheesecake... In all fairness, the portions are smaller than Cafe Iberico's, and they charge per person in paella, so if you're going for sheer quantity in tapas, head two miles north. But if you're looking for clean bathrooms, sultry lighting, funky decor, and fantastically authentic seasonings in your tapas, Tapas Valencia is one to add to your little black book of go-to restaurants.
(4)
Michael E.

Now, like Kiki's, I'd never have heard of this place....in fact I know only one other Tapas place in town, so it was a treat to find another one. It was to be a late lunch and the place had only 1 other table, so we had a pick of the place......a negative for the business, but a positive for me as I know service should be good, which it was for this meal. The space is pretty big and the vaulted ceilings made it have a warehouse feel to it regardless of the nice colors and dÃ©cor they added, but I was here for the food, so off we go.... Bloody Mary's started us off and we asked for spicy and got exactly that with those drinks! The spice when you drank it about a minute later it kicked in!!! I loved it! They have just about everything you could imagine on the menu from veggies, to seafood, to pork, to meat with some sections devoted to cold dishes and others devoted to warm/hot dishes. Now, the menus had today's date on them....the date we ate there which means to me they change it on a regular basis which is a good sign...the downside is that their descriptions are a bit vague so what you ordered may be different than what you receive so be prepared. When our drinks arrived, we were also brought a small dish of olives in a lovely little oil that made them very tasty.....For the life of me we tried to figure out what the oil was spiced with, but it continues to be a mystery.....my GF doesn't like olives and even she thought they were good. So we ordered the following: Bacon-wrapped dates - excellent, these small little dates were a great start to our lunch - sweet and salty at the same time. Next we had a fresh Fruta salad - Bibb lettuce topped with strawberries, jimaca, and avocado with raspberry vinaigrette - nice and fresh - again excellent. The meat-fill pastry of filet was minced - very good in my opinion. I had a bread tips with crab and avocado - great! The server was attentive - though when asked to elaborate on what a dish was he couldn't do it for some. I moved to a beer - server recommended a nice Spanish Lager which was perfect while we finished the dishes. Dessert was a cheese cake - also very good. Finally, no valet, which for this part of town could run you something like $0.25 per 7 minutes at a parking meter which adds up for a dinner, so parking could be a real challenge, though for our visit is wasn't a problem. By the time we finished up another table had come in and a few folks were at the bar, so the place, in the end, wasn't entirely dead. I found the food and folks great and would like to try this for dinner sometime!
(4)
Lydia M.

My boyfriend and I had an excellent experience while dining at Tapas Valencia on Friday afternoon (2/22). We went during the Tapas happy hour. $2 and $3 plates are a great way to try everything (and we almost did). Great value, even better food. The bacon covered dates are phenomenal. The sangria was delicious but the martinis were amazing. The bartenders were very friendly and attentive. Since it was a bday meal for my bf they even surprised us with a free dessert. Great tapas and drinks, pretty place, great service. We will be back very soon! And keep the bacon wrapped dates coming!
(5)
Will V.

This might be my new favorite tapas place in Chicago. On a Friday night at 8:00 there was no wait for a high top table, but there was an hour wait for a table in the dining room. We took the high top. Our server greeted us promptly and we ordered a pitcher of sangria and a goat cheese and bread tapas as an appetizer. The goat cheese was awesome, but did not come with enough bread. Luckily there was another basket of yummy bread at the table. We ordered hot tapas- crab fritters with leeks, chorizo and morcilla sausage, and salmon topped with goat cheese. I probably could have ordered one of everything on the menu, it all looked good. The tapas were very tasty, nothing was left on the table after we were finished. My favorite was the salmon and goat cheese, but I'm a sucker for goat cheese, can't get enough of it. We were full, but not stuffed, and ordered a bittersweet chocolate and raspberry coulis dessert that was really tasty. The bill came in at just under $70 for a pitcher of sangria, tapas and dessert for two. Not bad at all. The only negative was the rather high noise level inside the restaurant, it was almost difficult to carry on a conversation. It was not entirely surprising, given the prime time crowd and the design/layout of the restaurant. The tapas were so good though, it was worth it. I'll be back!
(4)
Douglas F.

Solid choice for dining if you are in the south loop area (i.e. @ a Convention at McCormick Place - can walk here) Service was spot on - maitre' d was very friendly. They offer a $34/pp tapas tasting menu has all their favs. the wines are all spanish and very reasonably priced. Start with the comp. bread and olives and choose a few hot or cold tapas. I enjoyed the goat cheese , pepper steak (spicy) and bacon wrapped dates..
(4)
Christina D.

What can I say. Awesome Tapas. Great Wine. Great Decor. Chill spot. Down to Earth and reasonably priced.
(5)
Mary T.

One more scoop of ice cream and my dessert would've looked like a penis on a plate, but I'll get to that in a minute... I was long overdue for dinner with my original *bookclub.* Long ago we abandoned the charade of picking and reading books, opting to meet periodically for drinks, dinner, and laughs instead. We've long been fans of Meson Sabika in Naperville, so after hearing they opened up a sister restaurant in the city it was an easy choice. This location, aesthetically, couldn't be more different from MS, which is in an old mansion with flamenco dancers going room to room and considerable grounds. Tapas Valencia is modern, with cement floors, mosaic walls, sleek accents and no dancers, but the menu and chef are the same. About halfway through dinner the restaurant became packed, which I realized when our casual conversation turned into a series of huh's, what's, and pardon me's coupled with us craning over the table and yelling to hear each other. We started with a pitcher of sangria and shared 8 plates, but being a pescatarian (and mushroom hater) I only tasted the: Patatas Con Alioli, CanalÃ³n Relleno, Crepe Rellena, Queso De Cabra, and Vieiras Al AlbariÃ±o. We also got: Datiles Con Tocino, Pincho De Solomillo, and ChampiÃ±ones. Everything was fantastic as always, and did not disappoint. For dessert I had the Platano Con Helado aka penis on a plate. It was just OK. The ice cream was served in a little chocolate cup on a plate of caramel and pistachios with a whole banana next to it. I wasn't wild about the banana, sauteeing it left it slightly mushy. I also think the dish would've been better, at least visually, had the banana been sliced and over the ice cream with the caramel, but maybe that's just me. Service started out amazing and gradually veered toward mediocre as the restaurant got busier. In the beginning our server was engaging and attentive, excited that we were very familiar with the menu; by the end of our meal we rarely saw him. The busboys were outstanding, albeit slightly aggressive; there were a few items snatched that I would've continued to pick at. I would like to apologize to the busboy my girlfriend punched. It was an accident, I swear; she didn't know you were standing there! Bottom line: Even though the vibe here is totally different than the original, I am thrilled that I don't have to drive all the way out to Naperville for their tapas! TIP: It's a short walk from the Roosevelt El stop and the 29 bus drops you practically at the door.
(4)
John G.

Nice place, friendly service, good food. However, the food is not great (clearly inferior to Cafe Iberico) so one star off for that, plus it's pricey so another star off. I might change my mind on the second point after I try tapas at the bar (which are then cheaper), since this IS a good addition to the neighborhood and I definitely plan on revisiting.
(3)
Carol K.

"Mmmm. Ahh. Taste this. Try that." Just a few of the sounds circulating our table at Tapas Valencia- the newest spot to open in the South Loop this past weekend. I am familiar with their suburban location (Meson Sabika-go in the summer, the grounds of this historic builiding are beautiful to eat on) and it and Tapas Valenica share a chef so I knew the food was going to be great and I wasn't disappointed! The space is contemporary and open- a modern twist to a great way to taste little bites of some amazing food. There are Joan Miro reproductions on the walls that reminded me of my trips to Barcelona coupled with mosaic tiled walls- a nod to Gaudi's Park Guell, perhaps? Whatever the inspiration- it is a lovely space. We ordered several cold plates, hot plates and ended with their signature paella. A few of the most notable were the jamon seranno (served with bread and tomato slices- delicious) and the salmon for our cold plates, and the filet with potatoes and grilled garlic shrimp with three sauces for our warm. With several kinds of paella to chose from- we went with the Imperial that came with scallops, lobster, and calamari and was as good as my favorite place to get paella in Spain! Dessert was also delicious (still sharable sizes) so we split three. But the clear winner in my book was some kind of a pear tart with caramel sauce- I wanted to keep it all to myself. If you drive- valet parking is cheap $5 or there is usually street parking on this stretch of State. I love Tapas as there is no better way to spend time with friends than sharing and catching up over great food. And Tapas Valencia does a great job in providing an experience to do just that.
(4)
Hannah E.

I love this place! I have tried so many different tapas restaurants in chicago and I think this one is the best. The food always tastes great and their sangria is also great as well. They have a large menu and they have all of the classic tapas. I have eaten here probably on five different occasions including my birthday this past year and NYE about 3 years ago. It was so cute, on my birthday they printed a special menu for me that said "Happy Birthday Hannah" on the top of it. At NYE they had live music.
(5)
Cindy J.

This place is a strong decent. My husband loves it and recommends it frequently when we have no idea where to eat. We both love the Sangria here. It is some of the best Sangria I've ever had and it will get you tipsy. The food is tasty and they have something for everyone. The ambiance is really neat here. I love that it's dark and somewhat mod. The only caution is that your bill racks up really fast here. It's not hard to go over the $200 mark for 3 people if alcohol is involved. Come here on payday or after all your bills are paid for the month, get tipsy on Sangria, and try a variety of nice tapas.
(4)
Carmille S.

Tasty bites but I've had better tapas honestly. The best thing I had all night was the Cava sparkling sangria & the Plantanos con Helado!
(3)
Jen H.

One of my favorite tapas places in Chicago! The service has generally been good and I have rarely not liked a dish. Below are some of my favorites: Garlic Potato Salad - Delicious but as the name states lots of garlic - be prepared for garlic breath after dinner. Pincho de Solomillo - Grilled beef with caramelized onions and sour cream horseradish, this dish is great! Grilled Squid - Simple but great Bananas and ice cream - great dessert
(4)
Linda H.

I've been to Tapas Valencia a few times, but unfortunately the experience the last two times has not been great. On our most recent visit, we walked in and stood at the hostess stand for what seemed like several minutes before a waiter breezed by and asked us if we needed some help. Um, yes, we were hoping to be seated and have some dinner. The guy who seated us was also our waiter. The guy had a weird angry edge to him, and made the experience unpleasant right from the beginning. It's the second time I've been waited on this guy, and waiting tables really is not his calling. He seemed a little irritated when we ordered (no idea why...because we only started out w/2 tapas perhaps??). The food here really is consistently good...we started out with the grilled squid, and the goat cheese/tomato/garlic bread and went on to order the veal meatballs, steak w/blue cheese, bacon-wrapped dates and I forget what else...but it was good as always. When the waiter came by the one time, he asks BF if he wants another drink, and takes off (as I look at my empty beer bottle)...BF calls out to him as he runs from table (keep in mind, the place was NOT busy) to get me a beer, too. From that point on, every time the waiter came by our table, he picked up my bottle of beer by the neck, looked at it to see if I needed one, then slammed it down on the table. He slammed the plates down too as he served the food. As we are sitting there chewing, with our mouths totally full, about halfway though our last two tapas, Mr. Personality comes up and asks if we are interested in dessert and goes on to describe the desserts (me still chewing)....I just kind of look at him (since I had a mouthful of food) like "are you kidding me??". Not only had we not thought about dessert yet, we may have still ordered more tapas, but I was so irritated at this point, I just wanted to get out of there. I must say though, the owners/managers are SO nice! Actually, everyone in there (including the most efficient bus staff I have ever seen in my life) has always been nice, but this one waiter needs to go...or be trained properly. Oh, BF paid him in cash and when he bought change, waiter shorted BF the coins...the bill was something $61.25 and he gave BF $18 back (from $80)...like it was too much trouble to make the 75 cents change and he rounded the bill UP to the closest dollar amount ($62). I just think it's a bit presumptuous to assume that the patron doesn't want any coins back, or that this amount would automatically go to the waiter....grrrr. BF tips VERY generously, upwards of 20% usually, but it killed me to even give this guy 15%. So, bottom line, good food, bad service if you are unlucky enough to be waited on by the angry dude.
(2)
Steven N.

The food here is amazing. We were full after ordering only four things, so we intend to come back here to try other tapas. Our server Jessica was also very nice, we hope to see her agin next time. The short ribs, grilled squid, and seafood combo were very well executed. We also got the seafood paella (you can order a single serving, which is large enough for 2), it was good, but I could do without the green peas in it. This place is pretty large, located at the ground floor of a large condo building. There's a bar area if you're just looking for a quick visit. It wasn't too packed when we came here on a Saturday night. Parking isn't terribly difficult, and they have valet service. This place would've gotten four stars from me if the pitcher of sangria isn't that expensive ($27 for a small pitcher), and for some reason, there were also a couple of flies buzzing around our table.
(3)
Da J.

I wanted to LOVE Tapas Valencia, especially since the first time I heard of them was when I was invited to a fundraiser held there. Philanthropically-minded business? Yes please! However, I was so sorely disappointed that I left furious. I made an 8:30 PM reservation through OpenTable last night (Saturday). We arrived just on time. Then we were told to wait for our table. 15 minutes later, we were seated in a section where the only other party was a party of 30. Um, no thanks, hostess. We asked to move to a booth in the main dining area. But, perhaps that was a wrong move. Then we waited another 15 minutes for our waiter to arrive. We tried to ask him about the "custom sangria", since the menu wasn't clear. Well, he certainly didn't explain it well so we went with the regular red. The sangria was fine, and we ordered a cold tapa and a bunch of hot ones. We continued to wait for our food, and managed to flag down a water-boy or another waiter to help us with getting a bread basket. Then finally our serrano ham arrived. It was delicious! We slowly savored the dish. And then we sat, and waited again, for our hot tapas to come out. Our waiter never checked on us. Finally, all our hot tapas came out at the same time. Clearly, some were done ages ago because our lamb medallions were room temperature. I don't know if you have had room temperature lamb, but it was pretty frickin nasty. The seafood was good, and the crabmeat fritters were at least warm. We tried to order a few more plates. Then another several minutes pass, when our waiter returns to confirm our order. WHAT? I swear we have now been at this restaurant, spending far more time waiting for food and service than enjoying it. So, by the end of the meal, I was pissed off. Throughout the meal, we *never* had a candle for the table, a "how's the food" from the waiter, or a smile. This place has the potential for being good, but they really need to work on training their personnel. This was shitty service and I don't know how it can claim to be "Chicago's #1 Spanish Tapas" place because it is #1 shittiest service in my book.
(1)
Andrea K.

A let down. We went out of our way to go to dinner here. The food was ok but the service was awful. The waiter disappeared for long stretches of time and then when we were ready to leave both the valet and hostess refused to call us a taxi because they were "too busy" and when e asked for the # of a ra I company to call they said they didn't have one. Very unaccomadating especially for a restaurant that is out if the way. I. Would not come here again, there are too many other better tapas restaurants in Chicago.
(3)
Kim A.

Just like the suggestion says "A-OK". The portions warranted 4 hungry people sharing all the plates. Everything was tasty. The bacon wrapped dates were delicious, highly recommended for good reason. The food came out in a timely manner. The sangria wasn't that great, but good enough, the other cocktails were delicious. Price, just right for 4 people and several rounds of booze. The space and decor are amazing. Honestly, don't go here to be a yelpy snob, go here to catch up with friends, share plates, and relax.
(3)
E W.

As the first dinner date in my new 'hood, Tapas Valencia was a great introduction. The place is VERY welcoming and busy, but never too crowded. A bit of a hidden gem. They have a big bar and plenty of seating area. Bright colors and fun music give it a lively ambiance. Definitely the best tapas in the city. The only downside is that the plates are so big (a little too big for tapas) that we ordered too much and we not able to sample everything that night. Definitely recommended for groups and a upbeat date.
(5)
Inde A.

I lived a block away from Tapas Valencia for about a year before finally trying out the happy hour special which offers a decent selection of cold and hot tapas for $2/$3 each. Most of the dishes I tried were good but one of the ceviches on the cold tapas menu was probably the best. The beer selection is limited. I tried two different Spanish beers and didn't like either one. Service is above average. The bar tender was nice and friendly, and the manager also stopped by a couple of times.
(3)
Swati B.

Went here on a Friday night for a girl's night dinner...surprisingly this place was pretty empty at 8:30...it may have been because the Bulls game had been on a bit earlier that day..not sure Service was ok...pretty friendly...not super fast but decent..and not so slow where u are waiting forever... The food was pretty darn good..the Crepes Rellena were my favorite...and patatas bravas here are among the best I've had..the Sangria was really good as well...overall everyone was pretty happy with the food...Ambiance its a bit on the casual/sports bar type feel which is actually ok...love that they have TVs by the bar so that yes, you can keep an eye on the scores of your favorite teams :) They have valet, and its 6 bucks...that's fantastic!
(4)
Kevin N.

This warm, modern loft was our choice for the four course Taste of Spain prix fixe dinner for two. There were hits and misses on the menu. Favorites included the garlicky potato salad, grilled calamari, tenderloin brochette and tilapia with artichoke and spinach. The toast points, shrimp, bacon wrapped dates and banana in caramel were just average-- flavors didn't pop. Service was friendly but slow all evening, but the check came before we finished dessert without asking about after dinner drinks or coffee. Drinks were good, including passion martinis and a cucumber lime jalapeÃ±o martini, both with cachaÃ§a. It's a welcome addition to the south loop.
(3)
Sarah Z.

While searching for places to eat recently, I realized I dined here back in September. It was a forgettable experience.
(2)
Jennifer C.

Woo hoo! Another great spot to eat in the South Loop! I have been a long time fan of Cafe Ba-ba-reeba but it's not a hop skip and a jump away. We went here on a Thursday night. It wasn't too crowded. We ordered several items, however, the ones that stood out were of course the bacon wrapped dates, the skirt steak and the stuffed mushroom caps. I would say the food is very comparable to Ba-ba-reeba. The service was decent. My sister went a few weeks later on a Saturday night with her husband and two year old son and said the food was great but the service was awful. She complained too but they didn't dock anything off the check or seem very apologetic about it. It's worth a try because the food is good. If you get bad service, be sure to complain and maybe they'll start to get the picture....
(4)
Matthew F.

Eh. Took the GF here for her birthday. We're big tapas fans, and were excited to try a new place. Showed up for an early dinner (were going to the CSO later) and had a mediocre experience. The space is really large, but tables were spaced too far apart, so it didn't have any sort of coziness. Beyond that, it looks like they cheaped-out on the decor, and tried to play it off as industrial urban. The waiter was inattentive, and came a total of 4 times over the course of our 1.5 hour meal. That 1.5 hr wasn't by choice, mind you. We were nearly late for our concert despite having planned the evening out. The food was good, but not incredible. No dish really stands out in my mind. The empanada suffered from too much sauce and the special chocolate cake dessert was nothing to write home about. The sauteed banana in caramel sauce was a treat though. I have no intention to head back.
(2)
Aubrey F.

I live very close to Tapas Valencia and have been many times. The food is great and the Sangria is even better! We usually sit up at the bar so that we can get the Happy Hour specials- there are select $2 tapas from 4-6:30 Monday-Friday and from 5-6:30 as well as 9:30-11 on Fridays and Saturdays. The bar staff is always so friendly and helpful. The bacon wrapped dates are amazing, as anything wrapped in bacon typically is. The Champinones are mushrooms stuffed with goat cheese and they are very tasty as well. The Patatas Braves are extremely bland and I would not recommend them. Most of the tapas are pretty flavorful. I like the ambiance in here- the mosaics are beautiful. Overall, I enjoy going to Tapas Valencia and often take visitors there for happy hour.
(4)
Julie P.

I usually wait until a second trip to give a review of a place. You never know if you had a waiter on an off night, or something else. The first time we ate there, as soon as I saw they were related to Meson Sabika, I knew we were in for a treat. I have eaten at Meson Sabika many times and have never been disappointed. After a couple of trips here, I would say it is not as good as Meson, but definitely a great tapas experience!
(4)
B B.

This was my third Spanish restaurant in four days in Chicago. I would definitely go back. I ordered the tortilla espan~ola, and the Patatas con Alioli - garlic potato salad (heavenly) and the Salteado de Hortalisas (sauteed artichoke hearts, bell peppers, asparagus, and squash with a white wine garlic tomato sauce). I just finished the left overs and wish I could call in an order to be delivered to my hotel! I wanted to try so many things but didn't have the room to finish the third tapa. Although, I did make room to have the flan. I know it isn't "trendy", but it was what I wanted at the end of my Spanish meal, along with a cafe con leche, and it was great. There was a glitch with the bill and the waiter, Scott, who had been so helpful throughout the evening, was able to take care of it right away. I appreciated the good service and the fixing a small issue with good grace. I liked looking at the decor, which is mostly tile designs reflecting Miro'. Bold and colorful. I just might have to go back tomorrow before I get on the train so I can try three more dishes I didn't have room for today. The prices are reasonable, so it didn't feel like I was paying for trendiness or fancy presentation. Presentation was fine, but not overdone and it didn't seem overpriced.
(5)
Tripti S.

Veggie paradise. Many veggie dishes to choose from. Very nice and casual decor. Food was delicious. Desserts are simply superb. I had to take a star away for service!! They were not cleaning the tables in between considering it is a tapas place and we ordered many dishes to share!
(4)
Teddy M.

I was first introduced to Tapas Valencia by a classmate when our class let out earlier than expected after our Midterm exam earlier this week... She lives right down the street from this chic South Loop hangout and I had a couple of hours to kill so I thought "why not?" They offer HAPPY HOUR specials on drinks and tapas when you sit at the bar ($2 tapas with the purchase of a drink). We ordered the seafood and the spicy potatoes (DE-LISH!) I think they had just open for the afternoon and we were some of the first patrons. Our bar tender was a really friendly redhead who was super attentive and was also conversational! I told her how although my friend didn't have another class to go to, I did and that the tasty strawberry sangria was just what I needed to sit through my class' boring PowerPoint presentations later that night. She shared some of her own college stories which made her easy to relate to. I definitely want to come back and try their entrÃ©es another time!
(4)
Amanda I.

I find Tapas food to be a huge hit or miss in the city and have been repeatedly pleased with dining experiences here. The location is ideal for Sloopers but even if I didnt live down the block I would def find myself eating here. The wait staff is always friendly and I have yet to find an item on the menu that I didnt enjoy although I typically stick to the same few items. Bacon wrapped dates are amazing. Both the patatas con alioli & the spicy patatas bravas are delic. Baked goat cheese & Shrimp w Lemon Garlic sauce are my favorites. Maybe its my basic palette that keeps me pleased but I'd def pick Valencia over 95% of the rest in the area. Plus I'm a sucker for a great server....
(4)
Jide F.

Que rico! I've done some time in Spain traveling around eating pinchos and tapas and Tapas Valencia is absolutely fantastic. It made me feel like I was back in the Iberian Peninsula. Went there on a Thursday night and it wasn't crowded at all. The staff were nothing but wonderful and the hostess was very entertaining and we almost wanted her to sit at our table and join our conversation. I tried the pulpo (octopus) and it was savory and tender. It wasn't overcooked and seasoned well. I also had the chorizo and morcilla (blood sausage) and it also didn't disappoint. I also love that it's in the South Loop. The area is fantastic and just a few blocks from my friend's apartment!
(4)
Meagan L.

I love tapas and Tapas Valencia made the experience great! My boyfriend and I went in on Friday for their Chicago restaurant week pre-fix menu, which offered a really good selection of different tapas. I absolutely love queso de cabra (tomato sauce with goat cheese) and theirs didn't disappoint! the menu included a shrimp tapa and a beef tapa, and then we were also given a large dish of seafood paella. Everything was delicious! Their plÃ¡tano con helado for dessert was also really delicious! Overall, I'm glad we tried Tapas Valencia, I can't wait to go back and try some other items off their menu.
(4)
Shirelle T.

When I visited Tapas Valencia it was the summer of last year. I went on a dinner date with a couple of friends, when I first walked in the place it was amazing. I love the color scheme and there was definitely a pop look to the place, so modern and colorful. Anyway, I tried a few dishes; some beef, and the experience of trying goat cheese was a plus, I also had some stuff peppers, and some stuff mushrooms. I had some cheese cake with chocolate and caramel sauce and it was beautiful. The service was awesome as well, very friendly staff from the moment I walked into the door. I really enjoyed the experience of trying something new but it's just not my style. NOTHING WAS NASTY OR WRONG WITH THE PLACE but I have a different taste than most people. I would love to go back for some dessert and drinks. I would recommend this place to a friend. GO! Go for the experience.
(3)
Simone T.

Fantastic drink selection. We shared and LOVED the couscous with scallops, lobster bisque, black bean soup with chorizo, and the potatoes. Delicious mixed olives appetizer, so-so grilled eggplant & goat cheese plate. I/we'll definitely be back.
(5)
Nancy H.

Two words: TOO SALTY. Went on a Tuesday and had to basically raise our hands to get service. Waitress seemed a little snippy! If you want paella, order it first because it takes 35 minutes to come out. Perhaps my palate was already well salted by the 5 tapas we ordered before the paella came out, but I found everything very sodium rich and had to drink 3 bottles of water post-dinner. Eggplant- too oily Lamb chops- too expensive for what we got Goat cheese on garlic bread- tasted too much like pizza sauce Tostada- not crispy enough Olla- broth was way too salty Paella = pass! *cough* and not worth the price *cough*
(2)
Meridith H.

This is a great place; we came as a party of 4, ordered 9 items, got 10 and left stuffed to the gills. Stuffed! On tapas! Service was quick & friendly; there was a mix up on which table ordered what tapas, so we initially got a couple of mystery plates. The error was cleared up quickly and with good manners by the waitstaff, so no harm done (I've experienced similar mixups at other tapas places, so guess it must happen frequently). We ended up requesting to keep one of the mystery plates, and it was a great decision. Top 3 Picks from the menu: 1. Bacon wrapped dates - always a good idea 2. The steak with blue cheese - also a good idea 3. Chorizo - another good idea The location is a little off the beaten path, south of the Roosevelt stop on the Orange/Green/Red lines, but in a good way. Parking is plentiful and the walk from the el is more of a light stroll through a nice neighborhood. The wine prices were a bit high, otherwise high marks all around.
(4)
Anne R.

I actually found this place by accident, their other restaurant, Meson Sabika, is in Naperville. The atmosphere is casual, the tapas are good, the Sangria are great. However, for the price-point I may just prefer sushi!
(4)
Sonali K.

This isn't your average tapas place by any means. They take tapas to the next level, and you don't have to be a meat eater to enjoy everything they have to offer! I have been to Tapas Valencia twice and both times were in big groups and the restaurant was very accomodating, the service was good, and the food was excellent. The first time was for my friend's b-day. He chooses a new tapas place every year and I have to say this is one of the best we have been to in the city. We even had a 2-year old in our group that night and she's a pretty picky eater, but even she loved the food! The second time I went was for my best friend's bachelorette party. They arranged the table in a square for about 15 of us and we were all able to mingle comfortably instead of being stretched down one long skinny table. I highly recommend this place if you're looking for something out of the ordinary. The prices are on the higher side, but totally worth it for the quality of food and the experience you get.
(4)
Ghoncheh G.

Ordered an array of tapas for dinner and thoroughly enjoyed every dish. Everything came out in a timely fashion and all plates were prepared with generous tapas portions. Everything was tasty and delicious. The Pomegrante sangria was yummy and definitely kicked in as we were waiting! :) I'm not sure I will be back but I will recommend it to friends.
(4)
Rex Justin L.

I live on S. Michigan so Tapas Valencias is only walking distance from my place. I went with my friends. PROS: -Datilles con Tocino (dates in bacon) are divine and are a must have -Grilled calamari and shrimp are fresh and well cooked -Dessert was sweet but not heavy -Excellent wine list CONS: -Addicting that you will want to visit again. -So much food selection that you won't be able to try everything unless you keep coming back SUMMARY: -I will be coming back in the near future.
(5)
K B.

A bit too expensive for the quality.
(3)
Michelle S.

Ok my main go-to tapas spot has always been Iberico but I think I'm gonna add Tapas Valencia to my list. 1. Because it's closer to my house 2. The service is good. 3. Pomegranate (sp?) sangria 4. Bacon wrapped dates ...in that order. We had the bacon wrapped dates which were wonderful...wonderfully fattening. But isn't everything good bad for you? Then we had the mushroom caps with some kind of cheese in them. They were good but we couldn've done without em. Then pincho de solomillo and pincho de pollo.......it appears that chicken and steak on a stick are a staple at every tapas restaurant. Both seasoned very well and delish. The pincho de pollo (served with prune butter. yeah. Prune butter. Sound disgusting but purty damn good) was so god we ordered a second one. One pomegranite sangria adn one peach. Both good. Bill came to about $50. Not bad but we could've had more food and been fuggggged up off a pitcher of sangria at Iberico. Ahhhh... such is life. But I do like this spot and I will return. If they had patio seating in the summer that'd be the bomb.
(4)
A W.

I went with a group of 7. We shared 8 tapas between all of us. I only liked 1. That's right, only 1 out of 8. That's not a good statistic. I was looking forward to at least 4 of the 8, and curious about 2 more. But alas, only 1 out of 8 tickled my fancy. That one plate was the Empanada De Buey which has beef tenderloin inside of a pastry. I like what I could eat of it since only one came out. That brings me to how they say their tapas are meant for sharing, but they didn't really seem like it. It felt like we were all intruding on someone else's order. The Casa De Cabra (baked goat cheese) was disappointing as well as the Patatas Brava (spicy potatoes w/manchego cheese). The Montaditos De Cerdo (grilled pork medallions) was very tough and had to picked apart in order to eat it. Pleased, I was not. We ordered a pitcher of peach sangria which was shared between 4ppl. Each of us got about a glass and a half out of the pitcher, but when splitting the price, it was almost the same price as getting one glass. 4ppl and only a half glass more? Pitchers are usually good for a number of glasses for multiple people. At $25.95 per pitcher, this was offerering a glass and a half (narrow glasses) for 4ppl. Then for just some O.K. sangria. Amused, I was not. The atmosphere is nice and the service was very good, but it matters not if I don't like the food. I'm not saying it's a bad spot. It's just didn't do it for me.
(2)
Melanie S.

I lived around the corner from this location for years and the location where this restaurant is turned over to other restaurants about five times in ten years. None of the restaurants in this location were able to survive, mostly because they weren't good. Just average. Tapas Valencia, in my opinion is average as well. I'm interested to see if it will survive. I ordered some kind of vegetable dish, grilled calamari and lamb. All of my dishes were average and I felt like I could make the vegetables I ordered at home. My friend I was with and I both commented that our food was unnecessarily oily. Also, I've been to Spain three times and I know authentic tapas. The only standard tapas dishes on the menu were tortilla espanola and gambas al ajillo. All the rest were fusion and/or less authentically Spanish. Nothing was bad, but nothing was good either. I wouldn't come back on my own but would come if someone were hosting something here.
(3)
Stephanie L.

I'm not from Chicago, but I've been working at the Field Museum for the summer. My boyfriend came to visit me, so i made reservations for Tapas Valencia (I had been there before for a work related dinner). We got there 15 minutes early and were seated right away. We ordered 3 tapas (one cold, two hot) They were delicious!! My favorite were the stuffed mushrooms mmm so tasty! My boyfriend liked the tostada con marisco, wich was like a seafood salad on toasted bread, it was really good! But we both LOVED the queso de cabra, so tasty! The paella valenciana is really good. They really know how to season everything. A lot of the flavor is more aromatic than lets say, salty or savory...so we really liked that we can actually appreciate the flavor of the food. The Cinnamon flan is delightful, and you can get a rich cup of coffee for $1.95. Overall, this experience was amazing, the atmosphere is great for a saturday night out and the service was great! Go if you can, you'll enjoy it!
(5)
Cindy K.

Saturday night dinner for a group of 5. Cafe Babareeba is booked. Ibericho's parking situation sucks, and we're having 2 cars coming in from the burbs. What are we to do? Tapas Valencia. Plenty of space, nice decor, street parking is plentiful. But can that make up for lackluster food? Put this down as a solid "A-OK" experience. This was my second time there, both similar experiences as far as food goes. Service was... interesting. My friends and I haven't seen each in several weeks, so we were chattering like magpies. Our server comes along, hands us menus, and then basically shushes us so he can start his tapas explanation. He actually TELLS us to stop talking and pay attention to HIM. We exchange looks of disbelief. I guess he was trying to be funny, but the humor got lost in translation. I was less than thrilled with him the entire night. The other waitstaff was perfectly pleasant. But on to the important part-- the food. Pork medallions: seasoning was good, but the meat was tough. Bacon-wrapped dates: standard. Goat cheese dip: bread was too hard Beef flank: unremarkable, meat a little tough Baby octopus: delicious, my favorite Breaded chicken dish: also good, liked the sauce that came with it Sea scallops: scallops were tender but lacked seasoning. A little salt would have made it fabulous. Spicy potatoes: pretty good, liked the spices Peach Sangria: tasty! But too small. We could have ordered by the glass and had about the same amount. Complimentary olives and bread were a nice touch.
(3)
Sarah F.

In brief, the food was decent but the service was not. The menu has the usual tapas classics (patatas bravas, queso de cabra, gambas al ajillo) as well as dishes I wasn't familiar with, such as pato confitado (duck confit with mushrooms and apples). We especially enjoyed the bacon-wrapped dates and beef empanadas, but could have done without the poorly executed paella. Perhaps service would have been better if we weren't at a birthday dinner for 13. Sure, handling a table that size is never easy, but we were there on a weeknight. On St. Patrick's Day. You know, when absolutely everyone packs into tapas restaurants... Our end of the table struggled to get food and drinks ordered, and we sat for what felt like ages after the main part of the meal was over before the server asked if we wanted dessert. You've got to admire his boldness, though. Since the staff had taken away nearly all of the menus, we asked the server for his recommendations. He suggested that we get two orders of the filet. While it was delicious, at $18 a plate it was also by far the most expensive dish on the menu.
(2)
Robyn T.

I really wanted to like my meal at Tapas Valencia, really I did but the whole experience left me wishing for something more substantial. Better service. Better drinks. Even better food. I can't say I liked much about the restaurant aside from it's South Loop location. I've heard wonderful things about their sister restaurant in Naperville (Meson Sabika) but this just left me feeling like I'd spent too much money for a mediocre meal. Our server was very ho hum going about his business. We had to ask for the drink menu (he seemed almost confused that we would ask for one) and his recommendations weren't particularly good. I love Cava so why not Cava sangria? Gross. I couldn't even finish my glass. How bad could a salad be? Take mixed greens, white asparagus (that looked like it was from a can), flavorless beets, a sliver of avocado and a sweet honey dressing and you've got...a gross salad. It's fair enough to say the other items were decent - dates wrapped in bacon, stuffed red peppers, Spanish cheeses and some steak in a cheese sauce. All these items were fine but nothing particularly special. What sets this tapas restaurant apart and why would visitors come back? It's strictly about the location baby. There are so many great tapas restaurants in the city and with Mercat a la Planxa just 0.9 miles away why should you settle?
(2)
Bree L.

The bacon wrapped dates are the best thing on the menu. I LOVE this place. The prices are good, parking good, and the menu is great. I have been here for events as well as lunch and dinner and I've never been disappointed.
(5)
Aurore L.

$24.95 for unlimited buffet of yummy tapas. Sunday brunch. With a complimentary glass of Cava, Mimosa-style if you wish. I say - watch out French toasts, omelets and waffles - the game is ON. It is SO on..... The break-down: - a smallish menu where you can actually order omelets if you WANT. But really you would be silly to do so....not to say totally idiotic. - a crappy American station where you can fix your burgers if you WANT. See above comment X 10. - a carving station - tons of tapas, piping hot but not over-cooked, dried up and rubbery. Think high quality and name your faves: paella? check bacon wrapped dates? oh yeah.... mussels, seafood cocktail, smoked salmon, squid? you bet grilled veggies, fresh fruits for the heath freaks? of course PLUS stuffed mushrooms, beef tenderloin wraps, grilled eggplant stuffed with goat cheese, Spanish tortilla, grilled shrimps, pastas, patatas bravas (or not), soups AND a Bloody Mary bar with blue cheese olives. Just to name a few. I mean - the entire menu is there, waiting for you. Save room for dessert if you can. I couldn't. On the practical side: parking on State is VERBOTEN on Bears game days but the side streets should make the trick. The place is huge and empty. Great for groups. You are welcome, Yelper friends.
(5)
T J.

The food is delicious- but the service is never what it should be. I have been there over 10 times and have never had good service. The food is worth it though.
(3)
Bill M.

I went to Tapas Valencia for an after-work function. TV is in the very South Loop, but within reasonable walking distance of the Roosevelt CTA station hub. The interior has a colorful mosaic style to it, so you barely notice the industrial-looking shell of the original structure. We enjoyed a nice variety of their tapas. The best was the date wrapped in bacon, a sultry sweet and salty morsel it is. Other good ones included the torta espanola, steak on a stick, garlic potatoes. The pasta with chucks of chicken was bland all the way around. The staff was efficient enough, as they served a very steady glass of sangria.
(4)
Luci D.

This place is average. The decor is a bit strange. The food is...well, I wasn't blown away by anything (tilapia, Spanish cheese plate, some kind of pasta, and some kind of steak). Was here on a Sunday night and the place was not busy at all. As in, only one other table was occupied. Server Alex was great (and cute to boot!). Easy street parking, and the host/maitre d' was very friendly. Wouldn't make a special trip for, but if I was in the neighborhood...
(3)
Matt R.

I went to Tapas Valencia without having read any reviews so, like a movie that you walk into without expectations one way or the other, I was happily surprised. Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba and Iberico still rank at the top of the list for me in terms of quality of food and definitely great sangria but Valencia was pretty good. I enjoyed the evening as well as the fact that it is not as noisy as Iberico which I love but sometimes need a break from. We started with sangria which was much needed after a long work day and then began ordering... tried the White Anchovy special which was actually really good but the salad with Butter Lettuce, weird white and very limp (canned looking) Asparagus, Beets, Egg slices, and sweet Vinaigrette was horrible. Also tried the... Grilled Brochette of Beef Tenderloin (6.50) Salmon Curado (7.95) Marinated Artichoke with a Creamy Tomato Vinaigrette (5.95) Baked Goat Cheese in Tomato Sauce with Garlic Bread (7.95) Roasted Dates Wrapped in Bacon (5.95). Everything but the salad was very good. The tenderloin skewer was by far my favorite dish. The meat was tender, juicy, and grilled perfectly. The salmon dish was good. It was similar to smoked salmon and the dill sauce was tasty but a little heavier than I was hoping for. The marinated artichokes were excellent. They were full and absolutely delicious. The baked goat cheese, a tapas standard, was good but didn't stand out. The dates, on the other hand, were spectacular although I prefer them almost burn-your-tongue hot and they were probably a more appropriate temperature for most people's taste. Overall, the meal was good and the only dish I would really steer anyone away from was the salad. Service was pretty good. They were relatively empty so it definitely wasn't like the waiter was under pressure but he gave us the proper amount of attention and didn't mess anything up. All-in-all, he did a good job. i definitely would recommend Tapas Valencia if you're in the area but don't feel strongly enough to suggest that anyone go too far out of their way since there are plenty of comparable tapas restaurants in Chicago. If you go, the red sangria was great!!!
(3)
Ian S.

Great Spanish Tapas! Good service and wine list. Excellent South Loop neighborhood gem.
(4)
annette m.

Food is exceptional and the service it great. Dani is the best! she remembers everyone, what they have ordered previously and pours a great drink. Give the happy hour a try. Tapas is 2 or 3 dollars each and let Dani take care of you. Although there are many fabulous selections here are three of my favorites: potatoes with manchengo cheese, scallops and the baked goat cheese with toasted bread The quality is much better than the competition on North LaSalle, we will not be going back there....
(5)
Chris M.

I really believe the Cafe Babareba sets the bar for tapas in Chicago. Tapas Valencia is "A-Ok" but it is no Babareba. Went on a Saturday night and was able to get a table without a wait. We ordered a pitcher of the Red Sangria and the following tapas: Empanada de Buey, Piprirrana de Buey, Queso de Cabra, Chorizo y Morcilla, Datiles con Tocino, Patatas Bravas and Tortilla Espanola. The best tapas in my opinion was Datiles con Tocino, the bacon wrapped dates. I thought the other tapas were just okay...nothing special. All in all Valencia isn't a bad place it just is no Babareba.
(3)
Dawn D.

Nice atmosphere. Good service. Food was good. Didn't care for their sangria.
(3)
Joseph B.

I usually wait until I've had a chance to visit a place a few times before writing a review, but Tapas Valencia was SO good that I don't feel the need to wait. The waitstaff and ambience were fine. Nothing special but also no complaints. We had a reservation, were greeted by a friendly hostess and seated right away. The food was outstanding. Between the two of us, we started off with four plates and ended up ordering two more. It was a bit overboard, but we couldn't help ourselves. The queso de cabra and crepe rellena were probably the highlights of the meal, along with the awesome sangria. But all of the dishes were awesome. The flavors were complex and combined imaginatively. Dishes were appropriately spicy. Everything was prepared to perfection. To top it all off, the prices were quite reasonable for such a quality dining experience. We will definitely be back!
(5)
K. J.

I've lived in South Loop for a few years, but it took a while before I finally made the trek (downstairs) to Tapas Valencia. I've been hooked ever since! If you like duck, you have to try to Pato Confitado. The happy hour menu is also perfect for $2 or $3 tapas - but the regular menu is also fairly priced. I've enjoyed pretty much everything I've had here, from the soups down to the drinks (and desserts). Must try: Spice and Ice! JosÃ©, the manager, is also the best!!
(5)
Mike Y.

Why does everyone here rave about the datiles con tocino (bacon wrapped dates)? Oh, that's right, because they're massively amazing! So good that everyone in our entire party of 13 let out a collective "oh yeah, that's the stuff!" Somewhat soft and sweet in the middle, crisp and bacon-y on the outside with a delicious sauce. The other dish that had the table raving was the coffee flavored flan. Tasty. With such a huge group, we had everyone order two things each. I'm not totally sure of all of the things I ate that night, but I'll try to run through as many as I can remember: red wine sangria: I thought it was decent, rest of the table was only so-so about it. Corderas al pastor (grilled lamb loin medallions): very soft and tasty! a toast points dish with crab and other stuff (a special): alright patatas bravas: alright grilled choriza and morcilla sausage: one is better than the other grilled filet mignon: pretty decent shrimps, clams, and scallops casserole: I think I had a piece of clam. Pretty decent duck confit with mushrooms and apples: I think we had this... well it was something with mushrooms on top of it. Whatever it was it was really good. grilled shrimp: pretty good. pincho de pollo (chicken brochettes): Pretty decent tasting All in all, the bill was not as big as we thought it might be and the food was solid all around. Nothing that left me thinking "this is a weak ass dish" and a handful that made the taste buds go to their happy place. The service was decent. Atmosphere was kind of trendy-ish looking. I would go there again. Good stuff!
(4)
Rachel P.

I just had a huge birthday dinner here and it was absolutely perfect. The wait staff was on point and patient, we had a very large group so I was very nervous with how it would all turn out. Everyone that worked there was friendly and all of my friends left with a full stomach. Thank you so much for making my birthday a great one!
(5)
Adi M.

Clean,friendly,good food. What else can you ask for?
(4)
Chuck P.

Great food great location. Will be going again! Just an FYI, you really need to hire a food photographer because the pictures of your establishment and the food images are horrible. It looks like someone used a point and shoot with a flash. You will be doing your business a favor, believe it or not I had second thoughts when I first saw the images of your food. Just some friendly advice.
(5)
Erin M.

Dined here for the first time with my husband on Valentine's Day. Large space, tasteful decor, and even with a full house the noise level was acceptable (unlike our experience at Cafe Iberico). Valet parking was only $6. Wait service was efficient...so much so that they kept taking our bread basket away without asking if we were done! Appetizer: Tostadas con Piquillo (cold): EXCELLENT; a must try for seafood lovers! Berenjena con Queso (cold): Too acidic; skip it Entrees: Cazuelita de Pollo (hot, chicken casserole): spicy, chicken was overcooked; skip it Champinones (hot, stuffed mushrooms): EXCELLENT Cordero al Pastor (hot, grilled lamb medallions): EXCELLENT; hands down our favorite dish Datiles con Tocino (hot, bacon wrapped dates): good; bacon needed a little crisping; the bacon wrapped dates at Tapas Barcelona in Evanston are better Montaditos de Cerdo (hot, pork medallions): EXCELLENT; loved the sauce and the pork was seasoned well Dessert: Platano con Helado (sauteed banana, caramel sauce, vanilla ice cream): very good; wished the banana was a bit warmer though. Mousse de Avellanas: skip it. Hazelnut mousse is very good but the chocolate cake underneath was much too dry/cardboard-like. Drinks: Pitcher of Pomogranate Sangria - very tasty; would recommend. If a couple dishes tasted better, I would have given this place 5 stars! We'll definitely be back to check out the rest of the menu!
(4)
Bradley J.

Went here with a group of 10 on a Saturday night - was able to OpenTable the reservation the day before, which made me a wee bit suspicious. Things started off well, the waiter was good and they brought olives to the table (and bread after we asked - sooo hungry!). We ordered about 25 items all at once, and the salads came out quickly - though the guy who brought most of the food out could only say the name of the entree - english not so good. The tapas came out in three batches, but there was a 15 minute gap between the first and second - so a few people sat awkwardly without food while the others ate (perhaps we suck at sharing?) All in all, not bad - bill was about $38/person (including gratuity) and valet parking was $6
(3)
ian d.

This place has got tapas down. I usually don't like tapas, but it was my wifes bday so I gladly obliged. The lamb chops were phenomenal as wer the empanadas and the bacon wrapped dates. Service was excellent and the sangria was awesome(although pricey) I will definitely be back!
(5)
Christine E.

I really enjoyed this place! My friend and I decided to check this place out on a Thursday night. The place was moderately crowded, but we were seated rather quickly. My friend and I ordered the prix fix meal. Lots of food for $32 a person, and well worth it. The garlic potatoes and dates wrapped with bacon were by far my favorite! Great desserts and sangria too. The staff were very attentive and friendly. I definitely have plans to go back some time soon!
(4)
Casey L.

What a great find!!! Tapas Valencia was clean, friendly and had great customer service. I actually forgot my phone and our waiter ran after us so he could give it to me. All the food had good size portions and was amazing!! You also can't beat the Tuesday night Half off bottle of wine special. I have to say my favorite dishes were the chile mussels and the crab pastries. I can't wait to go back and try more..
(5)
chris g.

Another review that gets just a step above average. The Sangria was just so so. Better Sangria can be had right down the street at Cuatro. I start there because you expect good Sangria at a Tapas joint. The food was good, not great for the money charged. The service was good with an efficient waiter and on the spot bus men refilling our water & clearing. The restaurant is very roomy with a decor that resembles the cuisine. I wanted to like this more since it is so close to my home in South Loop which could always use more good restaurants. I will give it another shot and hopefully be able to update my review with another star and good praise.
(3)
Bobby K.

Tapas Valencia didn't usurp the crown held by Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba as my favorite tapas place, but it's another solid tapas option for Chicago. The bacon-wrapped dates are phenomenal and the grilled squid was some of the best I've ever had. Our other choices included the sausages (I'm not a big sausage fan but others liked them), crab fritters (these were fine), jamon serrano (great!) and some mushroom dish (can't remember the name, nothing special). For dessert they had an orange flan of the day and a banana dish. The flavored sangrias were also fabulous. The atmosphere is a little industrial/corporate for my taste; I prefer the coziness of its Halsted rival. And our waiter was a bit intense and maybe a tad upset that I never asked him for his suggestions after he repeatedly offered to. Sorry buddy! I know my way around a menu.
(4)
Sabrina M.

I thought this place couldn't possibly live up to the hype of all the great reviews here but I am so glad to report that I'm wrong -- Tapas Valencia was all that and then some! I took a group of friends here on Friday and as soon as I dug into the gambas al ajillo (garlic sauteed shrimp) and the datilos (bacon wrapped dates) I knew it had broken the curse of 1530 S. State! We all know by now that this location has failed for at least two restaurants for no good reason, really. But I think we have a winner here, that will hopefully last awhile. From the traditional tapas to the innovative dishes, everything was great. Loved the sangria too. I don't usually have dessert at tapas joints but because we were welcoming a friend back to Chicago, I ordered a dessert tray. It was outstanding (especially the cheesecake and the flan!) I also thought the pricing was very reasonable. For a party of six who ate heartily, the bill came to about $20 per person. The service was also great -- never an empty water or sangria glass the entire night until we said "no mas!" I'm very happy to welcome Tapas Valencia to the neighborhood and am glad it appears to be here to stay. Salud!
(4)
Britt K.

This is an after work favorite for my co-workers and me! You can't beat the half-off tapas and wine/drink specials when you sit at the bar during the week from 4-6pm. Food & Prices- The list of half-off tapas is not extensive, but the small dishes are cheap and tasty! DÃ©cor-It has an over the top Spanish "like" dÃ©cor, but still welcoming. The bar is large enough to accommodate 20 plus people who are looking for a great deal after work!
(4)
Denise H.

Tapas Valencia is a gem in the South Loop. I've been dining here for the past year and a half and I continue to REP this spot. The food is so good....I've had so much food here from the patata bravas to the salmon with goat cheese. The bacon wrapped dates are some of the best I've had. What give Tapas Valencia a plus in my book is the large dining area and the quaint outdoor patio. One of the only things I need Tapas Valencia to step their game up on is their sangria. It seems as it's watered down slightly and not as potent as others I've had in the past. Other than this....the food is really good.
(4)
Brooke W.

Best olives I have EVER had!!! I don't know what they do to them but they got it right! The place was busy but not crowded, amazing service, and a pretty darn tasty drink. Overall... can't wait to go back.
(5)
Blake K.

We live right across this place and it is fantastic! Lots of menu choices, including lots of vegetarian options, at a very reasonable price. Delicious Sangria! Great atmosphere, and always a friendly welcome from the host. Fun to go with a group of people and try a bunch of different plates. (I would recommend about 2 tapas per person.) And it is so big with so many tables that I have never seen a wait. Only four stars because while we have had some amazing servers, we have some less-than-amazing servers, too.
(4)
Nisey M.

Hosted my bridal shower there and the staff and food could not have been better! We had a group of 36 people, the management and servers were very accommodating and attentive. Most of my guests had never been there and all had so many positive things to say about the food, ambiance not to mention the sangria! This is a great place to host a party.
(5)
Keisha K.

I love Tapas. I do. I can eat it everyday and all day. Tapas Valencia has a great selection of tapas for everyone. There were no items I tasted that I did not like, but it did seem to lack something. I'll be going back in a couple weeks, as I enjoyed my previous experience. The strawberry sangria was EVERYTHING though. I'm not a fan of Sangria but they do something to it that had us swigging it down by the pitcher. The place is VERY family friendly and I was shocked to see how many little kids were there with their parents. It didn't bother me, but I was shocked. There was ample seating because the place is big. They have an outdoor seating area, but it's a busy street. I prefer my bugs, dirt and dust in my vacuum and not in my plate, so I would never opt to eat out there. All in all, it's a great place that's close for those tapas cravings. The staff is friendly, there's valet and PLENTY of street parking, it's conveniently located and the food is good. I can't wait to go back!!!
(3)
Vivian Y.

Everything was just "meh". The duck was overly sweet. The beef was overcooked. the egg-y tortilla thing was palatable. bacon wrapped dates were overly mushy with dates and too sweet. I expected alot better food. Service - not great. I showed up late. The server didn't offer me any utensiles or napkin. I had to steal it from the empty table next to us. Water wasn't offered to anyone - we had to ask. Ordered a glass of wine that took 20 mins to receive. I'd much rather go to Emilios. My favorite tapas place in Chicago. Highlight of the meal - grilled squid and the plate of olives! really good! Dessert was good.
(2)
Kai Z.

I've driven past this place a few times and have always been curious. I finally got to try it out this past Saturday - as well as introduce the husband to a whole new cuisine. The hostess and waitress were both extremely nice and attentive - I think they realize they're a new restaurant, and really need to cater to the customers. Our waitress was knowledgeable about the menu, had some great recommendations, and struck that perfect balance between hovering and being MIA. The food was delicious, especially the stuffed tomatoes and the pear tart - very bold, smooth flavors. We didn't have the sangria (I know, I know), but tried the wine flights instead. My only (minor) annoyance was that some of the tapas seemed pretty steeply priced. I was hoping for a nicer but not super expensive night out, and the prices were a bit higher than I had expected. All in all, a solid up-and-coming restaurant in my neighborhood.
(4)
Rich P.

Exceeded expectations. Huge menu with a wide variety of small plates. Unique wine list mainly off-shore offerings. Interesting venue with wide open seating area and very tall ceilings keeping noise levels to a minimum. Not in the nicest neighborhood, but well worth the effort to give them a try. Our server was excellent and made most of the selections we wanted to try. Will go back the next time I'm in Chicago.
(4)
Jessica W.

2 stars because this restaurant is mediocre compared to other tapas places in Chicago. Food: As far as tapas go, this place is not bad, but not the best. Their selection of items are also limited and leaves me with nothing bad nor good to say. Each plate is around $10-$18 dollars which seems pricey compared to the quality of food you're getting. Atmosphere: They are going for the fancy upscale feel. The restaurant is big which should bode well for large parties and families.
(2)
Garrett G.

One of my favorites. This is a great spot for large groups if you call ahead. I normally walk in and get a table within minutes. The food has always been good as well as the service. One time in particular I asked a question about one of the after dinner drinks and a manager decided to give an impromptu tasting and explained the differences. The complimentary olives are always a nice touch.
(5)
MELEK L.

We came on a gorgeous Friday afternoon and arrived to a nearly empty dining room (no patio seating). The space is open and colorful. I imagine it would light up nicely at night though its hard to picture it during the bright of day. We sat down to two perfectly spicy bloody marys. The hair of the dog really hit the spot! The menu of tapas seemed satisfyingly extensive with equal parts hot and cold. I found it easy to pick my favorites (bacon-wrapped dates) and even found some new ones too. They start you off with a small bowl of olives. Dang, those were good. And I don't even really like olives! Funny enough, besides the bacon dates (of course), my favorite tapas arrived first. A fresh Fruta salad. Bibb lettuce topped with strawberries, jimaca, and avocado. Next it was topped with a balanced raspberry vinaigrette. Fresh and flavorful, I may make it at home for myself! Unfortunately most of the other items fell flat. Most of them I don't even remember. My first bite of the puffed pastry I remember only because it was so icky with little to no flavor. My advise? Make sure to pair each bite with the creamy sauce off to the side and it becomes a whole different experience. The biggest disappointment was the lack of description and passion for the food. Each time we got a new dish, we said "Oh. I didn't know it would have .... on it (in it)." The menu was disappointingly vague. When we asked for the waiter to elaborate, he really could not answer any of our questions or tell us what exactly we had on our plates. Everyone we encountered seemed to lack any type of passion for the food or the restaurant. This is surprising and sad since they are the new kid on the block. I do wish them the best though.
(3)
Kamilah S.

I visited this establishment yesterday around 6pm with my friend/former co-worker/auto and life insurance agent and we had a ball. If you sit at the bar and you buy a drink you get to pick from the $2 or $3 appetizer menu and you get so full. The food is so good I love the potatoes and the toast points with the ham and cheese is fantastic and I washed it all down with a red sangria. Excellent service and everyone is so friendly. I dont know what the bill was because steph, would not let me see the bill nor did she let me leave a tip. I will be back. Thanks again Steph.
(5)
Alan S.

I found this place on Yelp, was in Chicago for a conference. After it wound down my Mom came into town to visit. She had never had tapas before so I thought this could be a good experience for her. We went on a Thursday so it wasn't too crowded. I have to say, this was some of the best tapas I have ever had. The service was attentive but not intrusive, and the food....wow! We had the jamron, the cheese plate, and the artichokes to start with a nice order of grilled calamari to finish off. Neither of us were that hungry, which was sad since the food was so good I wanted to eat more and more despite being quite satisfied. I wish I lived in Chicago so I could come back here soon. Alas, I'll have to find a tapas place I like back home in San Francisco...I think I'll start looking harder, having had a taste of really good tapas right here close to my home town.
(5)
Emily D.

I love weddings. While there is plenty to not like about these supposed once-in-a-lifetime affairs, when the people, food, tunes and booze are done right, it's a party where I get to look fancy and toast to love. Dig. I was introduced to Meson Sabika, Tapas V's big sister in Naperville, at my bestest friend's wedding last summer. My girl, like me, made food the top priority at her soiree and we were blown away by the goodness that exited the columned elegance of Sabeeks. And so it was with pleasure that I corralled some of my favorites for tapas, vino and paella at this new restaurant in the South Loop. Lord have mercy, was it good. And the service was great too. I spoke with the manager, Jane, and was effusive with praise, her smile getting bigger and bigger just as the crowds began to swell to a tidal wave. We were a party of seven and waited to make reservations until mid-day Saturday. We like early dinners so not a problem, but call in advance! When we left, it was like a nightclub in the entry way. Lots of black and lots of pretty. But the food, oh the food. . . we went medieval on that menu. Just tamed it. Cracked a whip on it's little plates. We had cured salmon with dill sour cream, a beautiful plate that was sprinkled with salty capers and fluffy bits of egg. The crostini's crisp and the cool cream were in perfect harmony. Moving on to my personal favorite, datiles con tocino (dates wrapped in bacon, bitches), the sweetness of the date burst in your mouth, a bit of uncomfortable warmth and then the meaty, salty little body just relaxing on your tongue. We ordered two (or was it three?) of these gems. There was also grilled squid with lemon olive oil, grilled chorizo and morilla sausage, baked goat cheese with garlic bread, crabmeat fritters with creamed leeks, stuffed squid with ink sauce, garlic potato salad and beef tenderloin wraps with bleu cheese. We ended the meal with paella de mariscos, and while the seafood was ample and the presentation incorporated every single sunrise color, it lacked punch. More spice, please! Make us stand at attention for your heat, Mr. Paella sir! Hence the four stars, though I would really make it four and a half. I am absolutely tickled that I have this wonderful, bright, effervescent eatery in my 'hood. Thank you for coming to the South Loop. We'll be back for seconds, thirds, fourths. . .
(4)
diana t.

I don't hate this place. In fact, I tried to really like this place. I love trendy restaurants. ANd this place is FULL of trend. Bright orange decor, yellow chairs that spin, tables perch high above the floor. This place is like an upscale Joy Yee. The wait- 45 minutes- was not worth it. I don't see any anyone would wait to come here first of all. Second of all, there were empty tables everywhere. My friend actually just ended up walking up to a table and proclaimed "we're going to sit here" and they resigned. I hate places that make you wait just to make you wait. The food was meh. It was expensive and nothing compared to the other tapas places around the city (Ole, People, Ba Ba reeba). None of it was bad-per say but there was nothing here that was to die for. The goat cheese bread platter was nothing more than pizza sauce with a sliver of cheese. The Duck Confit was a little too...ducky. Bacon wrapped dates were good but we've had better at Avec. Definitely not worth our $200 bill at the end of the night. We left wondering if maybe we can just make a lot of this ourselves.
(2)
Sian C.

Very good decent south loop gem. Lots of flavour
(4)
Anthony S.

Â¡Viva (Tapas) Valencia! Since Tapas Valencia open just a few short weeks ago I have been constantly reminding myself to go there; I live directly across the street mind you, but I kept coming up with excuses. Well, finally this past Sunday afternoon I grew some cojones and decided to venture across the frontier of state street and begin my journey into the land of endless platillos. When my dining party and I arrived we were greeted with an array of smiling faces, ready to welcome us in with open arms despite not officially opening for another 30 minutes. We decided to sit at the bar since it's the most attentive place in any restaurant and because there was a tv alight with march madness. As I looked over the menu I was astonished by all the mouth watering descriptions, I wanted to try all of their dishes! Fortunately for me and my waistline I compromised and decided to just try a few plates with additional bites here and there, courtesy of the others accompanying me. We first ordered the Grilled Calamari (Calamares A La Plancha), The Bake Artichoke and Spinach Dip (Alcachofas Gratinadas) and The Roasted Dates Wrapped in Bacon (Datiles Con Tocino). Although I usually love Calamari I did find it to be a little more rubbery than I'm used to, still I devoured the garlicky and lemony goodness. The other two dishes were absolutely stellar, my favorite being the Dates wrapped in Bacon: the ultimate combination of sweet and salt. The artichoke dip is also a must, combined with spinach tomato and garrotxa cheese (goat cheese) it's sure to leave other varieties of this dish in the dust. For round two I started off with Black Bean and Chorizo Soup (Espinacas), it was very good as far as bean soups go, but I think they might have forgotten to add the Chroizo the day I went, I will have to try this again and report back. Next it was Coca Del Pueblo, an open faced sandwich with decadent slices of prosciutto (or some type of cured pork) and provolone cheese. If you love italian sandwiches, don't pass this one up, it's soooo good! Last, but not least I had a sampling of the Mariscos Paella: Shrimp, Mussels, Clams and Scallops. I will warn you that I am not a paella fan, usually it is too fishy and bland for my tastes, but I was pleasantly surprised after taking the first couple of bites, I could actually tastes the different ingredients without the taste of fish drowning them all out. Bravo to the chef! Just when I thought I couldn't eat another morsel, I saw the dessert section at the bottom of the menu. Being modest we decided to just try one and split it amongst the three of us, but there's no such thing as being shy at Tapas Valencia, within minutes we were brought out three deserts: Flan, PlÃ¡tano con Helado and Delicia De Chocolate along with three superb glasses of Sherry. The Dessert was mind blowing! If you do not like tapas, you must come here for the Dessert! The PlÃ¡tano Con Helado (Banana with Ice Cream) was served with warm bananas drizzled in caramel and ice cream placed in a semi-sweet chocolate cup. The combination: orgasmic! The Flan was amazing, always a favorite of mine, try it with a little Sherry on top, Â¡Que Magnifico! Finally There's the Delicia De Chocolate, amazingly rich yet so very good. It tasted as if it were part fudge part cake, a must have for chocolate lovers. I will definitely be visiting here more often, and I suggest you do too don't delay, get your culo here pronto!
(5)
nikki s.

Okay, so let's see how long this place lasts in this cursed location. I think there's been two or three establishments before it was revamped as Tapas Valencia. Actually, this is the first time I actually ventured over --and it's in my hood! So a friend of mine-- ironically named Valencia, stopped in for eats on a Saturday afternoon. Service was prompt (partially due to the fact that they'd just opened for dinner). Our server was friendly and attentive--and smelled good too. Never mind that! On with the eats...we were ravenous! We had about five of the hot tapas, my favorites being the lamb medallions with the grilled onions and the stuffed mushroom caps. My tummy was pleased. There were many "mmms" of satisfaction with simultaneous eye rolling. I don't know if they ever pipe any music in, but maybe some Gypsy Kings or other Spanish music fusion would create more of a Spanish ambiance. Wasn't real impressed with the decor. Yes, the mosaic tiles on the walls were okay, but something is missing to give the place a warm, relaxed feel. Maybe it's the cement floors that made the place feel kinda cold and hollow. In any case, I'd definitely go back for the food. There are few eateries in the South Loop that impress my pallette, but this one is just what we needed. I hope it sticks.
(4)
Quatro S.

The food is always good there and if you are looking for a calmer atmosphere then some other tapas places, then this is the place to be! The staff is very good as well. I give A+
(5)
MJ B.

I live in the building, so we've wandered down a few times for happy hour. The bartenders are not as attentive as I would like, but the drinks are strong and fresh. The sangria includes brandy, so it'll knock you right down. We tried 8 tapas, a mix of cold and hot. All are solid, and some are really delicious. They have a $2 per tapas tasting size during happy hour, so it's more than worth it to stop in and try the place out! (4-6pm--I think every week night). I thought the smoked salmon was really good, as well as the goat cheese. The tuna was not our favorite. I agree with another reviewer that says the decor is only so-so.
(3)
Andrea A.

This is my "go-to" place for drinks and a light meal, mainly because it's kiddie corner to my apartment, but for many other reasons, also. The specials here are noteworthy: $2 tapas menus from 4:30-6:30 Monday-Thursday and 9:30-11:30 on Fridays and Saturdays, along with daily drink specials. I have gone a few times when they have offered half price bottles of wine (plus, their wine is reasonably priced). They also frequently have $5 martinis, which is amazing! The bartenders are friendly and attentive, while they don't skip on the liquor. I have always sat at or near the bar, and the staff has been nothing but polite and attentive. The food is good, especially the potato bravas, crabmeat fritters, and bacon wrapped dates. Really though, every dish that I (or my company) have ordered here has been tasty, consistent, and fresh. Also, make sure to ask them for their bread- I think it is the best I have ever had, and I mean, I am a complete bread fiend. Overall, fun, chill atmosphere with consistently great drinks and food with quality service.
(4)
Megumi T.

I went this place twice and I can smell seafood twice too... First time, we order crab cake and other else. Crab cake is really stink... I can't eat it. Second time, we sitting at bar so just order mussels. But mussels is stink too. I don't think they use flesh seafood at all. Drink and service is fine but I can't eat anymore stink seafood. I recommend nice place "People Lounge" at Bucktown if you like Tapas.
(3)
Juliette K.

Went here for my birthday! Absolutely loved my sangria, paella and the service. The food took a bit to come out, but completely worth it!
(4)
Catherine W.

It is a nice tapas place, but I don't think it stands out among other tapas places in Chicago. Service was inconsistent; sometimes the waiter was in our face asking if we wanted to order more, other times, the waiter was nowhere to be found. We enjoyed the cold anchovy appetizer, and the grilled lamb chops (both specials).
(2)
Elle M.

I really enjoyed Tapas Valencia....they have a great selection of tapas, but I loved the mariscos paella!!! It takes about 30 minutes to get to your table, so make sure you order their Sangria.....So good!!! We went on a Monday night and they were part of the drinks special. We had a variety of flavors but my fave is their strawberry sangria. Our server was very attentive, and his recommendations were right on the money. I'm glad we asked because every tapas dish sounded really good, but the ones he recommended were excellent! We didn't get a chance to eat dessert because honestly, there was just no room left for it, which is a very unusual event for me cuz if I had my choice, I'd start with my dessert and work my way to the appetizers.
(4)
Kate S.

Been here twice and both times delicious. Champinones and pimentos del piquillo are my personal favorites. Good place for a group of people. Drinks are a little pricey and the bill adds up quick if you order a pitcher or two of sangria, but when doing tapas in Chicago, this is the place to go.
(4)
Diana S.

Happy Easter Feast! We went to the Easter brunch buffet. It was the perfect opportunity to try out this place. What I loved: The bacon wrapped dates where delicious. I usually stay away from these because I don't like the dates, but these were really good. The seafood paella was delicious. The saffron rice was really flavorful. All dishes that featured shrimp or fish were really good. The shrimp was plump, juicy, and nicely cooked. The fish was rich, tender and flavorful. The dish with pieces of beef tenderloin was awesome. I the meat was well seasoned and nicely cooked. The stuffed mushroom caps were delicious. The sponge cake bread pudding dessert was lovely. I devoured it immediately!. What I could have passed on: The bread basket that was put down in the beginning was pretty unnecessary since there was a buffet of goodness. What was in the basket was pretty unremarkable. Overall: This was a great deal for an Easter brunch buffet. It also came with a mimosa. There were a ton of options and even a carving station with prime rib and lamb. The cold tapas were refreshing. The service was welcoming. What a great addition to the South Loop.
(4)
Eugene E.

After all the advertisements in the South Loop - finally decided to try this place out. They have outdoor seating and a warehouse type feel inside. The hostess was extremely nice and it wasn't crowded and waiter service was attentive. Food was "A-OK" 3 stars... Vegetarian selection was on par. Cheesecake I would probably take a pass on... the almond pound cake infused with pear I felt was slightly better than store bought pound cake but not the quality/consistency of a homemade pound cake - mixed feelings about it.
(3)
Giri C.

A great addition to the neighborhood! The service is excellent. Good atmosphere. Solid food. From the moment we walked in, the service was excellent. The host was very friendly. The waiter was helpful and paced the tapas just right. The busboys were prompt, but not overbearing.
(4)
Alyssa F.

Monday Night Sangria... 3 dollars for a great glass of sangria, and a great atmosphere to bring a date or just catch up with the girls. Now, don't let me get started on the tapas. They are great. My advice, is ask the staff what is good.. they definitely led me and my friend in the right direction. Oh, and make sure to leave room for dessert. Their Almond cake of some sorts is to die for... Staff is very friendly and inviting too.
(5)
Kate K.

Great. Restaurant. Totally reasonable price, great food, and good service. May I recommend the bacon wrapped dates, the skirt steak, and the tilapia? Yum. They also offer a fairly reasonable wine list :)
(4)
Rahshonda K.

I have been trying to get to this place since I moved to the South Loop. Needing a Sangria and my BFF for convo we headed over to Tapas. THe bacon wrapped dates were very good. We had a very good cheese dish and a shrimp with garlic. Both were yummy! Sangria was potent and good! the service was excellent we didnt go without anything and they were so nice.. I am definitely glad this place is only a block away I cant wait to go back.
(4)
Damon M.

My wife and I hit up Tapas Valencia last night for the first time, and were very very happy with our meal and service. We both are HUGE fans of Tapas, and compare every place we go to our favorite Tapas place in NYC, Las Ramblas. While Tapas Valencia isn't quite on par with Las Ramblas, it is as close as possible. The Tapas is the best we've had in Chicago to date. Based on the recommendation of Brad, our waiter, we started out sharing the Sangriatini. A bit sweet, but very good, and a great way to start our our evening. This shared Sangriatini was quickly followed by a sub par Red Sangria - really the only negative I could give. We ordered 4 tapas to start. All were excellent portions. - The Datiles Con Tocino were amazing and the sauce was incredible. - The Empanada De Buey was good. More sweet than other Empanada's that we've had in the past, but still very good. - The Coca Del Pueblo was incredible. SO delicious. - Chicken Salad Stuffed Peppers (can't find it on the online menu) was very good. After those 4, we couldn't resist getting 2 more Tapas to Share, and went with: - Quesos Espanoles are always good. Unless you don't have a soul and hate cheese. - Skirt Steak with Blue Cheese was simply awesome. Unfortunately my wife isn't a big fan of fish, and being her birthday, I was not able to sample the fish dishes. We will most certainly be back. All in all I would highly reco Tapas Valencia to anyone and everyone that is looking for a top notch Tapas place. .
(4)
Jerry D.

Great food, good service. I've been here about 1/2 dozen times an ill keep on coming back. I alway have good I'm while I'm there, it has a good vibe.
(5)
Terri M.

Came here again and had an even better experience than the first time. Dispensed with the sangria this time and looked at the wine menu. Turns out they have a terrific selection of Spanish wines at very reasonable prices. Mr. Picky and I had a delicious tempernillo for just $25. We gobbled up the complimentary marinated olives and got a full order. These olives are addictive--they are honestly the best I've tasted. We could not stop eating them. We also got the following other items and enjoyed everything: -the patatas bravas were better than the last time. more saucy and spicy -the squid stuffed with seafood with squid ink gravy was the most amazing little bites of food I've had in a long time--like little bite-sized seafood footballs! --the toast points with spanish tortilla and salmon were yummy --I had to have the toasts with anchovies and avocado again. I loved that the first time and wanted it again for sure. --we also had the plate of Spanish cheeses, which was a slight disappointment, but still good: it was just that it was not an inspired selection because of the typical Manchego, drunken goat, and one other that I forget. The plate comes with slices of apples and a bunch of grapes. We ended the meal with a wonderful desert: a pound cake-like pear tart with ice cream and caramel sauce. Perfect. And as a surprise, out server gave us a small container of olives to go because we liked them so much. What a sweetie! We'll be making this one of our regular places for sure!
(5)
Dawn M.

The tapas was pretty standard, nothing that really stood out. There was a chicken with goat cheese that was pretty good. The 3rd star is for the half price bottle wine list!
(3)
Deanna C.

I haven't quite made up my mind about this place yet. I think I like it, but I was preoccupied the entire meal, and we were in a rush to meet up with a friend so I'm still unsure if I like this place or not. Despite feeling restless and uneasy the entire meal, I still found the food very tasty. I kicked off the night with a sangria (red, of course) while my friend tried one of their many sherries. I've actually never been to a restaurant that showcased sherries before, and was just too intimidated by their extensive selection to try any (other than a taste of what my friend ordered). We were both in the mood for warm tapas, so we started out with their duck confit and I think it was the goat cheese crepe. Both these dishes were really tasty. The duck was sweeter than I expected, but the meat just fell off the bone and basically melted in your mouth. The crepe was topped with this super yummy sauce. We actually wouldn't let the waiter clear the plate after we'd finished with the crepe because we wanted to keep the sauce for dipping other things in =P If nothing else, try the bacon wrapped roasted dates! They are out of this world! Cliche as the saying is, bacon really does make everything taste better! These babies are awesome! We were there on a Thursday or Friday night I believe, and it was quite busy, so I would suggest making a reservation (though we had no trouble with availability). They have outdoor seating for when it's nice out, and valet parking for if you're having trouble finding a spot around the area. Interesting decor. Very modern art/Piet Mondrian feel what with the abundant use of primary colors and simple shapes. I spent much of the meal zoning out and staring at the mosaic on the wall next to me (much to the chagrin of my dinner date, haha). At the same time, I agree with the poster who likened eating at Valencia with eating in a high school cafeteria. The layout is such that you just feel super exposed...
(3)
ROME N.

You would be surprised on some of what Exec. Chef Filemon Ochoa can come up with a piece of bread and chicken broth. Just kiddn... Muito Bem! amigo. And the host and bartenders are very kool. My favorite is anything seafood (big smile) and pollo. Specials every week... so stop on by and ask for my drink Spice and Ice aka "The Montagueo No 9" All that is missing is maybe better choice in music and more upbeat crowd. -- Tchau!
(4)
Steve T.

The tapas is nice but not great. Given the location, there is nothing else there. Service is good. The bacon/dates were great. The drinks were done well. The ambiance is nice.
(3)
Brenda G.

I prefer hot tapas. Plenty of food on each plate. Need to share about 4-5 dishes if really hungry.
(5)
Dave M.

Outstanding food, service, and atmosphere. This place is not well known because it is off the beaten path and not very old, but it's a gem. Nice shaded patio in the warmer months, $2.00 tapas and drink specials Mon-Sat during happy hour, and an incredible Sunday brunch. Highly recommend.
(5)
Andrew S.

Flying Jesus strikes again! Service - excellent. Menu selection - excellent. Quality of food - excellent. Atmosphere - loud as a woman in labour, and just as hot. We had a 7 45 reservation and were seated exactly at that time, no waiting. We were approached almost immediately by a helpful and friendly server who was all too ready to explain the concept of the menu (Traditional Tapas with a hint of French influence). We began with a round of drinks: Cava sangria; Red Sangria; Peach Sangria; and a cheese plate. We then ordered in waves. We had both hot and cold and here are some of the standouts: Patatas con Alioli; Pato Confitado; Pimentos del Piquello; and Crepe Rellena. The two best were the Pato (an incredibly cooked duck in a cinnamon pear sauce) and the Pimentos (roasted red peppers stuffed with cheese on a bed of black bean sauce). As well, a Mariscos Paella was had. Although full of seafood it lacked the saffron necessary for a stellar traditional paella. As well, it was just too tomato saucy. Not bad, I just wouldn't go back FOR the paella. For dessert: Profiterals; Orange Cheese Cake; Pear Tart; and Chocolate Terrine. The Cheese cake and the tart were by far the best. The Chocolate Terrine was good but the texture was somewhere between a mouse and a piece of fudge and just was too heavy. The profiterals were sad. Just sad. Like stale bread. After discovering your wife has died. Sad. HOWEVER, if you're looking for a great selection of tapas with some real great results and service AND not the most ridiculous bill you've ever seen head on over.
(4)
jenny m.

I really enjoyed this place. The service was great, very attentive but not overbearing. The sangria was good, not the best I've ever had but on point none-the-less. And most of the food was on par with other tapas places that I enjoy (Ba Ba Reba, Iberico, Cafe De Cuchilleros). A few of the standout dishes: * shrimp in garlic butter - cooked perfectly, so good we ordered two! * stuffed mushrooms - yum, left me wanting more * garlic potato salad - a tapas staple, but done well and perfectly garlicy (aka, bring a breath mint for afterward!) * marinated artichokes - different then I expected but the sauce with it gave it a little something extra so it was delish * some lobster dish - I did not eat this but my dining companions said it was the best dish of the night, wish I could remember the name A couple of the so-so dishes were the patatas bravas which were a little dry & the baked goat cheese which was a little bland. I liked the look & feel of the place as well. Done up in very bright colors inside, it had a lively feel about it. Although when we went on a Friday night at 9 oclock in the midst of summer, the place was only about 1/2 full, which I attribute to the location more then anything about the restaurant itself.
(4)
Jedd J.

Service ***** Servers are professional, friendly, knowledgeable, helpful, and cool. Food ***** Everything was delicious and presentation was great. Expert balance of flavors and seasonings. Must try grilled pork medallions, and filet with sweet potato (new!) Specials are always great. Desserts are really good, but not small portions! Some reviewers say TV is not as good as Iberico or ba-ba-re-ba. Wrong, TV is vastly superior. Zagat agrees. Try those other places if you like noise and fast-food. Decor *** There's a lot of cool tile work, but also a lot of raw plywood which gives it an "under construction" feel. Drinks **** Really good sangria. Standard beer and cocktails. Champagne choices iffy. Overall ***** TV is definitely worth a trip to the South Loop (perhaps the only SL restaurant worth a trip.)
(5)
Gabrielle S.

I went here with two girlfriends and was pleasantly surprised- probably would not go back again because there better choices in the South Loop, but had no bad memories either. Food was decent, actually pretty good, especially the seafood casserole, grilled calamari and stuffed mushrooms. Wine was great and only 33$ for the bottle. Ambiance could have been great but the floors....they were like linolium or something! I felt like I was at Yolk!! If they would invest in hardwood floors it would raise the place another notch and another star in my opinion- I just couldn't get the feeling of being in my high school cafeteria out of my head! Walls were beautiful though. Evette, our server, was wonderful. Excellent service, I honestly give their service and her 5 stars.
(3)
Matthew S.

Service: The best I've seen so far in the parade of restaurants at this address. Knowledgeable, attentive, and the right fit for a tapas place where you're often wading through numerous options for a meal. Most importantly, a nice change of pace over the usual tapas tourist traps in midtown and up north... Value here is a question mark - I still thought this came in a bit high for what we got, but far from outrageous. I guess if I come back, the equation must be working for them, right?
(3)
Jeannine T.

One Sunday evening, a friend and I were craving for some tapas. His initial suggestion was Cafe Iberico, but the weather was terrible (snow storm) so I looked on yelp and found Tapas Valencia, which was a lot closer. Needless to say the restaurant wasn't too busy due to the weather. We sat down and our waiter came to assist us within 10 minutes. He took our drink order, and then was off with promises to return. Another 15 minutes went by and still no sight of our waiter. Another wait staff, who was walking around assisting his customers, came to our rescue. We placed our order with him, and shortly after our waiter returned. Our fist dish came out, and it didn't look like anything we ordered. However, we thought maybe they make it differently here. We tried the bacon wrapped dates. At first bite the flavors were perfect, but as we kept eating it, the sweetness of the dates overwhelmed the bacon and made the sauce taste bland. My friend couldn't eat another after his 2nd one. Still, definitely a dish to try. We had several other plates that came along later. The grilled calamari is excellent, but that was about it. Everything else is mediocre. I'm not wow'd by it, nor do I dislike it. Our waiter came by later after noticing that the bacon wrapped dates were erroneously brought to our table. We apologized as we also thought it was something we ordered. He didn't charge us for the dish. We then proceeded to order another grilled calamari, which our waiter also forgot ~ maybe he brought it to another table. At the end there was no extra order of calamaris on our bill. The decor ... it looks fun! However, my experience with Spanish restaurant is that it's fun, friendly, and cozy. This restaurant lacks the cozyness, but definitely has the "fun" in tact with its use of colors. The atmosphere, itself, seemed kind of cold. Perhaps it's the size. Maybe it's too big, or maybe because it was just slow that evening. Cafe Iberico definitely does not give off that kind of vibe for me. All in all, the place was ok, decor is fun, wait staff is lacking, but .... I'll go back again. It's close, and I love the grilled calamaris.
(3)
Stuart K.

Went to Tapas Valencia Friday night for an early dinner, around 6:30pm. They've only been open 9 days so please take that into consideration when reading this review. The restaurant is located in a pretty lonely area of the South Loop. Most other restaurants (Opera, Gioco, etc) are located a bit east and north. There have been a couple of other restaurants in this location, hopefully this incarnation will fare better. Decor is modern with some cool tile murals on the walls. There is a large bar that would be a nice place for a drink if there is ever a wait. The menu is a bit different then a traditional tapas place, but it will be pretty familiar to most. We shared 3 cold plates and 3 hot. All of them were good expect the Tortilla Espanola, which I would recommend avoiding. The sangria was tasty and very strong. The wine list was overly complex and quite pricey. There were no bottles under $30 and only a handful under $40. The service was very good and there weren't any hiccups of note. I was expecting the worst for such a new restaurant, so this really surprised me. They have their act together. Overall this place is good, but not as good as Cafe Iberico or even Ba Ba Reeba. I would recommend checking it out if you live in the area or are heading down to the South Loop for another reason. Definitely not worth a special trip. Also, please ignore all the 1-hit wonder 5-star reviews. Even our server admitted that something didn't smell right with them...
(3)
Shelley E.

I went to Tapas Valencia with a friend on a Saturday night. The service was so outstanding, it almost made the food feel more so-so than it probably was. We ordered a pitcher of sangria, four tapas, and dessert. Two of the tapas ... the Vieiras al Albarino (grilled sea scallops with cous cous) and the Datiles con Tocino (bacon-wrapped dates) ... were to die for. The other two tapas we ordered, not so much. The special skirt steak was way too peppery, and the Bunuelos de Cangrejo (crabmeat fritters) were a little bland. Same with drinks and dessert. The Pomegranate Sangria was just okay, while the Platano de Helado (sauteed banana with caramel sauce and ice cream) and the Bananas Foster (a dessert martini) were delightful. But that's the fun part about tapas ... there's so much to try. And the service was so incredible, I'll give Tapas Valencia another one.
(3)
Rebecca K.

I've only been here once, for my office Christmas party, but we loved it! The service was excellent, and we ordered ALOT of food, but they brought items out a few at a time and never over crowded the table. Everything we ordered was excellent and the wait staff was very attentive. Our large group sat at our table for several hours and we never felt rushed or pressured to leave... you know, the "discreet" placing of the bill on the table as soon as the last plate gets picked up! Not the case here. My brother is moving down the street so I am sure we will hang out here more often...I'll update if anything changes, but so far so good!
(5)
Bernadette S.

I've been to Tapas Valencia four of five times in the last year, so I'd have to say I'm a fan. The place has never been too crowded, so it's nice to be able to decide to eat there last minute (unlike my preferred tapas spot, Mercat, where a last minute reservation is impossible). Their sangria is excellent, but on my last visit I tried the sangria-tini. OMG it is amazing. I wish they served it by the pitcher. The balance of wine, vodka, juice, and fruit was perfect. I love their bacon wrapped dates (almost as good as Mercat). The pork and lamb medallions are each great. Their paella is pretty good too. If you're looking for tapas in the South Loop and can't get into Mercat - or want a cheaper option -- I highly recommend Tapas Valencia.
(4)
Jelly C.

I'm feeling a bit indifferent about Tapas Valencia. I don't like the mosaic walls, the lay out of the space, the chairs and tables, or the random pictures on the wall. Everything combined yells mismatched in a bad way. Worst of all, everything looks cheap... I guess I'm just used to a certain look while I'm having tapas. We came on a Friday night. And although it wasn't packed, there was a good crowd. But I did notice the majority of the crowd was in their late 30s ( not a problem. but just saying...) Our waiter was very nice. Offered up some good recommendations and was very attentive. The food was good, but none of the dishes really stood out. We had tostadas with lobster, meatballs with blue cheese, paella con mariscos, crab fritters, bacon wrapped dates, filet mignon, and a chocolate dessert with coffee0. The waiter mentioned it would be a bit too much food for just the two of us (beau and me) but o well, I can't help it when food is tapas style. A fter finishing everything, our pants were a little tighter, we could've stopped before the paella came, but it was all good. I would def recommend the tostadas and the crab fitters were good. The filet mignon was nicely grilled and one of the pricier items on the menu. I've had better paella else where but if you want to try it.. remember to just order 1 because the portion is pretty huge, you don't want to The bill came to $100, tip included. We didn't order any drinks. I thought the price was ok (5 tapas. 1 big portion paella, 1 dessert) , since we did order more than we needed. I may be back again... but there are plenty other tapas places I have't tried yet..
(3)
Jesse M.

We had a blast the hot tapas were delish! We felt the drink prices were fair also.
(5)
Veronica V.

Favoriti tapas place to go to! Love the location, very chill atmosphere and great food! Every time I go I get the bacon wrapped dates, which are always delicious! Love the seafood dishes, and the lamb and beef are to die for! My ultimate favorite there is the chocolate cake with raspberry sauce! It's a flour-less chocolate cake so it's more of a fudge, but it's truly amazing, the perfect amount of bitter and sweet! Everything there is really delicious for a reasonable price!
(5)
Scott G.

The food is a good at this brunch, enough of a variety to satisfy the most basic foodophile to those willing to push the boundaries. Can I suggest something...how about variable brunch pricing? I get basic economics, I'm no Keynes or Friedman. I get that my two plate maximum subsidizes the table of spandex clad grazers next to me, but $24.95, really? I would have given this place a 4 star rating if it weren't for the spotty service. Had a prior visit not been punctuated by a an absent waiter this one finished with one who like his predecessor disappeared when it came time to grab the check. I don't know about you but when I ask for the check....bring me the check, don't go explaining the tapas menu to a table to of 6 and then offer to take them on a tour. Arggghhh This location has seen several restaurants meet their demise, with this newest establishment the basics are here, but a great menu goes for naught when it's wrapped in poor service.
(3)
Katrina H.

Cute concept! we stummbled into this place while house hunting and I did not want to go in (thinking that we were very under dressed) but we walked in and sat at the bar. The food was decent. The drinks were decent and I loved how the bartenders were quick to tell us that happy hour had just started and how cheap the tapas were. I will visit again.
(4)
Vince B.

Having recently been in Barcelona Spain, this was probably the closest i've had since then. I've tried all the traditional Chicago joints....Cafe Iberico, Cafe Ba Ba Reba and this place takes the award. I found it on the "It List" in Chicago Magazine, and we desperate for a Saturday night dinner reservation. Trying finding a reservation the day of for a party of 7 in Chicago...it's almost impossible. I had called, and they said that they were totally booked, but just as I was about to hang up, I heard some talking in the background. Two minutes later, they figured out a way to get us in. I don't know if that was some Karma payback, but I'm glad we got in. Since we were such a large group, we litterally ordered like 15 different dishes, with many repeat orders. In addition we ordered 3 different desserts which again for some reason were comped. I guess when you're nice, good things happen huh? When I'm back in town I'll definitely return...tasty tapas...
(4)
Michael S.

AMAZING Food! This location is a satellite restaurant for Meson Sabika, where they are 5-Star all the way. Only thing that I could complain about at this location is service is not as good as their Naperville location. But hey just bring me more Sangria!
(4)
KM M.

Yum, yum, gimme some - MORE! So it was my birthday and that could only mean tapas - just like it has the past 4 years. Found Tapas Valencia on YELP of course, and decided to give it a shot. So glad we did. I looked at the menu before we went and had a good idea for what I wanted. We ordered a pitcher of red Sangria and 4 tapas to start (2 hot and 2 cold). Our waiter successfully (and tastefully) up-sold us to have a Sangriatini before our pitcher of sangria. And truthfully, I liked the Sangriatini better than the sangria. I love Sangria but I felt this one was missing a little bit of sweetness - it was extra dry. Good, but not great - but that's the only "not great' of everything we tried. On the plus side, I liked that the pitcher wasn't filled with ice, which would have diluted the sangria, but rather the waiter would stop by at appropriate times to give us ice in our glasses. Loved that. In terms of tapas, portions were very generous and the food was delicious. We started with the Sweet Peppers stuffed with chicken salad - the presentation was so cool, they looked like upside-down strawberries, and were resting on thin cucumber slices. They tasted just as good as they looked. We also had the bread with cured meats and cheese on top. Delicious. Bacon wrapped dates were my husband's favorite of the night, he even contemplated getting a 2nd order. The sauce that they came with was so flavorful, we scooped it all up with bread. Not sure what the sauce was though b/c the menu doesn't really give descriptions of what sauces and flavors are included with the dishes. I think that was my only complaint of the experience. Beef empanada was also very good and quite large, but again, I didn't know what the sauce was that accompanied it... it turns out it was a creamy horseradish sauce, luckily I like that... what looked like Sour Cream could have thrown an unsuspecting person. We then ordered the plate of Spanish cheese, and I read in another review that they were "typical" Spanish cheeses, but that's why I loved it! I love Drunken Goat, Majon & especially Manchego. The cheese slices were really big compared to other tapas places I've tried, which as a true cheese addict, I appreciated. Finally, we got the steak with blue cheese, which also comes with potatoes and grilled onions. It was so good. Took home a tiny bit b/c I couldn't waste it but I was full. They brought me a complimentary profiterole for my birthday with a candle in it and tastefully spared me the embarrassment of singing and simply put it in front of me and wished me a happy birthday. Tapas Valencia is going to be new regular for me, there are still so many things I want to try on the menu. And for those of you that are suburbanites, they have a sister restaurant in Naperville called Meson Sabika. Cool decor and decoration makes it a fun place to enjoy a date night, casual dinner with friends or even a good place to stop and sit at the bar and grab a few small bites.
(5)
Morgan C.

This place is great! I've been here twice (and I got married at TV's sister restaurant, Meson Sabika) and I've loved it both times. The Coca Del Pueblo (cured meats and cheeses), Alcachofas Con Crema (marinated artichokes), and Champinones (stuffed mushrooms) are my favorites, but the only dish I didn't like here was the Rollito De Buey (beef tenderloin wrap). That one was too sweet, which was not what I was expecting. The last time I was here we had the world's most coked-out server. It was sort of entertaining but in the end, I really just wanted to eat, drink, and talk to the people I'm eating with so I would have preferred a little less crazy. Overall, though, the food comes out fast, sangria is refilled just when you need it and best of all, I spend less money on dinner here than I do anywhere else in the South Loop (even on the prix fixe nights at Opera)! I think the food and value are better here than at BaBaReeba and Iberico.
(4)
Becky T.

Valencia Tapas is a welcome addition to the South Loop. They have taken over the former Solo1530 location and a lot has changed. The service was excellent, the restaurant was full, and the food choices were fantastic- even for picky eaters. The restaurant prints new menus daily and the few specials we tried were fantastic. Highlights: Paella lovers everywhere will appreciate dishes like the Valenciana Paella. The Empanda de Beuy (a beef stuffed pastry - think delicious Hot Pocket), Montaditos de Cero (grilled pork medallions), and Piprana de Beuy (skirt steak and blue cheese) were all worthwhile. Also expect delicious staples like Queso de Cabra (baked goat cheese dip) and bacon wrapped dates. If you save room for dessert- you wont be disappointed. The rice pudding and caramelized banana were worth the extra calories. Live in the South Loop? This is a new dinner staple! Not a South Looper? It is still worth the trip.
(5)
Britt J.

Every bite was a joy! Service top notch, will be my go to place when my rep is on the line. great fun
(5)
Mary B.

Love this place. Best kept secret in the Sourh Loop because we can always get in right away. Atmosphere lacking a bit. They could make it cozier.
(4)
Wayne B.

The calamari was great, but the tilapia with artichokes was bland...the rest of the dishes and sangria were okay. Oh, and great service though and a nice space...
(3)
Bill H.

I live in the South Loop & have driven or walked by this place for two years without checking it out.. WHAT A MISTAKE THAT WAS! The service was over the top good, the bartenders were over the top good, the atmosphere was great & the food was outstanding. I will be back!
(5)
daynia S.

Awesome sangria and flavorful food.
(4)
Sireesha A.

This is the best place to go to for $2 happy hour tapas in the city! Of course, it's also rather convenient since it's in my 'hood. My only reason for not giving it 5 stars is that I wish the $2 tapas menu was more extensive, but that's just me being greedy. I've also eaten here for dinner, and I think it's on par with Cafe Ba Ba Reeba which used to be my favorite tapas place until I too learned how to make my own fabulous version of patatas bravas. If you're in the area on a Sunday, it's worth checking out b/c I think they have $3 tapas with an alcohol beverage purchase for most of the day.
(4)
Alessandro F.

Good food. Good ervice a bit overpriced
(4)
Cynthia S.

NOTE: Originally posted at food4talk.com on July 26, 2009. I have been to Tapas Valencia several times. I think it is a great find. I love the food, the wine, the service, and the price of valet parking ($5). Now I have another reason to like this place: $2.00 appetizers between 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. I think it is Friday only
(4)
Sarah C.

The ambiance is nice, but the food was ehh. I think because I'm comparing it to Cafe baba reeba, and we ordered similar foods but baba reeba's is way better. The paella was so so here, and i forgot but we ordered the blue cheese beef, fried potatoes, and some shrimp tapa and everything was just ok.
(2)
Denise P.

Visited on a Sunday night with some friends and Tapas Valencia wasn't so bad. Wasn't so good either. The food was good but nothing out of the ordinary like the previous reviewer indicated. The peach sangria is yummy! The only downer was our waiter, Walter. What a real pill that guy was! While we ordered off the menu, we paused to decide on another plate when Walter says, "I thought you were ready..." in the most inconsiderate manner. We WERE ready...we had just ordered 3 plates, and deciding on a 4th after his recommendations! The wait staff was hard to find and didn't seem too dedicated to their tables. I might return but it wouldn't be my #1 choice. However, Cafe Mirbella on Peterson is phenomenal and the owner is very personable.
(2)
Nic S.

I've driven by this place a couple times and decided to try it. I'm glad I did. Service was excellent, although we did have to wait to be seated, they were very nice about it. The food was absolutely excellent. The decor is great too, nice atmosphere and great price. I wasn't impressed w/ the sangria, but overall, I would recommend this to anyone who wants to try or likes tapas restaurants.
(4)
Dominique R.

Good food, nice atmosphere, lousy service. Went with a couple girlfriends for an evening out and could not believe how poor the service was. First, my glass was not only cracked but had a huge chunck missing from the rim. I brought it to our servers attention, he apologized, offered to comp it, then broughtme a new one. The problem was it wasn't very crowsed yet it took about ten minutes to get his attention and get another drink. Then when my friends steak came it was way over cooked. Again we patiently waited for our server and informed him of this problem. He tried to say that it was still tender and that's how she ordered it. After many years of serving I.was.not having that! Then he offered to bring her another but let her know she would be charged for a second steak. What happened to the customer is always right? Aside from the steak debacle everything else was descent. In all fairness to this establishment upon writng another similar review the owner did contact me to apologize for the lack of service. He also offered to send me a gift certificate in hopes we would return. Kudos to the owner!
(3)
Marina K.

Nice neighborhood place. Interesting menu selection, but felt like a overload of mayo/garlic fatty stuff. Still awesome place, great service!
(4)
Y M.

People keep saying it is the best bacon wrapped dates. I concur! Moist soft dates, crispy bacon and tomato sauce. The beef tenderloin is also delicious. I've been to other Tapas that have better sangria and decent food too. But I would always think about the dates here.
(4)
Claudia R.

Grab a mohito and some tapas and sit outside. We are addicted. Laid back, delicious, convenient, charming.
(5)
Nancy N.

My father and I dined here last night. I'm no foodie, but I definitely had an uneven culinary experience. I ordered stuffed mushrooms, which proved to be rubbery and without much taste. On the other hand the crepe rellenos, with pine nuts, goat cheese, and apples, was fantastic. I also ordered seared tuna ahi, which was acceptable, but not outstanding and relied too much on sauce for its taste My father had red pepper or chile rellenos, which he found very tasty as well as a flaky beef empanadas. However, he didn't like it that the over-dressed salad appeared at the very end of the meal. Similarly, I didn't understand why my rellenos dish arrived towards the end of the meal, when I was nearly full. Finally I didn't like the fact that each tapas dish was basically entree sized, so it wasn't easily divided for sharing. The menu had a wide variety of tapas choices, so I'd be willing to return once more with a large group of friends, so we could partake of a wider variety of food that might prove consistently tasty. I definitely liked the ambience, service, and decor. The hostess, maitre d', and waitpeople were friendly, the restaurant, while a bit on the noisy side, wasn't too loud for conversation, and the decor was a colorful tiled evocation of Joan Miro.
(3)
Kate L.

Good. The paella is like Uncle Ben's rice. Don't waste the money. 3 stars is because everything else was really great. The other than the paella, I think they could focus a lot of energy on keeping the drinks cold. Warm sangria is gross.
(3)
Allen J.

I have to say that I found the food terrific. I enjoyed the sangria, paella, and tapas dishes we ordered. The service, however, left some to be desired. The waiter, while attentive, seemed very keen on offering suggestions or pushing extras on us. We also kept having to ask for water. I'd definitely go back, but hopefully will have a different server this time.
(3)
Christina T.

I wish we give half stars... definitely better than 3 stars but not quite at 4... I give it a 3 and half stars. I'm big on ambiance and thought it's pretty nice inside with a nice amount of colorful decor. Good for big groups. We came with a group of 9 and so we got to try a good amount of food. Server was nice.. offer good recommendations and was pretty attentive. Recommendations: - Sangria I enjoyed botht eh white and red. - Bacon wrapped dates - Tilapia miranada- with artichoke and spinach- probably best dish of the night. - Salmon Curado - Patatas bravas - Queso de cabra Dessert: Platano con helado- sauteed banana with caramel sauce and vanilla ice cream
(3)
T.J. S.

This place was pretty good. I was happy with the food and the service and would definitely go back. Our favorite dish was the pork. The duck however had a very gamy taste and we weren't a big fan. I would recommend this place for sure.
(4)
Bri M.

We came back 2 or 3 times, and the food is much much better. Based on the other reveiws, the place might just lack consistency. It is on the pricey side, but the plates are good. I skip dessert so I can't comment, and I also am not a fancy drinker, although there sangria is pretty good. The scallops are done perfectly, and the emenada is awesome.
(4)
Sarah M.

tried this place one night with a girlfriend before going to a wine tasting- wasn't too sure what to expect walking in. however, the hostess was fabulous and fun to talk to, the decor was great, and the restaurant itself is a huge-ish space. we happened to walk in during a special (1 salad/cold dish, 2 hot dishes, and 1 dessert for $35) so we both took advantage of that and coupled with wine flights. the waiter was great, and the food and wine came out in a timely manner, so we were gloriously stuffed and tipsy in a short amount of time. the only downside was a general pet peeve of mine- waiting to get the bill. bottom line- great food, great wine, great ambiance, great price, mostly good service!
(4)
Albert G.

Food was good, service was slow. It took a while to get our drinks and generally the service was slow all the way around. Staff was friendly.
(3)
Andrea B.

I brought a group here for my birthday. Knowing it would be a large group I talked with the corporate office about setting up a metric fixe menu. When I got to the restaurant I was told that in making the reservation this was I guaranteed a certain amount of people and would have to pay for that number no matter how many actually showed up. I felt totally taken advantage of. That was never communicated to me, I never would have confirmed if that were the case. The manager, Jose was totally unhelpful. His advice, pay now but call the corporate office for a refund! The service was horrible, the food was mediocre at best. The manager and several waitstaff came to our table several times throughout the meal but offered no assistance in rectifying any situation that came up. Vegetarians and vegans are not offered many alternatives for entrees. It took a full 10 days to be issued a refund for the overcharge. Jose from the restaurant never returned phone calls regarding my complaint or refund. I had to contact my bank to dispute the charge. I have submitted a complaint to the Better Business Bureau and will not only never return, I will make sure everyone I know NEVER patronizes this establishment
(1)
David R.

I have only come across one dish here that I didn't enjoy: the pizza. And even then, I can't really blame a tapas place for screwing up pizza, that would be like barrading a baker for making bad sushi. The dates wrapped in bacon in a creamy red pepper sauce are BY FAR my favorite. I literally closed my eyes and savored every bite. Other very honorable mentions were the scallops and goat cheese in tomato sauce. The sangria is also flame. I can't imagine how long it takes to dice that much fruit every day, but it is definitely appreciated when your glass is empty and you still have wine-soaked chunks of apples, pears, etc. to munch on. Fantastic place for a date or just a fun night out. Prices a bit high, but well worth the culinary mouth-gasm. I should also mention that this restaurant is actually a spin-off of Tapas Barcelona which has been in business in Evanston for several years now. The menus are very similar if not identical and the quality there is just as good if not better. So if you're in the mood for an evening up north, fear not, Tapas reigns supreme there, too.
(4)
Edward R.

I was also steered to Tapas Valencia via Yelp - thanks, Colleen C. For the curious and uninitiated to the world of tapas, here's a little history: A 'tapa' is Spanish for 'lid' or 'cover'. In the early days, a tapa was usually a bit of cheese or meat served on a small plate that was placed over your glass to keep flies out of your wine. Traditionally, a tapa is neither an appetizer nor a main dish, but a way of eating it. At a typical tapas bar in Spain you eat standing up while enjoying drinks and conversation with friends (If you're in Barcelona, Txapela is a must). Okay, so much for the history lesson. Tapas Valencia's decor is colorful and tastefully modern. The high ceilings lend a sense of spaciousness but it also takes away the traditional cozy warmth of an old school tapas bar, but my wife thought it was pretty cool - 'nuff said. The good stuff: The 'salmon curado' (served cold) of flavorable salmon, sour cream with a dash of dill was excellent . Also the 'aceitunas alinadas', a simple tradional tapas of marinated olives and the 'ternera asada' with veal and sun-dried tomato (also served cold) was very good. We also sampled a few hot tapas including the 'pollo al ajillo' sauteed chicken, which was decent, but the sauce had a bit too much garlic for my taste. The 'vieras al albarino' scallops with cous cous was good and well presented but nothing to write home about. However, the grilled lamb medallions ('cordero al pastor') and the roasted dates wrapped in bacon ('datiles con tocino') were taste bud dancing sensational. Usually I'm not one to order hybrid drinks but the Sangriatini was very tasty. Also, the Pomegranate martini (both of them) were outstanding. Tapas Valencia is not your grandfather's tapas bar by any means but it's a good tapas restaurant on its own merit. We'll be back. There are still some curiosities on the menu we're hungry to taste.
(4)
Janet E.

This place was definitely better than I expected. I was able to make a reservation easily through Open Table. When we arrived 30 minutes earlier than our reservation, the hostess told us it was no problem and seated us immediately! We were attended to with water and menus as soon as we sat down. We ordered the duck confit with mushrooms and apples, grilled tilapia with artichokes and spinach, grilled brochette of beef tenderloin, and grilled shrimp with garlic lemon butter. The food came out suprisingly quickly as well!! We had decided to order the sauteed banana with caramel sauce and vanilla ice cream. We had waiting about 15 minutes for the dessert which was a bit disappointing since dinner had arrived so quickly! But it was worth the wait because dessert was sooooooooo good. I'm so happy I live right down the block from this restaurant! Definitely will be back! We did not drive but they offer valet parking here for $5.
(4)
J J.

I came here with old friends I hadn't seen in years. I was in for a conference, and we went on a Monday night. There were lots of conference attendees---they were still wearing their name badges---and it was clear the restaurant was unprepared for the extra weekday traffic. The staff seemed a bit wired. The service was a tad slow, but since I was with old friends, it was just noticeable. I started with a mango sangria, which was good, on the sweeter side, but good nonetheless. I ordered the mariscos paella, which the waiter informed me would take almost an hour because of the crowd, but came out in about half that time. The paella has generous portions: enough to feed two very hungry people if they order nothing else, or four people if you supplement with another tapas or two. The paella was otherwise disappointing. There was no crispy top layer to the rice, and it was too moist throughout. The seafood was placed on the top, and none of it was infused with the saffron flavor. I also ordered a greens salad served with nuts (pecans IIRC), mozzarella, tomatoes, and a warm oil dressing. The greens were nutty and delicious, maybe a bit overdressed, but still good. My friends ordered a bunch of tapas, most of which I don't remember. There was a stuffed red pepper with a cheese filling which was tasty but a little limp, and there was a chicken kebab which was dry and lacking flavor. We capped the evening with a crema de chocolate which was a soft custard with a hard caramelized topping and chocolate underneath---definitely the highlight of the meal. The best part of this restaurant was its low price. We ordered a lot of food for three people and the final bill with 20% tip came out to $120. At that price, I'd be willing to go back and try an entirely different arrangement of tapas.
(2)
Brad B.

Really just a little to say about this place. The service was poor -- we came in a big party but felt mostly ignored all evening. The tapas was very good and comparable to other tapas places, maybe a step below Emilio's and Cafe Ba Ba Reeba. I didn't taste the sangria on recommendation of a fellow diner who said it was too sweet. The paella was good but not crisp -- the seafood itself was very well done. Again, like everyone else -- bacon wrapped dates are a must!
(3)
Matthew A.

Ate here again on a regular weekday night. Most dishes were excellent if not really good. Service was attentive. I think this place will end up having a long run.
(4)
Vanessa G.

oh bad, very bad boy! I have been back since and things have definitely declined. I am so sorry to say, but we may just have to break up. Came in the other night and was able to be seated right away, guess that should have been a sign. They didn't seem too busy so I am still pondering why it was a good 15 minutes before our waiter came to say hello and see how thirsty I was. Hmm, when he did come over, you could tell he was a touch overwhelmed, ok I will cut him some slack. He took our drink order and we also sent in the first round of tapas as we were starving. I had to ask about 10 minutes later where our drinks were, oh no, bad bad boy. So, the tapas...we ordered that toast points with crab meat (definitely smaller portions then I remembered but still tasty), beef tenderloin, blue cheese, dates and portabella mushrooms (favorite of the night), stuffed mushroom caps and the brochette of chicken tenderloin with prune butter...this looked so sad when it finally made its way out, one lone chicken on a stick...the funny part is the mushrooms took the longest to finally arrive to our table. At this point we had been there about 60 minutes but we were still hungry. The table next to us looked just as annoyed as we were but alas, we ordered more. We added on the casserole of clams, shrimp and scallops. It was horrible. The shrimp was good size but the clams and scallops were the size of my pinky nail. Last but not least we had the grilled chorizo and morcilla sausage which was good. Interesting enough, the food runners kept bringing the wrong food to our table and the same thing happened to the table next to us. It seemed like chaos here. When the waiter came back, he had deer in headlights look about this wrongly delivered food orders. So the food was ok, but a big difference from my last visit, whatever they changed, they need to undo. In this case change was not a good thing.
(2)
Stefan L.

Good place for Tapas in the South Loop. Do not order the recommended number of tapas plates per person. I forgot the actual # the waiter recommended, but it would have definitely been too much food. Sangria was tasty.
(3)
K B.

I went with my family on the opening night-- the owner came out and greeted us and was very pleasant. The service was no less than excellent and the food was very good. My favorite cold tapa was this cured salmon served with pan tostada lightly coated with sour cream and dill... delicious! Enjoy!
(4)
Stuart W.

Overpriced and small portions. I went here two weeks ago with a friend. The waitress was very condescending and wasn't very inviting. The tapas were just average. The drinks were also nothing to write about. I simply will not be coming here again.
(2)
Samantha L.

Came here on Jan 26th because they donated all the proceeds from that night (and the previous Tuesday) to the American Red Cross for the Haiti Relief Fund. The food was delicious and the service was pretty good. The sangria was good, but so overpriced considering how SMALL the pitcher is!!! BUT, our $216 bill went to a good cause at least. : /
(4)
Vince T.

Man, the appetizer olives are a meal! This restaurant is a road less traveled, but sure to take you back!
(3)
Jennifer M.

After having been here a few times without being overly "wowed" by it, I had that "wow" experience the other week. I've always loved their decor, always have been seated quickly, never had poor service...but something was always lacking from setting this place above the notch of just a place to get a bite to eat. Until the other night that is... Service was great, the food was exceptionally tasty and we were even given a little insight to the decor of the restaurant. As long as dining experiences continue as well as this one did, I'll be sure to suggest this restaurant.
(4)
Cristina A.

Tapas and Sangria. Ive only been to a few Tapas places, but this place was good. Service? The waiters were extremely attentive. I came here on a Saturday night with three friends for dinner, and surprisingly didnt wait long at all for a table. The Sangria was good. But the Peach one was the best.. We just kept the pitchers comin! The tapas were delish. Their shrimp is goood! Definitely going back. It was a bit pricey, but I didnt mind paying. The meal was worth it.
(4)
Zeen A.

the short and simple of it is this joint is WAY overpriced for what you get unless you hit it up on their $2 tapas Saturdays... and then it's tolerable... as well their wine is INSANELY marked up...i'm all for a bar making it's money, but this joint exceeds club prices when it comes to their drink selection... on the plus side, their food was good and the service was excellent... i can't say i'd go here again, but it was decent overall and i wouldn't tell anyone to steer clear...
(3)
Margie D.

yes, the bacon wrapped dates are this shiiiiz! i thought this spot was pretty decent. used to be the old Solo. service was excellant and very quick. they may have been a little pushy about bussing our table. but i rather have a clean table than a dirty one. food was pretty decent. all tapas were gone so they were all good. the food could have been a little fresher. the sangria was a little light. it was worth the buck, i'd go there again if i was in the neighborhood.
(4)
Kris A.

Went here recently with 4 friends, and we shared many plates. It was a lively atmosphere, really loud and crowded, but it added to the energy of the place. The food was very tasty. We ordered a pitcher of Sangria, it wasn't that great, and I would save your $'s on the sangria. Didn't try any of the other bar drinks. The tapas plates were flavorful and the service was great. A welcome addition to the south loop. Valet parking is available for $5.
(4)
Heather B.

OMG! I loved this place! I actually heard about it by getting a coupon from Vive Chicago... The tapas were delicious and flavorful. We had both the hot and cold, all were great. The sangria was OK, not the best, but still good. The desserts also were delicious. The service was friendly and were on top of things. Ending the great meal with 2 hard bisquits seemed odd, but it didn't take away from the great meal.. I hope the location doesn't do them in, but I'll be back to enjoy their patio sometime soon. If you want to try some great tapas, you need to give this place a try. I don't think you'll be disappointed.
(5)
David A.

Great Energy, The Hostess... Possibly Manager/Owner was Vibrant and super friendly. Our server Mario was a Really Nice, Super cool waiter. We ordered Sangria both red and white, it was a Disappointment... it seemed more like a juice than a sangria, not much of the wine can be tasted in the sangria, so we ordered a bottle of wine after, only four selection of red were available, the price was reasonable, and the Spanish wine was great. as for our meal we selected there set 8 tapas and 2 deserts coursed meal for $32 per person. food was GOOD, a couple Eh dishes, but for the most part we enjoyed most of the Tapas, our Favorite Feature dish was the TALAPIA, it was Phenomenal!
(3)
Ann J.

Took some clients here for dinner... Wanted a relaxing and fun environment. The good was fantastic! Our favorite was the beef medallions with the sweet potatoes. We also liked the spicy potatoes as well as the garlic shrimp. Definitely ask the waitstaff for recommendations. The desserts were great too... Loved the flourless chocolate cake. I think the restaurant should consider dimmer lighting in the restaurant... Would create a better ambience in the evenings (it was a bit too bright). All in all... Great place!
(4)
Julie M.

If this was tapas in a suburb with lower prices- I'd give a better review. I would not go out of my way to go here- much better places in the city to get tapas in Chicago. The patatas bravas was a winner but that's the only dish that wowed us unfortunately.
(2)
Taylor B.

Tapas is incredible and wonderfully unique. We went for sunday brunch, was able to sit outside when the weather was perfect, without a wait- which is rare for brunch in the South Loop. Mimosas are only $5 and are very good. They allow you to order from their dinner Tapas menu and a brunch menu. My wife ordered a brunch dish which was awesome, and I ordered 2 of the tapas, steak and spicy potatoes. Mixed all together they were heavenly. The coffee there is some of the best coffee Ive ever had, I forgot to ask which brand they use. The service is awesome, the manager is super friendly and the waiters are prompt. It seems as though it is an undiscovered gem, like the pretty girl who doesn't know it. TL:DR, It's cheap, the food is unique and awesome, and the service is incredible. I don't usually write reviews, but felt compelled to after visiting Tapas.
(5)
Cristine K.

We stumbled upon Valencia thanks to Yelp. Took a while for our server to wait on us but once he did, the food came very quickly. Bacon wrapped dates, grilled shrimp with garlic aioli, grilled calamari, baked goat cheese with garlic bread and sangria were all excellent. Portions were just right for 3 people (in fact multiples of 2 or 3 would be perfect for the place). Not much of ambiance tho, the decor was just average. The bar area with TVs were lively. I'd return.
(4)
lisa b.

I adore this place. If I could eat here daily I would. I have been several times and their food is always divine! The sangria is amazing also. they have specials and happy hours so check out the website for savings!
(5)
Felipe V.

Amazing! We have tried restaurant week for the past 3 years and this was the BEST! Tasty quality food that was well thought out. The staff is so friendly and very informative. Upbeat and Picasso-esque atmosphere!
(5)
Abina G.

This restuarant was recommended to me by a co-worker. My out of town guests loved the bacon wrapped dates. The Salpicon de Mariscos was fresh and full of flavor. The Patatas Bravas was another tasty dish. Kid friendly. Gluten free items clearly marked on menu.
(4)
John I.

Ah spring. Was Tennyson right? "In the spring a young man's fancy lightly turns to thoughts of love." Maybe, but with el mercurio at forty-odd degrees, I think it was la bailarina de flamenco whose fancy dancing attracted my fancying. Excellent band, but that was just the icing on the...well, the caramel on the flan. Excellent meal. I'd been here a few times many moons ago, even though its a neighborhood place for me. Those times it was solid, tonight the food soared. While I would have liked a date with the bailarina, the bacon-wrapped dates might have been just as sweet. Especially outstanding were the chicken brochette with chorizo and cumin sauce, the lamb with portabello mushrooms, the grilled beef with blue cheese, garlic potato salad, patatas bravas... and the bananas with caramel (courtesy of checking in with Yelp). The paella was good, but nothing to write home about, although we had someone with shellfish allergies at they table and they were willing to add chicken and chorizo to the vegetarian paella, which was an added plus. I've always loved Cafe Iberico, but tonight Tapas Valencia was equally good, if not better--definitely more convenient; since they took reservations. Friendly, capable service as well. I'm not a wine connoisseur, but we had a wonderful vino rioja at a reasonable price. I was between 4 and 5 stars, but those light thoughts of young love should not be ignored.
(5)
P K.

Had a great experience here... Food was excellent, we had bacon wrapped dates, Gambas al Ajillo (grilled shrimp), Queso de Cabra, and we also did a skirt steak w/ cracked black pepper, garlic mashed and green onion... All of it was very good. Very good wine menu... Service was great, everyone was very friendly we never felt rushed and they were always around... I'd comeback to this place in a heartbeat.
(5)
Aiman T.

The octopus, eggplant, and scallop dishes were great. The live flamenco music and dance were refreshing. The servers were courteous and the manager was welcoming.
(5)
Mandy J.

A friend recently recommended a group of us meet here to celebrate the holidays. I immediately loved it! The atmosphere is a little quieter than other tapas restaurants in the city, which was nice for celebrating and exchanging gifts. The service was great and the food amazing (I'd definitely recommend the toast points with crab and the bacon-wrapped dates!!). The best part is that the prices were very reasonable! We enjoyed ourselves so much that my boyfriend and I decided to return last night for a bite before heading to the theater. Once again, we were not disappointed. Our wonderful server even noticed we were dressed up and brought us complementary champagne to help us in our celebrating. We don't live anywhere near South Loop, but will be making the effort to return!
(5)
Shan D.

Thought everything was just average. Reminded me of another Iberico. So not a bad spot if you're craving that type of food. But there's other tapas restaurants in the city that are so much better.
(3)
Karan K.

Excellent food! The ambiance is nice and, at least on Saturdays, there's a live mariachi band and a flamenco dancer. Having said that, the best part about the place is the food itself!
(5)
Priya N.

Great food but the service was incredibly slow. I have always enjoyed eating here, but the last time was a let down. We waited quite a while to have someone even take our drink order. I may rethink going back.
(3)
Randi J.

The food was excellent and most importantly, quick--we had a movie to catch. We sat outside and it was a perfect evening for outdoor seating. The seats were a little light/cheap but that wouldn't keep me from sitting outside again. We also went on a day when there were $5 mojitos. They get an A for service, ambiance and food!
(5)
Valerie M.

Yay!!!! I don't have to drive way to Cafe baba Reeba. They have a 3.00 tapas menu at the bar. They also have sangria deals as well. I've had the mango sangria and the red sangria. I had many of the dishes and they were all good. My favorite was the goat cheese pasta and the grilled shrimp were my favorites.
(5)
Dave B.

Great small plates! Have yet to have a bad meal. Service has been outstanding! 4th visit and counting!!
(4)
Mike T.

We've eaten here many times since it's four blocks from our place. One of my favorite restaurants. The food is always outstanding. Some of our favorites: bacon-wrapped dates, King Crab on toast, anything with potatoes (they are always great), salads, beef tenderloin, seafood combinations are wonderful, and really can't remember ever not liking anything we ordered. All desserts we have had have been great. Their wine list is very good, as well, and you can get wine flights, including a flight of sherries. If you like Sangria, that's recommended. My only con is that the service can be spotty at times. More often than not it is very good, but there has been a couple times where we had to flag down our waiter for service. The manager nearly always visits the table to check on things and is very gracious, which helps. Love this place!
(5)
S C.

The service is awesome, we were welcomed promptly. The server was very nice kept checking up on us. The food is alright we felt it was very blend. We really didn't like the fish so when the server asked we told her and the manager came and apologized to us and even took it off our bill. The restaurant is nice and the atmosphere inside is very welcoming and you can have great conversation with friends and for that reason snd the welcoming staff I will definitely go back.
(4)
Damaris A.

Oh wow. I love this tapas restaurant. I've been to every tapas restaurant in the Chicagoland area and I love this one the most by far. The food is fresh and the drinks are great. Their goat cheese platter is one of the best and the bacon wrapped dates are to die for. I love this little gem of a place. And you can't get enough of their hazelnut chocolate tart.
(5)
Heeju L.

Food was great, server was friendly. I would dine here again. ps. Sangria was delicious.
(4)
Brian B.

One of my favorite South Loop restaurants. Personal favorites include Toast Points topped with Alaskan king crab with avocado and balsamic (Tostadas de Centollo), Roasted dates wrapped in bacon (DÃ¡tiles con Tocino) and the Duck confit with mushrooms and apples (Pato Confitado). For drinks I usually go with the Spice & Ice which is Effen Cucumber Vodka, jalapeno, cilantro and lime juice. This drink is spicy and sweet with plenty of kick. Interesting decor and it's just as fun with a friend at the bar as it is sitting down with a group for dinner.
(5)
Allyce B.

I don't know if my group and I were just given the royal treatment during our visit on a Wednesday night of restaurant week, but the general feeling all around is that everyone must visit this restaurant and that it NEEDS more credit than it has been given. When we pulled up to Tapas Valencia, the surrounding area was an eye sore thanks to all the construction, but the inside of the restaurant is beautiful with lots of vivid colors and patterns. I checked their website and the photos aren't doing the scene justice at all. We were first greeted at the door by the owner. As we were directed to our table, every staff member we passed greeted us as well. I have never had a warmer welcome into a restaurant. I don't know if this is their first time to participate in restaurant week, but in my opinion, every other restaurant is doing it wrong. Tapa's menu had 4 courses, but they took away the burden of deciding which item from the course you want because.....you get all of them. A little taste of everything (but not too little because I left satisfied). Literally every plate they brought us was delicious. They split everything up into even portions based on your party, but when one plate had the wrong portion and we pointed this out, they actually brought us another plate instead of just bringing one more person's portion. The best part of the meal, though I didn't think it could get any better after the main course, was dessert. Again, we may have been getting special treatment for whatever reason, but instead of just bringing us the two choices that were on the menu, they brought us a plate with one of every dessert they offer. It was a plate full of heaven. I have never had an eating experience so good in my life as that plate of fudge, cake, pie, fruit, ice cream, etc. If you can only have one dessert though, we all agreed unanimously that the best thing on the plate was the almond pear cake (I don't see the exact name on the menu, but ask for that and you will not regret it). I could eat that cake forever and wash it down with the complimentary champagne that came with every dessert. If I could recommend everything that was on the restaurant week menu, I would, but that would be a long list. I had a great experience dining here and if they were underwhelming in the past, they are definitely stepping up their game. Please go and try it out. I will definitely be going again soon.
(5)
Cassidy P.

This is a solid restaurant. Especially good are the seafood skewers. Well priced, great service.
(4)
Kimmy S.

Yummy foods! Wish I could try more items but I guess it means I'll have to come back. White peach sangria was the perfect amount of sweetness for me. I highly suggest the Pincho de Solomillo
(4)
Keegan W.

Great tapas ($3 menu 5-7pm at the bar), unique if slightly-overpriced drinks, nice bar staff, live music (at the perfect volume for continued dinner conversation). We had a great South Loop night here.
(4)
Padma A.

Great atmosphere,Vibrant and fun place in the South Loop! delicious small plates. Will certainly go back!!
(4)
Tenea H.

I came here for a birthday and really liked the whole experience here. The food was inexpensive but the small plates were plentiful. I was with a group of about 10-12 people and we all were full by the end of the night. The wine my best friend and I enjoyed was Ergo Tempranillo by Martin Codax. The rest of the bunch enjoyed a couple of pitchers of red sangria. Our bill came out to about 40 per person minus the guest of honor. This was amazing because we truly received great value for what we paid for. My only issue the whole night was self inflicted...I thought I'd dress up since it was a birthday celebration and wore heels. MISTAKE. The floors must have been recently waxed, because when I initially arrived, I almost slid across the floor to my seat. I was so terrified of a repeat performance that I waited until dinner was finished to go to the restroom. Next time I'll just wear flats.
(4)
A C.

Service is outstanding here at the restaurant! Food is good and presentation is very well done. Dining is very comfortable and spacious - you can have a conversation here without feeling overwhelmed like at other tapas restaurants.
(4)
Kristie F.

Dates wrapped in bacon!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Who would've thought? This was my first tapas experience and yelp did me good again! As a tourist, this wasn't exactly one of the 'tourist' destinations, but I'm so happy me and my friend decided to venture out and try something different. Service was good, ambience was modern and chill, tapas were delicious! (large selection with all kinds of names I can't pronounce), and the dessert at the end put the cherry on top to the evening.
(5)
Heather L.

It takes no art to make patatas bravas, but many of the more sophisticated tapas on the menu are pretty bland. The salmon smelled strange and the meats were tasteless. The bacon-wrapped dates were the size of a cranberry (Costco sells entire boxes of enormous dates for a fraction of the price). Also, the bill for our table of 6 came out to be around $400 (we didn't end up with any to-go boxes). Oh and the small pitchers of sangrias ($35) comes out of a bag. Quite a dissapointment.
(1)
Ted L.

Excellent food and service. Love their drink specials. Nice calm space to enjoy an evening with friends. Great for a first date. Half price bottles of certain wine on Wednesdays.
(5)
Ruben K.

Friendly local tapas bar. It's easy to get a table, even (or in particular) if you are with a big group. The menu is well balanced and the wine list is substantial. But it's not a 4 star place. The dishes are underwhelming - no great flavor, second rate ingredients - and the wine (at least the bottle that was recommended to us) is not very good. If you want a real tapas experience go to Tavernita or Purple Pig.
(3)
Lauren G.

Really enjoyed this place! The only reason this didn't earn 5 stars is due to the ambiance. I for some reason expected a smaller, intimate experience, and was caught off guard by how large and loud and full of children this restaurant was on a Saturday night. Service was also a bit slow, though I can't blame the server - the place was packed, and it was clear he was super busy. The food and drinks we tried were all really very good, and will absolutely return. We tried the guava sangria and the red sangria - both tasted delicious, though I'm not sure how much actual wine there is in either drink. Certainly didn't feel the sangria as I usually would. That said, tastes great! We were advised to select 2-3 tapas for each us, so we ended up with 6 for the 2 of us - definitely overkill, but nothing we couldn't handle. Definitely left very full. First, we tried the croquetas, which were our least favorite, though we still ate them. I can't say I didn't like them, but I have certainly had better. They were a little mushy, and didn't have much spice. Next, we had the Chorizo y Morcilla - the chorizo was great, and my boyfriend loved the morcilla as well. We then tried the Faldilla a la Parrilla, which was delicious, and I'm not typically a steak eater. We also had the Queso de Cabra, which was unreal and so decadent. The last two we had were the roasted dates (very well done, and rich) and, was actually was my favorite of the evening, the Gambas con Espinacas. These tiger shrimp were prepared to perfection, and the spinach was so fresh. Even though we could barely move, we decided to use the free dessert yelp coupon, and went with the Tarta de Pera. Let me just say, this dessert was to die for. It was absolutely unreal. Definitely great food, and we will be back!
(4)
Perla C.

Good food, great bar menu during the week and before 6 I believe; who can beat $3 savory tapas ?! Great mojitos, very good consistent service ... Yet they Sangria can be improved
(4)
Melanie H.

Yummy small plates! A great place to share vino with a girlfriend or take the whole family.
(4)
Dawn B.

This place was great. Lots of good things on the menu made it hard to choose what to order. Beautiful decor there as well.
(4)
Diana R.

Start with a sangria and go from there. Pretty good tapas here, ordered the patatas bravas, cazuelita de pollo, queso de cabra, pincho de pollo, and tomate y queso. For two people it was enough. Everything we had was delcious and the presentation was really nice. My favorite was the cazuelita, it's a chicken and vegetable casserole in a ceramic pot, I loved it! This place is bigger on the inside than you'd think if you were just walking by. The place is full of pops of color and looks pretty fancy. The crowd was a mix of casual and dressy. For dessert we split the banana ice cream dessert, amazing.
(4)
Sonya K.

The bacon wrapped dates, sangria and anything w manchego in it are my faves here. They have great happy hour deals at the bar. I strongly recommend the place.
(5)
Lauren S.

I went with a group of six for dinner on a Friday night. We had a great time. We walked in thinking we had a reservation but whoops I forgot to make it! They were very nice and had no problem seating us as the place wasn't busy at 5:30. It did get much busier as the night went on though which made for a nice atmosphere. The only thing I didn't like about this place was the wooden chairs are very uncomfortable I would have stayed longer to enjoy some more cocktails after dinner at the bar but my butt hurt and I couldn't sit an longer. Other than that this place is a great night out for a date or with a group. The wait staff/buss boys were very good. They cleaned up after us, kept the sangria coming and had food coming out at a good pace. The food was very good. They have marinated olives on the table which is a nice touch you can ask for more but don't get to crazy. We tried the bacon wrapped dates and spicy potatoes which are a tapas must have and both were delicious. We had shrimp, scallops, baked goat cheese, stuffed peppers, vegitarian pasta, beef tenderloins and Paella with chicken/shrimp/mussels/clams. Every dish was good. No one left hungry. We enjoyed a few specials that evening too. Try things I am going to go back and check out some more. Sangria - We had 3 pitchers, Peach/Mango/Strawberry. We each had a different favorite. Go Enjoy Have Fun.
(4)
Susanna L.

I came here for dinner and enjoyed most of the tapas plates that I ordered. There was no wait (it was a Wednesday) and the staff was attentive and friendly. The food was great but I felt that some of the dishes were a little overpriced for a tapas place. Nonetheless, I have no real complaints and would recommend it if you're in the area.
(4)
Alicia B.

From the moment my friend and I entered Tapas Valencia, our experience was wonderful. Our waiter was incredibly attentive and he gave great insight to the different tapas available, as well as how to space ordering so we wouldn't receive plates all at once or at weird times. The restaurant/bathrooms were very clean, the atmosphere was fun, and even on a relatively quiet Sunday evening, a number of tables were there celebrating birthdays. We got a little turned around trying to find it, but that was due to more of our lack of directional than anything else. We ordered the Jamon Serrano, Tortilla Espanola, Queso de Cabra, Platano con Helado, and Tarta de Pera (almond pound cake with pear with caramel sauce and vanilla ice cream). The Tarta de Pera was to die for, and although we loved everything we ordered, the almond cake was the star of the evening. Some might think the portions are small, but the above was plenty between the two of us. Definitely a place to consider if you're looking for a fun night out!
(4)
Kathy L.

What an amazing venue. Make sure you do not miss the brunches that they offer. Love the outdoor patio. Service is impeccable and the manager is so nice.
(5)
Alyssa T.

We went here for Valentine's day. The food was amazing, it was an intimate setting and the plates came out quickly. Sangria was amazing but the spanish wines were out of this world! They had this Spanish Cabernet Sauv that put all others to shame. Delicious cucumber martini I tasted too! The bacon wrapped dates, pork was delicious, shrimp was tasty and this crab dish was rich but delicate. Overall one of the better meals I have had in the South Loop. Will definitely be going back to this gem.
(5)
Dawn D.

Who doesn't like tapas? Met a friend for an early dinner on a Friday around 5:30pm- just in time for cocktails! Cava Sangria - two please - Thank you very much! The colorful and festive restaurant offers a great variety of hot and cold tapas especially for those of us who stray away from beef, pork and chicken. We started with those delightful marinated olives and moving over to the stuffed mushroom caps. I jumped into the Ensalada Temporada which is a perfect salad for a summer's day. Rounding out my meal with Tilapia Marinada-artichokes and tilapia...aaaah. We split the Cazueluita de Chocolate: chocolate, warm, with vanilla ice cream--what else could a girl ask for? Pure Heaven.
(4)
Helen Z.

the whole experience was great, the resturant is very spacious, not the crowded table kind of resturant where youvhave no privacy. the servers where really nice and polite, even the manager came over and checked up on us. the food was good, every plate is small amount so everyone gets to try a lil bit of each!
(4)
Bikram P.

Meh...I wasn't a huge fan of the food but the people and service was okay. There are much better tapas restaurants in the city in my opinion (i.e. baba-reeba and purple pig). I don't think i'll be back.
(2)
Lauren N.

This is one of our favorite places to go after work. Very friendly staff and great food. Lots of different dishes to try and share. Never had had a bad meal there. Yes, ambiance is low-key, very conversation friendly. Good place to go to if you want to actually talk to the people and not have music pounding in your ears. While fun to go with a group to share plates, as reviewers note, good date place because of laid back vibe and friendly staff. Reasonable prices compared to the same types of places on the north side.
(5)
Linda L.

We tried the tasting menu for dinner. Alaskan king crab and chilled shrimp on toast! Grilled scallops and calamari with fresh salmon topped with goat cheese!!!! Holy Cow! That was mouth watering and cooked just right. But the white sangria was lacking flavor and skirt steak was okay. But Definitely I would come back and try something different with my friends!
(4)
David B.

Much of the food tasted spoiled. The green olives were mush and not fresh at all. The goat cheese with tomato sauce tasted like store bought ragu vodka sauce with a hint of goat cheese dropped in there. The shrimp tasted fishy and over cooked. The lobster also tasted a bit fishy. The sangria is just a pitcher of regular wine and a side of fruit they throw on top. Cheff Ramsay would definitley have a field day with this place. Plus the prices were much steeper then expected compared with much higher end tapa's restaruants in Chicago. Would not recommend anyone go there. Terrible Tapa's bar.
(1)
Jonathan R.

I've been here a couple of times and just thought that it was just "O.K." The ambiance is fine, but not great. The food was okay, not great. The sangria actually wasn't very good in my opinion, but they had other drinks that were fine. All around just "fine". It's nice to have a tapas place in the South Loop though so I'm not really complaining. :-)
(3)
Christine B.

Fabulous happy hour! Loved the sangria, the bacon wrapped dates and the Ollo Con Fruto del Mar. Cute place as well and service was pretty good. And the tapas were only $3 for happy hour! Will definitely be back!
(5)
Emma C.

I lived in Spain for two years so I can say with pretty much confidence this is a real taste of Spain....however not really the same dining style (standing) portion size or price! But a good variety and every bite that I had was DELICIOUS.
(4)
Jon D.

I was here on that evening when the Packers were kicked out of the playoff tournament by the 49ers, so maybe there was a spring in the step of the general mood of the restaurant. The host gladly seated us, though we walked in at a rather late hour for anyone. The decor, vibrant, in a word. And yet not garish. There's restraint in the selections of furnishings that adorn the space, and consistency in the modern glass and steel touches, and so bravo. Menus of the day were presented, a vast collection of small plated Spanish treats can be perused over. A ramekin of marinated green Spanish olives opened the course. The flavor of the olives was somewhat mellowed and deepened by the tomato, onion, and pepper marinade. The salad opener was a hit with my tastebuds, the Gabriela, peppery fresh arugula dressed with tart autumn accompaniments, the apple, the raisins, the vinaigrette. An apt clean, fresh opener. Next we sampled the crepe relleno, a soft crepe rolled with goat cheese, nuts, and apples with a red pepper sauce over the top of it. Red pepper sauce, but not spicy. The creaminess of the goat cheese enveloped the crisp apple, the crepe was warm and inviting. And then the pincho de pollo, a lovely spanish rendition of a chicken cutlet did well for a protein course. And to finish, a postre, the flan of the day. Creamy and umptuous and custardy. The service? As friendly as ever, especially the guy at the door. Even the older gentleman who spent most of the evening sullenly filling our water and taking our plates cracked a wide smile to wish us a good evening by the time we were leaving. The bill, less than I may have thought for this quality of an experience. Excellent. Perhaps even craveworthy. And one of the nearer places to my place, so I may certainly be back.
(5)
Amanda M.

Ordered probably around 6 tapas and a veggie paella. All of the tapas either were very salty or extremely bland. I usually prefer somewhat bland simple tasting food but some of the dishes were very boring. Even my bf who doesn't mind salt found some of the dishes to be too salty. Aside from that, the flavors that were present in the dishes all had the same set of flavors (as if they used the same sauce or cooked in the same pan), despite being different dishes. The only good tapa was the stuffed pepper (Pimientos del Piquillo), which came very late after all of our dishes had already arrived. Some of the un-notable tapas we had included the empanada, baked goat cheese with garlic bread (queso de cabra) and the grilled skirt steak (Faldilla a la Parrilla). The empanada was very salty. You really can't mess up the baked goat cheese but this just didn't cut it, as there just was not enough flavor. The only good thing about the skirt steak was the accompanied green onions. My bf asked for medium rare and it was medium well. Disappointing. The chicken tenderloin with the chorizo (Pincho de Pollo) was extremely forgettable. Anyone can make that better themselves. At last, we had the veggie paella which was overcooked and I could tell it was like pressure/fast-cooked as the rice was not al dente and there was no crust underneath at all. The flavors were also bland and similar to the tapas. Our waitress was very nice and attentive, but almost overbearing. Our busboy (who seemed very young) was very inexperienced and was somewhat awkward when our waitress would kind of tell him what to do. Also, they forgot our complimentary bread in the beginning and brought it to us when we already had our tapas. Definitely not coming back especially since the prices are not cheap. This place is not authentic, as the food was very mediocre and tasted like something you would get at a chain or fast-food tapas place (if that existed).
(2)
Cathy H.

Food great! Martinis are delicious! Live music and flamingo dancing added multiple cool points. Valet parking, inexpensive but needs more attendants. I would definitely go back.
(4)
Anch D.

One of the gems of the S. Loop and one of my favorite tapas spots in the city. Always great food and service. And rarely is there a wait. To top it off, they have live performances in-house. Check it out -- you won't be sorry!
(5)
Daliah F.

My friend lives in this building and Tapas Valencia was compared with Meze (which appears to be closed) as significantly better. I would only go to Tapas Valencia if I happened to be visiting my friend. This is not a "destination" restaurant. We thought the entire meal was bland and mediocre at best. The restaurant was mostly empty at 7.30 on a Wed. We had the crab cakes - nothing special. When slathered with the garlic mayo, they were better. The grilled octopus was practically tasteless. Patatas bravas were soggy and seasoned mostly with heavy paprika. One dish took an hour to receive - it was supposed to be an artichoke dish but it was more like canned vegetables in tomato sauce. The goat cheese on the salmon was very ripe, though the salmon itself was actually cooked perfectly - the manager actually took this off the bill for us due to the foul smelling cheese. The single positive dish to note was the small, complimentary dish of olives provided as soon as we sat down. When we asked the server about one of the wines, she didn't know and had to send the manager to answer questions. It was't awful, but I don't think I'll ever find myself saying, let's go to Tapas Valencia!
(2)

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Address : 1530 S State St
Chicago, IL, 60605
Phone (312) 842-4444
Website https://www.tapasvalencia.com/
Click To Get Directions

Opening Hours

Mon :4:00 pm - 10:00pm

Specialities

Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Valet, Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Trendy
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes

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Tapas Valencia

1530 S State St, Chicago, IL, 60605

Tapas Valencia Menu

Soups

Salads

Cold Tapas

Hot Tapas

Paellas

Specialty Desserts

Dessert Martinis Coffees

Healthy Meal suggestions for Tapas Valencia

Soups

Salads

Cold Tapas

Hot Tapas

Paellas

Specialty Desserts

Dessert Martinis Coffees

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