Great tapas place in ballard. Note that its REALLY SMALL, so don't assume to bring a large party. Recommend bacon covered dates and potatoes bravas
(5)
Adrianne J.
Tapas- love me some tapas! We had happy hour at Ocho last night and it was delicious. Only issue is, the happy hour prices add up fast! We had a few items from the $2 Happy Hour menu and a couple from the dinner menu with three drinks and spent $90. You are forewarned! The food is excellent, though. Vegetarians: -Try the roasted corn without the prawn butter, they're perfectly spiced and just plain delicious. -Another item to try is the Vegetarian Chorizo. -The margaritas are excellent, not too sweet. -Also try the Broccoli and escarole dish. It's very garlicy and spicy but amazing! Just don't get too carried away, like I said earlier, or you'll spend way more than you thought you were eating.
(3)
Mike L.
Ambience is cool. Service was decent. The food wasn't good. Shrimp way under seasoned, probably microwaved. Bread was stale and low quality. Ham very low quality and cut too thick. Fried cauliflower was ok but they almost burnt it. Wine selection is ok but serving it in cocktail glasses is cheap. Pretty much no reason not to goto Matador instead.
(2)
Arica S.
Ah, it would've been 5 stars if the white sangria was ACTUALLY sangria. Since when does white sangria have MADD LEMONS in them? Not no neva! It was very much like a spiked lemonade. Anyways, the food is good. The patata bravas were really good. The croquettas...eh. They're ok. The cheese is very soft in them. Kind of hard to eat. The biscuit with peach jam was eh. Oh and they ran out of the dates. I love meat wrapped dates....ahhhhh! *sad, pouty face* Our server was nice and attentive with a good attitude. Overall it was o.k.
(3)
Yen D.
Tapas? Si si si!! They have a tapa list that takes up the whole wall! My favorites are the bacon covered dates with goat cheese, albondigas (lamb meatball), and sangria. The bartender of the night, Damien also custom made a passion fruit, sassafras bitters, light rum, lemon juice and liquor 43. It was so good! They also have a nice selection of red wines. It is a bit cozy however, but still doesn't get too crowded to make me uncomfortable.
(5)
Rebecca T.
A+++++++++++ If I could fill my entire review with just "love","amazeballs", "adore them", I would. Everything about this small but lovely restaurant is up my alley. The decor has a funky Los Feliz vibe, stained glass, 70's lighting fixtures, rumpus room looking paint job, and wall o' liquor. The servers looked like people I would want to be best friends with and were friendly and attentive without being in your face. The food? Oh the food! Let's just say I ate and I ate and I ate..... Pappas bravas - lovely and crisp, with delicious cream and red sauce Croquetas Borrachas - fried goat cheese - moan out loud delish La Carolina - heavenly stuffed dates Pan con Chocolate - we had to order another In addition, I will sheepishly admit that I took down not one, not two, but THREE of their house Sangrias which are dangerously drinkable - make sure you have Uber on after a night here. Five stars across the board!
(5)
Annie Y.
Properly named, I think. You need about Ocho platos to get you and your dinner companion full. I would deem this place a bar first then a restaurant. A cool little joint where all the menu items are written on a chalkboard. They make good drinks here so chill out and eat some tapas.
(4)
Hong C.
Came here for some late night happy hour because of all the good reviews we read. However, the food was disappointing. The filing for the deviled eggs were watery, the potato Brava was mushy on the inside, and the olive oil toast for 2 other dishes were rock hard. Everything just tasted really bland. And service took a little long even though they weren't busy. I would try this place again but maybe only to try their brunch menu.
(2)
Nina H.
I definitely will be back to try more of their food and drinks! I ordered el picador during happy hour and it was one of the best tasting cocktails I've had. I really liked the slight rosemary and beet flavor infused into the gin and cucumber. It was very refreshing and tasty. Almost like a chilled soup with alcohol. We only ordered one dish to share, but it was very delicious. We saw another pair order it and it made us drool. It was the spicy shrimp, it came with four shrimps and one small piece of garlic bread. I wish there was more bread to dip in the sauce. It was pretty spicy, but I could handle it, and would recommend that dish to others as well.
(5)
Bobby J.
First off, the cocktails we had were simple but very well put together. The happy hour apps were hit and miss but the egg quiche kind of thing was great. Our server Emily was super genuine and friendly. I left my atm card and 80plus in cash on the table and she brought it out to me. Overall great experience, will be back for sure!
(5)
Anthony B.
Ocho is a great place for some quick happy hour bites or an extended tapas dinner. Their menus don't change much and have been fairly stagnant for the past 2 years the main reason they lost the 4th star. This isn't a problem if it's your first or second time here, but there is little replay value here past the first few visits. I came here for Restaurant Week thinking it would be a great value since they offered many tastes across 4 full courses. Unfortunately for me the total value of the items I chose was less than $30 Restaurant Week menu so I felt a bit taken. Everything was slightly acidic and the Paella Dumplings were strange and not completely satisfying. The restaurant is small and intimate, you will be sharing conversations and elbow room with your neighbors unintentionally. They typically only have 1 server on busy nights so be prepared to order in bunches!
(3)
Kelley S.
Every bite and every sip was spectacular. My husband asked me what I liked the most and I told him I could never decide, each dish was a blast of flavor and texture with a huge surprise. The servers were on their game and the atmosphere was perfect.
(5)
Paul V.
I met a friend here for some tapas/happy hour before dinner and it was an excellent post-work hangout. I've driven past this place 1001 times, but I never realized it was there since the storefront is very easy to miss. Places like this exemplify why I'm glad Yelp exists. The happy hour deals are bangin'. Those prices are hard to beat! Be aware that if you do come for happy hour, the portion sizes are small, so you'll probably want to get at least 1 order of each dish per person (2 people get 2 orders, 3 people get 3 orders, etc.) in order to allow each person the proper volume of food in order to feel like they got to experience the flavors in their entirety. But then again, each dish is only $2, so you won't be hurting your bank account even if you try everything on the HH menu. Ballin' on a budget, if I do say so myself! The bartender, whose name I can't remember, made that helpful recommendation. I suggest you do the same thing. I also recommend the Tortilla Espanola. It kinda reminded me of quiche, but that brava sauce is delish. As helpful as the bartender might have been, he kept calling me "bud". I don't know if other people find that acceptable, but it really irks me. Part of the reason I docked a star is because I felt like there was some underhanded disrespect. My friend and I also found it a little difficult to get his attention to order anything. Kinda disappointing when your party is 2 of the 5 people in the restaurant... The drink ordered was the Donkey Tongue, which has chili infused tequila in it. It's pink and looks like a girly drink because of the pomegranate liqueur, but looks can be deceiving. This drink packs a spicy kick! And because it was happy hour, it was $2 off regular price. Great deals. Well worth the drive into Ballard.
(4)
Volha A.
Way smaller than I expected this place to be. The atheist here is cozy and inviting. The bartender/server greeted us right away, made drink suggestions and answered all our questions. The drinks are quite unique. I loved the prosciutto wrapped dates, to die for!! I never go out in Ballard, but will definitely have to try out more food items at Ocho!
(5)
Sarah P.
I didn't have a working phone the other day and the bar tender (blond, fabulous eye make-up, didn't catch her name) was super helpful letting me use her phone and helping me connect with my lost computer. She also made me a fabulous mock-tail, putting all the muddling, shaking, creativity into a non-alcoholic drink was super awesome. I've always loved Ocho for it's food selection but am finally reviewing it because she was so helpful and the combination of atmosphere, service and food/drinks meant it was about time to say how much I like this place.
(5)
Lindy W.
Came for brunch on a Saturday morning when all was still quiet. There's cute outdoor seating in the sun to keep warm. Tried their famous deviled eggs + salmon roe (2.5$) and seasonal chef's hash with baked egg and chorizo (10$). Eggs were downright spectacular and the first (and last) bite leaves a rainbow of flavors in your mouth. The chef's hash was super flavorful, though a bit heavy and salty. Portions are teeny tiny and the cost adds up quick.
(4)
A. Z.
Amazing food and great prices for what we got. Wine recommended by the bartender was good and we enjoyed everything we ordered except one item (some type of mushroom that had a heavy Asian wine flavor - sorry forgot name). Deviled eggs were our favorite! This is definitely a cute date spot and I would definitely return for more!
(5)
Brian U.
I just love this place. It's a great place for a date night or a group of friends. Drinks are good and there is so much variety in the menu. Try it and it will become a staple.
(4)
Michelle L.
J and I came here on a Friday night and the first thing I thought was, "boy this place is small but packed!". I got us two seats at the front bar and it was perfect! We were able to talk directly to the bartender and he was very helpful and friendly. I believe his name is Damien. I had 2 rounds of a vodka soda and J had 2 rounds of Jameson. Although they had a great menu of wines and signature cocktails, we were more focused on what kind of tapas we wanted to order! We ordered (I wish I remembered the Spanish names for them) the pulled pork empanada (my favorite of the night), the fried rice with eggplant, spicy garlic prawns, grilled steak with broccoli, and the calamari. Each dish was absolutely delicious.
(5)
Just Y.
I always walk out of here way too full; so many delicious things to try. You think you'll just have one or two tapas, then you order two or three more, then next thing you know you've worked your way down the entire chalkboard, had way more cocktails than you anticipated, and been chatting with your friends for 2 two and a half hours. Thankfully we parked in Fremont and the Burke-Gilman Trail walk back to the car will help take care of a few things. This is my go-to place for friends and family when I'm in Ballard. Fantastic service, I've already gushed about the food, and an overall great experience.
(5)
Candice R.
Met a friend there last night and sat outside since the sun was shining. We got there right when they opened and the service was great from the start. We started asking questions about the menu and upon learning that my friend is gluten and dairy intolerant brought out a special menu for us. Made it so easy to order - and there were so many amazing choices...the deviled eggs were soooo scrumptious (I'm dreaming about them right now) as was the spicy shrimp! We also had the olives (simple but yummy), the potatoes brasas (?) which were tasty with the two sauces, and the mushrooms with arugula which was OK but may have been better if we had eaten it with the toast (which we avoided due to the gluten). Services was great - very friendly and helpful. Will definitely be coming back to this place.
(5)
Tu Uyen H.
Ocho is now my new favorite tapas restaurant in town. Dare I say, THE best tapas in Seattle? If you think otherwise, well then, we can't be friends. Ok, we can't be "food" friends. Since the portions were small, I was able to have a tasting of nearly every item on the menu, and boy oh boy was I happy! Each dish was just as amazing as the last! Don't ask me what my favorite was because I loved them all! From the deviled eggs topped with salmon roe, to the fried artichoke hearts with anchovy and red bell pepper fashioned to look like a sailboat, to the cheese-stuffed pastry, my friends and I ate them all! I didn't have an issue with service like other reviewers have mentioned as our orders were taken when we wanted and the food was delivered promptly. The only thing missing was a friendly smile. My group placed many orders throughout our meal though so I was thankful that the waitress was attentive enough so that we didn't have to wait long. For that reason I'm not going to complain. Despite our ravenous appetite, there were a few things left on the menu that we have yet to try. I was already planning yet another visit at the end of my meal. I rounded out the night by visiting my favorite specialty bakery nearby for a molten chocolate cake (I have a separate stomach compartment for desserts). After being stuck in traffic for 1.5 hrs, I swore off on visiting Seattle. Eating at Ocho changed my mind. I'll just burn a longer CD next time I venture to the West side.
(5)
Aimee B.
This is probably the worst restaurant I'd been to in awhile. My fiance had a margarita and I had a sangria. That was probably the worst version of both I've ever had. I was so disappointed in this place because the vibe is amazing and the reviews were good. The tapas I had (like tortilla espanola) were very forgettable and not even close to anything you would get in Spain.
(1)
Sean G.
My wife and I drove from South King County to visit this restaurant and unfortunately left without being served. When we arrived on a Saturday evening we were sat rather quickly, brought water and the waitress answered a couple questions then... nothing. 15 to 20 minutes went by as we watched several others get seated have their food order taken while we were not even acknowledged. As an aside that may or may not be related we were the only two people of color in the restaurant as well. Needless to say it wasn't a great night out!
(1)
Samantha H.
I love coming here, especially for their $2 happy hour tapas menu! The food is always good and the drinks are nice and strong.
(5)
Sarah W.
Ocho, I'm not trying to come on too strong, but I think I love you... Your happy hour stole my heart and tapas will never again be the same. Tip #1: Happy hour! 4-6pm Mon-Fri, noon-6pm Sat-Sun, 11pm-midnight Sun-Thurs. Their happy hour menu is both extensive and delicious. Tip #2: Fairly small, and has mostly 2-person tables. Overall: The food came out promptly and I was able to try quite a few dishes while keeping the price low. My only regret is that I live in the Bay Area, and Ocho's is a long long ways away. Until next time, Ocho.
(5)
Natasha F.
Great tapas and a fun, funky vibe. Loved the gambas, albondigas, and halibut in particular. Thought my wine was just meh for a $10 glass but would come back. Service was solid too.
(4)
Lauree C.
Yum! Ocho rocks! What a great place to stop in for some small bites and sangria. The croquetas barrachas were lovely and it's a fun spot in ballard! Some of the dishes were a little inconsistent, but for the most part it was a great experience.
(4)
Shawna M.
I eat my words! Just an off day Ocho. I've been here several times after this review and have to say... One of my favorite spots!
(4)
Daniel B.
Best tapas in town, hands down. Love this place and if it wasn't such a schlep to Ballard I would be back more often.
(5)
Suzy R.
Good tapas very small place great for a couples getaway. I gave them 3 star only because I felt a bit unwelcome almost like an outsider It was our first and only time we went.
(3)
Yum E.
This is a great place to come with a friend or chat with a stranger sitting next to you. It's a super small and somewhat noisy place but the warm atmosphere and the drinks made me stay way past my bedtime. Not to mention a bar tender who likes to taste test your drinks with a straw so you know you're getting the best (or may be he was just thirsty). The food isn't mind-blowing and its smaller than tapas...literally one bite per dish, two if I dare nibbled. However, I know I will have a great time there just to relax and enjoy random old school hip hop music with Missy Elliott (I just got lucky?) and get one of those martinis with a generous serving of olives and a hint of celery bitters.
(4)
Cindi H.
Bar none, the best cocktail experience i have ever had. After recently moving to SF, still looking for a place that in any way compares for date night. Creative, delicious, a 'must-do' in Seattle.
This is one of my favorite places for a tasty bite and an excellent drink. They change up their menu often and the patio on a sunny day is great. Don't miss the stuffed dates!
(5)
Stephanie P.
My fiance and I have lived in the Seattle area for a year now and waited until now to search for some decent Mexican food. The area is outstanding for Asian cuisine, but having lived in San Diego for 3 years we were very skeptical. That being said, we found our spot! The food was delicious and fresh -- not the plate full of beans, cheese, and god knows what else that you find at generic "Mexican" restaurants. The service was quick and friendly, the bartender was awesome, prices are fair, and SALSA BAR. That's all you really need to know.
(5)
Evan R.
Stopped in for a quick drink and a bite. While their Spanish beer selection is not extensive, the two I did have were delicious - especially the rosemary pilsner. We had several small plates. They were all brought to use in a timely manner and they were all delicious.
(4)
Adri F.
Don't visit this joint for brunch. That way I'll always be guaranteed a table. Sure have the boquerones, enjoy the cauliflower, but do not pass the croquetas borrachas. I dream of a world in which I wake up to a fresh order of Ocho's cheesy delight every single day. The boozy options were pretty good too. The spanish coffee made my tummy tumble in joy and the cava/absinthe cocktail was to die for. But the croquetas....man!!!
(5)
Rachel F.
Pretty much every plate is tasty and well done. Drinks are tasty as well, and the staff is friendly and helpful. Nice place to spend a few hours with friends, just trying various dishes and drinks. Good job!
(5)
Sung P.
Avoid - very poor service and subpar food. Too many other options in Ballard to waste your money here. I had gone to Ocho a few times and have had varying experiences but have recently gotten such poor service there that I don't intend on coming back. Left a pair of sunglasses at my table when I was there with a friend. I called them and they let me know they'd found them and would hold them for me to pick up. After a few weeks of trying to get ahold of them and being treated like I'm being unreasonable, I'm finally giving up. The owner called me and basically told me it sucks but looks like someone walked away with them that works there. So I guess if you go here, keep your belongings with you and don't trust that they won't get stolen by the staff
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : No Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner, Late Night Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : No Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Music : Background Good For Dancing : No Alcohol : Full Bar Happy Hour : Yes Best Nights : Mon, Tue, Wed Coat Check : No Smoking : No Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Joshua R.
Great tapas place in ballard. Note that its REALLY SMALL, so don't assume to bring a large party. Recommend bacon covered dates and potatoes bravas
(5)Adrianne J.
Tapas- love me some tapas! We had happy hour at Ocho last night and it was delicious. Only issue is, the happy hour prices add up fast! We had a few items from the $2 Happy Hour menu and a couple from the dinner menu with three drinks and spent $90. You are forewarned! The food is excellent, though. Vegetarians: -Try the roasted corn without the prawn butter, they're perfectly spiced and just plain delicious. -Another item to try is the Vegetarian Chorizo. -The margaritas are excellent, not too sweet. -Also try the Broccoli and escarole dish. It's very garlicy and spicy but amazing! Just don't get too carried away, like I said earlier, or you'll spend way more than you thought you were eating.
(3)Mike L.
Ambience is cool. Service was decent. The food wasn't good. Shrimp way under seasoned, probably microwaved. Bread was stale and low quality. Ham very low quality and cut too thick. Fried cauliflower was ok but they almost burnt it. Wine selection is ok but serving it in cocktail glasses is cheap. Pretty much no reason not to goto Matador instead.
(2)Arica S.
Ah, it would've been 5 stars if the white sangria was ACTUALLY sangria. Since when does white sangria have MADD LEMONS in them? Not no neva! It was very much like a spiked lemonade. Anyways, the food is good. The patata bravas were really good. The croquettas...eh. They're ok. The cheese is very soft in them. Kind of hard to eat. The biscuit with peach jam was eh. Oh and they ran out of the dates. I love meat wrapped dates....ahhhhh! *sad, pouty face* Our server was nice and attentive with a good attitude. Overall it was o.k.
(3)Yen D.
Tapas? Si si si!! They have a tapa list that takes up the whole wall! My favorites are the bacon covered dates with goat cheese, albondigas (lamb meatball), and sangria. The bartender of the night, Damien also custom made a passion fruit, sassafras bitters, light rum, lemon juice and liquor 43. It was so good! They also have a nice selection of red wines. It is a bit cozy however, but still doesn't get too crowded to make me uncomfortable.
(5)Rebecca T.
A+++++++++++ If I could fill my entire review with just "love","amazeballs", "adore them", I would. Everything about this small but lovely restaurant is up my alley. The decor has a funky Los Feliz vibe, stained glass, 70's lighting fixtures, rumpus room looking paint job, and wall o' liquor. The servers looked like people I would want to be best friends with and were friendly and attentive without being in your face. The food? Oh the food! Let's just say I ate and I ate and I ate..... Pappas bravas - lovely and crisp, with delicious cream and red sauce Croquetas Borrachas - fried goat cheese - moan out loud delish La Carolina - heavenly stuffed dates Pan con Chocolate - we had to order another In addition, I will sheepishly admit that I took down not one, not two, but THREE of their house Sangrias which are dangerously drinkable - make sure you have Uber on after a night here. Five stars across the board!
(5)Annie Y.
Properly named, I think. You need about Ocho platos to get you and your dinner companion full. I would deem this place a bar first then a restaurant. A cool little joint where all the menu items are written on a chalkboard. They make good drinks here so chill out and eat some tapas.
(4)Hong C.
Came here for some late night happy hour because of all the good reviews we read. However, the food was disappointing. The filing for the deviled eggs were watery, the potato Brava was mushy on the inside, and the olive oil toast for 2 other dishes were rock hard. Everything just tasted really bland. And service took a little long even though they weren't busy. I would try this place again but maybe only to try their brunch menu.
(2)Nina H.
I definitely will be back to try more of their food and drinks! I ordered el picador during happy hour and it was one of the best tasting cocktails I've had. I really liked the slight rosemary and beet flavor infused into the gin and cucumber. It was very refreshing and tasty. Almost like a chilled soup with alcohol. We only ordered one dish to share, but it was very delicious. We saw another pair order it and it made us drool. It was the spicy shrimp, it came with four shrimps and one small piece of garlic bread. I wish there was more bread to dip in the sauce. It was pretty spicy, but I could handle it, and would recommend that dish to others as well.
(5)Bobby J.
First off, the cocktails we had were simple but very well put together. The happy hour apps were hit and miss but the egg quiche kind of thing was great. Our server Emily was super genuine and friendly. I left my atm card and 80plus in cash on the table and she brought it out to me. Overall great experience, will be back for sure!
(5)Anthony B.
Ocho is a great place for some quick happy hour bites or an extended tapas dinner. Their menus don't change much and have been fairly stagnant for the past 2 years the main reason they lost the 4th star. This isn't a problem if it's your first or second time here, but there is little replay value here past the first few visits. I came here for Restaurant Week thinking it would be a great value since they offered many tastes across 4 full courses. Unfortunately for me the total value of the items I chose was less than $30 Restaurant Week menu so I felt a bit taken. Everything was slightly acidic and the Paella Dumplings were strange and not completely satisfying. The restaurant is small and intimate, you will be sharing conversations and elbow room with your neighbors unintentionally. They typically only have 1 server on busy nights so be prepared to order in bunches!
(3)Kelley S.
Every bite and every sip was spectacular. My husband asked me what I liked the most and I told him I could never decide, each dish was a blast of flavor and texture with a huge surprise. The servers were on their game and the atmosphere was perfect.
(5)Paul V.
I met a friend here for some tapas/happy hour before dinner and it was an excellent post-work hangout. I've driven past this place 1001 times, but I never realized it was there since the storefront is very easy to miss. Places like this exemplify why I'm glad Yelp exists. The happy hour deals are bangin'. Those prices are hard to beat! Be aware that if you do come for happy hour, the portion sizes are small, so you'll probably want to get at least 1 order of each dish per person (2 people get 2 orders, 3 people get 3 orders, etc.) in order to allow each person the proper volume of food in order to feel like they got to experience the flavors in their entirety. But then again, each dish is only $2, so you won't be hurting your bank account even if you try everything on the HH menu. Ballin' on a budget, if I do say so myself! The bartender, whose name I can't remember, made that helpful recommendation. I suggest you do the same thing. I also recommend the Tortilla Espanola. It kinda reminded me of quiche, but that brava sauce is delish. As helpful as the bartender might have been, he kept calling me "bud". I don't know if other people find that acceptable, but it really irks me. Part of the reason I docked a star is because I felt like there was some underhanded disrespect. My friend and I also found it a little difficult to get his attention to order anything. Kinda disappointing when your party is 2 of the 5 people in the restaurant... The drink ordered was the Donkey Tongue, which has chili infused tequila in it. It's pink and looks like a girly drink because of the pomegranate liqueur, but looks can be deceiving. This drink packs a spicy kick! And because it was happy hour, it was $2 off regular price. Great deals. Well worth the drive into Ballard.
(4)Volha A.
Way smaller than I expected this place to be. The atheist here is cozy and inviting. The bartender/server greeted us right away, made drink suggestions and answered all our questions. The drinks are quite unique. I loved the prosciutto wrapped dates, to die for!! I never go out in Ballard, but will definitely have to try out more food items at Ocho!
(5)Sarah P.
I didn't have a working phone the other day and the bar tender (blond, fabulous eye make-up, didn't catch her name) was super helpful letting me use her phone and helping me connect with my lost computer. She also made me a fabulous mock-tail, putting all the muddling, shaking, creativity into a non-alcoholic drink was super awesome. I've always loved Ocho for it's food selection but am finally reviewing it because she was so helpful and the combination of atmosphere, service and food/drinks meant it was about time to say how much I like this place.
(5)Lindy W.
Came for brunch on a Saturday morning when all was still quiet. There's cute outdoor seating in the sun to keep warm. Tried their famous deviled eggs + salmon roe (2.5$) and seasonal chef's hash with baked egg and chorizo (10$). Eggs were downright spectacular and the first (and last) bite leaves a rainbow of flavors in your mouth. The chef's hash was super flavorful, though a bit heavy and salty. Portions are teeny tiny and the cost adds up quick.
(4)A. Z.
Amazing food and great prices for what we got. Wine recommended by the bartender was good and we enjoyed everything we ordered except one item (some type of mushroom that had a heavy Asian wine flavor - sorry forgot name). Deviled eggs were our favorite! This is definitely a cute date spot and I would definitely return for more!
(5)Brian U.
I just love this place. It's a great place for a date night or a group of friends. Drinks are good and there is so much variety in the menu. Try it and it will become a staple.
(4)Michelle L.
J and I came here on a Friday night and the first thing I thought was, "boy this place is small but packed!". I got us two seats at the front bar and it was perfect! We were able to talk directly to the bartender and he was very helpful and friendly. I believe his name is Damien. I had 2 rounds of a vodka soda and J had 2 rounds of Jameson. Although they had a great menu of wines and signature cocktails, we were more focused on what kind of tapas we wanted to order! We ordered (I wish I remembered the Spanish names for them) the pulled pork empanada (my favorite of the night), the fried rice with eggplant, spicy garlic prawns, grilled steak with broccoli, and the calamari. Each dish was absolutely delicious.
(5)Just Y.
I always walk out of here way too full; so many delicious things to try. You think you'll just have one or two tapas, then you order two or three more, then next thing you know you've worked your way down the entire chalkboard, had way more cocktails than you anticipated, and been chatting with your friends for 2 two and a half hours. Thankfully we parked in Fremont and the Burke-Gilman Trail walk back to the car will help take care of a few things. This is my go-to place for friends and family when I'm in Ballard. Fantastic service, I've already gushed about the food, and an overall great experience.
(5)Candice R.
Met a friend there last night and sat outside since the sun was shining. We got there right when they opened and the service was great from the start. We started asking questions about the menu and upon learning that my friend is gluten and dairy intolerant brought out a special menu for us. Made it so easy to order - and there were so many amazing choices...the deviled eggs were soooo scrumptious (I'm dreaming about them right now) as was the spicy shrimp! We also had the olives (simple but yummy), the potatoes brasas (?) which were tasty with the two sauces, and the mushrooms with arugula which was OK but may have been better if we had eaten it with the toast (which we avoided due to the gluten). Services was great - very friendly and helpful. Will definitely be coming back to this place.
(5)Tu Uyen H.
Ocho is now my new favorite tapas restaurant in town. Dare I say, THE best tapas in Seattle? If you think otherwise, well then, we can't be friends. Ok, we can't be "food" friends. Since the portions were small, I was able to have a tasting of nearly every item on the menu, and boy oh boy was I happy! Each dish was just as amazing as the last! Don't ask me what my favorite was because I loved them all! From the deviled eggs topped with salmon roe, to the fried artichoke hearts with anchovy and red bell pepper fashioned to look like a sailboat, to the cheese-stuffed pastry, my friends and I ate them all! I didn't have an issue with service like other reviewers have mentioned as our orders were taken when we wanted and the food was delivered promptly. The only thing missing was a friendly smile. My group placed many orders throughout our meal though so I was thankful that the waitress was attentive enough so that we didn't have to wait long. For that reason I'm not going to complain. Despite our ravenous appetite, there were a few things left on the menu that we have yet to try. I was already planning yet another visit at the end of my meal. I rounded out the night by visiting my favorite specialty bakery nearby for a molten chocolate cake (I have a separate stomach compartment for desserts). After being stuck in traffic for 1.5 hrs, I swore off on visiting Seattle. Eating at Ocho changed my mind. I'll just burn a longer CD next time I venture to the West side.
(5)Aimee B.
This is probably the worst restaurant I'd been to in awhile. My fiance had a margarita and I had a sangria. That was probably the worst version of both I've ever had. I was so disappointed in this place because the vibe is amazing and the reviews were good. The tapas I had (like tortilla espanola) were very forgettable and not even close to anything you would get in Spain.
(1)Sean G.
My wife and I drove from South King County to visit this restaurant and unfortunately left without being served. When we arrived on a Saturday evening we were sat rather quickly, brought water and the waitress answered a couple questions then... nothing. 15 to 20 minutes went by as we watched several others get seated have their food order taken while we were not even acknowledged. As an aside that may or may not be related we were the only two people of color in the restaurant as well. Needless to say it wasn't a great night out!
(1)Samantha H.
I love coming here, especially for their $2 happy hour tapas menu! The food is always good and the drinks are nice and strong.
(5)Sarah W.
Ocho, I'm not trying to come on too strong, but I think I love you... Your happy hour stole my heart and tapas will never again be the same. Tip #1: Happy hour! 4-6pm Mon-Fri, noon-6pm Sat-Sun, 11pm-midnight Sun-Thurs. Their happy hour menu is both extensive and delicious. Tip #2: Fairly small, and has mostly 2-person tables. Overall: The food came out promptly and I was able to try quite a few dishes while keeping the price low. My only regret is that I live in the Bay Area, and Ocho's is a long long ways away. Until next time, Ocho.
(5)Natasha F.
Great tapas and a fun, funky vibe. Loved the gambas, albondigas, and halibut in particular. Thought my wine was just meh for a $10 glass but would come back. Service was solid too.
(4)Lauree C.
Yum! Ocho rocks! What a great place to stop in for some small bites and sangria. The croquetas barrachas were lovely and it's a fun spot in ballard! Some of the dishes were a little inconsistent, but for the most part it was a great experience.
(4)Shawna M.
I eat my words! Just an off day Ocho. I've been here several times after this review and have to say... One of my favorite spots!
(4)Daniel B.
Best tapas in town, hands down. Love this place and if it wasn't such a schlep to Ballard I would be back more often.
(5)Suzy R.
Good tapas very small place great for a couples getaway. I gave them 3 star only because I felt a bit unwelcome almost like an outsider It was our first and only time we went.
(3)Yum E.
This is a great place to come with a friend or chat with a stranger sitting next to you. It's a super small and somewhat noisy place but the warm atmosphere and the drinks made me stay way past my bedtime. Not to mention a bar tender who likes to taste test your drinks with a straw so you know you're getting the best (or may be he was just thirsty). The food isn't mind-blowing and its smaller than tapas...literally one bite per dish, two if I dare nibbled. However, I know I will have a great time there just to relax and enjoy random old school hip hop music with Missy Elliott (I just got lucky?) and get one of those martinis with a generous serving of olives and a hint of celery bitters.
(4)Cindi H.
Bar none, the best cocktail experience i have ever had. After recently moving to SF, still looking for a place that in any way compares for date night. Creative, delicious, a 'must-do' in Seattle.
(5)Katherine F.
Fun, inventive cocktails! I got the Donkey Tongue (the main ingredient here is chile infused tequila), and it definitely had a kick! But I love tequila, and it had a nice, smooth aftertaste. My two friends had cocktails and wine (both went with recommendations from our server, who was very knowledgeable and helpful), and we split three tapas plates. I don't remember the names, so bear with me: one was with spiced potatoes that was simple but awesome and flavorful, another was crostini with sherry-sautéed mushrooms, and the last was a chickpea and fennel relleno. OMG. If you're a fan of fennel, which I am, that was AMAZING. The potatoes also rocked, and I'm excited to take my hubs there next time.
(5)Tess A.
This is one of my favorite places for a tasty bite and an excellent drink. They change up their menu often and the patio on a sunny day is great. Don't miss the stuffed dates!
(5)Stephanie P.
My fiance and I have lived in the Seattle area for a year now and waited until now to search for some decent Mexican food. The area is outstanding for Asian cuisine, but having lived in San Diego for 3 years we were very skeptical. That being said, we found our spot! The food was delicious and fresh -- not the plate full of beans, cheese, and god knows what else that you find at generic "Mexican" restaurants. The service was quick and friendly, the bartender was awesome, prices are fair, and SALSA BAR. That's all you really need to know.
(5)Evan R.
Stopped in for a quick drink and a bite. While their Spanish beer selection is not extensive, the two I did have were delicious - especially the rosemary pilsner. We had several small plates. They were all brought to use in a timely manner and they were all delicious.
(4)Adri F.
Don't visit this joint for brunch. That way I'll always be guaranteed a table. Sure have the boquerones, enjoy the cauliflower, but do not pass the croquetas borrachas. I dream of a world in which I wake up to a fresh order of Ocho's cheesy delight every single day. The boozy options were pretty good too. The spanish coffee made my tummy tumble in joy and the cava/absinthe cocktail was to die for. But the croquetas....man!!!
(5)Rachel F.
Pretty much every plate is tasty and well done. Drinks are tasty as well, and the staff is friendly and helpful. Nice place to spend a few hours with friends, just trying various dishes and drinks. Good job!
(5)Sung P.
Avoid - very poor service and subpar food. Too many other options in Ballard to waste your money here. I had gone to Ocho a few times and have had varying experiences but have recently gotten such poor service there that I don't intend on coming back. Left a pair of sunglasses at my table when I was there with a friend. I called them and they let me know they'd found them and would hold them for me to pick up. After a few weeks of trying to get ahold of them and being treated like I'm being unreasonable, I'm finally giving up. The owner called me and basically told me it sucks but looks like someone walked away with them that works there. So I guess if you go here, keep your belongings with you and don't trust that they won't get stolen by the staff
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