Happy World Tapas Day! This wonderful day is observed on the third Thursday of June every year, and it aims to celebrate the incredible Spanish cuisine of tapas.
From our Albondigas and Patatas Bravas right to our Gambas Pil Pil and Tortilla Española, everyone at dmt absolutely loves tapas, so we’re incredibly lucky to have such glorious tapas restaurants right on our doorstep.
If you’re in the area and fancy getting your tapas fix, we’ve curated a list of our favourite restaurants in and around Manchester that specialise in this delicious, world-famous cuisine.
Bar San Juan
Established in 2010, Bar San Juan is a small, traditional tapas restaurant packed full of character. Located on Beech Road in Chorlton, it’s only a 10-minute walk away from the tram stop, providing an easy route to enjoy your favourite small plates.
Whilst it’s known across Manchester for its incredible food, drinks, and atmosphere, Bar San Juan is still easily one of Manchester’s best-hidden gems. This is one you definitely don’t want to miss out on.
El Gato Negro
How does award-winning tapas, hosted in a restaurant that spans across three floors of a historic building in the heart of the city sound? Incredible, right?!
Well, that’s what you’ll receive at El Gato Negro. With a menu featuring authentic Spanish flavours, a rooftop terrace with a retractable roof, and the option to sit at the chef’s table for an extra thrilling experience, you’ll never have a disappointing visit when you opt for El Gato Negro.
El Rincon de Rafa
Located on Deansgate, El Rincon de Rafa holds the crown for Manchester’s longest-standing tapas restaurant, having been open for over 30 years! The decor hasn’t changed too much since doors first opened, meaning the restaurant still boasts a quaint, traditional atmosphere and feel you’d expect from a small family-run joint.
With a large amount of authentic tapas dishes available at a reasonable price, you’re guaranteed to leave feeling satisfied. Make sure you order their famous Pollo Paprika, though! Plenty of people have tried to steal this recipe over the years, so you just know it’ll be one of the best dishes around.
Porta Tapas Bar
First Chester, then Altrincham, and now Salford. Porta is a well-established and popular tapas joint spanning many locations, and it’s no wonder why people love it so much.
They claim they like to keep things simple, with a relaxed and informal atmosphere based on the tiny independent tapas restaurants in Madrid and Barcelona. Their menu is “enthusiastically” Iberian, featuring all your favourite dishes, all hand-made by their in-house chefs.
Yuzu Japanese Tapas Bar
Now for something a little different. Yuzu is a traditional Japanese tapas restaurant located in the heart of Chinatown specialising in, well, authentic Japanese dishes, like tempura, sashimi, and gyozas.
Every single one of their dishes is cooked from scratch, using the finest fresh ingredients available. Nothing is ready-made, so you can enjoy a unique experience with every mouthful. They do also offer full plates if you have a bigger appetite, but the smaller options aren’t to be missed.
La Cantina
La Cantina, a small, suburban tapas restaurant located in the middle of Heaton Moor, Stockport, has become a firm favourite amongst customers over the last few years, and if you visit it, you’ll know exactly why.
Serving Spanish gin, traditional tapas, a range of imported beer & wine, and their incredible homemade Sangria, you couldn’t ask for anything better from a small, tight-knit, local tapas bar.
Evuna
Boasting two restaurants in Manchester, one on Deansgate and the other in the Northern Quarter, Evuna is an authentic tapas restaurant founded by Manuel Evuna, who brought his passion for cooking to Britain from the Spanish capital, Madrid.
If you’re on the hunt for a quality place to enjoy with friends and family, Evuna is a great choice. Unsure of what to order from their extensive menu? Make sure you encourage their passionate team of experts to share their favourite dishes and drink pairings, and make this a meal to remember.
Canto
Located in the bustling, sun-soaked Ancoats Cutting Room Square, Canto is serving up Mediterranean-inspired dishes paired with a relaxing, friendly atmosphere.
Only the freshest seasonal ingredients go into each small plate, all designed for sharing with friends and family. Plus, as you’re in the heart of Ancoats, there are plenty of other spots to visit for an after-meal drink. It’s truly the place to be!
There you have it! Our favourite tapas spots in and around Manchester. Think we’ve missed any? Let us know your favourite over on our socials!
Interested in learning more about the range of services we offer? We’d love to get together over some tapas dishes with you. Don’t hesitate to get in touch! We’re also offering free (yes, FREE!) audits, too!
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