10 of the best tapas in metro Atlanta for the perfect date night

Tapas originally hail from Spain and the Iberian peninsula and serve as a distinct form of small plates/appetizers. Intending to be shared, tapas are a great way to experience a variety of foods and flavors and foster a sense of connection. For your next date night, consider going to one of the following restaurants in metro Atlanta that serve tapas.

Bar-Bacoa

Located in Virginia-Highland, Bar-Bacoa boasts “tacos, tapas and tequila.” Tapas options are inspired by the traditional cuisine of Spain with a twist from other cultures, such as Latin American, Korean and of course, Southern. Options range from goat cheese fritters and bacon-wrapped dates to shrimp and grits, calamari, and peach and burrata crostinis. If you go for the tacos, you’ll have to try the beef or lamb barbacoa. Get a margarita or house sangria, and try churros or tres leches for dessert.

Location: East Atlanta - 1000 Virginia Ave NE; Website: barbacoaatl.com; Contact: 404-815-9155

Barcelona

Transport yourself and your date to Barcelona and revel in the tastes of Catalonian cuisine at the Westside or Inman Park locations of this popular tapas spot. Menu items are different at both locations and can change, but some things will stay constant: great sangria, an impressive array of cheese and charcuterie, and a variety of meat, seafood and vegetarian small plates. If the date goes well, next stop… actually Barcelona!

Location: Multiple Locations; Website: barcelonawinebar.com

Buena Vida Tapas and Sol

Embrace the “buena vida,” or “good life,” at this new tapas restaurant just off the Atlanta BeltLine Eastside Trail. Menu items are divided into charcuterie, meat, seafood, vegetarian and vegan and are inspired by the cuisines of Spain, Latin America and the Mediterranean with options such as tortilla española, baba ganoush, and adobo mahi mahi. For drinks, sip on the Buena Vida Sour or seasonal sangria. At the end of the night, make the date Instagram-official with the “te quiero mucho” (I love you so much) flower selfie wall.

Location: East Atlanta - 385 N Angier Ave NE Suite 100; Website: buenavidatapas.com; Contact: 404-948-2312

Bulla Gastrobar

First things first: “Bulla” is pronounced “boo-yah,” so make sure you don’t make this faux-pas when planning the evening out. The name is Spanish for “noise” and is inspired by the idea of liveliness and excitement. Menu options reflect the distinctive tastes of Spain and the Mediterranean, such as huevos Bulla, ceviche de jalapeno, and Andalusian gazpacho, as well as pintxos in the form of pork loin skewers or chicken skewers. Pair that with a Spanish margarita, Spanish old-fashioned, or the Lustau Vermut Rojo – or of course, sangria.

Location: Midtown - 60 11th St NE; Website: bullagastrobar.com; Contact: 404-900-6926

Cooks and Soldiers

Inspired by Basque Country (a region in Spain and France), Cooks and Soldiers derives its name from the festival of Tamborrada in San Sebastian, where citizens dress up as cooks or as soldiers to celebrate the culinary and military history of the region. The restaurant serves pintxos, the Basque version of tapas, and options include conejo (Bayonne-wrapped rabbit saddle roulade), pork cheek croquetas, Kokotxas (confit halibut cheeks) and Chistorra in a Blanket. For drinks, try one of their many cocktails, ciders, wines, beers or gin tonics.

Location: West Midtown - 691 14th St NW; Website: cooksandsoldiers.com; Contact: 404-996-2623

Eclipse di Luna

When you enter Eclipse di Luna, you enter more than just a restaurant - you enter an experience. The locations in Miami Circle and Dunwoody have different menus, but both serve traditional Spanish tapas, including patatas bravas, ceviche and pan catalan. Additional entertainment includes live flamenco, DJs, salsa lessons and even painting nights. Regardless of which location you go to, it will be an evening to remember.

Location: Multiple Locations; Website: eclipsediluna.com

Gypsy Kitchen

Inspired by Spanish, Moroccan and Indian cuisines across the Gilbraltar and Silk Roads, Gypsy Kitchen offers a menu filled with Iberian fusion. Savor tapas dishes such as sumac honey roasted carrots, Moroccan spiced lamb skewers, grilled asparagus with smoked peanut harissa, as well as traditional favorites such as patatas bravas and charcuterie plates. Sit at the outdoor patio and revel in the sights of Buckhead and Peachtree Street while sipping on sangria.

Location: Buckhead - 3035 Peachtree Rd NE; Website: gypsykitchenatl.com; Contact: 404-939-9840

The Iberian Pig

Encounter outstanding tapas at either the Buckhead or Decatur locations of this popular date spot that boasts a cozy atmosphere and, as the name would imply, is inspired by the best of Iberian cuisine. Try the tocino (pork belly), Iberico mac and cheese, or alcachofas (marinated artichokes). Pair it with (need we say it?) a liter of the house sangria.

Location: Multiple Locations: Website: theiberianpigatl.com

SILLA DEL TORO

After watching a play at the new Theatre in the Square or a film/concert at the Earl and Rachel Smith Strand Theatre, head on over to SILLA DEL TORO, a Spanish tapas oasis located in the heart of Marietta Square. Awarded “Most Unique Restaurant” during the 2022 Taste of Marietta Festival, SILLA DEL TORO serves classic Spanish tapas, such as albondigas (Spanish meatballs), empanadas, calamari, and gambas al ajillo (garlic shrimp), as well as multiple charcuterie and cheese options and a selection of 40 wines. They also offer a “sangria flight” of their red, white and pink sangria options.

Location: Marietta - 30 S Park Square NE; Website: silladeltoro.com; Contact: 770-485-3759

Under the Cork Tree

Inspired by a famous Spanish children’s story called “Fernando the Bull” who just wanted to sit under the cork tree and relax, Under the Cork Tree is an oasis in Sandy Springs perfect for unwinding. The menu consists of fresh, diverse cultural tastes of the Iberian Peninsula and Mediterranean, such as fire-roasted ratatouille, gnocchi pesto, salt cod croquettes and Medjool dates, as well as patatas bravas and meat/cheese plates (try “The Grand Tasting” of all five meats/cheeses on their menu!). Sip on sangria rojo, blanco or limoncello as you enjoy the live music that will hit all the right notes of a perfect date night.

Location: Sandy Springs - 5600 Roswell Rd NE #2; Website: corktreerestaurant.com; Contact: 404-228-7470