Best Places For Tapas In Los Angeles
Eating together is supposed to be social event, but many times the focus is more on the food than on the company. Tapas, also known as small plates, help put the attention back on the dining companions through the act of passing around plates of food and stirring conversation. In Los Angeles, there are many restaurants with menus leaning more towards the tapas custom. Whether you are a party of two or twenty, here are some great restaurants for tapas and good times.
The Hart & The Hunter
7950 Melrose Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90048
(323) 424-3055
www.thehartandthehunter.com
The Hart & The Hunter is one of the best restaurants in the city. With enticing appetizers, vegetables, sides and entrees there's plenty to choose from and pass around. The marinated broccoli and wild rice; the grilled garlic carrots; the maitake and abalone mushrooms are great starts. The headcheese fritters and the smoked yellowtail are perfect entrees for sharing. However, the butter biscuits are the most coveted items on the menu and sharing these will be difficult.
Manchego
2518 Main St
Santa Monica, CA 90405
(310) 450-3900
www.manchegosm.com
Not only is the menu at Manchego designed for tapas style sharing, but so are the tables. They're cozy but big enough for a collection of one, three or five plates from the charcuterie and cheese section as well as multiple items from the tapas offerings. The shishito peppers, grilled octopus, braised short rib empanadas, mushroom croquetas, grilled lamb chops and crispy prosciutto tostado will definitely invoke a conversation about how good the food is.
Mignon
128 E 6th St
Los Angeles, CA 90014
(213) 489-0131
www.mignonla.com
Mignon is one of downtown LA's cozy little hotspots if you're looking to have a good conversation while enjoying very good food. The market menu Prix Fixe changes regularly and never disappoints, but the small plates are equally divine. Order a bottle of red or white and pair it with one of the fabulous cheese, meat or smoked fish plates. Customer favorites are the Pâté de Campagne and the baked egg. The place is tiny, so be prepared to wait even if you make a reservation.
Cleo
1717 Vine St
Los Angeles, CA 90028
(323) 962-1711
www.sbe.com
Cleo is yet another smash hit from the SBE group and ideal for any dining occasion of any size. The menu is a Mediterranean smorgasbord of some of the finest plates in Los Angeles. From the Babaghanoush to the Spanakopita to the Scottish Salmon and the Merguez Flatbread there's something for everyone. The portions are perfect for sharing and the prices reasonable enough where you can get your favorites and try a few new things.
Barbrix
2442 Hyperion Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90027
(323) 662-2442
www.barbrix.com
Silverlake's Barbrix is one of those eateries that is perfect for catching up with friends and enjoying some spectacular tapas. Fuel your gab fest with some cheesy polenta croquettes, fried green tomatoes and pork & ricotta meatballs. The roasted rainbow carrots and togarashi french fries are a must try, or expand your palate with some imported cheeses and meats like paglierino, beaufort, salchichón de vic and sopressata. However, the food is so good you might forget to talk to each other.
Related: Best Private Dining Facilities for Large Groups In LA
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