Tapas Restaurant Orlando: 6 Restaurants That Bring a Taste of Spain to Central Florida

If you judge a place by its small plates, Santiago’s Bodega will instantly win your heart (and stomach). This Orlando staple is part bohemian hideaway, part lively social club, where the tables fill up fast with sizzling lamb racks, bacon-wrapped dates, and beef tenderloin that melts like butter.

Every dish feels intentional—crafted to share, but honestly, good luck parting with your last croqueta. The sangria flows freely, and the energy is somewhere between “vacation in Barcelona” and “Friday night with your funniest friends.”

Their patio offers just enough charm to convince you to stay for round two—or maybe dessert and another glass of red. By the time you leave, you’ll wonder why you ever bothered with individual entrées in the first place.

Traditional Spanish flair meets Orlando buzz at Turull’s Kitchen & Bar, one of the standout stars of tapas Orlando Florida dining. The space hums with flamenco music, the clink of wine glasses, and the occasional burst of applause when the paella pans arrive steaming and golden.

Start with Gambas al Ajillo—garlic shrimp sizzling in olive oil—then dive into croquetas, jamón serrano, or Fabada for a true Spanish comfort fix. Each plate feels like a story straight out of Madrid, just with a little more Central Florida sunshine.

The crowd is a fun mix of locals and travelers who know good food when they taste it. Whether you’re here for the ambiance or the paella that could feed a small village, Turull’s knows how to turn dinner into an experience.

If your ideal tapas restaurant Orlando FL experience involves bold flavors and casual vibes, Barrio Español has your name all over it. Operating out of a colorful food truck with outdoor tables and flamenco beats, it proves you don’t need a white tablecloth to nail Spanish authenticity.

Their patatas bravas are the stuff of legend—crispy, spicy, and smothered in homemade bravas sauce that will have you shamelessly licking the fork. Add a few croquetas de jamón and some chicken skewers, and you’ve basically built yourself a fiesta in a paper basket.

It’s the kind of place that reminds you food is meant to be shared, enjoyed, and maybe even eaten with your fingers. If you’re looking for flavor-packed simplicity without the fuss, Barrio Español gets it right every single time.

Few restaurants capture the creative chaos of Orlando quite like Café Tu Tu Tango, a must-visit along International Drive for anyone who loves food with personality. Equal parts art gallery, music venue, and global tapas house, it’s where you’ll find everything from Cajun chicken egg rolls to sesame steak skewers served under twinkling lights.

The menu celebrates flavors from all over the world while keeping that shareable tapas spirit alive. Pair your plates with a Pollock Punch or a Mango Mojito, and prepare to lose track of time between bites and brushstrokes.

The live entertainment adds an energy that makes dinner feel more like a street festival than a sit-down meal. Whether it’s brunch, happy hour, or a late-night stop, Café Tu Tu Tango always delivers a sensory overload in the best possible way.

The cool, moody aesthetic at Lamp & Shade Craft Kitchen and Cocktails matches its modern approach to tapas Orlando dining—sophisticated but never pretentious. Think squid ink calamari, grilled octopus with tamarind, and truffle-laced Hasselback potatoes that make sharing feel like a generous act of restraint.

The dishes are bold yet balanced, marrying Asian flair with the art of Spanish-style snacking. Every plate comes out like a curated exhibit, and the cocktails deserve their own gallery showing (don’t skip the mezcal creations).

It’s the kind of spot where conversations stretch long past dinner, and every table seems to glow in soft candlelight. If you’re looking to impress a date or just treat yourself to something more refined, this is your after-dark playground.

Downtown’s Thrive Cocktail Lounge & Eatery takes tapas restaurant orlando dining to new, modern heights—with a menu that reads like a love letter to global flavor. Expect bites like bourbon-glazed pork belly, spicy tuna rice crisps, and calamari dressed with herb aioli, all designed for maximum “one more bite” temptation.

The vibe is sleek but welcoming—somewhere between a retro lounge and a chic supper club. Craft cocktails are the real co-stars here, perfectly matched to the rich, umami-forward small plates.

It’s a place built for groups that love to graze, gossip, and sip without watching the clock. Come hungry, come curious, and leave wondering how one evening could taste this good.