Ultimate Guide to Spanish Food in Atlanta: 12 Tapas Spots To Try

By Sofia Espina

Published April 11, 2025
Last Updated April 21, 2025

Must-try tapas, drinks, vibes and exact locations

Artículo disponible en español.

Atlanta may be best known for its Southern comfort food, but if you know where to look, the city is also home to a vibrant and growing Spanish culinary scene. With a steadily increasing Spanish-speaking population and a city that thrives on international flavors, it’s no surprise that tapas bars and Spanish restaurants are popping up in some of Atlanta’s trendiest neighborhoods.

From sizzling garlic shrimp and jamón ibérico to paella that’ll transport you straight to Valencia, these authentic Spanish tapas places serve up small plates with big flavor. Whether you’re craving sangria on a rooftop, searching for that perfect glass of Spanish wine or hoping to catch a soccer match over croquetas, this list has something for every tapas lover.

Barcelona Wine Bar

Starting in Inman Park, Barcelona Wine Bar has long been a neighborhood staple, offering a rustic, cozy space perfect for sharing small plates and a bottle of Rioja. The patio is a favorite for wine lovers and weekend brunchers alike. Classic dishes like grilled octopus and croquetas are standouts, and the sangria is the kind you’ll want to sip slowly while people-watching along the Beltline. Barcelona Wine Bar has a second location in West Midtown, offering the same warm ambiance and extensive Spanish wine list, making it even easier to indulge in a true tapas experience on either side of the city. 

Where: 240 North Highland Ave. NE

Boqueria

Over in Midtown, Boqueria brings the energy and flavor of a Barcelona market right into the heart of the city. The open kitchen makes the space feel alive, and the menu offers a balance of comforting classics like tortilla Española and pan con tomate with a modern edge. The seafood paella and jamón croquetas are consistently crowd-pleasers, and the wine list leans heavily into Spanish varietals like Garnacha and Albariño. This restaurant’s ambiance is romantic, laid-back and great to enjoy with your best friend or to go and enjoy with a group of friends.

Where: 1221 Peachtree St. NE

Buena Vida Tapas Bar

Located in the Old Fourth Ward, Buena Vida Tapas Bar feels like one of Atlanta’s best-kept secrets. Tucked near the Beltline, it’s an easy-going stop where locals gather for sangria, fútbol matches on TV and authentic Spanish bites like gambas al ajillo and house-made tortillas. The casual setting and warm hospitality make it a tapas bar you’ll want to revisit again and again. 

Where: 240 North Highland Ave. NE

Bulla Gastrobar

Located in Midtown, Bulla Gastrobar delivers a polished yet approachable take on traditional Spanish fare. With an open kitchen and lively dining room, it’s a popular choice for happy hour or weekend dinners. The huevos Bulla — soft eggs layered with potato foam and jamón serrano — might just steal the show, but don’t sleep on the seafood paella or white sangría, either.

Where: 60 Eleventh St. NE

Cooks & Soldiers

If you’re in West Midtown, stop at Cooks & Soldiers for a more elevated Spanish dining experience inspired by the Basque region. Known for artful presentation and seasonal pintxos, Cooks & Soldiers leans into both tradition and innovation. Wood-grilled octopus and the Basque cheesecake are just a few of the show-stoppers, and the wine selection includes Txakoli — a slightly effervescent white wine from northern Spain that pairs beautifully with seafood.

Where: 691 Fourteenth St. NW

Eclipse di Luna

In Buckhead, Eclipse di Luna is where you go when you want your tapas with a side of live music and dancing. Known for its vibrant atmosphere, colorful interiors and budget-friendly small plates, it’s a longtime favorite for group celebrations and fun nights out. The sangria flows freely, and dishes like empanadas and albóndigas (Spanish-style meatballs) are consistently reliable choices.

Where: 764 Miami Circle NE

Gypsy Kitchen

Gypsy Kitchen adds a global twist to Spanish cooking, drawing on Moroccan and Mediterranean influences. Located in Buckhead Village, this beautifully designed space includes a rooftop bar and lively nighttime energy. The sangria is among the best in town, and dishes like lamb skewers and mussels in spicy tomato broth bring unexpected depth and flavor.

Where: 3035 Peachtree Road NE

The Iberian Pig

The Iberian Pig, with locations in Buckhead and Decatur, is a favorite for good reason. With bold flavors, dramatic interiors and a deep love for all things pork, the restaurant creates dishes that are indulgent and inventive. Don’t miss the pork cheek tacos or the manchego truffle mac. The Iberian Pig also carries an impressive list of Spanish wines — think Tempranillo, Mencía and even sherry. Both locations offer a stylish yet welcoming vibe.

Check out our interview with Iberian Pig Buckhead’s Executive Chef, Josue Peña.

Where: 3150 Roswell Road NW, Buckhead; 121 Sycamore St., Decatur

La Metro

Inside Ponce City Market, La Metro is an easy, fast-casual option that delivers on flavor. Known for its Spanish street food-style dishes like tortilla Española, jamón sandwiches and anchovy pintxos, it’s a great stop to enjoy while exploring the market. La Metro also offers sangria to-go, perfect for sipping while you stroll.

Check out our interview with Chef Hector Santiago, owner of La Metro.

Where: 675 Ponce De Leon Ave. NE

Madrid Spanish Taverna

Over on Marietta Street, Madrid Spanish Taverna brings the warmth of a true Spanish tavern to the Westside. The space is charming and cozy, and the food sticks closely to tradition with dishes like garlic mushrooms, lamb skewers and rich seafood paella. A glass of bold Spanish red or cava rounds out the experience beautifully.

Where: 930 Marietta St. NW

Sebastian Pintxos Bar

Sebastian Pintxos Bar, nestled in Midtown, is an ode to Northern Spain, especially the Basque Country. This intimate and artsy bar offers traditional pintxos — small bites often served on bread — alongside vermouth, Spanish gin and tonic, and sometimes even live flamenco music. It’s the kind of place that feels truly transportive, especially when you sip a botanical gin and tonic or a deep red vermut rojo.

Where: 818 Juniper St. NE

These Spanish tapas restaurants each bring a little piece of Spain to Atlanta, whether through the flavors of the coast, the streets of Madrid or the hills of Basque Country. They’re more than just places to eat—they’re places to gather, sip, share and celebrate the richness of Spanish cuisine and culture.

As Atlanta’s international dining scene continues to grow, so does the appreciation for authentic tapas and fine Spanish wines. Whether you’re here for the food, the wine or the fútbol, these restaurants invite you to slow down, pass the plate,and savor the experience. ¡Salud!

Explore more of Atlanta’s international food scene.

Sofia Espina is a bilingual Emmy Award-winning journalist who believes that everyone has a story to tell. She’s a strong advocate for diversity and inclusion, working to create a more equitable world.