So good from start to finish. Everything we ordered hit, and I already know I'll be back to try the…read morerest of the menu. Service was great. Our server was attentive and around when we needed something but never interrupting, and his recommendations ended up being some of our favourite dishes. The anchovy olives were a standout, super crispy, packed with flavour, and not overly fishy at all (great if you're a bit hesitant about anchovies). The mushroom toast was rich, savoury, and full of umami. Just a heads up not to let it sit too long since it softens the bread. The tuna tartare was fresh and well-balanced. Not my personal favourite served on toast, but still really enjoyable overall. The paella was excellent, perfectly cooked shrimp, tclams, and crispy pork belly chicharrón that added the best salty, fatty crunch. The roasted cabbage completely surprised me and was easily one of the best veggie dishes I've had in a while. I could have eaten a whole plate of it. We wrapped things up with churros and shared a pitcher of sangria. For three people, it came out to about $68 each before tip, which felt very fair for how much we ordered. Would definitely recommend.

The service was friendly and prompt but we were a bit disappointed by the food…read more We ordered the meat and cheese plate and they did say one of the options was fattier, but it was essentially a strip of fat (as you can see in the photo). As well, the manchego was so tiny it was like a shaving . The bone marrow amounted to about three teaspoons of marrow. We were so sad and dissatisfied. The patatas bravas was okay. Unfortunately we do not have a reason to return.

5 pintxos for $32. We shared a plate of 5 + a slice of tortilla and that was enough for 2, athough…read morewe were not very hungry. It is a tapas bar, limited options. They have 8 kinds of pintxos, cheese, charcuterie, and some side dishes. So for a light dinner or pre dinner, this is a good place. It's casual so don't expect fancy service. Staff is nice and welcoming. They had live music (Spanish guitar soloist) which was a nice touch. Rating is more like 3.5, food and value is ok, but venue and ambiance is one of a kind.

The last time I had visited La Boqueria was during its soft opening, which seems like so many years…read moreago but I'm very glad to say that i was able to come back post-lockdown for another unforgettably great meal! We had begun our night at Bar Gobo and just was not feeling it, so we decided to come to La Boqueria instead for dinner. We were able to get a table right away with a quick phone call, and they saved us a table upon our arrival! We mainly came here for wine and the delicious Pintxos, and between the two of us we shared a bottle of the Blasted Church Hatfields Fuse, and a platter of 5 Pintxos (great date meal!). Due to the current circumstances they seemed to be understaffed so the food was taking longer than usual so they offered us a complimentary dish of Pulpo a la Gallega - perfectly cooked giant octopus with potato, mayo and paprika - if I knew how delicious it was I would have definitely ordered it as an appy! The Pintxos are to die for - perfect for sharing. Our favourite was probably the negitoro, and the ultimate sardine. The platter of 5 is a perfect portion for 2 people and a great way to try a selection of Pintxos and a delicious explosion of variety of flavors. This place is a must-visit for seafood lovers, and such a unique offering comparing to the many tapas options in the city. My only feedback is I would have probably liked a more extensive list of red wine; maybe more full bodied reds? The cocktail list also looks amazing as well but sharing a bottle of wine is such a great date idea that we decided to leave the cocktails for our next visit. If you are looking for an unique romantic date night spot, I would highly recommend La Boqueria because it will be sure to delight and surprise your date with a great meal, ambiance, and great service. Truly a hidden gem in Vancouver for seafood and wine lovers. They are only open for dinner service for now so be sure to make a reservation.

2nd time visiting after several years and this time our party of four had the HH food and drink…read moreitems as well as food items that were on the dinner menu. Overall I felt the dishes were solid but some such as the calamari could have had cooked longer to show some browning on the outside of the rings as the outside of the calamari looked anemic. We were fortunate that our party of four was able to be seated comfortably in the booth next to the front window which provided a view of the street. Four stars for today's experience and five stars with the Host and server who was assigned to our table.

Been to Bodega on Main for a few visits. Tried their happy hour (3pm-6pm daily, 10pm to late…read moreSunday-Thursday). They're next door to Torafuku. Happy hour consists of 9 items and drinks. Service was okay but had to ask for water multiple times. - La hora del vermut ($10.00 HH) - doesn't beat any house vermouths in Spain - Ensalada mixta ($12.00 HH) - plain - Patatas bravas ($8.00 HH) - standard - Arroz espanol ($14.00 HH) - seafood rice pilaf (basically a mini paella) was bland - Jamon serrano ($14.00 HH) - paper thin slices - Calamares fritos ($15.00 HH) - serviceable - Montaditos de lomo ($13.00 HH) - two pieces of pork on bread. Not what we were expecting - Pollo frito ($12.00 HH) - three overcooked wings - Churros ($11.00 HH) - lacked a satisfying bite. Chocolate sauce had an odd after taste

I have to give my husband credit for finding this little hole in the wall…read more Being a long time foodie, aside from the food itself I tend to lean towards experiences and this was one of them. From the outside,it looked like a normal house in an industrial area. But walking through the doors, I was greeted by what felt like family! The decor was minimalistic but packed with so much flavour ( just like the food). We got the fois gras which was unlike any other I've had. It was covered with a sugary brûlée crust that added so much more dimension to its flavour and texture. This was also served with bread from the local bakery. We also got the seafood paella, which was super intimidating at first the platter looked HUGE on the table next to us, but turned out to be a good size. Really happy with the experience.

We had reservations for a Wednesday night at the tiny but inviting Casa Molina on Manitoba Street…read morein Mount Pleasant. The cozy converted house was full but not loud with dim lighting and close‑set tables for an almost home‑dinner vibe. From my visit, we shared three standout plates. The alcachofas con jamón paired confit baby artichokes with roasted onion and jamón Ibérico. It was a good balance of textures and classic Spanish seasoning. The ensalada de ajo blanco con tomates asados y atún semicurado brought a creamier, richer profile: silky almond‑garlic dressing on fire‑roasted tomatoes with chunks of semi‑cured tuna and a drizzle of ash oil that added a nice aromatic note. The arroz negro arrived with seafood mixed into deeply flavoured squid‑ink rice; it was hot, savoury, and rich, perfect with a squeeze of lemon and garlicky aioli. Service was a definite high point! It was warm, knowledgeable, and paced so we weren't rushed. Portions were generous enough for sharing among two, especially with the more substantial rice dish in play. That said, the overall meal trended toward the rich and dense, so pairing with a couple of the lighter salads or crisp wines next time would help round things out. Would recommend for for date nights, small groups, or anyone curious about Spanish flavours. Lighter eaters might want to mix in a salad or a vegetable forward plate to balance the richer offerings.

First time to Como Taperia and we were impressed! All dishes were well plated and flavourful. The…read morehen dish was a stand out. We'll be back!

This is the coolest happy hour deal. Every time you order a drink, you get a free tapa to go with…read moreit. We got to try octopus, pan con tomate, and chorizo toast. They kept bringing out new ones during happy hour which was cool to see the options. The happy hour area is standing only at the olive bar and it can fill up very quickly. I would recommend getting there as soon as it starts at 4 pm. The vibes inside were very cool with a new Barcelona highlights reel playing every few minutes and the bathroom wallpaper is filled with soccer players. I would say it's very worth going here for happy hour from 4-5

Always enjoy the food here and their unique dishes. It is not just your run of the mill tacos here…read more These are elevated tacos. Beef steak tacos have a nice sauce and it was really tender. The pork taco comes with a piece chicharron. We also had the lamb on mashed potatoes main entre. It was tasty and tender but wished they give us more lamb though. It would be 5 star if there was sufficient lamb. It came very 3 heaping spoonful of mashed potatoes which was very nicely seasoned. Service was great and the restaurant is nicely decorated.

Service was a little slow, but we had a very large group. Drinks were fantastic and those came…read morequickly. Ambiance was really comfortable. One of the dishes ordered was never put in. Other than that, it was a lovely evening. Would go back in a smaller group.

Freshly made pasta with delicious sauces. The squid ink pasta was amazing both in execution and…read moretaste. Could have used a little less sauce or a way to control it though. Nonetheless, excellent dish. Dinner * Squid ink pasta (Excellent) * Ragu (Very good)

This tiny little restaurant is quaint and perfect for dinner on the patio…read more Service is prompt, don't expect bread service and the menu is very limited. Might be an off day but the ravioli was way under cooked and very chewy and tagliatelle too salty. Lovely patio in the summer.

EL MERCAT Spanish Food…read more Summer Pop Up Store We tried some samples: Gazpacho A traditional Spanish drink that was mixed of tomato, cucumber, onion, bell pepper, garlic, cider vinegar, olive oil, salt, black pepper Traditionally, gazpacho is a fresh, puréed tomato soup of Spanish origin. It typically is made with lots of garlic, onions, bell peppers and cucumbers. This was refreshing and bursting with fresh-from-the-garden flavors. This was like non-alcoholic Spanish version of Tomato Caesar Drink. Taste: 3/5 Sangria - in house drink This tasted very refreshing with fruity smell and flavor. Taste: 4/5 Tortilla De Patatas Spanish omelette or Spanish tortilla is a traditional dish from Spain and one of the signature dishes in the Spanish cuisine. It is an omelette made with eggs and potatoes, optionally including onion. It is often served at room temperature as a tapa. Wikipedia It tasted good as an appetizer. The texture was like a breakfast potatoes with onions in omelette. I would like this to be served in hot. Taste: 3.5/5 Quillo Potato Chips - 100% olive oil and salt This Spanish potato chips were crunchy, crispy with a perfect balance of olive oil and salt. I like it. Taste: 4/5 Acorn Fed 100% Iberian Bellota Ham, Hand-cut It's about Cdn $3000 for the whole leg. It was not for samplings but luckily the staff hand-cut a small slice for us. He explained why this ham is premium quality & taste. This ham is from free range pigs that only fed with 100% acorns. Omg, it tasted amazingly delicious. It was like melt in your mouth with a rich aromatic flavor. Taste: 5/5 Unfortunately we came in late afternoon, other tapas and Basque-style Cheesecake samples were gone. Follow me @eatisvibikki #eatisvibikki #vibikki #gazpacho #sangria #tortilladepatatas #quillopotatochips #acornfed100% #IberianBellotaHam #spanishfood #chilltime #foodsample #popupstore #getinmybelly #fullbelly #yelpvancouver #foodphotography #dishedvancouver #yvreats #burnabyfoodies #instafood #foodblogger #foodbloggers #foodstagram #vancouverfoodie #spanishfoodie #cameraeatfirst #cameradrinkfirst #canada

From the owner: Inspired by the historic food "markets" of Spain, El Mercat is a love letter to the most authentic…read moreSpanish gastronomy. Featuring the delicious diversity of foods from all corners of one of the world's richest and healthiest cuisines. There is something for every taste - from a quick bite to a lively tapas crawl to a leisurely Spanish dinner. Experience the most authentic Spanish cuisine directly at your table--no passport required.

Authentic, flavorful, friendly. A neighborhood fav…read more Everything is good here. Only critique - I wish they sold tamales by the bag.

Finally tried El Inka Restaurant for a weekday lunch. They do a mix of…read moreColombian/Peruvian/Salvadorian/Mexican dishes. The inside is no frills with 26 seats (7 tables). Service was friendly. Main dishes are $14.50 to $32.00. Sadly, no pupusas when we went. - 3x Empanada Colombiana ($1.50) - hot, crunchy - Tamal ($5.00) - chicken was a touch dry but good flavour. Topped with pickled red onion - Arroz con pollo ($14.50) - best dish that we ordered. Tasty green rice (with peas and diced carrots), chicken leg was nicely roasted - Bandeja paisa ($27.00) - crispy chicharron, tasty chorizo sausage. Not much shredded beef. Pricey plate; would try something else instead - Picado criolla ($21.00) - cassava and plantain were great. Nice variety with pork ribs, sausage, potato