Always a great experience at La Catalana. The food and service never disappoints. I love this hidden gem in our neighborhood. We came here to celebrate my birthday on a Friday night. Made a reservation a few days before and were seated right away. We ordered the squid ink paella. So delicious. Our server suggested we order it for 3 people even though we had 4. He was right. It was the perfect portion for the four of us accounting for the other dishes we shared. Everything is always good here. I don't think we've had a dish that we didn't like. We will slowly work our way through the menu because it is so delicious. The perfect, intimate spot for date nights or special occasions. You will be well taken care of. They did sing happy birthday to me but they asked if it was ok before hand. They also brought a special birthday dessert. read more

Great place and the food is amazing I really liked the arroz negro. Service is great Want to come back and try more tapas read more

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MADRE MÍA! That is all I can say. As someone whose family hails from Southern Spain, I am extremely picky about Spanish and Italian food--150%. Anyone raised in these cultures understands that. MAKE NO MISTAKE: this is not your everyday tapa place or a wannabe Spanish restaurant, nor is it overpriced elevated cuisine; this is the real deal. I have visited numerous times--once with a Spanish friend, then with my cousin, and later with two Greek friends. Each time has been a pleasure. My Greek friends were blown away by Montserrat's lamb recipe, which was impressive to them since, for Greeks, meat is synonymous with lamb. One very important aspect for me when eating lamb is that it should not have a heavy mutton flavor. This lamb was wonderful, to say the least! Here are the dishes I have tried and appreciated, in no particular order: XAI BITES Two ground lamb sliders with caramelized onions, red wine sauce and manchego cheese- THIS IS WHAT I AM TALKING ABOUT! - **AMANIDA CATALANA** - **LES NOSTRES "BRAVAS"**: Really nice potatoes cooked with brava sauce, a little spicy but perfect. - **GAMBAS AL AJILLO** - **OLIVES OR ACEITUNAS**: As we say in Spanish. In Catalan, they say OLIVES. - **PA AMB TOMÀQUET**: The first time I had this was in Catalunya. This region has perfected it--nice, toasted bread infused with garlic and tomato or as they say, TOMÀQUET (instead of TOMATE in Spanish). If you want to experience a rice dish similar to paella, I recommend the: - **FIDEUÀ**: Noodle paella with saffron, shrimp, calamari, and mussels. - **ZARZUELA DE MARISCOS**: A tomato-based Spanish seafood stew with saffron, calamari, shrimp, mussels, and clams. Try not to confuse this with the San Francisco-originated Cioppino; it is not the same. And the desserts--the flans and the rest--are top-notch, as is the sangria. ¡VIVA! My next visit, I will make sure to try the rioja rice and the morcilla based rice dish. ALL I CAN SAY IS BRAVO! read more

The paella was a great hit! There was live music on a Friday evening, which was a nice touch to the atmosphere.

Great ambiance and a lively atmosphere. The food was delicious, and they had a good selection of wines. The staff were kind and attentive, offering an all around great experience. The arugula salad was perfectly balanced with the goat cheese and fruits. The pimientos del piquillo were delicious, and were stuffed with spinach the day we visited. While the fruit sangria was decent, at $18 a glass I did not find it to be worth the price. read more

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Stopped by here with colleagues back in 2022 and absolutely loved it, the interior is cute can get loud, their paellas are delicious, and so are their drinks. We absolutely enjoyed the food, and the customer service was good too. There is plenty of parking outside. Overall great tapas spot read more

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Lovely Spanish Tapas & Wine bar. Nice ambience, decent service & food is really tasty. The Anchovies tapas were fresh & succulent. The Mushrooms were served in a tasty broth. Would have preferred the Chorizo's grilled. The Main dish - Arros de Mar - Seafood Paella was flavorful with two jumbo shrimp & a lots of clams, mussels & bits of shrimp with a nice burnt crust. Just found it a tad salty. Desserts were top notch - Flan & Custards. Overall a great dinning experience, very friendly service. Place was packed on Monday evening, reservations recommended. PS: Place had an elaborate wine menu, we didn't indulge, so can't comment. read more

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Came here for a birthday dinner. I've never seen this place, but it is right on first Street it is definitely a hidden gem. Parking is easy and close. The service was impeccable, and the food was absolutely delicious. The lamb sliders were my favorite, but everything else was a very close second. Portions are generous, and the three of us enjoyed a wonderful meal. Again, a hidden gem that is definitely a great place for a date night or gathering of friends. The dishes are great for sharing and everyone will find something they like. read more

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Plenty of reservations available online. Booked dinner reservations for a Tuesday evening. Wasn't expecting it to be crowded but it was, so I'd recommend making reservations ahead of time. Ambiance is fantastic, perfect for nicer occasions with the vibey lighting. Service was wonderful. The staff were professional and kind. They even gave us free samples of red wine to pair with the lamb sliders which was really nice of them! Free bread baskets with olive oil. We shared the potatoes (les nostres "bravas"), croquetas (had the choice of artichoke / crab and we went with artichoke), octopus (pulpo), lamb sliders (xai bites), and the paella with sausage and pork ribs (arros de muntanya). Potatoes came with a really good sauce but wished that the potatoes were crispier. Croquetas were fantastic! Octopus was pretty good but personally didn't find it to be a must. Lamb sliders were juicy and delicious! I'm usually not a huge fan of lamb but these were made well. Paella was solid - not the best paella I've had but it got the job done. They recommend eating the paella directly out of the pan with wooden spoons that they provide. Overall I would come back due to the well-rounded meal and fantastic service! read more

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It took me maybe 8 years to find out that this place ACTUALLY served authentic Spanish tapas. The signage from N 1st St is pretty simple so I had this impression that it was sub par and probably served lower-level dishes. Sorry! I was sorry! I am sorry! I had dinner with friends here and we had a table around the back. We were seated by who was going to be our sever (I can't recall his name ). The menu looked like a newsprint and pretty straightforward. If you're not familiar with Spanish tapas, the staff is very knowledgeable and happy to give you more information. Lighting is very ambient and they have small lamps on the tables which help see the dishes (it is a bit dark in some spots). I'll add pictures here of what we ordered (adding Pulpo here because we ate it too fast and I forgot to take a snapshot) and I liked all the plates EXCEPT the Arroz de Rabo and the Chorizo. The rice on our arroz de rabo was undercooked and so was the meat - the meat was tough and was a bit difficult to come off the bone. I love oxtail and I was a bit disappointed by this. The chorizo wasn't very tasty - i think all the dishes' intense flavors underwhelmed the chorizo. The Crema La Catalana was our dessert and hit the spot. What did I love the best? The white sangria - this was my favorite. I know, I know, it's a drink - but I love the sorbet balls that added to the taste. I had 2 glasses, mind you (and my wallet). $18 a glass isn't that bad for something very delicious. It's so good, I think about it often and wonder if I can get a glass Door Dashed Overall service was decent. They forgot to refill our waters and staff was breaking stuff - it was a busy night and like I said, it's quite dark in the dining area. I was with great company and to me, the food and that were all that mattered. The bar is pretty small - but you don't come here for the bar either . They have a separate room for... but this review is getting too long. So go ahead and make the reservation! You're welcome. read more

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10/10 will come again. Friend and I went here for some girl time catch up time, and it was a great all around. The atmosphere was great, the servers were great, and the food was all good. We ended up having a paella of sorts, a dish, and an appetizer by the server's rec and honestly it was more than enough food. All of them tasted great. And since our server was also knowledgeable about wine, his recommendations (we both have very different wine preferences) were spot on for both of us. Service was also really great. Their check ins were not too much, but not too little - it was obvious they kept an eye on our table because we never ran out of the complimentary bread (until we said no more) or water. And I never figured out why, but we were provided a free dessert which was really nice of them! We were even sitting/chatting away for about three-ish hours (i'm sure our server was irked... sorry!) but honestly I did not feel pressured to leave during my stay here which was very kind of them. During our visit, one of the owners made rounds to the tables, including ours, which I thought was great. It happens a lot in other countries but it's somewhat of a rarity in the area - and really, it was just great to see that level of involvement and care about the place by an owner who isn't in the kitchen themselves. We also learned this place is run together by a son and his mom - even rarer! They go every year (or twice?) to source wines directly which makes me excited to come back for their wines again. All in all, a family run local restaurant with great Spanish dishes, flare, and wine. I will be back! read more

Amazing ambiance & service. Although pricey. This cozy & classic restaurant on the corner I've passed too often not to try. I greatly appreciated the quality of the meal, wine & time w/loved ones. Although the paella was burnt on the bottom i didn't not mind as much as my company did. The pulpo was my favorite, my mouth is salivating thinking about it. W/the potato purée i coulda practically lick the plate clean. Lol read more

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Had a reservation for Valentine's Day and got seated right away. Upon entering you're immediately greeted by live music, which is something you can't find at many places. The band played both old and new love hits, which added to the dim romantic atmosphere. Apparently they have live music every weekend too. Cocktails: highly recommend the sangrias! The white sangria comes without fruit and instead uses scoops of lemon sorbet making it super unique. Tapas: the best part of the night! The brandada de bacalla (cod fish) was unbelievable! Goes great with bread. We also tried the croquettes - the flavors are chef's choice but for Valentine's Day the special was ham & caviar, which melted in our mouths! NY Steak: one of the specials on the Valentine's menu; honestly wasn't anything special - a little bit on the dry side for medium well and also chewy. Fideua de panxeta: we've had rice paellas at several places but have never found nor tried a noodle version. This was pretty good but we regret not getting the oxtail one after seeing other tables order it. The pork belly was honestly just small slices of bacon (compared to full pork belly pieces we've had elsewhere) and we already had serrano ham with the croquettes. It also has a kick, and we ordered a side of brava sauce to spice it up even more - highly recommend because it actually goes great with the noodles! Service was top notch - attentive for how busy it was and we got seated right away when coming early for our reservation. Will definitely be back to try more! read more

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I love the vibe, the food and the service here. It is definitely 10 out of 10, all the dishes are tasting good! read more

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We came here to celebrate an early birthday and had a wonderful time. Overall wasn't busy when we got there for dinner but the ambiance grew more lively as the evening progressed. The servers were very attentive and gave us gravest recommendations to try. We stuck to tapas and drinks. Tried both sangrias, which were excellent! Lamb sliders, jamón ibérico, and others. All tasted delicious and of good quality. They ended the evening with a small desert on the house which really made our night! We'd love to go back! read more

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Great wine selections and I really like their authentic Catalonia style seafood paella

If you're looking for a corporate event dinner, look no further -- La Catalana is the place. The host is incredibly easy to work with and will help plan every detail, accommodate table setups, and even let you decorate the room a few hours before the event starts. The waitstaff are super friendly and interactive, which creates a fun, lively vibe that guests immediately enjoy. And the food? Fantastic. Everything is great for sharing, and the super jumbo paella is delicious -- it will absolutely impress every guest. Highly recommend for team dinners, celebrations, or any special group event. read more

La Catalana - Jumbo Size Seafood Paella for the large group - Tapas Bars Near Me - San Jose, California

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I had the clams and the tuna tartar and I'm still dreaming about it days later. The Sangria (with the traditional fruits) is a MUST HAVE. Thank you Josh for your excellent service, once again!! They had a water bowl for our dog and the owner loves dogs! Definitely recommend!! read more

Everything went well. Came here on a Tues at 5:30pm. Upon entry, it was eye catching everywhere. I loved the decor and the entire setup. The lighting added to the mood - went for a dinner date with the hubs. I should've mentioned we were celebrating our 25 years anniversary! There's an outdoor patio. There are several pix of the restroom, hhhee. I had to; restroom pix are important bc it adds to the whole vibe. Anyways, service was on. Point. I didn't get our server's name but we were helped by more than just him; so, it was a group effort. They were all attentive warm and informative. The food! The food! 20/10 Brandada de Bacallà Catalan style cod fish, potatoes, olive oil, cream and Manchego cheese It might not sound as appetizing of a combo; but, be sure to order it! One of the people said it was one of the most ordered dishes on the menu. It was rich however, the bread aided in breaking it up. Pulpo Grilled Spanish octopus with smoked paprika potato puree The pulpo was cooked to perfection. So tender and flavorful. I could've eaten 2 more orders! Fideuà Negre Noodle paella with saffron, shrimp, calamari, mussels, squid ink and all i oli Each bite was heavenly Would go back to try more items. read more

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Service and ambience were great. I loved the creative touch of the menu looking like a newspaper! The food was good, but the portions felt a bit skimpy for the price. The flavors were nice, just not as bold or memorable as I expected from Spanish cuisine. Overall, still a pleasant experience, just wish there was a bit more flavor and value for the price. read more

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I've been coming here for about three years now and they NEVER disappoint. I've brought countless friends here over the years and even hosted my work holiday party here and every single person walks away an instant fan. There are two big reasons: the food and the service. The food is consistently delicious and high quality, and every visit instantly reminds me of my vacations in Spain. If it's your first time, I highly recommend the pulpo, xai bites, and the fideuà de panxeta. Their sangria is solid, and the staff always has great wine recommendations if you're not sure what to order. The service is just as memorable as the food. Josh and Roy are fantastic! They always recognize me when I come back and take great care of whoever I bring along. On my most recent visit they were absolutely slammed with a 40-person corporate party and multiple 10-person groups at the same time. Despite that, the kitchen still turned out great food and the staff never made us feel forgotten or rushed. Places like La Catalana are rare. They can maintain this level of food and hospitality year after year. A definite gem in San José. read more

We had the most amazing time tonight at La Catalana. We decided to give them a chance after having a horrible experience at Teleféric in Los Gatos. La Catalana is a much better restaurant, from the taste of the food to the atmosphere. The service was fantastic, everyone is super friendly and attentive. The owners were there checking up on all the tables to make sure everything was good. I really appreciated the family touch, Monse and her son really make you feel special. We will definitely be back for another date night with my husband. I highly recommend this restaurant.. It's my new favorite place! read more

This place is absolutely amazing and delicious. Everyone is so knowledgeable on the food and their respective pairings. David and his staff are always welcoming and highly encourage you to try it out for yourself! read more

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Beautiful atmosphere, lovely staff, felt like such a personal experience. Went with my long time friend for a girl's night and ended up being one of most enjoyable night. The food was mind-blowing and the wine recommendations on point. read more

La Catalana - Table setting - Tapas Bars Near Me - San Jose, California

Really cool tapas place with a cozy, dimly lit interior -- perfect for a date night or a relaxed dinner with someone special. The atmosphere feels intimate and warm, and the service matched the vibe perfectly. We tried the noodle version of paella, which was a fun and flavorful twist on the classic. They also offer Catalonian wines and regional dishes, which made the menu feel refreshing and different. My favorite was the beef cannelloni -- rich, savory, and beautifully presented. For two people, we ordered two appetizers, the noodle paella, and a glass of wine each -- just the right amount for a satisfying meal without feeling too heavy. Definitely a spot I'd recommend for anyone who enjoys creative Spanish flavors in a romantic setting. read more

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We celebrated our daughters birthday. Great food, great wine and good service. The restaurant was busy and the food came out hot. Will be back!! read more

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WOW. La Catalana is an absolute gem I have found thanks to Yelp. Very unassuming spot in a little plaza near all the companies. I had wanted to dine at La Catalana back in March 2020 and then the pandemic happened. So glad it has still been on my list to go, and after dining here, it definitely will be a go to spot. Had reservations for 5 and we had a nice little table in the back. It's not a large restaurant but plenty of outdoor seating though it was too hot on this day. Josh, our server, took amazing care of us from beginning to end. Super attentive, knowledgeable, and remembered our long list of orders without jotting them down! We already had our dishes that we wanted to order, and with Josh's recommendations that validated most of them, we had plenty of dishes to eat from. We first started with sangrias and he was able to modify them to our taste. They were refreshing and tasty for the hot day! We were given some bread to eat with the tastiest olive oil ever. Les Nostres Bravas - perfectly fried potatoes with the yummiest sauce, great for dipping your bread into. Tortilla de patata - one of my most fondest dishes I remember from Spain, a comfort food with potatoes, eggs, and onions. Croquetas - they were serrano ham and chicken that day, and it was a heavier dish but really flavorful. Pulpo - this is a must order dish for me though most of the time it's overcooked. This dish was cooked perfectly, super tender. We loved it so much, we had to order another one. The sauce is also decadent, another great dipping sauce. Boquerones - this was such a simple dish and loved the tomatoes on the dish, paired great with the potato chips. Morcilla de arroz - I'm not a blood sausage fan, but this one was really good and had wonderful flavors. Xai bites - were yummy lamb sliders though the manchego cheese which I love, overpowered the lamb. For the paella, we did a 2 serving of the Arros de Mar, the classic seafood paella. This was the only disappointment of the meal and reminded me of Spain. Overly seasoned with salt. Seafood is already salty but this dish was just way too salty for our taste. We also ordered a 2 serving of the Arros de Rabo. The oxtail was just falling off the bone, so tender and flavorful. This was the star paella of the night and one of the dishes we'd order again and again. We were also given a version of creme brulee that was more vanilla and cinnamon flavored. I'm not a creme brulee fan, but this was yummy! Everyone was in full agreement that La Catalana was wonderful, better than the other Spanish restaurants around (one even said better than the food she's had in Barcelona!), service was amazing, and we will be back again and again! read more

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I have been to other Spanish restaurants and even Michelin star restaurants and I have to say that the service here was personable and attentive. Josh was great. He was friendly and recommended the tapas to get. Bonus points he even recommended the wine and talked about pairings. The tapas are delicious. It's a step a above Teleferic and Oveja Negra. The paella is just average though but I am willing to give the fideua a try . read more

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Definitely a good date night spot. Classy vibe but not fancy enough that you can't bring your kids. (We sat outside with ours). The food was really all quite good. Tortilla espanola was particularly good. As were the croquetas. We also got arugula salad, patatas al aioli, patatas bravas (which were actually spicy! So not super Spanish I suppose. Haha), gambas con ajo. All were quite good. One of the cheeses on the cheese and fruit board was particularly good. Small portions on everything. Classic Spanish drinks. They actually had Spanish beer which was nice. Quick service. My kids loved the bread. Definitely on the spendy side, but like I said - good date spot. read more

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We ended up here at La Catalana after one of our favorite restaurants was closed for the evening. What a pleasant surprise. Xavier Roselló was a great host and Josh N was a fantastic waiter. Wonderfully tasty shareable plates complimented with great wine. What more could you ask for? Oh yeah, live music!! We had AMANIDA CATALANA, CROQUETAS, TALL del DIA, and a special, PRAWNS WITH LENTILS. All of them delicious!! The owner Montserrat Roselló greeted us and thanked us for waiting. We made sure to thank Montserrat, Xavier and the staff as we departed. A must return. Couldn't have been better. Thank you Xavier. read more

La Catalana - Tapas Bars Near Me - San Jose, California

5/5 good food and great ambiance. Make sure you ask to be seated in Josh's area. He knows the food, suggests great drink options, and will take care of you and ensure the experience is special. read more

La Catalana - Cava wine - Giro Del Gorner. Pairs well with seafood paella. Thanks for the suggestion, Josh! - Tapas Bars Near Me - San Jose, California

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Nondescript spot in a little strip mall, but surprisingly vibrant and cozy inside. Great spot for an intimate date night. Spanish music, food and wine, what more could you want? Tapas were light, tasty and authentic. Wine list was extensive and organized by region. Service was good, but tapered out toward the end as things got busy. Dessert and coffee options were a little lacking! Wish they had churros con chocolat- would have been a great way to round out the otherwise delightful meal and experience! Would recommend if you love tapas but can't afford a plane ticket to Spain right now read more

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The food and the atmosphere is amazing and pretty. 10/10, would recommend. Service is also really good, they are nice and explain how/the best way to eat what you ordered. Also, the dessert is also really good. I got the Crema Catalana. read more

La Catalana - Fideuà De Rabo and Arròs De Muntanya - Tapas Bars Near Me - San Jose, California

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Hola estuve en este elegante restaurante ayer por motivo de una posada navideña que organizó mi jefe Integrum y quede muy impresionado con la calidad de comida y bebidas todo muy rico y la música de violín en vivo muy agradable gracias y lo principal todo el personal muy amable m, estoy seguro que regresaré pronto. read more

La Catalana - Margarita - Tapas Bars Near Me - San Jose, California

My favorite restaurant- by far -in the San Jose/Santa Clara area! The food is always delicious--my must-haves are the oxtail paella, octopus and the gambas al ajillo - shell on. Peeling them might seem like a bit of work, but trust me--it's absolutely worth it. Spectacular service as well: Roi is incredibly knowledgeable about his wines and pairs them perfectly with the food. Cozy atmosphere and a wonderful experience every time. I truly can't recommend it enough! read more

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Last minute reservations on a Sat night. Easy parking. Nice warm, and very homey interior. Felt very comfortable. The owner was there (her picture was on the menu). Very quiet, and somewhat shy. I was expecting her to be more vibrant. Maybe she was sick. Good bread service with high quality olive oil. Tried the patatas bravas, cannelloni with beef, octopus and cauliflower steak. Good portion sizes for the money, well executed dishes, well presented and just really good cooking. The Octopus was without that kinda slimy underbelly, which I appreciated. Tender with good grill marks. Potatoes were crispy and pillowy on the inside and the bra as sauce was flavorful and somewhat unique. Cauliflowers was a thick, well braised with lots of garlic!! Very pleased with our meal, service, value and atmosphere. Will definitely return. read more

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Partition is definitely on a generous side.... First time trying oxtail paella, not bad, but I still prefer with seafood Good vibe and prices reasonable Perfect for a date night! read more

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The perfect place to enjoy tapas, live music, and Spanish wine! I had a delightful experience here celebrating a special occasion with a friend. I'd say the chorizo croquetas are a must!! I would order it every single time. The patatas bravas were also amazing. Bring cash to tip the live music performers- they will not take no for an answer. We didn't have cash and they insisted us to Venmo or Zelle them. It was a little rude that they insisted we tip them no matter what... read more

La Catalana - Creme brulee on the house :) - Tapas Bars Near Me - San Jose, California

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We came in tonight and had such a wonderful evening! They have a small patio with a cozy and warm vibe! Ordered a 24 month aged cava. Ordered Amanida Catalana salad - yummy and so fresh, gambas, octopus, and the special of the day - Tripe! Everything was absolutely delicious! We will definitely come back with our friends/families! read more

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This place is a gem. From the street, it looks like a humble strip mall. However, when you enter the restaurant, you are greeted by a sophisticated yet inviting space, friendly staff, and the feeling that you've found something truly special. The interior is beautifully decorated and features art and imagery from Spain as well as beautiful, healthy live plants. Their wine selection is carefully curated, and the staff are knowledgeable if you have questions. The food is absolutely amazing. Everything I tried was divine. I especially enjoyed the fideuá and pulpo, although you really can't go wrong with their menu. We happened to go on a Friday and were treated to live music. Initially we thought it might be too loud but once they started, it ended up being just the right volume for casual conversation and ambiance. I am planning on coming back soon! read more

La Catalana - Pulpo - Tapas Bars Near Me - San Jose, California

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