I've been to MOVIDA twice -- once for a happy hour and more recently for dinner with a large group. The happy hour was great! I enjoyed the oysters and cava and shared some tostas, and everyone I was with has gone back at least once. Our dinner really could have been a disaster. I picked it for our group because my sister had been wanting to go there and it was her bachelorette party. However, it was a true adventure for about half the people who came, who had never had tapas and usually stick with chicken-and-a-starch type meals. There was a moment when we were looking at the menus where I was inwardly freaking out about whether or not people would eat (there is no basic chicken dish on the menu). Our waitress came to my rescue and helped everyone feel comfortable ordering and ensure that we had a variety of dishes everyone would enjoy. By the end of the evening we had a few people saying "Wow! I can't believe I tried that, but it was really good." And it wasn't just our tapas newbies who were happy -- everyone else really loved the food. (The salmon tostas and seafood paella were my personal favorites.) With the exception of the paellas, the food came it a nice, steady stream and every item was a great size for sharing. The paellas were awesome (and the presentation is beautiful), but we over-ordered (the waitress said they were individually portioned, but with the amount of tapas we ordered, we definitely should have shared, which was our original plan), and it took almost an hour for them to arrive (menu says a half hour). In addition to the slow paella, we had a little misunderstanding about one dish (which I didn't think was the restaurant's fault -- I though it was probably ours), and not only did they not charge us for the dish, but the manager came in person to apologize and presented us with a complementary dessert board. I thought it was really classy that they went so far to try to make things right (further than they needed to), especially since we were kind of a difficult group. I felt like they were really trying to make sure that our night was great and recognized that it was a special occasion for my sister. So, despite a few wobbles, I'm giving Movida four stars because the food was outstanding and they really care about making their customers happy. read more

This place is PHENOMENAL. We stopped by tonight for my sister's birthday and we had a blast. The service: We had a larger dinner party and they readily accommodated us. Our server, Danielle, gave some of the best service I think I've seen in a while. She was very knowledgable about their menu, as well as their drink selection and gave wonderful suggestions. I was most impressed by her understanding of the background of the food and some of her recommended drink pairings based on our tastes. Everyone we met with there was welcoming and eager to assist our needs. We even met the owners, who brought a special birthday drink out to our table. The atmosphere: very rustic and what I like to consider 'hipster' - but not in a pretentious way. It was mentioned that their tables were all handmade, which I think is wonderful. There were pictures of prominent Spanish figures, and what I've come to know as cream city brick. The lighting could have been a little better - but otherwise the place is gorgeous. The food: DELICIOUS. And that doesn't even begin to describe it. We had a nice spread of small plates/tapas, and they were all full of a variety of flavored. My personal favorites were the pork tenderloin and the croquettes. Their old fashions are also good. The bottom line: come here for the food, come here for the service. I don't know that I have been this excited about a restaurant in Milwaukee for a long time. Excited to see what else these people come up with! read more

Beautiful restaurant. Fun food. We went with a group of 9 people and the service was very good. They have a nice wine list. We ordered 3 paellas, the seafood being my favorite. The mushroom croquettes were to die for. Definitely have a Gazpacho shot...loved it! The sliders were the only thing no one liked...they had an unusual taste to them. Other than that, I can't wait to come back and try some more dishes. read more

Movida - Spanish Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

We made a reservation the day before and were offered 2 options. Our table was, indeed ready when we arrived despite the dining room being full (and a little cramped). Dinner was very good. We loved every dish. The flavors were robust and traditional with sauces providing a welcome twist. Prices were appropriate. Service was slightly above average. Servers are well educated on the menu. Portions were very small. I know this is small plate but this is also Wisconsin. Most plates came with 3 portions but we were a table of four. Just add one more and I think everyone will be happy. Also a little more generous with sauces as they were not sufficient for pairing. One last thought. I would like to see the menu stay more traditional. There is no shortage of "fusion tapas" but Milwaukee desperately needs traditional Spanish flavors. read more

The food was awesome and our server was fantastic. We went for NYE and the experience was amazing. I highly recommend the pork cheeks. So delicious and tender. read more

Love the space. The wood, the big window, the witty quotes above the bar. Super cozy. But for me the food failed to live up to the hype. The cauliflower soup was delicious; creamy without being overly heavy, but yet a little flat and in need of some kind of spice. Oddly though, my soup came out at a normal temperature while my nephew's was so hot he couldn't eat it for quite some time. The eggplant was soggy, as if it needed more time with salt to draw the water out and the honey was completely lost with the fried coating. I also had some other toast that was so unremarkable I cannot remember it now, though I recall thinking it was soggy and just okay. Service was friendly but scattered with some of us getting 3 dishes at once and others sitting with nothing. I understand that the dishes come out as they are ready, but it seems like they should consider the table when deciding the order of which to prepare things. On the plus side, the servings were more than generous and with 3 plates I left fully stuffed. I can't wait to go back for the flamenco on Tuesday nights. read more

Haha I've tried to come here on 3 separate occasions for dinner before I succeeded. Closed on monday, private event, and just too long of a wait... but I finally made it happen! I don't think I've ever disliked any spanish tapas, so instead being pointless and saying everything=good, I'll highlight what I really really liked. The gazpacho was very distinct and surprising. It had a great bright fresh flavor, enough to change my view of gazpacho as a dish overall. The pork belly tosta was excellent... I know not everyone loves the richness of pig belly... but the char cooked onto it, and the balance of sweetness from the fig and cider braise makes it something very special. Finally the paella... they are in smaller portions, which is a great idea. In case if I ever accidentally dine with someone that hates it (gasp), I can just happily eat it by myself. read more

I was very excited to try this place as we don't make it to Milwaukee very often, but in the end we were disappointed. I really liked the atmosphere of the place - it was full of interesting people having a good time. And we were prepared to be a part of that. But we didn't come as much for the vibe as for the food, and on that front, Movida fell flat. Coming in, we were aware that the paellas take a while to cook, as you have to give the rice an opportunity to crisp up on the bottom, so we ordered them as soon as we were brought to our table. They came later into the dinner, each in its own little iron skillet, adorned with various seafood. And though the seafood was cooked well and had good flavor, the rice much less so. It was bland, overcooked and steamy, having none of the promised socarrat or flavor. It was as if someone had spooned on some rice and topped it with seafood - hardly a 40 minute endeavor. The empanadillas and jamon croquetas suffered from a similar lack of flavor. Though I did enjoy the texture of the croquetas - with a golden crispy outside and smooth creamy inside. I also enjoyed the texture of the tartare, even if it was under salted. The one standout dish was the octopus. It was grilled perfectly, cut on the bias into thin slivers to show its juicy interior. It was definitely one of the better octopus dishes I've had. Order it. Our waitress was very pleasant, though not yet fully familiar with the menu. The host was clueless. While we waited for our table, we had a glass of the 1312 cava, which was some of the driest bubbly I've ever had. With dinner, we ordered a bottle of Scala Dei Priorat, which was underwhelming. Food is more than just about appearances and unfortunately, Movida's charm is only skin deep. read more

MOVIDA brings Spanish Tapas to another level. Seriously! I'm a Californian now living in Chicago and I've been to my fair share of Spanish tapas restaurants and MOVIDA brings up the bar to a whole complete different level. I think this comes from the inspiration of one the owners actually being from Spain. Every plate is authentic Spanish! Bravo! Plus, the drinks were phenomenal! My advice....if dinner for 2, order your choice of paella at the beginning. Then order 2 to 3 tapas. A definite go to restaurant! read more

I walked into this place knowing spainards cook up some mean food I mean, what the heck is paella? I'm still not sure what was in it but daaaaamn. Go and get your self a red wine and lots of meats read more

If you are a foodie with a taste for the finer things, this place is for you! Everything here is excellent every time. Amazing cocktails. Might be my favorite restaurant in Milwaukee! read more

A hotel patron recommended this place to me and I was oh so pleasantly surprised and delighted! The atmosphere has such a cool vibe (eclectic without being stuffy or overbearing), the wait staff are thoroughly knowledgeable about the wine and the food and I must say, the food was outstanding. I had the sopa, the Lomo Tosta (it's pork but could have sworn I was eating a fine steak), and the heavenly lavender cheesecake. I was not disappointed! All of their desserts are made in house and went through many testings until they perfected each recipe. Seriously, I could not get enough of this place! Next time I come back (which I hope will be many, many times) I'm trying the paella. Can't wait! Thank you to my bartender/server, Aria. You helped make it a very memorable experience for me. I'm already looking forward to my next visit!! read more

First visit and it was a winner! Amanda was our server, extremely knowledgeable with great suggestions. Loma Tosta was excellent and looked just like the photo. We shared tagliatelle and Dry Aged NY steak--oh my, what taste and visual sensations! Chocolate Tart and Manchego Cake for desserts; oh so good! Noise level was perfect. We expected the sounds of Spanish guitars but heard an eclectic mix of everything. Smaller menu, so they can concentrate on doing everything well. Online it said something like dressy casual, but I saw well dressed in addition to jeans and a hoodie. We'll definitely go back again :) read more

I loved everything about this restaurant. The ambiance was amazing, the food was stellar and we had great service. I studied abroad in Madrid in college and this place made me feel like I was back there! I will definitely be back. read more

Went for brunch - one of the best ideas I may have ever had. The red sangria is to die for so definitely try it. All of the food was impeccably plated and the tastes even better than it looked. The owners are typically on-site and very friendly! Wait staff is prompt, courteous, and willing to provide a suggestion for something new to try! read more

Heard good things about this spot, do people even have taste buds? Their top paella dish was a huge disappointment. Was recommended to get the Movida paella by my server since it had more flavor. It had no flavor at all! The chorizo and chicken were dry and bland. I couldn't even taste the flavor in the Spanish olives. It was like eating a plain bowl of rice with lousy aioli on top. The ingredients weren't balanced. Will not be coming back. read more

This restaurant has quickly become my go to since appearing on the Walker's Point scene. I take my friends from out of town here (big foodies) and they're always impressed. SN: make a reservation bc they fill up fast. Firstly, holy specials! There are specials daily, such as their all night happy hours on Mondays. Great way to start off the week! Movida is a social place so expect good vibes and nice conversation, especially with your servers and bartenders. They know the food, they know the drink, and they craft awesome experiences. On to the food. The PAELLA--I recommend the seafood--and yes, you should get it. After spending some time in Spain, I'll say they've got it right. Come hungry because it's a lot! Spain is all about wine, and Movida has a great selection, but they've really mastered the art of the cocktail. "You're No Daisy" is my go-to cocktail. Recently, I've taken interest in some of Movida's special events/dinners. Again, this team knows what they're doing. Tickets often sell out fast so you'll want to follow their Insta and/or fb page where these events are posted first. I recently attended a wine dinner they held that was phenomenal! All in all, Milwaukee has a lot of places for good food. What Movida brings to the table is an all around EXPERIENCE which is more than just food. I'm happy that Walker's Point has a restaurant committed to that. Lastly, don't forget to finish off your meal with a Porron. It's tradition ;) read more

Absolutely FANTASTIC! From the steak tartare to the Manchego cheesecake this place is the spot to come to in the Milwaukee area for beautiful and breathtaking Spanish cuisine. Whenever we get the chance to come back to Milwaukee, we will make it to MOVIDA! read more

Movida - Spanish Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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Great evening at Movida tonight! Went in with a group of 6 for some bonding time. Lucky for the 3 ladies it was Women Wine Wednesday- first glass of wine is free! They only offer it for 1 varietal of red and 1 white, but I was pleasantly surprised at how great the red was!! More importantly the food: So we shared a couple orders of the Lomo tosta- its a must! After all of the dishes we had, we said we'd for sure have at least 2 more of them! We also had the Short rib tosta- came with a nice touch of pomegranate seeds for crunch and acidity- beautiful job! We had the octopus, which was good yet measly for the $11. It was more potato than octopus- I'd like to see more meat next time! We also shared some manchego and serrano- both delicious and came with great crusty breads and accoutrements. The paella movida was a nice bite, but I don't think I'd order it again- the tostas were definitely where its at!! The ambience and décor were warm, welcoming, and very European- loved it! The service was great and timely as well! Highly recommend! Would like to see a bit more value for the $, but definitely not a wallet buster compared to some other places around! read more

This is my favorite spot in Walker's Point. The food, cocktails, service, management, and atmosphere are all top notch. Brought a group of 9 here recently for a birthday and couldn't have asked for better service. Do not pass up on this place if you're in WP. Parking is pretty easy to find out front otherwise they have a gravel lot a block east by the high school. read more

Stopped by for a drink after dinner on a Saturday night. Really a fun vibe. Extensive drink menu. Bartenders knew what they were doing. Place was hopping. Am definitely going to have to go back for dinner and would definitely recommend if you are looking for a cool place to grab a drink. read more

I am writing this review with so much regret. There is so much to be happy about with Movida, and there is an abundance of sadness at the same time. I have had 2 poor experiences and 1 amazing experience at Movida. These have been moments of so much happiness and also dissatisfaction. This spot is an absolute 5 star review and worth a visit no matter what anyone, including myself, writes on Yelp. I have had absolutely the worst service of my life with amazing food, and the best service with the worst food. The croquettas and empanadillas are always a go-to item. The boards are great all the time and something to rely on. As for the Paella, the recent change to a larger serving has hand cuffed local meat meat/seafood eaters with vegetarian/vegan girlfriends or boyfriends. I love meat and seafood. It is who I am and I will never change, but my "finicky vegetarian" girlfriend as referred to in the past, has not and will not adapt to the ways of the carnivore lifestyle. Ultimately, leaving me to enjoy the oh so sweet and tender beets that were included in the vegetable Paella. Let's be clear all!!! I am a good boyfriend and sacrifice where necessary because I am a versatile consumer, but the veggie Paella was not doing what other veggie dishes I have consumed, any sort of justice. Movida is a hit and worth a visit. I do not want to deter you based off a few experiences Bc the food is good. Before the change to larger portions there were smaller and cheaper portions that speak to the tapas way. Movida.... Go back to the less expensive and smaller dishes. I love you but I will not go back after last nights visit. P.S. The manchego cheesecake is heaven. read more

Excellent!: cozy patio dining, great service and deletable food.

Movida is still just a baby in the restaurant world. It's got to crawl before it can stand up against some of the Walker's Point hot-spots, but I see potential. From the drinks stand point, this place gets 5 stars. Its craft cocktails were on point. The Spanish Margarita, Madrid Mule, Chancellor, something bourbon-y created on the spot by the bartender, and the layered watermelon shots the manager sent over were all balanced, boozy and totally unique to the plethora of other drinks I've consumed. Now that you think I'm an alcoholic... on to the food. We ordered a bunch of items to sample: the Lomo Tosta, Shrimp, Stuffed Piquillo, Pork Belly Pepito, Broken Egg. I mean it was good, but I was still sort of left wanting more (flavor profile wise, not because I have a bottomless pit for a stomach and was still hungry.) We also got the paella, which left me the most disappointed, I think. When I imagine paella, I picture a HUGE pot filled with deliciousness that's meant for sharing with a large group over multiple bottles of Temparnillo. But Movida does individual sized, little skillets of deliciousness... and I just don't know how I feel about that. I suppose it goes along with the whole small plate craze, but "small plate paella" sounds like an oxymoron to me. Anyways, go try it. The atmosphere is cool, and the staff was extremely nice and welcoming. read more

I love the slightly quirky, but classy vibe of Movida. The service was fantastic & very attentive. We ordered several tapas. The jamon iberico was amazing! I haven't had this level of quality jamon since spending time in Spain!! The tortilla & cheeses were tasty as well. Looking forward to my next visit & trying more menu items! read more

I. Love. This. Place. The creative and adventurous menu makes me want to go back again and again and again. I LITERALLY dream about the serrano ham, holy cow (or pig in this case) is that stuff GOOD! Ive sat at the bar and had nibbles with friends and in the dining room -- with the same friends now that I think about it -- and have absolutely nothing to complain about. I always know I am going to get something I have either not tried or dont have a chance to have very often. I love that. Especially here in Milwaukee. read more

For all those people who can never decide on what to order this place is perfect! Get a couple small plates to share, enjoy some Sangria or any of the house cocktails in a beautiful ambiance. Girls night, or date night... always a good choice. read more

We enjoyed our dinner at this new restaurant in Walker's Point. We had wine instead of cocktails, so I can't comment there. The menu is fairly diverse. The cheese & meat selections we ordered were really tasty. The seafood paella was good (although not out-of-this-world). They are definitely new & still working out some of their kinks, but I was impressed how smooth they were on a busy Saturday night. The space has a good feeling to it, as well - cream city brick, dark but lots of candle light. A few areas I'd love to see them improve: our service could have been more attentive (we had to ask for more water for the table twice). Also, I clearly stated I needed to eat gluten free - they offered 3 items on the menu that I could order gluten free, which was a bit of a disappointment (especially for a big tapas menu). I think this is because a lot of the items did come served on a slice of bread. I hope they will think outside of the box a bit on that side of things --- in many cases, I would bet that separating the bread would lead to a 100% gluten free dish. Then, my dining partner could load his own bread with the tasty toppings and I could enjoy them with a fork. I know Movida doesn't claim to specialize in gluten free so this is definitely not a knock against them, just a suggestion. read more

We were looking for Hotel Madrid and when we arrived Madrid was gone but in its place was Movida. We did not want to go somewhere else so we trudged in and got a table. They serve food from Spain. My son is a grad of the CIA and makes a great Paella so we ordered the Paella and several Tapas. We never had Tapas that were more than a bite. These portions were substantial and delicious. The Paella took 40 minutes to finish so while working on the Tapas we had some wonderful Sangria. The Paella was very good. My son the Chef said this is the real deal. When we traveled in Europe we agreed the best food we tasted was while in Spain. Movida is a must go if you want food from Spain. The only thing we would have changed is to be seated in the Patio. It is under a canvas tent. The lighting was torches with heaters but very comfortable. It reminded us of a meal we had in the desert in Israel under a tent with the Bedouin's. We will be back!! read more

Delicious small plates, drink list and great selection across the board. Our wonderful server, Alisha, was attentive, friendly and fast. Had great recommendations and described all of the plates into detail. Will be back! Requesting Alisha for sure! read more

Movida just didn't deliver for me. For what we paid I wasn't impressed. The atmosphere was the best part of the experience. It is spacious with exposed brick and sexy lighting. They have good craft cocktails - I recommend their Wisco Old Fashioned or their red sangria. As for food, our large group ordered one of everything on the menu which is my favorite thing to do at a new restaurant. The tablas were good - definitely the lomo and manchego. Don't waste your money on the $45 Jamon Iberico de Bellota. It was unbelievably underwhelming and overpriced. The tostas were great, especially the pork belly. The paella was meh. The tapas were good but not that memorable. We enjoyed the croquetas and the patatas. The service was OK. It took an uncomfortable amount of time to get our drinks made. I thought they did a poor job telling us what food they were bringing out and an even worse job timing the food. There were times where they brought so much food to the table we didn't have room, and other times where we were waiting and waiting for the next course to come. I think I would have liked Movida more if I was able to take the time to enjoy the food. Instead we all felt rushed to make room. I'll try to make it back in a few months with hopes that they have things ironed out by then. read more

No questions asked, this restaurant easily deserves a 5-star rating. I'm usually not a huge fan of indulging in Tapas, mostly because I like having my own meal all to myself. I will most certainly be making an exception for Movida again in the future. As a table of six, we debated between all ordering unlimited Tapas or the Paella and a few dishes to share. We ended up going unlimited, and man did we go home satisfied. Our waitress warned us from the beginning that unfortunately wheel-barrel services out to our cars afterwards was no longer offered.. what a bummer, but we managed without it. The Mushroom Croquetas were unbelievable, unlike anything I've ever had before. Even the boards offered fun selections of cheese, jams, flat breads and more. The Tartare and Huevos Rotos were uniquely flavored, beautifully plated, and we definitely had to order seconds. If you are looking for one-of-a-kind tastes, with the perfect pairing of sangria, definitely try out Movida! I will hopefully be back again, this time to try the paella! read more

Favorite spot in MKE! The tostas, paella, and street noodles are all wonderful! Looking forward to another visit in the near future!!

Last nights dinner, wine selection, and desert was amazing. The tapas were superb. The octopus was cooked to perfection. The service was wonderful, such a great staff working as a team to meet all my friend and my needs. The ambiance was delightful, whomever designed it has some great taste in aesthetics. I absolutely loved my experience here and plan to go back when I'm in Milwaukee next so I can try more delicious tapas!!! Thank you for this immaculate dining experience MOVIDA! See you again soon :) read more

Movida - My amazing dessert, flan! Yum! - Spanish Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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Went for brunch this past weekend, and it was a bit of a disappointment. The flavors were weird (husband's egg dish had chili stems in it?), the cheese & fruit plate came out with no fruit, and my eggs benedict had a soggy english muffin (and it wasn't even what I had ordered - this was a mistake by the waitress). They use Anodyne coffee, which is a plus. I don't want to give a bad review here because we have to go back to try the dinner service, which everyone seems to like alot. I think they are making a good effort, just needs to be refined for the brunch crowd. Also, just want to give props to the waitress - she brought out a couple tasty popovers to make up for the mistake. read more

The food at Movida is unique and incredibly delicious!! I recommend the burrata, tartare, pork cheek, pulpo and banana cheesecake. Which is everything I had on my first trip :) A must and has neat ambience. Great date spot. Definitely will be going back. read more

Movida - Spanish Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Pinchos - Stand-outs: brussels sprouts chips w/ lemon aioli; Boquerones (anchovies); Roasted beets w/ herbed goat cheese. We did not even get to Charcuterie; Queso; or Paella. We enjoyed Pork Cheeks w/carrot mousse and braised artichoke, and stand-out Scallops w/ butternut squash, roasted grapes and shaved raw asparagus. YUM. Chef Jessica Brandser is a young stellar find for the Movida team. Owners Hamad, Andrei and Aaron have put together a wonderful Movida Team. Sit at the bar w/ Aria, she knows her dishes to choose! Thank you! read more

I love this place. Been here several times and haven't been disappointed. I really enjoy the tartare, lomo tosta and of course the empanadA. Paella is as good as it looks. Service, was great as well read more

I usually don't take the time to review places I don't care for but I feel like this place could use some constructive feedback. My friends and I came here when we were in town for the night and expected great food, it unfortunately did not deliver. The service was not up to par, our waitress barely came back to check on us and she was not very energetic when she did come. The food was under seasoned and pretty bland. We ordered a good variety of things and all of us felt the same...the food needed some salt! I really enjoyed the atmosphere here but would not come back because of the food and service. read more

4 stars because consistency is an issue (one dish was a little burned this last time), but overall this is a great tapas restaurant in MKE! Good atmosphere, attentive staff, affordable happy hour, and really interesting specials like pork belly days and $6 buck shuck (glass of cava and 3 oysters...fancy!). Some standout dishes include: -pan con tomato -pork belly (so good we ordered it twice) -croquetas -tagliatelle -truffle beef tartare -lomo tostada We also tried the paella for the first time last night and it was outstanding! Nicely cooked and plenty of delicious, crispy soccarat. Come here anytime, but come here for the happy hour in particular if you want to try it out but also want a deal. read more