There’s nothing as good as eating rich and creamy croquetas, garlic shrimp, and some juicy bites of nutty jamón. Eating at authentic Spanish restaurants is like a trip to Spain, without a ticket.
But, the real challenge is finding an authentic Spanish restaurant among some of the imposters.
Authentic Spanish restaurants use traditional recipes and actual Spanish ingredients. So, on your next road trip, which restaurant should you visit?
Don’t pack your bags and leave just yet as I have compiled a small list of the Spanish restaurants I loved eating in this year. When you embark on your journey, you wouldn’t want to be disconnected from your loved ones right?
Of course not! Thankfully, Cox has Wi-Fi hotspots all over the U.S. which you can connect to using your internet plan. Before, you leave to taste some of the best Spanish cuisines in the U.S., make sure you check out the Cox español page so you can have internet access, no matter where you are.
- Coqueta (San Francisco, California)
- Toro (Boston, Massachusetts)
- é by José Andrés (Las Vegas, Nevada)
- Cúrate Bar de Tapas (Asheville, North Carolina)
- Amada (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)
- Wrapping Up
Coqueta (San Francisco, California)
Michael Chiarello’s Coqueta goes against San Francisco’s traditions where most restaurants serve sourdough bread and seafood.
When you go there the first time, try not to experiment and do what we did. Start with the chef’s selection of cheeses and cured meats. I loved the huevos de codorniz which are spicy quail eggs with jamón Serrano and pickled mustard seed and the sunny side-up huevo. Make sure to mix the egg with the crispy potato, shrimp, and chorizo when it’s at your table.
Finally, finish it all up with the Pluma which is an Ibérico de bellota shoulder loin with the perfect honey-chili sauce.
When munching it all, make sure to wash it down with some of their Barcelona-styled gin & tonic. And while you’re there, don’t forget to appreciate the beautiful atmosphere there.
Toro (Boston, Massachusetts)
Toro by Jamie Bissonnette and Ken Oringer was opened in 2013 and quickly became one of the hottest restaurants in Boston. And since then, there hasn’t been a single day where every table isn’t filled with diners looking to stuff their faces with some delicious meals.
We particularly loved the pato con membrillo which are quince glazed smoked duck drumettes, the amazing paella Valenciana, and the beef empanadas. Make sure to wash it all down with Yoga Pants (yes, you heard it right), which is a cocktail only offered in the fall season.
Spanish cuisine is often heavy on seafood and meat, but in this Boston hot spot, the vegetarian options aren’t just an afterthought. They also have vegetarian paella with the classic Spanish seasoning and green veggies.
Toro is so good that even the New Yorkers, are going to finally admit they like something from Boston.
é by José Andrés (Las Vegas, Nevada)
This restaurant is considered to be one of the best and most exclusive restaurants in America. The spot is tucked in a private room inside Jaleo at Cosmopolitan. There, you get a unique experience at the chef’s table with seven other diners.
Make sure you book your spot well before your trip as it tends to be booked months in advance. But, those who are lucky enough to eat there get a once-in-a-lifetime experience that is often described as “wizardry”
The menu has the potential to change daily so you won’t know what to expect when you get there, no matter how many reviews you read or videos you watch.
The chefs there prepare a course filled with 22 bite-sized dishes. While the food isn’t something you would eat if you want a hearty meal, the vibe is something you need to experience on your next Vegas trip.
Cúrate Bar de Tapas (Asheville, North Carolina)
The family-run Cúrate occupies a bus depot from the 1920s, tucked in the Blue Ridge Mountains. The executive chef isn’t someone you would expect to be in an authentic Spanish restaurant. Kate Button has a chemical engineering degree and a master’s degree in biomedicine.
If that combo leaves you a bit underwhelmed with the skills you have, there isn’t anything that can’t be fixed with some sweet Ibérico ham, and some grilled goat cheese-stuffed piquillo peppers.
Diners can pick from a menu of tapas, or if you don’t know what to choose, just let the servers pick for you instead. The food is stunningly excellent and the menu is extensive. Not just that, their wine list matches the food in quality and their service is top-notch.
But, no matter what you choose, it’s bound to be delicious, especially if you decide to wash it down with a glass of Sherry or some Spanish wine.
Amada (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)
Amada was first opened by award-winning chefs James Beard and Jose Garces in 2005. Even after almost 20 years, the place is as good as ever, whether you want to go there for a happy hour drink or a date.
Usually, you will have to wait for a bit, especially on a weekend but it’s always worth the wait. The best move there is to check out the Especial tasting menu which has around four off-menu items that you’re going to love.
Their à la carte menu is just as good, especially if you order the crispy pork belly, Rioja jan, or the boquerone salsa verde. If you’re bringing your troops with you, then you won’t go wrong with the cochinillo asado which is a roasted suckling pig that’s going to stay in your dreams for weeks to come.
It’s pretty easy to spend an absurd amount of money but you don’t have to. Most of their smaller plates are inexpensive yet delicious, especially the lamb meatballs and beef short rib flatbread.
Wrapping Up
Finding authentic Spanish restaurants in the U.S. can be tough as there are a lot of restaurants just profiting off the idea of Spanish cuisine without actually following through.
So, do you agree with my list? Feel free to share your experience in the comments below.
