Hola! It is the month to embrace our love for Spanish food right here in Singapore. There will be 16 bars and restaurants certified with Restaurants from Spain Certificate participating in Eat Spain, Drink Spain from now to 15 Nov.

Enjoy a spectacular showcase of Spanish culinary delights. These bars and restaurants will be offering special menus, promotions, and events that celebrate the unique flavors and traditions of Spain. Gather all your amigos, and wine and dine and indulge in all things Spanish because why not?

Here are 7 deals and specials to expect for the remaining days of Eat Spain, Drink Spain.

Free tapas with every order of a pint of beer at Next Door Spanish Cafe

Located in the quaint neighbourhood of Siglap, Next Door Spanish Cafe is a homely Spanish restaurant which offers authentic traditional Spanish cuisine. It is a place where you can sip on wine or sangria and let the rhythms of flamenco music whisk you away, making it feel like a sunny day in Spain. From now until 15 Nov, enjoy 1 free tapas with every pint of Estrella Galicia.

16 Oct – 15 Nov

“Spanish Month” at Tapas 24

The brainchild of one of Barcelona’s best-known chefs Carles Abellán, Tapas 24 is taking their offerings to the next level by setting up a dedicated station at the restaurant’s entrance with a curated selection of Spanish wine packs. You can also look forward to tins of olives, premium olive oil, “La Catedral de Navarra” Piparra peppers, as well as Manchego and Idiazabal cheese.

Tapas 24 is offering two enticing combo options during weekdays. The first combo features a glass of the exquisite Loidana magnu, Priorat red wine, perfectly paired with a plate of indulgent Manchego and Idiazabal cheese, chorizo sausage and tomato bread.

You can also opt for the tasting experience of olive oil with salt and bread. The second combo boasts a glass of the rich Loidana magnu, Priorat red wine, complemented by Stuffed “Piquillo” peppers filled with savory stewed oxtail.

Ecolah and Gramona Month at Esquina

Founded in December 2011, ESQUINA remains one of the most popular Spanish restaurants in Singapore. Led by Barcelona-native Head Chef Carlos Montobbio, this modern eatery excels in presenting a contemporary take on Spanish and Catalan tastes.

From now until 15 Nov, you can get a free dozen of oysters with any purchase of Imperial Gramona Brut. It will also be offering a special dish of asparagus from La Catedral which is brought in by ECOLAH.

15 Oct to 15 Nov

Asador by Ecolah

Asador seeks to offer an authentic Spanish sensory experience by preparing food directly over fire embers using a Basque-style grill or cooking at intense heat in a Castilian oven.

In honor of Eat Spain Drink Spain, Asador restaurant is excited to unveil its special menus that harmoniously combine mouthwatering Spanish cuisine with select wines. From 1 to 15 Nov, diners can relish the ASADOR by ECOLAH menu, which highlights the premium products from La Catedral.

1 to 15 Nov

Spanish Fiesta WoolooMooloo Steakhouse

From their elegant, woody decor and classic trimmings, right down to their variety of classic steak cuts, Wooloomooloo is amongst the best steak restaurants in Singapore for a good, hearty steak.

It will be hosting the Spanish Fiesta to feature two prominent Spanish wineries brought in by Cornerstone Wines: Siglo and Bodegas Luzón.

Monthly Menu at Una by Diego Grimberg

Una is excited to unveil a unique menu influenced by the celebrated chef, Diego Grimberg. This distinctive menu boasts a selection of dishes, each masterfully crafted using top-notch products from distinguished importers—including ECOLAH, THE WATER SOMMELIER, and PACIFIC BEVERAGES—taking part in the event.

15 Oct to 15 Nov

Imperial Gramona by the Glass at Moxie

Moxie Restaurant, a fresh Mediterranean addition on College Road, captures the essence of Mediterranean life with its cozy and communal food traditions. Prioritizing high-quality ingredients, their shared dishes and platters are designed for communal enjoyment, ensuring every bite is as delightful as the last.

You can enjoy Imperial Gramona Brut (Alfa International imported)—one of Spain’s finest Corpinnats—by the glass from now until 15 Nov.

15 Oct to 15 Nov

This post was brought to you by ICEX Spain Trade & Investment.

Famous Tapas bar from Barcelona, Tapas 24 is opening its first Asian outpost in Singapore on 7 May 2021.

Brought here in collaboration with local restaurant group, L’Angélus, Tapas 24 will be setting up its restaurant at The Quayside in Robertson Quay.

For those of you who have never heard of Tapas 24, it is the brainchild of one of Barcelona’s best-known chefs Carles Abellán, who has worked for the legendary chef Ferran Adria at the world-famous El Bulli restaurant (which boasted three Michelin stars and was crowned World’s Best Restaurant multiple times when it was still in operation).

Tapas 24 is one of those places that appear in every guide to the best restaurants in Barcelona and we first dined at Tapas 24 in Barcelona back in 2012.

There is always a long queue at the tapas bar which is located in Barcelona’s Passeig de Gracia.

Other than the usual tapas such Bravas, Iberian Ham Croquette and Fried Anchovies, you have to try Tapas 24′s signature dishes which are the Bikini Black Truffles Sandwich, Mc Foie Burger and the divine Ous Estrellats al Gust, which is quite simply smashed eggs with potatoes—deceptively simple yet it hits all the right spots.

Tapas 24 Singapore will be headed by chef Carolina Garcia Santamaria and it have an extensive menu with seasonal Spanish products, Sangria as well as an interesting selection of Spanish street cocktails and a wine list.

A laid-back, casual dining space nestled in serene Quayside Isle, Sabio By The Sea exudes a stylish charm perfect for a date, or a casual dinner by the docks. Their food and array of cocktails lean towards traditional Spanish but are all refreshingly unique and made using high-quality ingredients.

A glass of sangria in one hand and a repertoire of delicious food in another, be prepared for one gastronomic fiesta you won’t forget.

PULPO A LA GALLEGA

Undeniably the highlight of our meal, the Pulpo A La Gallega (S$18++) impressed us with its robust flavours and lovely texture. In this dish, the octopus is cooked simply in a mixture of paprika, olive oil and lemon, bringing out the natural sweetness of the octopus and giving it a charred quality that amped up its flavour tenfold.

CHORIZO AL VINO

As far as quality Spanish sausages go, you won’t go wrong with the Chorizo Al Vino (S$14++). Smoky with a heady aroma of paprika, the sausages were beautifully charred on the outside while remaining soft and sweet in the middle.

CHURROS

A quintessential confectionery at any Spanish restaurant is, of course, Churros (S$11++). Here, their churros are surprisingly light and crispy from edge to edge, making it hard to resist seconds or even thirds. The chocolate sauce served alongside it? Just divine.

Sabio By The Sea
31 Ocean Way #01-02,
Quayside Isle,
Singapore 098375
Tel: +65 6690 7568
(Closed on Tuesdays)
Mon, Wed & Thu: 12pm – 10.30pm
Fri: 12pm – 11pm
Sat: 11.30am – 11pm
Sun: 11.30am – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Harbourfront

Sporting a fabulous, dimly-hued space with lots of warm lighting and greenery, Winestone is a wine lover’s oasis away from the hustle and bustle. The wine bar boasts its own wine retail store, restaurant and cocktail bar and prides itself on serving modern European dishes as well as affordable and delicious wines that serve to both complement the food and round out the experience.

When it comes to proper wining and dining, casual and comfortable are always the vibes that we go for—and immaculate service as well for that matter—, which is what makes Winestone our immediate go-to whenever we crave for good wine that won’t take too much of a toll on our bank accounts.

New to Winstone’s repertoire of food and wine offerings is their brand new 5-course gourmet Spanish Wine Pairing Dinner Menu that you can enjoy this festive season. An opportunity for any romantic looking to impress, the dinner menu comprises a host of Spanish classics as well as 5 different wines from Spain to accompany each course.

Priced at only S$98++ per pax (minimum 2 people to dine), it’s really a steal. And to make this dinner even more spectacular for you, we’re giving you an additional 20% off this menu from now until 28 Feb 2019. All you have to do is to quote ‘ladyironchef’ upon making your reservation to enjoy it!

Having undergone a series of intense tasting sessions, Winestone’s sommeliers have specially curated a very specific wine list for the menu, with one unique label served with each course. Every label presents its own unique style and flavour notes that not only serves to complement the dish that it’s served with but to also give guests a memorable wine drinking experience overall.

For expert wine drinkers, we reckon that you’ll be thoroughly impressed with their selection, and for novices like us, rest assured that your palate is in good hands.

JAMON IBERICO

Designed to ease the palate in, the Jamon Iberico—that consists of two fried eggs, bread topped with a house-made tomato jam and shavings of Jason iberico—is a roller coaster of tastes, textures and flavours.

First, you get the distinct saltiness and porky flavour from the Jamon Iberico, followed by the sweet, bright hit of the tomato jam and at the end, the richness from the fried egg. Accompanying the surprisingly heavy starter is a robust red from Spain that’s dry, has good tannins and sweet, fruity undertone—perfect for cutting through the rich flavours.

GAMBAS

Served on a stone tile is the Gambas, a deep-fried duo of crispy, battered prawns an and a cod brandade served with an aioli made using roasted peppers. A classic Spanish staple that consists of poached salted cod, olive oil and potatoes, their rendition is a great example of how simple and modest ingredients can be elevated.

The texture was smooth and the flavour of the cod was prominent. It was tasty enough on its own which rendered the aioli unnecessary for the most part and we especially loved its outer crust that was both light yet crunchy.

PAELLA

A twist on the classic seafood paella of Valencia, Spain, Winestone’s rendition truly takes it up a step—a rather bold step too, if we may add—by swopping spaghetti with the traditional Spanish short-grain bomba rice.

Cooked and served in a wide, shallow-based pan, the dish boasts a fragrant complexity of smoked paprika, saffron, parsley and fresh seafood and is delightful when enjoyed with the crisp, fruity white that accompanies it.

Every component was well executed from the delicate mussels to the fresh and plump, sweet prawns, yet, as much as we enjoyed the seafood components, there was something sorely lacking, and that was a paella’s signature socarrat, or in other words, the crusty layer that forms at the bottom of the pan.

We are huge fans of creativity and chefs who take risks, but perhaps doing without rice—a paella’s key ingredient—was pushing boundaries a tad much. If not for the deliciously fruity white that was served alongside it, we probably would not have been able to finish the entire dish.

ESTOFADOS DE CARNE

Steak or beef, in particular, is the ideal foil for a good red but as to which red best matches up to it, it really depends on how the beef is prepared.

The Estofados De Carne—essentially a Spanish beef and potato stew—served as one of the two main entrées in the menu is paired with Hado, a red from the Rioja region of Spain. Made with 100% Tempranillo grapes this style of wine has a tendency to be slightly higher in alcoholic strength but with good acid and tannins to cut through the intense fat and rich flavours well.

Allowed to simmer and reduce over a long period of time in a rich broth comprising beef stock and wine, the chunks of fork-tender beef developed a deep, dark brown sheen and a delicious complexity to it. Served atop a bed of roasted potatoes and topped with pickled jalapeños and dried chilli flakes, the dish was a delightful marriage of tastes and sensations that bolded well with the vino paired with it.

Just when we thought that we could rest our palates easy, especially after all the flavour-packed dishes prior, the dinner menu ends off with yet another bout of pure decadence.

Crispy on the outside, light and soft on the inside and generously covered with ground cinnamon and sugar, the Duo Creme Catalana With Churros is quite literally the only way—at Winestone at least—to end a meal properly. Accompanying the mammoth of a churro is a teacup-full of melted dark chocolate, a Spanish custard topped with blueberries and ice cream.

Served as the vino pairing of choice is the Zeta Cava Brut, a sparkling white that boasts fragrant aromas of citrus and apple. Fresh-tasting, crisp with small bubbles, the decadent edge of the dessert was instantly cut through, making for a pleasant, clean finish—a brilliant pairing.

Whether you’re looking to celebrate an anniversary, or simply to leave an impression on a first date, Winestone is probably one of the top places where you can take someone for a memorable wining and dining experience. And don’t forget to quote ‘ladyironchef’ to enjoy a further 20% off your bill from now until 28 Feb 2019—exclusively for our dear readers!

Winestone
Mercure Singapore on Stevens
30 Stevens Road, #01-09
Singapore 257840
Tel: +65 6491 6100
Website: www.winestone.com.sg
(Closed on Sundays)
Mon to Sat: 12pm – 2.30pm, 6pm – 12am (bar snacks are served after 10pm)
Nearest Station: Stevens / Orchard

This post was brought to you by Winestone. 

Looking for a new spot to bring your Muslim amigos for dinner? The Great Mischief is a new Halal Catalan-inspired Tapas concept in Little India that you need to know about it!

Look no further for this new concept by The Black Hole Group offers a menu of savoury Spanish cuisine and house blend coffee. An overdue catch up with your compañero is calling!

From the folks that brought you Working Title, Afterwit, The Mad Sailors and Santap, The Great Mischief is a new halal-certified Spanish tapas bar and the fifth installation from The Black Hole Group.

Sprawled across the lobby of The Great Madras hotel, The Great Mischief adds a vibrant and playful Catalonian twist to the vintage setting of the hotel and rich heritage of Little India.

Photos Credit: The Great Mischief

Besides a humble range of delectable and affordable Catalan-inspired savoury tapas such as Coca Pizza, Croquetas and Calamares Sliders, the restaurant also offers a selection of Spanish-style desserts such as Churros and Torrijas alongside mocktails, speciality coffee and tea.

Inspired by the gastronomical culture of Catalonia, this place makes the perfect spot for sharing good food and spending quality time with family and friends.

If Spanish cuisine isn’t up your alley, you can check out these other Instagram-worthy Halal-certified cafés in Singapore for that caffeine fix or some late night sweet treats.

Mileslife is our favourite app to accumulate miles through everyday spending. You can earn 3 miles for every dollar spent at this restaurant. Download and try Mileslife out now! You can use our code ‘Ladyironchef‘ upon your first spending to get 1,000 miles.

The Great Mischief
28 Madras Street
Singapore 208422
Tel: +65 9392 2762
Sun to Thurs: 6pm – 10.30pm
Fri and Sat: 6pm – 2am
Closed on Tuesdays
Nearest Station: Rochor MRT

Dehesa, which in Spanish translates to “grasslands”—home of the Iberico pig—is a Spanish restaurant nestled in North Canal Road that is quite unlike any other.

Priding itself with being the only front-runner of the nose to tail eating revolution in Singapore—meaning to say, they use every part of the animal—what you can expect from Dehesa Restaurant is a tantalising array of edible treats that will leave even the most squeamish of diners satisfied from head to tail—literally.

Duck hearts on toast and lamb sweetbreads are just some of the things one can look forward to here and Chef-owner, Jean-Philippe Patruno, who has over 20 years of culinary experience, makes it his personal commitment to use modern techniques to delight your taste buds despite how off-putting the idea of animal innards may be.

This 50-seater restaurant features a long bar top that overlooks directly into the open kitchen, long communal dining tables as well as an alfresco area.

For the ballsy, consider the Crispy Pig’s Head Dehesa Signature (S$28++).

This dish may resemble a meatloaf from taste to texture but little did we know that the contents of this breaded and deep-fried parcel are made up of the odds and ends of a pig’s head. Yes, we are talking about the ears, the snout, and for good measure, possibly a touch of brain as well.

Contrary to what you may think (or feel), this dish was the bomb. Expertly butchered and brined for several days, the semi-finished product is rolled in breadcrumbs and deep-fried. Robustly flavoured with a series of interesting textures, this is one dish that got us nodding in approval.

If offal really isn’t your thing, scuttle back to a more familiar territory with their Dehesa Octopus (S$28++). This dish adopts the ’whole animal’ philosophy as well by making using of thin strips of lard that is blow torched and melted over a tender octopus leg.

Although we should admit that this was not the best (nor most visually appealing) octopus dish out there, we must give the chef credit for his technique and for sticking true to his philosophy of using every part of the animal.

Despite experiencing some hits and misses, we were pleased with our meal here. For palates unaccustomed to offal, our advice is to put aside your misgivings and dive right into their stellar array of unconventional cuts. Because if there is one place that champions the goodness that is an animal’s insides marvellously, it’s Dehesa.

Dehesa Restaurant
12 North Canal Rd,
Singapore 048825
Tel: +65 6221 7790
(Closed on Sundays)
Mon to Fri: 11.30am – 2.30pm, 5.30pm – 11pm
Sat: 5.30pm – 11pm
Nearest Station: Raffles Place

Nestled within the tranquil enclave of Dempsey Hill and set on a deck surrounded by beautiful and lush greenery is La Ventana, a gastronomic fine dining destination serving up modern European cuisine with both Southeast Asian and Spanish influences.

Stellar creations to look forward to are the Monkfish with Saffron Foam and Kalamata Olives Emulsion and the Wagyu Cheek with Black Trumpet Cream and Watercress Purée. Be sure to try the Curry Leaf Ice Cream with Szechuan Strawberries and Lemongrass Tea Jelly—an original creation that deserves the utmost commendation.

The mere mention of dining at Dempsey Hill often means that your meal will more than likely come with a hefty price tag, but we dare say that if you are out to splurge, one solid place to do just that is La Ventana.

La Ventana is housed within an old but beautiful colonial building, exuding a charming and intimate space in which diners can feel relaxed and disconnected from the world as they indulge in some proper fine dining.

The kitchen is helmed by Chef Toni Valero, a young Spanish chef who aims to bring forth a new direction to the restaurant’s tasty offerings. The acclaimed chef dishes out innovative creations in the form of tasting plates that tie in his heritage along with a myriad of Southeast Asian influences of which he picked up during his stint working in Kuala Lumpur.

As the saying goes, you must start as you mean to go on, and this is particularly pertinent in the case of the Marinated Bonito, Chlorophyll Curry, Sprout Salad, Chilli Padi Oil (S$18++) that the Gastronomic tasting menu kicks off with. Thick cuts of chilled bonito find itself neatly placed atop an earthy clorofila curry. For a hint of zing, the grated orange and lime zest was a really nice touch.

The Wagyu Cheek with Black Trumpet Cream and Watercress Purée (S$48++) was without a doubt, one of our absolute favourites. Simply because it encapsulated the perfect blend of flavour and texture.

Cooked low and slow, the Wagyu cheek was fork tender with each bite literally melting on our tongues. The sauce was robust and brimming with rich beefy flavours, and the trumpet mushroom cream stood up well on its own to provide a lovely umami element to the dish.

In terms of aesthetics worthy of the ‘gram’, none other can beat the Monkfish with Saffron Foam and Kalamata Olives Emulsion (S$42++). This elegant dish comes served in a rustic white serving dish that does well to make the delicate colours of the dish pop. The olive purée was nicely dotted around the saffron foam creating a simple yet attractive pattern around the monkfish.

The monkfish is a unique, firm-textured and meaty white fish that is versatile enough to be prepared in several ways. In this case, the monkfish steak is beautifully seared off and receives the Spanish treatment of a savoury saffron foam and kalamata olive purée.

Head Chef Toni Valero is tenacious when it comes to fusing flavours together and his iconic Curry Leaf Ice Cream with Szechuan Strawberries and Lemongrass Tea Jelly (S$18++) is a testament to that. Captivated by its earthy and slightly citrus aroma, we were simply mind-blown at how combining curry leaf with milk and cream really showed the herb’s culinary potential.

While the ice cream on its own may seem a tad too complex for comfort for some, combining it with the sweet and lightly peppery Szechuan strawberries and lemongrass gelatine really brings the whole dessert together.

La Ventana
16A Dempsey Road
Singapore 247695
Tel: +65 6479 0100
Sun to Fri: 12pm – 2.30pm, 6pm – 11pm
Sat: 12pm – 3pm, 6pm – 11pm
Nearest Station: Farrer Road

For more recommendations, read our guide on 39 Romantic Restaurants in Singapore.

Spanish food has been making big waves on the food radar, with new tapas bars popping up every month. If you are a fan of tapas, Salt Tapas & Bar at Raffles City by celebrity chef Luke Mangan is one place that you should check out. It serves Aussie-style tapas with the freshest ingredients.

Many people have the perception that Salt Tapas & Bar is very expensive. This is true. Most of the tapas are in the $20 to $30 range, and you can easily spend at least $100 for a meal here. But what you might not know that it has a fantastic lunch set for just $33.50++/pax. It includes a flat bread to share, and 3 tapas per person. When you consider the fact that most of the dishes on the set lunch menu are from the ala carte menu, you will agree that it is a very good deal.

The set lunch menu is essentially a scaled down version of the main menu. Both are divided into different categories: ‘Nibbles’, ‘Butcher’, ‘Garden’, ‘Sea’, ‘Paddock’ and ‘Sweets’, Below are some of the dishes that we ordered from the set lunch menu. I have also included the ala carte portion prices.

Salt Tapas & Bar has several options under their ‘Garden’ menu which include Heirloom Tomato Salad ($11), Beetroot & Red Capscium ($12) and a Rocket & Pear Salad ($9).

We started off with a superb Tuna Tartare ($19 for small, $27 for large) with wasabi mayo and ruby grapefruit from the ‘Sea’ menu.

We also had the Crispy Soft Shell Prawns ($15) with chilli and garlic aioli, and while it was not a scene stealer, it did not disappoint with its crisp and crunchy texture.

Another dish that was even more addictive than the Soft Shell Prawns is the Salt & Pepper Squid ($20) with lime mayo. The crunch squid was well-seasoned with salt and pepper, and it was perfect with lime mayo. Simply put, I’d not leave Salt Tapas & Bar without trying this.

From the ‘Paddock’ menu, we had the Wagyu Sausage, Sumac Spiced Veal and Confit Pork Belly. The Confit Pork Belly ($27) with lentils and chorizo was a let-down. It was a tad too tough and not as tender as I’d hope it would be.

The Wagyu Sausage ($14 for small, $25 for large) with polenta, capers and tomato was good, but what stood out was the accompanying polenta. We suspect they added in a lot of cream and butter to give the polenta a creamy and smooth and velvety texture. Also good was the Sumac Spiced Veal & Meatballs ($14 for small, $22 for large) which came with a very yummy fontina mash.

Desserts are also worth a mention. Not many places serve good churros in Singapore, and if you have been looking for it, you must try Salt Tapas & Bar’s Churros & Chocolate ($11). It is one of the few that has managed to impress me so far.

You also cannot go wrong with the Gooey Hot Chocolate Tart with caramelised banana and white chocolate ice cream ($14).

Salt Tapas & Bar
252 North Bridge Road
#01-22A Raffles City Shopping Centre
Tel: +65 6837 0995
Daily: 11.30am – 10pm
Nearest Station: City Hall

Note: Foodbar Dada at Robertson Quay has closed and they are currently relocating to a new location.

In Singapore, a city full of amazing restaurants, it really takes something outstanding to make me sit up and take notice. I am just going to say this once: visit Foodbar Dada – a Spanish tapas bar at Robertson Quay – before it gets too popular. Make a booking, and go there soon.

If you are into Spanish tapas, I can safely say that this is one place you must try.

During my first visit two months back, the crowd was quite a sight. By coincidence, there was a restaurant owner, executive chef from a restaurant group, and Singapore’s top food critic from Straits Times, dining in the same time. It was completely unplanned, and felt like a mini reunion for everyone.

The bar itself is small, with 20 seats along a narrow counter. Upon stepping inside, I fell in love with the place, and I knew immediately tat it was going to do very well. It was a multi-sensory experience for me: the music, the people, the vibe, the smell, the clanking of cast-iron pans, the heat from the Josper grill…

We started with the Iberican secret ($16) which came highly recommended and the sous vide pork was superb! It was tender, fat, and very juicy.

During my visit to Barcelona last year, I felt let down that most of the squid ink paellas that we tried were mediocre. So I took a cautious approach when facing Foodbar Dada’s black mediterranean rice ($8). After trying it, I dare say it was better than most of the ones that I’ve had before. The rice was flavourful and cooked to the right doneness of what you would expect from a good paella.

I wasn’t very keen to try the watermelon gazpacho ($12) as I was not a fan of cold soup, until Foodbar Dada’s rendition changed that. It was light, and very refreshing. That said, I would probably order this just once as there are too many items on the menu to choose from.

The best dish of the night – and something I would return to Foodbar Dada again and again – is the Josper mini squid ($18) cooked with olive oil, salt, pepper, and egg. It was simple, but so so good. Definitely a dish that you must order!

We decided to push our luck and go for the potato bravas ($6). Here, it was done slightly refined, with four cubes of potatoes on a nice elongated plate. It was very from the usual potato bravas, but I have to give credit to the chefs for the presentation.

On the second visit, we had the same baby squid and black squid ink rice, and I am happy to say that the quality of both dishes were still very good.

I was disappointed to see that they removed salmon from the menu, as I remembered it to be nicely-seared, and paired with heavenly sweet grapes and a well-balanced sauce.

In place of it was the grilled seabass ($18), which my dining companion noted that the chef managed to maintain the integrity of the fish by not over-complicating it. I thought it was decent, but nothing to write home about.

Josper razor clams ($18) – with diced tomatoes, onions, olive oil, and lime – while good, was slightly overcooked, and it paled in comparison to the signature baby squid.

We also had the cod puffs ($12) – a new special item on the menu – which is essentially a savoury puff pastry filled with cod bits.

Next up was the 150g Josper steak ($30), accompanied by red pepper, pumpkin, and peas. Again, a piece of good meat seasoned well with sea salt, and prepared to a high level in the Josper grill.

For desserts, we were puzzled that the souffle ($12) did not rise as much as it should, and it had a molten chocolate-y centre. It was more like a chocolate lava cake than souffle. Not that we were complaining, it was a sweet ending for our wonderful meal.

The food at Foodbar Dada is not rocket-science. They use fresh produce, well-seasoned with good quality olive oil, maldon sea salt, and expertly-cooked in Josper grill. If budget is a consideration, prices here are significantly lower than the other top Spanish tapas restaurants in Singapore.

It might seem that I raved too much about Foodbar Dada, and the last thing I want to do is to set your expectations too high. But trust me on this, Foodbar Dada is worth a visit.

I’d go so far as to say it is one of the best new restaurants to open in Singapore this year. See you there!

Foodbar Dada
60 Robertson Quay
#01-12 Singapore
Tel: +65 6735 7738
Tue to Sat: 6pm – 11pm
Reservations are required.

For more recommendations, read my list of Spanish Restaurants in Singapore

Everyone knows Dempsey Hill. It is arguably one of the hottest dining destinations in Singapore, with popular restaurants like The White Rabbit, Barracks Cafe and PS Cafe. But not everyone knows about Don Quijote Spanish restaurant at Dempsey. Well, I guess now we all know.

Be it a nice date with your partner; or a birthday party celebration with a big group of friends – Don Quijote Spanish Restaurant is the ideal place if you like tapas, paella and sangria.

One thing to note: the original branch at Lorong Kilat is no longer in operation.

The menu is huge. From cold tapas like Mixed Platter of Ham, Sausages and Cheese ($36) and Anchovy and Piquillo Pepper on bread ($12); to hot tapas like Tortilla Espanola ($11), Calamari ($12) and Gambas Al Ajillo ($13); to meats like Ox-tail Stew ($36) and Tenderloin Steak ($39); to Paellas ($30 for small); and desserts like Leche Fritta ($9) and Warm Chocolate Cake ($19) – there is something for everyone.

Don Quijote Spanish Restaurant recently launched a Market Seafood Menu where they serve “live” seafood from the market. It largely depends on what is available in the market, but the typical menu will feature a selection of fishes, lobsters, clams, mussels, and scallops.

While waiting for Sophie to arrive, Qiuting and I started with the Mejillon Al Vino Blanco – Mussels cooked in White Wine ($16); and Gambas Al Ajillo ($16) – Garlic fried Live Prawns.

The Scallop ($18) that came next were equally impressive.

For main courses, we were served a gorgeous Baked Whole Lobster ($69), and the visually pleasing Baked Whole Snapper ($45).

We stared at the baby lobster when it arrived on our table and for a moment, we didn’t know what to do. After five seconds, instinct took over and the three of us started to attack it with the fork. Om nom nom nom. It was as good as it looked.

The Baked Snapper, on the other hand, was slightly disappointing. The fish was really fresh, but we felt that it was under-seasoned.

And of course, a Spanish meal would not be complete without having Paella. At Don Quijote, there are four different Paellas: seafood, squid ink, vegetarian and meat.

The Paella de Carne ($30 Small/ $45 medium/ $60 large) came  with Beef, Chicken, Chorizo Sausages and rice cooked in a delicious saffron stock.

Even though we were quite full after polishing off the Paella, we were tempted by the highly recommended Tenderloin Steak Cubes with Blue Cheese ($20). The owner was very confident about it, and truth be told, I was quite skeptical initially. But I had to take back my words after having a cube. It was oh-my-god-yummy.

I also ordered the Chorizo Asado Barbecued Spanish Chorizo Sausage ($10) as Qiuting never had it before. It was a shame that we didn’t have room for desserts, otherwise I would love to try their Warm Chocolate Cake made with Spanish Chocolate ($19).

Don Quijote at Dempsey Hill is a nice place to go to if you are craving for Spanish food. While prices are not cheap, neither are they exorbitant – it is on par with most of the better Spanish Restaurants in Singapore.

Singapore Food Blog Review
Don Quijote Spanish Restaurant
Blk 7 Dempsey Road
#01-02 Singapore
Tel: +65 6476 2811
Sun to Wed: 11.30am – 10.30pm
Thu to Sat: 11.30am – 1am
Note: This was an invited media tasting.

For more recommendations, read my list of best Spanish Restaurants in Singapore

Sabio Tapas Bar & Restaurant is located on the slope of Duxton Hill, alongside Buyan Russian Restaurant and Flor Patisserie.

There’s just something intoxicating about eating in a tapas bar. Maybe it’s the idea of having a glass/(es) of wine with many plates of Spanish appetisers. Maybe it’s the fact that you get to chill out with a group of friends after a long day of work. Or maybe it’s simply because I am a big fan of Spanish cuisine.

Like the Chinese dim sum, Spanish tapas offer you the luxury of having small bites of everything. Then, you also have the pinchos, which are somewhat similar to tapas. It is the name of certain snacks typically eaten at bars in the Basque country. The main difference is that they are usually served in individual portions with a skewer or toothpick, often to a piece of bread.

Gambas pil pil – prawns in olive oil & garlic

Anyway, I digressed, let’s get back to Sabio. The Spanish restaurant was full when we were there on a weekday night, with mostly expats enjoying a drink and some snacks after work.

The menu is broadly divided into four parts: Cold Tapas ($6-19), Jamon & Chorizo ($8-25), Hot Tapas ($8-18) and desserts ($6-8). It took us a while to scan through it.

I was rather attracted by the cold tapas like Boquerones en Vinagre ($9) – Anchovies served in vinegar; Sombrero de Setas – Mushroom hat in olive oil and garlic; or the Chipirones en sa tinta ($16) – Stuffed squid in ink. But my friends were not interested in cold tapas, so we focused on the hot tapas. Some of the options that were waving frantically at us include: Tortilla espanola con chorizo ($12) – traditional Spanish omelette with chorizo; Revuelto de esparragos ($12) – scrambled eggs with asparagus; and Pulpo gallego ($11) – Octopus cooked in olive oil and lemon.

There were over thirty Spanish small plates to choose from, and we were tempted to order everything. We eventually settled for some hot tapas, a paella and a jar of sangria.

I love Spanish food!

The Embutidos Mixtos ($25) – a selection of Spanish ham, sausages, and cheese – arrived before the hot tapas. We ate the fantastic Spanish ham, drank sangria, and ate more ham.

A must-try tapas at Sabio is definitely the Vieras en salsa de cava ($14) – Sea Scallops with sparkling white wine sauce. What a sexy dish! The scallops were kind of openly flirting with each other in a pool of sparkling white wine sauce.

It would be perfect if they were meatier (if there’s such a word), but it didn’t really matter because the sauce was the highlight. The sparkling white wine sauce was divine. In fact, it was so good that we had the other tapas with it. I was actually a little sad when the waiter cleared the pan away.

The Gambas pil pil ($15) – sizzling prawns in olive oil and garlic – was equally good. I also liked the Bacalao al ajo arriero ($18) – salt cod with red capscium, and the Calamares a la plancha ($11) – pan fried calamari.

The Chicken & Seafood Paella ($22), on the other hand, was disappointing. I can’t put my fingers on what’s missing, but it just isn’t something that I’d order again on my next visit to Sabio Tapas Bar.

Sabio Tapas Bar & Restaurant at Duxton Hill is a good place to chill out with a group of friends. If your office is near the Tanjong Pagar/Duxton area, why not drop by Sabio after work? At the same time, you can also check out the other new restaurants in Duxton Hill.

The idea of tapas bar hopping has always been at the back of my mind. I’m going to shortlist a few Spanish Restaurants, and go on a tapas bar hopping adventure!

Singapore Food Blog Review
Sabio Tapas Bar & Restaurant
5 Duxton Hill
Tel: +65 6223 4645
Weekdays 12pm – 12am, Sat 5pm – 12am

For more recommendations, read my list of Spanish Restaurants in Singapore

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I am in love with tomatoes. It may sounds crazy, but I’m head over heels in love, and addicted to them. Who the hell eats tomato as snack while watching TV? Me. The irony is, I remember my mother used to force me to eat tomatoes when I was young and back then, I gave all sorts of excuses not to eat them. I only started to like them after the beauty blogger told me about the benefits of having tomatoes. Okay I digress, but there’s a reason why I’m talking about tomatoes — Spanish cuisine makes heavy use of ingredients like potatoes, tomatoes, peppers, beans and mushrooms. Honey, we are having Spanish food today!

Zsofi Tapas Bar is a quirky and fun Spanish restaurant located in the heart of Little India, Singapore. I know it’s a rather strange place to go for Spanish food, but hey, there’s French food in Little India too!

Look at that beauty up there. Tell me, who can resist not eating the Spanish Paella?

I think the Spanish Paella is an amazing creation. It may seem simple enough to throw in a variety of ingredients like prawn, mussel, tomatoes, chorizo, saffron into a pan, but preparing a good paella is never easy.

I like the Paella Valecia ($35) from Zsofi Tapas Bar. Tasty isn’t exactly an appropriate word to describe it since there are so many flavors within. I’m not too sure if this is the best Spanish paella in Singapore since I haven’t tried that many before, but it is definitely one of the better paella.

Be it with a group of friends, or in the company of loved ones – I love the idea of having Sangria with a few Spanish tapas and Paella after a long day of work.

One day, I’m going to fly to Spain and take lots of photos to make all of you jealous. But until then, I can only visit the Spanish restaurants in Singapore to satisfy my cravings for paella, chorizo, churros and Spanish Tapas.

Sometimes, it’s good to step out of our comfort zone and explore new places and experience new cuisine. If you have never tried Spanish Cuisine before, it’s time to read my list of Spanish restaurants in Singapore. Zsofi Tapas Bar serves a free tapas with the purchase of every alcoholic drink.

Restaurant Review
Zsofi Tapas Bar
68 Dunlop Street Singapore
Tel: +65 6297 5875

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If you buy me an air ticket, I will immediately fly off to Spain. I have always read about the Spanish culture, and I think that the whole idea of bar-hopping is brilliant. Unfortunately, we do not have that many Spanish restaurants and tapas bars in Singapore and it doesn’t make sense to cab from one end of Singapore to the other. But hey, I think it will be really cool to find a group of friends for a night of tapas-bar-hopping.

Here’s a list of Spanish Restaurants in Singapore:

Catalunya
82 Collyer Quay
The Fullerton Pavillion
Tel: +65 6534 0188
Daily: 11am – 2am

Don Quijote Spanish Restaurant

Don Quijote at Dempsey Hill is a nice place to go to if you are craving for Spanish food. While prices are not cheap, they are not too exorbitant – it is on par with most of the better Spanish Restaurants in Singapore.

Be it a nice date with your partner; or a birthday party celebration with a big group of friends – Don Quijote Spanish Restaurant is the ideal place if you like tapas, paella and sangria.

Blk 7 Dempsey Road #01-02
Dempsey Hill Singapore
Tel: +65 6476 2811
Nearest Station: Orchard

La Viva Spanish Bar & Tapas
30 Victoria Street #01-12/13/14
Chijmes Singapore
Tel: +65 6339 4290

My Little Spanish Place
619 Bukit Timah Road Singapore
Tel: +65 6463 2810

Octapas Spanish Tapas Bar

Formerly known as The Tapas Tree, Octapas Spanish Tapas Bar launched back in August this year. If you are in the Clark Quay area, drop by Octapas to satisfy your Spanish food cravings.

3D River Valley Road #01-08
Clarke Quay Singapore
Tel: +65 6837 2938

Onion Restaurant & Bar

791 Bukit Timah Road
#01-01 Singapore
Tel: +65 6763 0398

Sabio Tapas Bar

Housed within a shop house on Duxton Hill, Sabio Tapas Bar has been designed to represent an authentic tapas bar in Spain. It is a good place to chill out with a group of friends. Fans of Sabio will be happy to know that it has recently opened a second outlet, Sabio by the Sea at Quayside Isle.

5 Duxton Hill Singapore
Tel: +65 6223 4645

Salt Tapas & Bar

If you are a fan of tapas, Salt Tapas Bar at Raffles City by celebrity chef Luke Mangan is one place that you should check out. It serves Aussie-style tapas with the freshest ingredients.

Many people have the perception that Salt Tapas & Bar is very expensive. This is true. Most of the tapas are in the $20 to $30 range, and you can easily spend at least $100 for a meal here. But what you might not know that it has a fantastic lunch set for just $33.50++/pax. It includes a flat bread to share, and 3 tapas per person. When you consider the fact that most of the dishes on the set lunch menu are from the ala carte menu, you will agree that it is a very good deal.

252 North Bridge Road
#01-22A Raffles City Shopping Centre
Tel: +65 6837 0995
Daily: 11.30am – 10pm
Nearest Station: City Hall

Sabroso Tapas Wine Bar

Sabroso Tapas bar at Holland Village has a Spanish Tapas Buffet Dinner which features 16 tapas at $32++ per head, from Sun to Thu from 6pm – 10pm.

26A Lorong Mambong
Holland Village, Singapore
Tel: +65 6766 0053

Serenity Spanish Bar & Restaurant
1 HarbourFront Walk #01-98/99
VivoCity Singapore
Tel: +65 6376 8185

Sol Tasca
3 Fullerton Road # 01-04
The Fullerton WaterBoatHouse
Tel: +65 6533 8913

Zsofi Tapas Bar

Most people probably won’t associate Spanish Tapas with Little India, but that’s exactly where Zsofi Tapas Bar is located. The whole area may be a little sleazy, but Zsofi Tapas Bar is cosy and unpretentious, and most importantly the Spanish food is affordable.

68 Dunlop Street Singapore
Tel: +65 6297 5875