Binomio

All you can see from the outside is a casual 20-seat tapas bar, but really, three quarters of the establishment is the 70-seat dining room, a real posh space with starched white table clothes and formal table service. Chow down on simple tapas like tortilla de patatas, Spanish potato omelette or go for a full experience with precise small plates like baby octopus and potato escabeche. 

BOMBA 

Named after the Bomba rice used to make its paella, this 70-seater newbie serves up a handful of paella to choose from such as langoustine, squid & prawn and arroz negro, with squid, dry sherry, squid ink and black mushrooms cooked in fish stock. The menu isn't short on Spanish wines, but if you're in need of a cocktail, order our favorite, the Bomba punch.

Catalunya

A slick, modern Spanish restaurant and bar housed in newly built glass dome The Fullerton Pavilion with visually arresting views of the Marina Bay waterfront. It also boasts a team of elBulli and Santi alum including award-winning mixologist Dario Nocentini.

Don Quijote

The more accessible cousin of their original Lorang Kilat outlet at Upper Bukit Timah (which has since closed), we cityslickers were thrilled when the folks from Don Quijote decided to bring their tasty tapas dishes closer to us. Try the meatballs with apple sauce and pine nuts, as well as the Rabo de Toro (a hearty oxtail stew with carrots, potatoes and garbanzo beans), which are great. 

Esquina

Jason Atherton's only Spanish restaurant in Singapore continues to impress with superb food (try the ox cheek oloroso showered with bone marrow crumbs, barbecued mackerel, pork bolly confit) and a lively atmosphere.   

Kaixo 

Helmed by Le Cordon Bleu alum Issachar Lee, who cut his teeth at Michelin-starred establishments such as San Sebastian’s Restaurant Martin Berasategui, this cozy, unassuming 30-seater offers a Basque-inspired menu that includes a changing selection of pintxos—pronounced pin-chos—one of their specialties that’s displayed in a glass case on the bar counter, as well as classic bites like Spanish omelet with potatoes. 

My Little Spanish Place 

This Bukit Timah gem offers a range of tapas and has a dedicated jamon bar. They also have a comforting brunch menu including some stellar churros as well as savories like huevos al horno ($18), baked eggs with tomato and chorizo. 

Ola Cocina Del Mar

Folks would trudge through inclement weather to eat at restaurateur Osvaldo Forlino's establishment located in the CBD, as evidenced from our last visit on a rainy Sunday evening. The homey, unpretentious space, decked out in heavy dark wood and brown leather, serves a tight selection of 12 tapas, six mains and four desserts—which we’d argue that’s all you need with items as well-curated as these.

Sabio Tapas Bar & Restaurant

Round up some friends and order the mixed platter of Spanish ham, sausages and cheese, along with glasses of red sangria. We also like their patatas alioli (fat wedges of fried potatoes with a thick garlic sauce) and pincho moruno de pollo al ajillo (a generous portion of chicken skewers draped with melted Manchego). Leave your jacket at home though; it may get stuffy.

Salt tapas & bar

An attractive Spanish restaurant with lots to take in, Salt's food is organized by categories like butcher, sea, paddock and garden, so it's easy to navigate the fairly extensive number of items. Dishes to try include the moreish baked bone marrow with shiitake duxelles and air-dried olives, and the flavorful Wagyu sausage with polenta and capers. Also a great spot for after-work drinks and people-watching.

See more Spanish restaurants in Singapore