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Oh, tapas—they’re tasty, tiny, and sharable. The next time you dine out with friends or family, try one of these fan-favorite tapas restaurants.
By Matt Moment and Sabrina Sucato
Have you fallen for the tapas trend yet? In case you haven’t sampled the wonders that are tapas before, expect to find menus filled with petite, savory, and traditionally Spanish dishes. You can order a little, or you can order a lot. You can order hot or cold dishes. There is a little something for everyone, even the pickiest of eaters. They are best enjoyed with a delicious cocktail, but—of course—this part is optional.
Throughout the region, restaurants have hopped on the small bites trend, serving up curated portions that are perfect for sampling and sharing. So, what are you waiting for? These tapas bars await in the Hudson Valley.
P.S. Are we missing a spot? Email us at edit@hvmag.com so we can add it.
Flores Tapas Bar
Route 9 South, Wappingers Falls
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The menu is well-organized and accommodates gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan diets. The beef brisket empanadas are a must-try, and the menu confirms their popularity with a badge denoting “Flores Fan Favorites.” To drink, consider the “Purple Drank,” a cocktail made with butterfly pea flower-infused gin, passionfruit liqueur, honey, and spiced tonic. For a sweet finish, end the meal with warm churros, coated in cinnamon sugar and served with Nutella spread.
Rojo Tapas and Wine
Broadway, Tivoli
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A hidden gem for diners in Dutchess County, Rojo Tapas and Wine offers a lengthy menu and a comfortable, artistic atmosphere in the heart of Tivoli. Highlights from the food menu include the empanadillas and the yuca fries served with guava fruit dipping sauce. As for beverages, don’t be fooled by the restaurant’s name—the drink menu includes not only wine but beer, cocktails, and even locally-sourced cider.
Cilantro Restaurant And Bar
Windsor Highway, New Windsor
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The main selling point at Cilantro is quick service. The food is presented in a modified buffet style (the server prepares your plate for you). You simply must try the pernil sliders or the mofongito with Caribbean creole sauce, chock-full of authentic Latin American flavor. Order a drink to complement your meal from the list of quirky cocktails, and be sure to leave room for the decadent Magic Cake, a chocolatey dessert layered with flan.
Somni Tapas Restaurant and Bar
NY-208, Monroe
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At Somni, diners have the option of ordering tapas or a la carte entrées. In the vein of small plates, look to the duck cigar served with passionfruit dipping sauce—an adventurous combination, equal parts savory and fruity. Also worth mentioning are the risotto bites served with fig puree, prosciutto, and balsamic dipping sauce. If your appetite calls for something more substantial, you’re in luck. The entrée menu includes proteins such as slow-cooked short ribs, duck breast, and monkfish.
The Vault
Main Street, Beacon
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This is a great option for those in search of a slightly more upscale feel and an impressive selection of specialty cocktails. You may wind up making the trip for drinks alone! Fall in love with the “Fall for Me” cocktail, or ask for another “Another Please,” which combines raspberry vodka, elderflower liquor, fresh lemon, and cranberry. As for bites, we’d recommend the fan-favorite buttermilk fried calamari served with saffron aioli. The Vault also offers a small kid’s menu with simple plates like grilled cheese and pasta with butter, making it a reliable choice for families with picky eaters.
Iron Vine
Main Street, Peekskill
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This is a great option if you’re looking for a sizable meal with the flavor palate of tapas. If you come for brunch, go for the blue crab avocado Benedict, then wash it down with bottomless mimosas. As for the dinner menu, Iron Vine offers salads, sandwiches (the Cuban sandwich and chorizo burger earned “Best of Westchester” and “Westchester Magazine Burger & Beer Blast” awards, respectively), and entrees. To drink, we’d recommend one of the signature Oaxaca mezcal mules or a classic margarita.
Barquila Tapas & Cocktail Lounge
Mamaroneck Avenue, Mamaroneck
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Before you sip your drink or taste your tapas, take a moment to admire the design of the menu, which includes sketches of each cocktail, flavor notes, and enticing descriptions. There is something to be said for a restaurant that tells you exactly what to expect, then delivers on it. The talent of the bar staff is apparent in the presentation and flavor of the drinks. And as for tapas…good luck choosing just one!
Basque Tapas Bar Restaurant
Piermont Avenue, Piermont
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This tapas joint is known for its authenticity and superb cuisine. The menu is neatly arranged, first detailing your tapas options—there are over 20, and no dish surpasses $20—before listing salads, soups, hot plates, and paellas. When you’re done stuffing your face, you may visit an art gallery in town or take a stroll along the pier. For those on the east side of the Hudson River, there is another location in Tarrytown.
Tomas Tapas Bar & Restaurant
NY-376, Wappingers Falls
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If excellent service is integral to your dining experience, Tomas may be the tapas restaurant for you. And yet, this says nothing of the eclectic, expansive menu. Tuscan clams, anyone? Or perhaps you’d prefer the rustic herb-marinated lamp chops? The drink menu also includes some quirky choices, like the fig cosmopolitan and the cherry bomb martini. There are also great options for the fainter of stomach, like the flatbreads, angus hanger steak, and “Grandpa’s Cucumber Salad.”
Caribe Tapas
Main Street, Haverstraw
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If you’re in the market for Puerto Rican tapas with a playlist to match, head on over to Caribe. Diners rave as fervently about the music as they do the mofongo with pernil. You can also look forward to a generous selection of drinks, such as coquito and the passionfruit mojito. For a night out with friends to enjoy food, cocktails, and maybe even a little dancing, this is the place to try.
Marbella Tapas and Wine Bar
Canal Street, Ellenville
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At Marbella, the tapas selection is organized into three main categories: vegan, sea, and land. Regulars say they love the relaxing and casual atmosphere without any compromise in quality of service. The duck pastrami served with mustard stands out as a superlative menu item, and the wine list is quite comprehensive, with options including red, white, sparkling, rose, and dessert wines. Pop open a bottle with your party and enjoy a slow, family-style dining experience.
Bellacosa Wine & Tapas Bar
Main Street, Dobbs Ferry
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Bellacosa is a tapas restaurant with an Italian twist. While the menu includes a short list of Italian-style tapas, there are also options in the way of antipasti, salad, pasta, and pizza. The kitchen is open until 9:30 p.m. on Tuesday through Thursday and Saturday, and until 10:30 p.m. on Friday, which means this destination is ideal for a late-night bite in Westchester. As for what to order, you can’t go wrong with the crispy eggplant meatballs or the ricotta gnocchi.
Related: Where to Find Mouthwatering Tacos in the Hudson Valley