Best Tapas in KL

Discerning palates will find this place much intriguing, having stocked up with the refined and luxurious Jamon Iberico Bellota- cured black pig ham found in the Iberian region. Aficionados will certainly blend in effortlessly, while a variety of toned down tapas are also unmatched in its own level for the less adventurous. Some wonders include skewered grilled prawns with olives and peppers, to oven baked mushrooms filled with balmy flavours. 

A rich block of creamy duck pate secured beautifully in a ring of French cheese isn’t something you stumble upon on any other average days. But Mezze has this stocked in the house for tapas lovers to indulge in. For the uninitiated palates, a side of horseradish is served to mellow down the slightly peculiar taste of the pate, making it a suitable experience for everyone. 

Tucked smack in the middle of the ever lively city centre of Kuala Lumpur, this tapas bar is frequently patronized by both tourists and locals. That’s not a surprise though, with a menu consisting of the finest Spanish delights; such is their selection of tapas. They are home to some finely cured and air dried ham on rock melon; and cheese stuffed portobellos. You really don’t have to look further no more. 

Perfectly capturing the Spanish tapas bar scene, you will find yourself much encapsulated in the city of Barcelona while being right here in Bangsar. Proving to be a quintessential company for their wine and cocktails, the tapas here seem perennial in its flavours and tastes. You’re talking sweet and savoury bacon wrapped sausage and caramelized onions; brittle and fatty pork belly; and meticulously prepared roast pork, all deemed to satisfy even the pickiest palates. 

Dubbed the 21^st century tapas, one might expect something truly modernized and contemporary, in which both are true. Diving into smoking up their dishes and a dedicated “Guacamole Chef” preparing all your, well, guacamole; this surely is a distant take towards a traditional Spanish tapas menu. A variety of guacamole dip muddles into one’s mind, making what seems to be an easy task, not what it seems. Smoked up jars lacing quill eggs and snails too proved to be tantalizing to the taste buds, opening new paths of flavours and tastes. 

La Bodega is no stranger when it comes to tapas, as they have spread their wings all over the Klang Valley with their signature dishes. Imagine button mushrooms sauteed with butter and garlic accompanied by toast for a scrumptious delight, nothing beats the sight and taste of a simple dish done beautifully. 

Ah, very little things come in between a good glass of wine and a scrumptious selection of tapas. Paving through your palate and tummy will be an extensive list of local and fusion creations, one which includes utterly ambrosial cuts of pork bellies. After all, who wouldn’t like a melt-in-your-mouth sensation? If you prefer it closer to home, the garlic prawns will certainly keep you at comfort, where a serving of poached egg and pesto will induce refreshing flavours.

The tapas at The Barn cover a wide spectrum. Whether it be local favourites like pork satay or more conventional tapas like pigs in blankets, there's a lot to choose from. Another thing to note is that the portions are quite generous, with 6 cocktail servings of pigs in blankets, 6 pork satay sticks, and 2 large Portobello mushrooms as an example. Some of these plates even come with their own set of sauces, whether it be the spicy peanut sauce for the pork satay, or the chilli sauce that's served with the pigs in blankets. Most of these plates are rich and flavourful as far as taste goes; whether its the earthiness of the Portobello mushrooms with the creaminess of the cheese on top, or the juiciness of the bacon and sausages in the pigs in blankets.

Soak up Spanish vibes as soon as stepping in this buoyant restaurant that makes you forget you’re actually on the ground floor of Starhill. Beautiful bull-fighting photos are cleverly littered around the orange walls which sets the mood straightway before plunging headlong into repertoire of Spanish food. The menu is pretty complicated, in a good way yet the jewel of the crown is their tapas. Think dishes like deep fried calamari, Wagyu meatballs, BBQ chicken wings, paprika chilli cheese toast, grilled Cumberland sausages and many more. Having said it’s an authentic Spanish restaurant, what better way to complement your delectable tapas than few glasses of Sangrias that taste as good as it looks. 

Sitting pretty at Publika, this charming restaurant is the sister of El Meson from Bangsar and the team is wholeheartedly committed to churn out tapas that are nothing but spectacular. Everything on the menu is vying for equal attention as aesthetic and creative measure is given huge importance too. Dishes that deserve a mention is their Smoked Salmon with Wasabi Oreo, deep fried baby squids, grilled chicken guacamole salad, grilled Spanish smoked octopus and simple sautéed mushrooms with cream and wine, and this is only a slice of the menu. The tapas do create a hypnotic appeal yet be sure of storing some space for desserts, especially for their rich chocolate mousse and raspberry. 

Cava is among the pioneers to the Spanish food scene in Kuala Lumpur. In other words, the birthplace of tapas junkies. Despite mushrooming competitors, this cosy restaurant is still standing strong with a steady stream of followers. Aside from the premium cuts of meats and hearty pastas, be sure of chomping down their tapas too. Delicious and diverse are best words to describe this pretty looking grubs like Pulpo a la Gallega - Spanish octopus are rather boiled instead of grilled and sits on potatoes with dusting of paprika, and Olive Villeroy with Creamy Pesto – stuffed olives deep-fried and paired with rich and creamy pesto sauce. Wrap up your meal with their signature sangrias. 

If you plan to look beyond sangria and seafood is your jam, look no further than this one-of-a-kind restaurant. With sweeping choices of wines and liquors stocked up in huge shelves and tables graced up with ocean goodness prepared the Italian-style, your jaws are sure to drop. Pastas may be the best seller on the menu but tapas puts its weight on fresh seafood like scallops, prawns, oysters, fish goujons and many more to tug your heart straight away. Not a seafood person, your eyes would be drawn to their buffalo wings which is dubbed as one of the best in town.