
El bar de tapas
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Quick info
About El bar de tapas
El bar de tapas is a Spanish tapas restaurant at 5a Middle Row in Stevenage Old Town, and the town's first authentic tapas bar. The menu is built around small plates for sharing, with sizzling garlic prawns (gambas), patatas bravas and churros with chocolate sauce among the dishes. Drinks include wine, specialist sangrias and a Tyris IPA from Valencia to go with the food. A lunchtime menu offers three tapas dishes at a set price, which gives a quick way to try several plates in one sitting. Colourful tiled tabletops fill the room, and the owner personally welcomes guests as they arrive. The restaurant is open Tuesday to Sunday and closed on Mondays.
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Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention tyris ipa, chorizo, gambas garlic prawns and lunchtime tapas menu.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention tyris ipa, chorizo, gambas garlic prawns and lunchtime tapas menu.
Customer Review Summary
Diners most often single out the prawns, from sizzling garlic prawns to gambas, with the chorizo close behind. The crispy glazed chicken bites, honey chicken, padron peppers and cod croquettes also get named. Several describe authentic Spanish food in generous portions, and two reviewers pair it with a cold Tyris IPA. One reviewer insists on trying the dirty bananas cocktail and the Mango Passionfruit. The lunchtime tasting menu of three small dishes is praised for sharing and good value. Complaints are small but specific: the paella tasted slightly plain, the bravas lacked a little heat, and the chocolate sauce with the churros was watery. One reviewer suggests reserving, since the place is popular. Reviewers repeatedly call the staff welcoming and attentive, and one notes that the owner personally greets guests the moment they walk through the door.
Customer Review Summary
Diners most often single out the prawns, from sizzling garlic prawns to gambas, with the chorizo close behind. The crispy glazed chicken bites, honey chicken, padron peppers and cod croquettes also get named. Several describe authentic Spanish food in generous portions, and two reviewers pair it with a cold Tyris IPA. One reviewer insists on trying the dirty bananas cocktail and the Mango Passionfruit. The lunchtime tasting menu of three small dishes is praised for sharing and good value. Complaints are small but specific: the paella tasted slightly plain, the bravas lacked a little heat, and the chocolate sauce with the churros was watery. One reviewer suggests reserving, since the place is popular. Reviewers repeatedly call the staff welcoming and attentive, and one notes that the owner personally greets guests the moment they walk through the door.
Featured reviews
- Peter Hill
“A lovely Tapas Bar in Stevenage Old Town, with a calming atmosphere. The staff were polite and attentive. There is plenty of seating inside and out, not sure how you would access the lower lever if you were not fully mobile. A good extensive menu to choose from to select your favourite Tapas. A good selection of drinks available. A reservation is suggested, as it is a popular venue. Parking is on street parking in the local area. Prices are reasonable. I would go back if I went back to Stevenage Old Town”
- D P
“Had a really nice lunch at El bar de tapas. We opted for the tasting menu where you get 3 tapas dishes each for £15pp and shared them out. Really good food, we had a mix of veg and non-veg and pretty much everything was good. Great service from the staff as they were welcoming, friendly and attentive and the restaurant was well set out indoors and outdoors. Would highly recommend this place!”
- Lottie Lambert
“We had a wonderful experience at this restaurant. The atmosphere is so inviting, especially with the unique, colourful tiled tabletop that really makes the space stand out. Everything we ordered was delicious. We particularly enjoyed the variety of small plates, which arrived perfectly prepared and were great for sharing. Pairing the meal with a cold Tyris IPA was the highlight of our evening. We will definitely be back soon.”
- Scott Purdue
“Absolutely amazing food, top-tier staff, and an unbeatable atmosphere! Every dish we ordered was a 10/10—especially the sizzling garlic prawns and the crispy glazed chicken bites. What really sets this place apart, though, is the hospitality. The owner personally makes sure you feel incredibly welcome the moment you walk through the door. If you haven't been here yet, you are missing out. Highly recommend!”
- Jose Hernandez
“I have been meaning to write this review for quite some time and would like to apologise for not doing so sooner. I first discovered this restaurant while travelling on a business trip, and it proved to be a genuinely delightful surprise. From the moment I arrived, I was warmly welcomed by the owner and the entire team, whose hospitality and attentiveness made for an exceptionally enjoyable dining experience. The food was outstanding and impressively authentic. The flavours transported me straight back to Spain, capturing the essence of traditional Spanish cuisine with remarkable accuracy. I sampled a variety of tapas, each dish beautifully presented and served in generous portions. Every plate showcased fresh ingredients, careful preparation, and a clear passion for quality. To accompany the meal, I enjoyed a Tyris IPA from Valencia, which paired wonderfully with the food and further enhanced the authenticity of the experience. In summary, this was one of the finest Spanish dining experiences I have had in England. The combination of excellent food, genuine hospitality, and attention to detail made it truly memorable. I would not hesitate to recommend this restaurant to anyone seeking authentic Spanish cuisine, and I simply could not find fault with any aspect of my visit.”
Hours
- Monday
- Closed
- Tuesday
- Wednesday
- Thursday
- Friday
- Saturday
- Sunday
Good to know
“Stevenage’s first authentic Tapas bar, serving freshly prepared tapas, wine and specialist sangrias”
- AccessibilityWheelchair-accessible entrance · Wheelchair-accessible seating · Wheelchair-accessible toilet
Amenities
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance
Show more amenities
- Accessibility· 2
- Wheelchair-accessible seating
- Wheelchair-accessible toilet
Location
Restaurants near El bar de tapas
- Tarla Restaurant4.71,2040 mi£20–50Vegan optionsVegetarian optionsWheelchair accessible
sigara börek, grilled fish, cocktails and mocktails
- Golden Fry4.6792 mi
fish and chips, cod and plaice, large chips portions
- Cheese Pizza3.6492.4 mi£10–20Good for kidsReservations
create your own pizza order errors, 20-inch pizza, half and half toppings dispute
| Place | Rating | Distance | Price | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| El bar de tapas | 4.71,237 | — | — | tyris ipa, chorizo, gambas garlic prawns |
| Tarla RestaurantVegan options · Vegetarian options · Wheelchair accessible | 4.71,204 | 0 mi | £20–50 | sigara börek, grilled fish, cocktails and mocktails |
| Golden Fry | 4.679 | 2 mi | — | fish and chips, cod and plaice, large chips portions |
| Cheese PizzaGood for kids · Reservations | 3.649 | 2.4 mi | £10–20 | create your own pizza order errors, 20-inch pizza, half and half toppings dispute |
The 3 nearest restaurants by distance. Ratings, hours and review terms come from public business profiles.
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