Needed some adventure and I've been missing Spain, so I leashed up my pup and headed to Little Italy. It's about as close to Madrid (other than Balboa Park) as you're going to get in the county of San Diego...especially if you sit down at Barra Oliba. I literally felt like I was in a café in Madrid or Barcelona and enjoyed not only the familiar salty flavors that I've missed from Spain, but also the pure, rich, olive oil, and quiet ambiance as this is one block from the busiest part of Little Italy. My server, German, (his name) enjoyed helping me create the ideal light supper and allowed me to try a few Spanish wines (they have so many!). I settled on a Verdejo from Rueda. It was the right balance of fruit, acid, and slight floral to perfectly pair to my meal. I had the seasonal fish meuniere - white fish delicious and crispy on top (my favorite), garnished with capers and roe. It was accompanied with a tender lettuce and heirloom tomato salad with saffron dressing. The leftover dressing for the salad was the most amazing vinegar dip for a couple tater tots when I got home. The dressing was something I will go back for! Thank you, Barra Oliba for the perfect Spanish "girl dinner!" Can't wait to come back and try the Paella! read more

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Went here for the first time with my date this past weekend 4/25. We had a reservation but chose to sit at the bar since there were two great seats available. The night started off really well. The gentleman at the front greeted us, and we instantly connected since we're both from Guadalajara. It felt like the experience was going in a great direction. At the bar, things changed. The bartender was friendly toward me but not toward my Middle Eastern date, which made things uncomfortable. When taking our order, he stayed in the middle of the bar while opening a wine bottle instead of coming over, so we could hear him. When my date asked him to come closer, he seemed visibly annoyed. The food, though, was amazing--delicious and great quality. We'll give it another try, but next time we won't sit at the bar. read more

I was in search of a restaurant near the new coffee shop that I went to and found this restaurant. Me and my friend went early enough that reservations were not needed. Although we were seated right away, it took a long time for us to get attended to. Sadly , this was the theme of the service throughout the entire night. Slow. I did like the intimate and quiet setting because it allowed us to talk to each other without talking over each other. For wine, I got a refreshing white wine. For tapas we got - Tuna Tasting - I can barely taste the tuna due to the other ingredients on the skewer. This was overpriced in my opinion. Pintxo de Chorizo - This was actually my favorite! The creamy aioli and the savory chorizo was a match made in heaven! Wagyu Beef Cheek - This reminded me of short rib to be honest. It was tender and I did like potato puree that came with it. Mushrooms - Breaking the yolk on this dish was so much fun! Definitely added that creaminess to the dish. This experience was a 3.5 for me. Although there are some items I liked, the slow service brought down my overall experience. read more

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Writing about the happy hour since I don't see much information about it yet - it's Wednesday to Friday, 4-6pm. I stopped in at 4pm on a Friday and it was nice and empty. We sat at the bar with no reservation, and service was great. The food is tapas style, so think small bites, but high quality. This is one of the few places in SD that does a Spanish tortilla (tortilla de patatas) and it was perfectly custardy soft in the center. Romantic and cute inside, good for a date night. Prices are steep for tiny pours and portions so more of a splurge. read more

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We had a reservations for a girls dinner on a Friday night at 7. Since it's tapas, my girl took the liberty of basically ordering the entire menu and a few bottles of wine. The service was great, our server Mario (who I only remember because my friend's name is Maria and she pointed that out!) recommended that one person ordered everything so the kitchen can flow the food out in a timely flow. We loved this! Brilliant amazing dishes left and right. The table agreed the steak was the star of the show along with the oysters, marinated tomatoes. I don't drink so I ordered a couple americanos. Would recommend, my friends are in a group text saying they would go back for the steak alone! Also get the "hot sauce" read more

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Barra Oliba ---"Olive Stick" in Basque--is a cozy little venue on Kettner Boulevard, in the Little Italy section of San Diego. Kettner Boulevard is blessedly quieter than nearby India Street, so it might be a touch easier to snag a coveted parking space. The wine list is quite comprehensive. In particular, there is a large selection of Spanish wines available, which, of course, would be expected in a Tapas-style restaurant. The restaurant is just now celebrating its one year anniversary. I originally visited the restaurant when it first opened--I think I heard about it on Yelp--and I just visited a second time on a recent Friday evening. One side of the small dining room is lined in red upholstered banquettes. There is a bar opposite, where some people choose to dine. Ernesto and Eduardo are gracious and welcoming hosts. read more

Barra Oliba - Friday dinner - Spanish Near Me - San Diego, California

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I first went here in January when they had only been open for a few months. It was amazing. Me and my friend sat at the bar. Our server Matt took great care of us. We had some of the best pork chop in San Diego. The tapas were delicious but it can get expensive since tapas are meant to be small portions. Next time I went was in May for my birthday and I was sadly disappointed. The pork chop didn't taste as good as it used to and they got rid of some of the menu items. I really wanted to try the Wagyu beef cheek but they got rid of it. I got to sample the other dishes since my friends ordered them and it wasn't something rave worthy. The restaurant is small and has an intimate setting perfect for dates. Dim lighting. The bar was nice if you want to socialize. Parking is horrible. As it's only street parking in little Italy. Would I go back? Probably not since they cut their menu even more now that they've been open for a little over a year. Maybe if I'm in the area and just wanted tapas and wine. read more

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The staff were friendly. That is all. Tapa is always in small portions, but not smaller than Costco food samples with the price of a whole plate. It was significantly overpriced and nothing even near the actual tapa. We were very disappointed. It was a ripoff. We will never go there again. read more

My wife and I love to visit Spain, and this restaurant was a little piece of Spain in San Diego! The food was delicious, and the service was even better. The Pan Con Tomate was better than many places in Spain! read more

Spain has arrived in Little Italy. :) What a cool vibe addition to Little Italy. I think the best word to describe Barra is serious. They are serious about the ingredients and preparation. This was the perfect place for my anniversary weekend. Shout out to Matt our guide this evening who took such great care. The food! Wow! This is upscale tapas and the flavors were unexpected. Example, we had the black rice q dry aged seared stripped sea bass. The rice is black using squid ink and then seasoned in a way that by itself is a flavor bomb. The sea bass was crispy skinned but still delicate. They have a delish anchovies toast that has such great flavor. Matt will help not only w the food but there is a ton of great wine. read more

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You guys did it again, Barra Oliba! This place never disappoints. The dishes were bold, creative, and packed with flavor !! truly a fun experience for the taste buds. I couldn't try everything in one visit, but that just gives me the perfect excuse to come back soon and explore more of your incredible menu. Cheers, and Happy New Year! read more

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Food was excellent. Great variety in tapas had all the happy hour tapas small but very tasty. The wine selection was very good too. Happy hour drinks were good. Next time I will try the paella . The aromas from the kitchen-were very yummy. Very pretty snd quaint. We sat at the bar and had wonderful conversations with guests. Service was very good. Met the owner very friendly and the camarero was festive and fun! Try it! read more

We used to love this place but tonight proved we won't be back. Some waiter thought it would be fun to sell us the most expensive wine and yet not actually give us a real poor and the rest of the waiters were just rude. read more

The sea bass was fantastic. The presentation of the dishes were creative and all were quite good. The ambiance of the restaurant is very coozy and comforting. And the service was attentive and good. read more

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From the perfectly curated playlist to the wine list, this place is a hit. You can taste the quality in every bite. I can't recommend this place enough! It feels like a taste of Europe dropped into San Diego. We went opening weekend and they were running like a well oiled machine. Everyone was so pleasant, the staff was so knowledgeable and they all had such great recommendations! The Pan Tumaca is so rich with flavor, I could eat it every single day, with or without the ibérico! I haven't had many items on their menu but I'm excited to try more. read more

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Extremely expensive if you are going for drinks and tapas, but still the best service, quality of food, and atmosphere for this type of experience. Very nice decor. For drinks, food, and dessert, count at least $100 per person at this place. For example, our bill included a $5 charge for 3 small pieces of bread; they'll charge you for every taste and it adds up quickly as their tapas are very small (but good). Do not go here very hungry. It is a great (but very expensive) experience I definitely recommend. read more

Barra Oliba - Sangria. - Spanish Near Me - San Diego, California

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Our server was fantastic! We sat at the bar, and received friendly service & lots of info on each offering. Our female bartender was very knowledgeable about the wine and offered samplings. We enjoyed the artichoke, Boguerones, and Spanish cheese selection w/quince. The bar was very beautiful & we felt lucky to find this place ! Good Spanish tapas can be difficult to find & the selection here went beyond the typical papas bravas & Iberico ham. Can't wait to return! read more

An absolute standout, unforgettable dining experience. San Diego has had its share of Spanish tapas places that just don't quite get it right, until now. Barra Oliba opened just 5 weeks ago, but they've already nailed the ambiance, food and service. We grabbed a seat at the bar- which is honestly the best place to be, largely in part to the awesome bartender, Matt. Everyone seemed to know his name. No surprise given his friendly personality and overall good vibes! They have a great wine list of Spanish wines and even carry Estrella on tap. I didn't see it on the menu, but also saw some folks drinking a sangria! The food is incredible and reminds me of tapeando in Madrid. We started with the aceitunas, cheese board and jamón ibérico. The jamón was melt in your mouth and we could've honestly done this round three times over with just how good it was!! We then moved on to patatas bravas, croquetas and tortilla española. All were an elevated take on the classics that maintained the goodness of the originals while adding such a delicious, complex layer of flavor! We were so full that we couldn't go for dessert but we're definitely eye-ing that homemade basque cheesecake next. This place is next level. Food quality, so good. Service, outstanding. And vibes, absolutely immaculate. Such a perfect date night spot and lovely intimate, yet lively atmosphere! We can't wait to come back. read more

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A new Spanish tapas restaurant has debuted at the Instrata Apartments in Little Italy. The suite used to house a local chain taqueria that has now been transformed into an elegant bar and dining area by the new owners (same as Crudo Cevicheria). There were also outside tables on a parklet that doubled the seating capacity of Barra Oliba. The current operating hours are from 4 to 10 pm on Wednesday through Sunday. Lunch may be added in the future on weekends. I sat at a two-top table across from the bar that was half filled during my visit. The two-sided menu featured offerings that were seed-oil free as a nod to those who were extra health conscious. Tiny bites and small dishes were listed on one side. Raw bar items, starters, and main dishes were shown on the other side. Prices ranged between $9 and $30. I chose two small dishes and a starter for my meal. The first item was the Croquetas de Chorizo which came as a trio of deep fried breaded balls with a filling of cheese, potato, and Spanish pork sausage. The croquettes were fried extra crispy which made the exterior harder to bite into. The other small bite I ordered was the Tortilla de Patatas con Aioli Casero (Spanish Style Potato Omelette with House Made Aioli and Chistorra). I asked for Jamón Ibérico to be added which incurred a $15 surcharge for the premium Spanish ham. This was the last plate to come from the kitchen. The ham added more saltiness to the omelette that was almost like a large potato flan. My starter was the Pulpo a Feira which was Gallegan Style Octopus with Steamed Potatoes, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Aioli, and Pimento de la Vera. There were only two small tentacle pieces in the mixture which was dominated by the potatoes. A larger serving of octopus was needed for the $20 cost. Most of the tapas was pricier to reflect the upscale and healthier approach of the kitchen. The service from the waitress was efficient as she was familiar with the menu enough to be able to address my questions. read more

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The service was ok, they were inattentive except for when they repeatedly asked us for the paella dish back. The portions were small even for tapas ($25 for 4 small slivers of jamon). The food was underwhelming, the rice in the paella was undercooked, the chorizo croquettes had very little chorizo. The ambiance was cozy, best for parties of 2-6. read more

Barra Oliba - Spanish Near Me - San Diego, California

I heard this was a cute, newer spot, so we had to try it! The lighting is romantic, and the tables feel intimate, as it is a smaller restaurant inside. They do offer outdooor seating. The server was attentive and gave great recommendations. Their wine selection is also impressive. The food was fantastic. We love Spanish tapas, so we had an idea of what to try. The garlic shrimp was flavorful. We also tried the pulpo, which was delicious. The Jamòn Iberìco was slightly unexpected. Traditionally, this type of ham is aged and has a waxy, yet buttery texture. The Jamòn iberíco we got appeared more like prosciutto. It was still yummy, but not sure how authentic that was. The dry aged blue fin tuna was my favorite tapa for sure. It was delightfully zesty, surprisingly full of flavor with the right balance of umami. The patatas bravas were also a favorite of mine, mostly because I enjoy potatoes. It was seasoned to perfection and had the perfect seared crust and soft inside. Overall, this place was awesome and we can't wait to go back again! read more

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Lovely new space, Madeleine & Eduardo took amazing care of us at the bar. Absolute phenomenal vibes and the food is exquisite. Muy rico todo! read more

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Ambiance is great. Small place with dim lighting. They have indoor and outdoor seating. Nice extensive wine list and wines by the glass as well. The menu for food is extensive for tapas place. All dishes are meant to be shared and everything we ordered was delicious. My favorite was the dry aged blue fin tuna tartare. Service was excellent. We were seated and our waitress introduced herself right away and checked on us frequently. read more

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This small but charming spot truly brings a taste of Spain to Little Italy! We stopped in for a glass of wine and a couple of small plates before heading to our dinner reservation, and it was the perfect way to start the night. We were able to grab two seats at the bar right away, and our bartender/server, Mathew, was wonderful! As red wine lovers who know nothing about Spanish reds, we appreciated his guidance--he helped us find wines we'd enjoy and even let us sample a couple before deciding on our glasses. For food, we tried the croquetas de chorizo and the garlic shrimp, both of which were delicious and left us eager to come back and explore more of the menu. Highly recommend for a quick stop or a full meal--can't wait to return! read more

Barra Oliba - Croquetas de chorizo - Spanish Near Me - San Diego, California

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Lovely little spot for tapas. We tried a little bit of everything, but I only got photos of four plates. This is what we ordered, I would recommend all but the last one, I wrote in the English names for the dishes for simplicity: - Grass fed beef tartare (amazing, so flavorful and fresh) - Octopus with steamed potatoes (I love octopus, this was made to perfection) - Garlic oil shrimp (order this, if you don't know where to start then start here. It is so good.) - Spanish style potato omelette (this was very rich, it went well with the other dishes we ordered) - Dry aged kanpachi crudo (my favorite dish of the night) - Black rice with seared dry aged kanpachi (this dish was not good...it was very pretty, but the kanpachi was overcooked and not seared. It was dry and also very boney. The baby squid was good and the rice was okay, but overall the dish didn't come together well) The space is quite small and intimate. It makes for a great date spot, the lighting is low and the ambience feels very romantic. Overall, I'd come back and recommend this spot. Just don't order the black rice with kanpachi. read more

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Loved it! Romantic vibe. Would be great for date night. Chef was so helpful. He took time to walk me through all my options, since I'm gluten free. For a party of 3, we got the tortilla, patatas bravas, artichoke confit, jamón ibérico, vaca vieja (special), chocolate sourdough, and basque cheesecake. read more

Fantastic experience, one of the owners recommended Arroz Meloso and the Tortilla Esoañola, and by far they are two of the best things I've tried in San Diego. The wine list is very well thought of and the staff is extremely friendly. One of the best places in San Diego. read more

The food is good but the sizes were just not acceptable. We asked for a wine & beer and the beer was in a very tiny glass. When I mean tiny... it was child size. Three plates the size of a cappuccino plate. I understand importing is expensive buuuuut this was just not even small bites, it was just one bite. The place is beautiful and it's photo worthy... unfortunately, that's about it. I'm still in shock. read more

Service was extremely slow. Took 30 min to order a wine. Food was very mediocre & bland. Potatoes served cold. Wines by glass extremely overpriced. Only good part of night was their Sea Bass over black rice. Ambiance missing as walls were very plain and lackluster. So many other great spots in SD. Not coming back. read more

Absolutely loved this place! We started the evening with a cold cañita. The food was delicious, the service was top and the ambiance made the whole experience even better. My favorite dishes were the tortilla de patatas and the gambas al ajillo. read more

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A friend and I did girls night here and we had the best time! The food and service was amazing and I'll be recommending it to my friends. The paella was to die for! Regina our server was the best. read more

Barra Oliba - Spanish Near Me - San Diego, California

Very cozy elegant spanish restaurant The tapas are delicious Every plate we ordered was very tasty I recommend the tuna tartar Pulpo and the olive oil icecream Definitely coming back read more

Barra Oliba - Spanish Near Me - San Diego, California

The food was tasty! The ambience was cozy and romantic! Definitely will be visiting the restaurant again!

A super cute Spanish Tapas restaurant near Little Italy. Our server, Juan was very friendly and knowledgeable about all the wonderful Iberian meat they serve. The tapas were all very delicious and our main dishes (Iberian pork chops with Romesco sauce and creamy rice with wagu tongue and cheeks) were absolutely beautiful, fresh and oh yes, delicious. And don't forget the extensive Spanish wine offered here. We had a lovely time and recommend Barra Oliba very highly. Salud! read more

This place what such a pleasant experience. Service, ambiance and food. I would 10/10 recommend this place if you are looking for a nice date spot, this is your best option! Pro tip: get the beef tartar read more

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Came here for the first time. We really enjoyed this place. Great appetizers. Small, but delicious. Our favorites were the tuna tartar and the chorizo croquettes. The anchovy toast was really tasty as well. Highly recommend. read more

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I highly recommend Barra Oliba! We came to celebrate my husband's birthday and loved everything from the food to the atmosphere. The tapas were fantastic! Especially the pan tumaca with jamón ibérico, gambas al ajillo, and tortilla de patatas. The owner stopped by our table and was incredibly helpful, suggesting a fantastic bottle of wine and some kid friendly options for our little ones. We sat outside, but the interior is so stylish and well designed I had to take a peek, it truly feels like you've been transported to a chic spot in Spain. The playful artwork and cozy candlelit tables add just the right touch of charm. We almost skipped dessert, but I'm so glad we didn't because the Basque style cheesecake was absolutely out of this world. read more

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Second time visiting this place and I'm just impressed. The food is amazing, everything we tried was delicious. A personal favorite was the Tuna tartare, Chorizo croquetes and the cheese assortment. Even their cheesecake was superb. Their wine selection is pretty good too. I'm definitely coming back. read more

Barra Oliba - Spanish Near Me - San Diego, California

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Matt took great care of us at the bar, celebrating two of my friends' birthdays. He was very attentive, had lots of helpful suggestions, did not rush us, and gave us a free dessert for their birthday. Quaint, quiet, well decorated, well staffed and good food/wine restaurant. read more

Barra Oliba - Double birthday celebration. - Spanish Near Me - San Diego, California

Excellent meal for birthday dinner! Ordered pan tumaca, patatas bravas, croquetas, beef tartar, a plate of jamon iberico, and the asparagus. We LOVED the croquetas and the patatas bravas. Beautiful classic Spanish dishes. The asparagus was perfect too. Service was excellent! Only problem was that I didn't feel the jamon iberico was as flavorful as I was used to, so felt like too much money to spend on it. Would definitely come back for another celebration dinner. read more

Barra Oliba - Croquetas - Spanish Near Me - San Diego, California

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