I brought a dear friend from out of town to La Catalana, and I couldn't have chosen a lovelier place to share with her. I've enjoyed every visit, but this evening made me want to become a regular. The owner helped us choose our dishes, and his recommendations were perfect. We savored everything: the wine, cod, pulpo, langoustine, potatoes, shrimp, sausage, spare ribs, and bread. Every dish was delicious, and every sauce made us want one more bite. What makes La Catalana special is the whole experience. The setting is beautiful and intimate, the live music adds so much, and everyone made us feel welcome. There's a warmth to the room that seems to spread from table to table. We even felt a connection with other guests. It's the kind of place that makes you want to linger, and we did for three and a half hours. Seeing the owner and chef again at the end of the night was a lovely surprise and a perfect ending to an evening that left us both so happy. I can't wait to come back. read more

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Great atmosphere, live music, nice deco. Tapas are delicious. My favorite was the open Spanish omelette with seafood. The braised ox tail was really good too. Grilled octopus was tender and charred. But a few of my friends didn't like the texture of them. They said the texture was too soft. I think noodle paella with pork and chorizo was very salted and the texture didn't really match. The seafood paella with big shrimps was nicer and more flavorful. However it didn't blow me again. Would like to try the tomato based paella next time. I would likely to come back for more tapas. Everything takes a long time to prepare on a sat I supposed. The server was very friendly and helpful. read more

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Yummy tapas in the South Bay! I feel like their apps are actually better than some other popular tapas spots around the bay. Patatas bravas sauce is toast with Jamon iberico was delicious, and the mushrooms were super flavorful. The rice paella was ok but I was pleasantly surprised by the noodle paella. Would order that again! Also they have outdoor seating so bring your pup if you want :) read more

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Might be one of our favorite restaurants! Delicious paella and so many other dishes! We came on a Friday at 6pm without reservations and luckily were able to get a table outside! Tables are quite close together, both inside the restaurant and outside. Inside looks like it would be perfect for a date night. read more

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First time eating here for my grandpa's birthday. My parents made reservations and we were seated in their patio area cuz we had a stroller with us. Our server's name was Josh and he was very helpful in picking what's good on the menu. He suggested the seafood paella and oxtail. He also gave us a lot of recommendations on the tapas. I didn't get to take a pic of it but they were all so good! Service was great! We were very happy with the service and the overall experience. Will come back again for date night with the hubby. read more

La Catalana - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - San Jose, California

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Love love loved our experience here! My husband and I came to celebrate his birthday and we had the best time. Food was delicious and service was impeccable. I made a reservation easily through Yelp and we were seated promptly. Our server was amazing! He took his time explaining the menu and daily specials, as well as his recommendations for food and drink. We decided to order a bit of everything since it was our first time here - pan con tomate and iberico ham, pulpo, oxtail with fries, and arros picant, which is the spicy paella with pork ribs. For drinks, we both ordered the sangria rosello. Everything was delicious and fresh, and I especially loved the pan con tomate. The paella was also delicious and I love that it comes with socarrat (scorched rice on the bottom). As a Korean that grew up eating nurungji, socarrat is just soooo homey and delicious. Since we were celebrating a birthday, our server kindly gave us a creme brulee and literally hands down this was one of the best creme brulees I've ever had. It tasted like a mix of creme brulee and flan, and ugh the vanilla and cinnamon with the velvety texture was the perfect way to end the meal. Next time I'm definitely going to try the noodle paella and come with more people so we can order a more variety of tapas! read more

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Treated myself to a solo birthday dinner cuz sometimes single mamas need that! I am a very picky eater, David was super patient, recommended certain foods/drinks and I went with the oxtail. 1st time for everything and it was delicious...I love the outside area with fresh air and their lamp heaters! Thank you for the extraordinary customer service you provided, I will definitely come back and try yet another delicious meal! read more

La Catalana - OXTAIL - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - San Jose, California

This is such a unique restaurant where you would not expect it. Wonderful variety of Tapas and wines. Beautiful interior. Grab several dishes to share. The Paella's (some with rice, some with noodles) and the Shrimp were wonderful. I was surprised that BRANDADA DE BACALLÀ (Catalan style cod fish, potatoes, olive oil, cream and manchego cheese) was so delicious. The flavors and textures and variety as well as the unique wines make for a great evening. read more

Great ambiance and a lively atmosphere. The food was delicious, and they had a good selection of wines. The staff were kind and attentive, offering an all around great experience. The arugula salad was perfectly balanced with the goat cheese and fruits. The pimientos del piquillo were delicious, and were stuffed with spinach the day we visited. While the fruit sangria was decent, at $18 a glass I did not find it to be worth the price. read more

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Always a great experience at La Catalana. The food and service never disappoints. I love this hidden gem in our neighborhood. We came here to celebrate my birthday on a Friday night. Made a reservation a few days before and were seated right away. We ordered the squid ink paella. So delicious. Our server suggested we order it for 3 people even though we had 4. He was right. It was the perfect portion for the four of us accounting for the other dishes we shared. Everything is always good here. I don't think we've had a dish that we didn't like. We will slowly work our way through the menu because it is so delicious. The perfect, intimate spot for date nights or special occasions. You will be well taken care of. They did sing happy birthday to me but they asked if it was ok before hand. They also brought a special birthday dessert. read more

Portions are smaller compared to other paella places but the flavor makes up for it. This is run by a family and the family was really nice and recommending on what to get. I tried the apps too and they were really delectable. Only thing for me that would bump it to a 5 is maybe tad bit bigger portions for the paella. read more

La Catalana - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - San Jose, California

2nd time here and will continue to come back. Recommend: make a reservation before coming here. It's a decent size restaurant with a private room and seatings inside and outside. On a weeknight, it does get very full as this is the place to go. Spanish tapas and it's quite filling. Service is amazing. The attention to detail that each waiter provides us, I appreciate it. The warm decor and semi open kitchen is very welcoming. Seatings are most for 6ppl so it feels like Europe with a group of coworkers get together for a bite and a drink after work. The Familia wine is a must. It's a great compliment to the meal. Vermicelli paella is out of this world. I know paella, the flavors are there but vermicelli just took it to another notch. It's located in a small plaza. Parking is decent at times but can fill up during a busy night. Quite an unexpected restaurant In this location but it stands out and just amazing . read more

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Lovely Spanish Tapas & Wine bar. Nice ambience, decent service & food is really tasty. The Anchovies tapas were fresh & succulent. The Mushrooms were served in a tasty broth. Would have preferred the Chorizo's grilled. The Main dish - Arros de Mar - Seafood Paella was flavorful with two jumbo shrimp & a lots of clams, mussels & bits of shrimp with a nice burnt crust. Just found it a tad salty. Desserts were top notch - Flan & Custards. Overall a great dinning experience, very friendly service. Place was packed on Monday evening, reservations recommended. PS: Place had an elaborate wine menu, we didn't indulge, so can't comment. read more

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La Catalana is a fantastic "neighborhood" restaurant that just happens to be surrounded by the tech industry. The staff are wonderfully attentive and the dishes are fabulous. The enclosed outdoor patio is the perfect accoutrement to a late summer evening. Somehow the jamon iberico and seafood paella were more enjoyable outdoors. Yup....this place will make you smile! read more

La Catalana - Jamon Iberico.....puppy approved! - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - San Jose, California

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Came here for a birthday dinner. I've never seen this place, but it is right on first Street it is definitely a hidden gem. Parking is easy and close. The service was impeccable, and the food was absolutely delicious. The lamb sliders were my favorite, but everything else was a very close second. Portions are generous, and the three of us enjoyed a wonderful meal. Again, a hidden gem that is definitely a great place for a date night or gathering of friends. The dishes are great for sharing and everyone will find something they like. read more

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Absolutely amazing experience dining here. Walking in already feels like you're somewhere else. The live music and atmosphere make it feel like you've stepped into a little piece of Spain. All the tapas were delicious and the squid ink paella was the absolute highlight. The wine selections were great as well and the owners David and Montserrat were very attentive and welcoming. Our server Roy also did a fabulous job and I look forward to coming back to this experience very soon. read more

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MADRE MÍA! That is all I can say. As someone whose family hails from Southern Spain, I am extremely picky about Spanish and Italian food--150%. Anyone raised in these cultures understands that. MAKE NO MISTAKE: this is not your everyday tapa place or a wannabe Spanish restaurant, nor is it overpriced elevated cuisine; this is the real deal. I have visited numerous times--once with a Spanish friend, then with my cousin, and later with two Greek friends. Each time has been a pleasure. My Greek friends were blown away by Montserrat's lamb recipe, which was impressive to them since, for Greeks, meat is synonymous with lamb. One very important aspect for me when eating lamb is that it should not have a heavy mutton flavor. This lamb was wonderful, to say the least! Here are the dishes I have tried and appreciated, in no particular order: XAI BITES Two ground lamb sliders with caramelized onions, red wine sauce and manchego cheese- THIS IS WHAT I AM TALKING ABOUT! - **AMANIDA CATALANA** - **LES NOSTRES "BRAVAS"**: Really nice potatoes cooked with brava sauce, a little spicy but perfect. - **GAMBAS AL AJILLO** - **OLIVES OR ACEITUNAS**: As we say in Spanish. In Catalan, they say OLIVES. - **PA AMB TOMÀQUET**: The first time I had this was in Catalunya. This region has perfected it--nice, toasted bread infused with garlic and tomato or as they say, TOMÀQUET (instead of TOMATE in Spanish). If you want to experience a rice dish similar to paella, I recommend the: - **FIDEUÀ**: Noodle paella with saffron, shrimp, calamari, and mussels. - **ZARZUELA DE MARISCOS**: A tomato-based Spanish seafood stew with saffron, calamari, shrimp, mussels, and clams. Try not to confuse this with the San Francisco-originated Cioppino; it is not the same. And the desserts--the flans and the rest--are top-notch, as is the sangria. ¡VIVA! My next visit, I will make sure to try the rioja rice and the morcilla based rice dish. ALL I CAN SAY IS BRAVO! read more

Plenty of reservations available online. Booked dinner reservations for a Tuesday evening. Wasn't expecting it to be crowded but it was, so I'd recommend making reservations ahead of time. Ambiance is fantastic, perfect for nicer occasions with the vibey lighting. Service was wonderful. The staff were professional and kind. They even gave us free samples of red wine to pair with the lamb sliders which was really nice of them! Free bread baskets with olive oil. We shared the potatoes (les nostres "bravas"), croquetas (had the choice of artichoke / crab and we went with artichoke), octopus (pulpo), lamb sliders (xai bites), and the paella with sausage and pork ribs (arros de muntanya). Potatoes came with a really good sauce but wished that the potatoes were crispier. Croquetas were fantastic! Octopus was pretty good but personally didn't find it to be a must. Lamb sliders were juicy and delicious! I'm usually not a huge fan of lamb but these were made well. Paella was solid - not the best paella I've had but it got the job done. They recommend eating the paella directly out of the pan with wooden spoons that they provide. Overall I would come back due to the well-rounded meal and fantastic service! read more

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10/10 will come again. Friend and I went here for some girl time catch up time, and it was a great all around. The atmosphere was great, the servers were great, and the food was all good. We ended up having a paella of sorts, a dish, and an appetizer by the server's rec and honestly it was more than enough food. All of them tasted great. And since our server was also knowledgeable about wine, his recommendations (we both have very different wine preferences) were spot on for both of us. Service was also really great. Their check ins were not too much, but not too little - it was obvious they kept an eye on our table because we never ran out of the complimentary bread (until we said no more) or water. And I never figured out why, but we were provided a free dessert which was really nice of them! We were even sitting/chatting away for about three-ish hours (i'm sure our server was irked... sorry!) but honestly I did not feel pressured to leave during my stay here which was very kind of them. During our visit, one of the owners made rounds to the tables, including ours, which I thought was great. It happens a lot in other countries but it's somewhat of a rarity in the area - and really, it was just great to see that level of involvement and care about the place by an owner who isn't in the kitchen themselves. We also learned this place is run together by a son and his mom - even rarer! They go every year (or twice?) to source wines directly which makes me excited to come back for their wines again. All in all, a family run local restaurant with great Spanish dishes, flare, and wine. I will be back! read more

Amazing ambiance & service. Although pricey. This cozy & classic restaurant on the corner I've passed too often not to try. I greatly appreciated the quality of the meal, wine & time w/loved ones. Although the paella was burnt on the bottom i didn't not mind as much as my company did. The pulpo was my favorite, my mouth is salivating thinking about it. W/the potato purée i coulda practically lick the plate clean. Lol read more

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Stopped by here with colleagues back in 2022 and absolutely loved it, the interior is cute can get loud, their paellas are delicious, and so are their drinks. We absolutely enjoyed the food, and the customer service was good too. There is plenty of parking outside. Overall great tapas spot read more

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Great place and the food is amazing I really liked the arroz negro. Service is great Want to come back and try more tapas read more

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It took me maybe 8 years to find out that this place ACTUALLY served authentic Spanish tapas. The signage from N 1st St is pretty simple so I had this impression that it was sub par and probably served lower-level dishes. Sorry! I was sorry! I am sorry! I had dinner with friends here and we had a table around the back. We were seated by who was going to be our sever (I can't recall his name ). The menu looked like a newsprint and pretty straightforward. If you're not familiar with Spanish tapas, the staff is very knowledgeable and happy to give you more information. Lighting is very ambient and they have small lamps on the tables which help see the dishes (it is a bit dark in some spots). I'll add pictures here of what we ordered (adding Pulpo here because we ate it too fast and I forgot to take a snapshot) and I liked all the plates EXCEPT the Arroz de Rabo and the Chorizo. The rice on our arroz de rabo was undercooked and so was the meat - the meat was tough and was a bit difficult to come off the bone. I love oxtail and I was a bit disappointed by this. The chorizo wasn't very tasty - i think all the dishes' intense flavors underwhelmed the chorizo. The Crema La Catalana was our dessert and hit the spot. What did I love the best? The white sangria - this was my favorite. I know, I know, it's a drink - but I love the sorbet balls that added to the taste. I had 2 glasses, mind you (and my wallet). $18 a glass isn't that bad for something very delicious. It's so good, I think about it often and wonder if I can get a glass Door Dashed Overall service was decent. They forgot to refill our waters and staff was breaking stuff - it was a busy night and like I said, it's quite dark in the dining area. I was with great company and to me, the food and that were all that mattered. The bar is pretty small - but you don't come here for the bar either . They have a separate room for... but this review is getting too long. So go ahead and make the reservation! You're welcome. read more

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We came here to celebrate an early birthday and had a wonderful time. Overall wasn't busy when we got there for dinner but the ambiance grew more lively as the evening progressed. The servers were very attentive and gave us gravest recommendations to try. We stuck to tapas and drinks. Tried both sangrias, which were excellent! Lamb sliders, jamón ibérico, and others. All tasted delicious and of good quality. They ended the evening with a small desert on the house which really made our night! We'd love to go back! read more

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Barcelona set the bar high for us, and this place brought us right back. The food was incredible, especially the seafood, fideuà, jamón, peppers, and desserts. Everything felt authentic and full of flavor, and the owners took such great care of my birthday group. It felt like finding a little piece of Catalonia close to home, and we will absolutely be back. read more

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Had a wonderful experiences at La Catalana! The food is delicious, the atmosphere is beautiful, and the service is warm and attentive. We really enjoy our evenings and can't wait to come back. Definitely worth a visit! read more

Had a reservation for Valentine's Day and got seated right away. Upon entering you're immediately greeted by live music, which is something you can't find at many places. The band played both old and new love hits, which added to the dim romantic atmosphere. Apparently they have live music every weekend too. Cocktails: highly recommend the sangrias! The white sangria comes without fruit and instead uses scoops of lemon sorbet making it super unique. Tapas: the best part of the night! The brandada de bacalla (cod fish) was unbelievable! Goes great with bread. We also tried the croquettes - the flavors are chef's choice but for Valentine's Day the special was ham & caviar, which melted in our mouths! NY Steak: one of the specials on the Valentine's menu; honestly wasn't anything special - a little bit on the dry side for medium well and also chewy. Fideua de panxeta: we've had rice paellas at several places but have never found nor tried a noodle version. This was pretty good but we regret not getting the oxtail one after seeing other tables order it. The pork belly was honestly just small slices of bacon (compared to full pork belly pieces we've had elsewhere) and we already had serrano ham with the croquettes. It also has a kick, and we ordered a side of brava sauce to spice it up even more - highly recommend because it actually goes great with the noodles! Service was top notch - attentive for how busy it was and we got seated right away when coming early for our reservation. Will definitely be back to try more! read more

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Had a great experience at La Catalana. The food was delicious, everything we ordered was full of flavor and cooked perfectly. You can really tell they put a lot of care into the food. The service was also excellent, and everyone took great care of us throughout the night. Overall, great food, great service, and a great atmosphere. Definitely recommend checking this place out -- we'll definitely be back! read more

The paella was a great hit! There was live music on a Friday evening, which was a nice touch to the atmosphere.

The only authentic Spanish food restaurant in the Bay Area! Their services are great!! Friendly staffs and owners, and yes they know us!! The ambience is romantic and has live music every Friday. Me and my husband are always coming back! read more

If you're looking for a corporate event dinner, look no further -- La Catalana is the place. The host is incredibly easy to work with and will help plan every detail, accommodate table setups, and even let you decorate the room a few hours before the event starts. The waitstaff are super friendly and interactive, which creates a fun, lively vibe that guests immediately enjoy. And the food? Fantastic. Everything is great for sharing, and the super jumbo paella is delicious -- it will absolutely impress every guest. Highly recommend for team dinners, celebrations, or any special group event. read more

La Catalana - Jumbo Size Seafood Paella for the large group - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - San Jose, California

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Everything went well. Came here on a Tues at 5:30pm. Upon entry, it was eye catching everywhere. I loved the decor and the entire setup. The lighting added to the mood - went for a dinner date with the hubs. I should've mentioned we were celebrating our 25 years anniversary! There's an outdoor patio. There are several pix of the restroom, hhhee. I had to; restroom pix are important bc it adds to the whole vibe. Anyways, service was on. Point. I didn't get our server's name but we were helped by more than just him; so, it was a group effort. They were all attentive warm and informative. The food! The food! 20/10 Brandada de Bacallà Catalan style cod fish, potatoes, olive oil, cream and Manchego cheese It might not sound as appetizing of a combo; but, be sure to order it! One of the people said it was one of the most ordered dishes on the menu. It was rich however, the bread aided in breaking it up. Pulpo Grilled Spanish octopus with smoked paprika potato puree The pulpo was cooked to perfection. So tender and flavorful. I could've eaten 2 more orders! Fideuà Negre Noodle paella with saffron, shrimp, calamari, mussels, squid ink and all i oli Each bite was heavenly Would go back to try more items. read more

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First off, I've been coming here for years. David and his mother run a fantastic establishment. Both can be seen assisting in any way possible and always invite friendly conversation. The waiters, like Rodrigo, are top notch and the chefs make some of the tastiest food I've ever had. Service is quick, reliable and thorough. The environment is very friendly and welcoming; whether it's a high class meeting or simple date night, La Catalana is always a go to. You get exactly what you pay for; good high quality food, amazing wine selections and incredibly amicable staff. read more

My girlfriend and I came here on a Friday night for dinner and I am confused. When we first got there, the only tables available were the high tops or bar seating. We chose the high top table and asked to sit on the one closer to the wall. However, a waiter said it was "reserved". About 10 minutes later another party walked in and got seated there with no reservation. It took another 10 minutes before a server spoke to us, as they were obviously prioritizing other tables that got there later than us. (Maybe because we looked young?) When we were finally able to order, I was told I couldn't get the sangria because it was for dessert only. We opted for a bottle of red instead (thinking it was the $80 bottle). I also have gluten and dairy allergies and the chef was VERY sweet and accommodating to allergies. She came out and walked us through the whole menu. After ordering, they offered to reseat us at an actual table and at this point things were looking up! The wine was yummy and first course of food was delicious. (Loved the tortilla de patata) But after finishing our first course it took about another 30 minutes to get our next course. The waiter was very inattentive at this time too. I asked to get more water and didn't get a refill until we got the bill (and we were leaving at that point anyways). Speaking of the bill, I guess we ordered a $120 bottle of wine (not $80) and we were automatically charged for the peeled shrimp, even though we didn't ask for it. Overall, having mixed feelings about this place. Food and wine were yummy, but the service was giving me whiplash. read more

Service and ambience were great. I loved the creative touch of the menu looking like a newspaper! The food was good, but the portions felt a bit skimpy for the price. The flavors were nice, just not as bold or memorable as I expected from Spanish cuisine. Overall, still a pleasant experience, just wish there was a bit more flavor and value for the price. read more

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Beautiful atmosphere, lovely staff, felt like such a personal experience. Went with my long time friend for a girl's night and ended up being one of most enjoyable night. The food was mind-blowing and the wine recommendations on point. read more

La Catalana - Table setting - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - San Jose, California

First time here and loved it! Very authentic Spanish food and I felt like I was back in Spain with the atmosphere and ambiance. Food was excellent and Roy, our server was amazing and the live music was a plus to the ambiance. I cook amazing paella and La Catalana's paella put me to shame, lol. Tapas were small portions, like the croquetas were way smaller than I've made or been served in Spain but very delicious. The only things we didnt like were, 1) While we were still having a nice conversation and enjoying our drinks amongst friends, after dessert and 10 min after we paid the bill ($500+for 4 people), we were asked to vacate the table for the next group. I was very shocked as this has never happened to us in any other restaurant. We felt this took away from the amazing experience we had. 2) The owners were on site by the bar but never greeted guests. It would have been nice to meet them even for a brief moment. We may be coming back but we hope not to be kicked out again read more

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Really cool tapas place with a cozy, dimly lit interior -- perfect for a date night or a relaxed dinner with someone special. The atmosphere feels intimate and warm, and the service matched the vibe perfectly. We tried the noodle version of paella, which was a fun and flavorful twist on the classic. They also offer Catalonian wines and regional dishes, which made the menu feel refreshing and different. My favorite was the beef cannelloni -- rich, savory, and beautifully presented. For two people, we ordered two appetizers, the noodle paella, and a glass of wine each -- just the right amount for a satisfying meal without feeling too heavy. Definitely a spot I'd recommend for anyone who enjoys creative Spanish flavors in a romantic setting. read more

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3rd time at La Catalana and somehow they always find a way to make their Paellas even tastier! The service is top notch and the cozy atmosphere is fantastic. I have family coming over the next few weeks and will definitely be back. Can't wait to taste that Cod appetizer again read more

La Catalana - Seafood Paella - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - San Jose, California

We celebrated our daughters birthday. Great food, great wine and good service. The restaurant was busy and the food came out hot. Will be back!! read more

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