an easy, under-the-radar gem that's perfect for a beach day dinner or low-key date night. we were able to walk in without a wait, and the vibe feels relaxed, welcoming, and ettortlessly. popularity: underrated spot - easy walk-in seating, especially compared to other santa monica dinner spots formality: casual chic - think sundress, nice top and jeans, or an easy elevated beach look hidden happy hour: tuesday-friday: 5-6:30pm saturday-sunday: 3-6:30pm $8-$13 small plates & tapas $8 sangria (red or white) $9 house wine $8-$9 beers (including spanish bottles) local secret: the lamb burger is a MUST. it's only on the happy hour menu and lowkey one of the best things there. manchego is perfect for sharing a bunch of small plates, a couple glasses of sangria, and lingering on the patio while it's still golden outside. read more

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The food is great and the happy hour is nice. We sat outside and our server was wonderful. However, I dislike how LOUD it is. Outside they have a speaker blasting music, which is too much considering that on an outside patio you already have just regular street sounds. read more

Ambiance: we came shortly before sunset and sat inside which was empty. It can get a little cramped inside but overall cozy. Service: I made a reservation online for a birthday and there was no mention of that, the food came out steadily but our waitress wasn't as attentive as I expected, several times we were waiting to place additional order or get water refills Food: the wine and red sangria were delicious, followed by the croquettes and gazpacho. I would pass on the Spanish omelette, to us it was a little plain even with the additions on the side. The paella and churros were decent. read more

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Shoutout to the workers that were super nice to our party of 7 on the evening of 6/18. The servers were very attentive and we never had to wait long for our food. Also they graciously filled the sangria carafe to the top! The food just tasted good and safe. Nothing too overwhelming about it. Favorites were the tender short rib and fatty pork belly. The $49 paella could have been better. Ambiance was quaint! Street parking but they also have a lot in the back. read more

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Came for dinner and got an assortment of dishes. Got the usuals I would say like patatas bravas, dates, pulpo, Mac and cheese, and the paella. Overall everything was just ok. I felt like nothing wowed me and it was subpar for the level of class I was expecting coming in and the overall aesthetic of the place. We sat in the back patio and it cool they have a spot back there but on a summer night it was stuffy. Staff were solid and tried their best to follow up even though it felt like a busy night. Maybe a bad night for them on the food flavor and all but this visit was just ok. read more

I was so excited to try Manchego but was actually very disappointing. The food is not as good as I expected. For instance, the goat cheese and fig tostada is something anyone can go at home in 5 minutes. The only real good thing I had was the short rib. Besides that, service is very bad. I was seated outside and had to go inside 2 times to ask the waiter to come take our order. Super slow. Not only that, I found a hair on the pork belly. They took the plate away and then the manager came saying there was no more pork belly... It's definitely not worth the price and they need to improve A LOT the service. read more

Manchego - Cod croquete - Spanish Near Me - Santa Monica, California

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The food here was so mediocre. Everything was just okay. Mac and cheese: noodles were overcooked and the cheese was a bit too gooey and soupy. The flavor was good though. Shrimp: good but not very flavorful. The shrimp didn't absorb the flavor and juices at all. Patas bravas: crispy but there was something off about the sauce. Lamb burger: best thing we had on the menu Short rib: good texture and decent flavor Overall nothing blew me away. I was a bit disappointed given the price. It's hard to get Spanish food right. read more

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We were in the area and decided to find a good happy hour spot. We found Manchego on yelp and they had some good deals plus they had an outdoor patio for our pup to join us. Parking was easy, you can find metered parking on the street or if you drive around to the back of the restaurant there was a parking lot (paid). The ambiance of the restaurant was nice, the outdoor patio in the front of the restaurant was quaint - plenty of umbrellas and quite spacious. The happy hour menu had some great deals - $9-$15 which a lot less then their regular dinner prices. You can find their happy hour menu on their website. We tried the spicy garlic shrimp which was our favorite. Our second fave was the mac & cheese (manchego). Delicious! Our least favorite was the tortilla espanola. Wine was $9. The staff was super friendly and their happy hour was pretty busy. Once it started getting busy, everything took a long time so I suggest you try to get their early and order everything up front (rather then a dish here and there). But it's a great place and we'd love to head back to try their paella. read more

Manchego - Spanish Near Me - Santa Monica, California

Feel like I've passed this place a hundred times but never actually went in, really glad I did. Super cozy Spanish tapas place. I liked the vibe of the dining room, sat indoors because the street outside is a little loud, but I feel that way about all outdoor seating in LA, go figure. Food was delicious. Shoutout to the omelette with the dipping sauces, and the short rib, would come back for just those. Service was very friendly and attentive, can't remember our waitresses name but she was very helpful walking us through the menu options given my allergies, so thank you to her. Overall wonderful experience. Highly recommend. read more

Good food Favorite was the steak, garlic shrimp Service was good Nice little date spot read more

Manchego - Spanish Near Me - Santa Monica, California

Very cozy, romantic and intimate setting. The restaurant ca seat perhaps 60? We had reservations for 6 on a Sunday, hostess greeted us warmly and was pleasant. Dining is family sharing setting- we ordered the fig and goat cheese - So good! The garlic shrimp, Tortilla Española, Shishito Peppers, Briased Short Rib, Goat Cheese with Fig and the Pallela (clams, large shrimp- this was silently too salty for us)- all else was delicious quite the experience. For drinks we ordered the red sangria (pitcher) the the white sangria- the white was sweater tha the red but both still great. For dessert we had churros served with chocolate dip. Our server was extremely attentive and all other waiters who assisted us. I would highly recommend this for intimate dinners and small groups. Plenty of street meter parking there is also a lot in rear with meters. You gotta check this place out for a Spanish cusin read more

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If you're a fan of Spanish tapas, but you've never been to this restaurant, you're missing out on an incredible experience. I've been to this restaurant three times now and each time has been better than the next. Each dish is carefully prepared to perfection. There are a number of dishes that I would recommend, but here are my favorites: -The cured meat and cheese plate. You can build your own plate from several options, but I get the manchego cheese, idiazabal cheese, jamon serrano, chorizo soria and lomo embuchado. The jamon is the star here. -Goat cheese and dried fig tostado. It's both sweet and savory. I'm an animal. I eat it in one bite, but my wife says you can enjoy the different ingredients better if you take smaller bites. -Fried patatas. Think country style potatoes except all jazzed up. The key to this dish, which elevates it to the next level, are the sauces. -Mac and Manchego cheese with bacon on top. This is my favorite mac and cheese anywhere. It's so creamy and delicious. -Hangar steak served medium. It's difficult to choose my favorite dish here, but this might be my favorite. What can I say? It's beef, it's tender, and cooked perfectly. Final thoughts: -Reservations are recommended. It does stink that I had to create an account on Resy to book the appointment, but this place is worth it. If you're provided the option of dining inside or outside, I would choose inside. It's cozier inside the restaurant. -There is paid parking in the back of the restaurant. None of that valet crap. read more

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Anniversary choice? Yes! The online pics didn't do justice to how intimate and special it can feel. If you choose to sit inside, it is really intimate/romantic. Small space with others close by but they manage to make it feel intimate somehow. Anywho - we didn't chose that option! We sat outside in the covid created sidewalk space. It wasn't as intimate but we love it outside and with the heater on, I was perfectly comfy! Didn't take pics. There are already tons, and I would've be able to get a better shot. But let me tell you what we had and LOVED all of it: - Deviled eggs - favored with olive. Very tasty. - Papas - the hot sauce and aoili made this delicious! - A creamy goat cheese, fig and honey tostado - short rib on small piece of polenta. Fantastic! - Mac and cheese. Divine! I'll be thinking about this for a loooong time! The machego cheese takes it to next level. The pasta - not like any macaroni I've ever seen, was delightful to eat. - Octopus. This was our "wild side" order, because hubby has been disappointed by octopus in the past because it's been cooked until tough. But we took a chance, closing out our meal on this dish, and man we were so glad we did! It's chargrilled, has a bit of smokiness to it, sitting in a lot of drawn butter. It's like a scallop but with more chew to it. It was delicious! The only not so big disappointment was that the reservation site asks if it's a special occasion. So I selected anniversary. But apparently, the staff don't read that I go because no mention was made of our anniversary. I wouldn't have cared except that they asked in advance, so I thought there would be some acknowledgment or maybe a dessert. Wrong! lol! Still, very memorable meal with friendly, knowledgeable, and helpful servers who went out of their way to find a working heater for my table. read more

We arrived at the doorstep via Waymo . The ambience was dark, but comforting. The tables were set with beautiful silverware and dishes. The restaurant was pretty loud because they were having a large party, but it just added to the busy vibe. I had the Spanish octopus which was quite amazing, super tender, and served artistically. We had some beautiful Scampi and had the Lobster Mac which was in croute and wonderful and followed up with caramel flan, which was excellent. read more

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I dream about this place day and night. If there, truthfully, was one restaurant I could eat at for the rest of my life, it would be here at Manchego. My sister and I went with a reservation, which would be great for busier times as the place is a bit small, but it wasn't super busy when we went. The service was fantastic and everyone was incredibly kind. I cannot recall the name of all the tapas we ordered, but everything we ABSOLUTELY enjoyed. Now, I will say I could pass on the Mac and cheese, but everything else was incredible. Genuinely one of the best food places I've ever been to and will definitely be back to! read more

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Sat in their outdoor patio area as they were renovating inside. They had heat lamps on so it wasn't an issue! They decorated the tables with adorable dainty flowers. Their plates were giving grandma core in the cutest way possible. Loved the vibe. Patatas - Soft pillowy potatoes with a crunchy exterior. Yummy sauce on top. Mac and Cheese - THIS ONE. GET THIS ONE! Seriously so darn delicious. Creamy cheesy goodness. So good I wanted to order another to-go. Spinach Croquetas - Crispy on the outside and soft and flavorful on the inside. Came with a red spicy sauce. Might have been the same as the one on the patatas? Felt a little more mild, probably because there was another white feta sauce on top. Beet Burrata Salad - LOTS of burrata. They did not play around!! A sizable portion too. I know I ordered a beet salad but imo there were too many beets in it. Mushroom Risotto - Cooked perfectly. Very creamy. Sizable portion. A little more of this and it could've acted as an entree elsewhere. Brussel Sprouts - It was more like brussel sprout leaves than the actual mini cabbage. A little strange but the taste was good. A large amount of shaved cheese was sprinkled on top. You can also get the bacon on the side to make it vegetarian. Short Ribs - Falls off the bone. Delicious! Broccolini - Seasoned well. Had crispy (i think) onions on top. A little overboard on those. Overall, I enjoyed my experience here. The food was made well and had tons of flavor to it. The mac n cheese was my favorite item. They must've put cr*ck in it because it was so good!! I was fiending for more frfr. Our waitress was super attentive and the food came out timely. Would love to dine inside when they finish renovations - the photos online looked cute. So many vegetarian options and easily modified plates to be vegetarian. Definitely will be back! read more

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I went to this place because I saw it on YouTube the rock star food guy. I had to try since he specifically said it was the best Spanish restaurant in California. The food was okay some items better but not so memorable to say the best in California. I guess I expected to dine at a similar restaurant you find in Barcelona Spain quality restaurant food . Prices were fair , not cheap and not crazy high. Their menu was missing their famous Branzino. The place inside was dark I had problem reading the menu and even seeing my food , but I guess it's the idea of romantic venue. Service was nice No complain. I still would recommend this restaurant and will visit them again one day. I wish they had their Brazino and some more authentic Spanish items rare food on their menu. read more

Manchego - Example of items I ordered. - Spanish Near Me - Santa Monica, California

Called like ten times to try to cancel a reservation and nobody would answer the phone. They charge $10 fee per person to cancel within 24 hours by the way. Absolutely ridiculous policy... at least answer the phone to allow people to cancel their reservations. read more

Manchego is truly one of the best restaurants in Santa Monica. The ambiance is so lovely and warm, and the tapas are delicious! Would highly recommend also ordering the sangria as well. This is a great spot to go with friends on a warm summer night. read more

I'm not usually a tapas guy (I prefer full-size entrees and meals lol) but Manchego converted me! The space itself is great, whether you sit inside or on one of the patios. And the service is always on it, which I appreciate at a place that is constantly serving you small plates! Must-get items for me are the Fried Patatas with Garlic Aioli, Spicy Roasted Red Pepper, and Feta Sauce; Gambas (Spicy Garlic Shrimp); and the Hanger Steak with Roasted Fingerling Potatoes, but my wife swears by the Jamón Wrapped Dates with Spanish Goat Cheese. The only things I've had here that I didn't love (and was surprised by!) were the Membrillo Glazed Pork Belly with Marcona Almonds and the Mac & Manchego Cheese, but the Truffle Oil was overpowering for my taste. read more

Perfect place for a grad dinner! Making a reservation was super easy via and we were quickly seated as soon as we arrived. The timing and order of the courses was impeccable and my personal favorites were the bacon wrapped dates and the pork belly. I recommend dining inside unless it's warm outside as it's a more intimate setting with candle lit tables. Parking is hard on the street but if you park a block over there is cheap public lots! read more

Manchego - Red Sangria - Spanish Near Me - Santa Monica, California

This was a nice date night setting spot as the place was relatively intimate. We got lots of recommendations from our server, which was nice because there were so many tapas to choose from. Tried the Mushroom Croquetas (5/5 well executed), Jamón Wrapped Dates (3/5 I think it was a good idea but just lot of goat cheese), Broccolini (3/5 had way too much lemon), Mac and Manchego Cheese (3/5 I think the first bit was good but the dish was a lot), Lamb Meatballs (4/5 a tad salty), Short Ribs (4/5 also a bit salty), and the Flan (5/5 solid). I think overall Manchego had a lot of creativity and unique flavors which was great, but I think they were a little heavy handed with these. It wasn't a very heavy meal, so tummy feel wise I couldn't eat very much of it. read more

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From the moment we arrived, this restaurant exceeded our expectations. The food was outstanding, the service warm and attentive, and the ambiance charming, cozy, and elegant. It is a truly beautiful space. We visited for the first time while craving paella. We usually go to La Paella, but since they are closed on Sundays, we did a little searching on Yelp and decided to try this restaurant instead. What a wonderful surprise. The paella was absolutely delicious and beautifully prepared. We also ordered the Spanish tortilla, bacon-wrapped dates, and Brussels sprouts--each dish was excellent and full of flavor. The service was equally impressive. The staff were courteous, attentive, and knowledgeable about the menu. Our food arrived promptly, and throughout the evening they made us feel genuinely welcome. What stood out most, however, was their kindness and accommodation regarding our seating request. I am deaf in my right ear, so it is difficult for me to hear when seated across from my wife. Without hesitation, they seated us at a table for four so we could sit side by side. That simple gesture meant a great deal to me. Not every restaurant is willing to accommodate this need, so their graciousness was especially appreciated. Highly recommend this restaurant. It delivered a superb dining experience in every respect, and we look forward to returning. read more

I have nothing but amazing things to say about Manchego. I recently celebrated my 24th birthday there and the staff were nothing but helpful beginning to end. I originally wanted to have a 12 person party which in the end grew to 19 and it was on a Saturday night! The hosts were so accommodating in adding people to the reservation. When we arrived we had the whole back patio and tables were scattered around but they were happy for us to move the tables around so that it suited how I wanted it to be. The food was amazing and the wine and the service was impeccable. Special shout out to Jimmy our amazing waiter who made the night so personal and absolutely fantastic. I would recommend this place to anyone !! Please go!! read more

Manchego - Spanish Near Me - Santa Monica, California

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Me and my partner went on our first date here over 12 years ago and we're still coming through strong! It is one of the most romantic restaurants in LA and it's so original because it has a TAPAS menu (meaning the table orders a bunch of small plates and shares them! Spanish Style! The variety is amazing and the quality is the best of best. Because it's not just the same as all those other trendy spots in east LA this gem has so much charm and personality! There's a front room that's nice and dark and romantic with the lights and dark booths and then there's a beautiful patio in the back that is just perfect! Plants on the walls with beautiful decor! Just magical with lights and booths for larger parties! Come for a couple dishes and a drink or stuff yourself silly! Everything is absolutely delicious here!! read more

Manchego - Menu! - Spanish Near Me - Santa Monica, California

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Fantastic Atmosphere, Good Service, Great Variety of Food Options. Spanish Tapas - huge number of tasting portion options to pick from with seating inside or on outdoor patios. Best for sharing 2 - 3 plates per person - but it's totally up to you - you can start light and reorder if you're still hungry. The best dishes were the fried patatas, lamb meatballs and the cucumber tomato salad. I wanted to love the Garlic Shrimp and the Octopus dishes, however, both overcooked and the Octopus needed seasoning. The Spanish Omelette was OK. We finished with a 3 selection cheese plate that was perfect. The wine suggested by the server as excellent 9/10 and very reasonably price. I love the interior atmosphere - low lighting, quiet atmosphere so easy to have a conversation. Seating comfort could be improved (thin cushions on the chairs that don't stay in place). Parking is easy in the in the large public parking lots in back of the restaurant... assuming you get there before 7 pm on weekend. Overall - a fun dinner with friends and I will go back. read more

This is one of my favorite restaurants in Santa Monica. The food is great. I've tried a number of Spanish tapas places in LA and this one definitely has the others beat. Much closer to what you taste in Spain. The red Sangria is tasty, albeit a little sweet. The real star of the entire menu is the beef empanadas. But alas, they no longer offer them. I was despondent when I found this out when dining here last. They were so delicious that I could've eaten an entire dinner composed only of the empanadas. The spicy garlic shrimp is also delicious and hits just the right amount spice without being overpowering. The short rib is good as well, very rich, although a little salty. The lamb meatballs are decent. The octopus is skippable. I may have to reevaluate whether this is still my favorite Spanish tapas places due to the removal of the beef empanadas. Those were definitely the defining feature--I can't overstate how amazing they were. Also extremely accommodating. I recently had a date here and requested that I get to sit on the back patio as the vibe is very romantic. They said it wouldn't be open until 7pm but made an exception for my 6pm dinner. There are orange yellow colored string lighting that creates the best vibe. If you're looking for a great date spot, look no further than the back patio. Unfortunately it's only open close to dark on Friday and Saturday. I would come here more often if the back patio was accessible during the week too, it's truly a romantic gem. Overall, highly recommend checking this place out. read more

unfortunately, I wasn't lucky with the food here: the house paella had small shell fragments in it and it was like eating rocks, the broccolini was kinda meh, other places have better ones read more

A little pricey for what you get, but everything was really good. Small tapas dishes to share, that you get maybe 1-2 bites of each (between 2 people). Top it off with wine, and you've got a fantastic meal here. Great date spot or cozy, quiet, dark-ish spot to chat (we went as 2 gals)! Service was really attentive and professional read more

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Here's a gem my wife found in Santa Monica, Manchego! We went for brunch this time, and we had a delicious experience. Food is authentic (as I love) and perfectly combined with salad and potatoes. We both had the chorizo, goat cheese and red peppers omelette - I ate the whole thing! Service was at a glance with great recommendations. The place is kind of Spanish antique, with open doors as if they are welcoming you to a great Spanish experience! Highly recommended. read more

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This is a cozy Spanish tapas spot in Santa Monica. Parking is mostly street parking and there was a good amount on a Saturday evening. Reservations are recommended even though you can find one the day of or at the last minute. We went around 5:30pm which is in time for happy hour, which ends at 6:30pm. We tried the sangria (both white and red wine variants) which are solid for $8. We also got the Gambas (spicy garlic shrimp), Pulpo Gallego (grilled Galician octopus), jamon wrapped dates with Spanish goat cheese, short rib with crispy polenta, braised beef empanadas, flan de yeye, and churros. The spicy garlic shrimp is excellent and should be a staple of what to order here - fresh and flavorful and the sauce is good not just for the shrimp but also for other dishes. The octopus is chewy and grilled nicely. It comes with potatoes, so it's actually a pretty substantial dish. The jamon wrapped dates are sweet and creamy, very rich and filling. Short rib is good, a bit dry for my liking but the sauce kind of makes it fine. The flan de yeye is on the sweeter side and subtly creamy. The churros are good with the cola cao Spanish chocolate sauce. Service here is good as water refills are present and food is delivered in a timely manner. Overall, this is a solid tapas spot, and the price is fair for a higher end restaurant. read more

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Great option for bottomless brunch, happy hour or date night in the Santa Monica / Venice area! Food was delicious - really enjoyed the stuffed dates, the branzino, the goat cheese toast, everything was so tasty. All food is tapas style - so it's a great place to go with a group of friends & get to try as many dishes as possible! Got the bottomless sangria & mimosas - which were all delicious as well. Service was so kind & attentive & catered to all of our needs, allergies, food preferences & otherwise! Ambiance allows for a casual atmosphere in a small restaurant on Main St., elegant but not over the top! Would absolutely come back another time to try more dishes & bring friends visiting the area. read more

Manchego - Bottomless brunch - Spanish Near Me - Santa Monica, California

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It's in the heart of Santa Monica. Me personally I love Spanish tapas, but I found this place lacking. It's super small and inconvenient. Overpriced and service is just Ok. If your idea is to being Madrid to Angelinos, you need to step it up. read more

The wife and I had a wonderful dining experience in Nov 2025. The restaurant wasxa recommended from prominent YouTube food vloggers that I follow. Everything we ordered DID NOT disappoint. The service was exceptional and worthy of the generous gratuity we left. Manchester is a must visit. read more

Manager contacted me after I wrote bad dining experience to come back into restaurant and try it again. When I responded I have not heard back from Managment read more

Worth the visit. So many great items to try. Will definitely be back. The drinks are awesome too. read more

Certainly worth a visit. Everything was absolutely fantastic. If you're looking for a variety of flavors with small plates, Manchego is the place for you. Our party of two ordered several plates to share: 1. Short Ribs, Crispy polenta 2. Garlic Shrimp 3. Beef Empanadas 4. Brussels Sprouts 5. Sangria, white As I said, everything was delicious. My personal favorite was the Brussels Sprouts. Such incredible flavors coming from the spices and the bacon/cheese give it some extra flavor and crunch. Empanadas were full of that savory flavor, and the chichuri was on point. Short ribs were a different, but good. I thought the Shrimp was pretty standard, like spices, garlic, butter. I actually prefer white sangria over red. Service was fast and friendly. I suggest making a reservation if you're planning to have dinner here. They were white busy for a Wednesday evening. Some street parking at the meters. They also have a large parking lot behind the restaurant. Looks like it's a public lot and pay to park. read more

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We had an incredible dining experience here tonight. Felt like we were in Madrid with wonderful food, ambience and service. Hasti our server was so helpful and guided us through the interesting menu with grace and enthusiasm. Some of the standouts included the deviled eggs, the goat cheese tostado, gambas and mushroom corquestas. My absolute favorite were the dates wrapped in bacon and the mac and cheese. Even the tiramisu was wonderful and the alberino white wine terrific. There is a reason they have been around so many years and there is always a line so make reservations early and you will have a wonderful night. read more

Still a good 4 star place! Service was nice, food is good. Portion size is small and prices is a bit high. Came here recently for dinner one night. Still a cute little restaurant with white table cloth and traditional Spanish ambiance. We ordered several tapas to share. Food is good, just very pricey. Very traditional Spanish tapas, old school style. Service was good for the most part, slightly uptight. Parking was easy on the street. read more

Manchego - Mushroom croquettes - Spanish Near Me - Santa Monica, California

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Live tapas, their wine is directly from spain, been there zillion times. Everything is good