We had not been at Palo for about a year, a little surprising as we have always enjoyed the place and the food. It was mid week at around 8pm and the place was surprisingly half empty. We were led to a corner table by Michael who greeted us at the door and was to be our server. As usual the room was noisy. (Later we asked whether the music volume could be turned down which they did, much appreciated) We scanned the menu and found it hard to not order everything! However, we started with a Martini and a Cubano Viejo - both of which were well made and went down nicely. While we were deciding we nibbled on delicious almonds. As usual we shared a number of dishes. The seasonal Croquettes, the Patatas Bravas (slightly spicy), Gambas Ajillo with extra bread to sop up the tasty sauce, and to top it all our favorite Lamb Chops. For dessert we had an excellent pistachio tart washed down with a glass of a fine Cabernet. All the dishes were excellent and deserving of the highest rating - rare for us. (Perhaps because everything jelled nicely. The check came to $140 o which we added a good tip. We had ordered too much and took some of the food home to consume the next day. Our server was very attentive and cheerful (I think we had him on a previous occasion). The experience was most enjoyable and we will certainly be back sooner than later. read more

really good spanish tapas food! the service was fast, and food came out quickly. the interior is very dark and moody, has a cabin like feeling that belongs in a mountain. everything was flavorful and unique, and seemed very fresh. all the spanish tapas dishes were mixed with Mediterranean flavors and ideas. corn ribs: one of the best items, fresh and sweet corn, very flavorful! eggplant: kind of boring, pine nuts were a weird addition and the eggplant's skin was very tough. not enough flavor overall, and the yogurt sauce at the bottom was just yogurt flavored, no other addition. tahdig: very average, the rice itself had not much flavor, and there was barely any crispy rice, and the rest of it was just regular rice. i would only order if needing a side dish, not as its own. shrimp with johnny cake: pretty good! only 3 shrimps though, the johnny cake tasted like a falafel. very flavorful! mushroom toast: my personal favorite, very crispy toast, and delicious array of mushrooms with a garlicky finish. read more

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Superb as always. The lamb chops and hummus are a MUST while at Palo. We had to get two servings of the lamb The mushroom croquettes were a bit of a disappointment as I didn't taste much truffle. The patatas bravas were just the right amount of spice and cream. Classic bday meal (we went here last year for Jason's bday lol whoops). Will definitely miss this place when Jason leaves read more

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I went here with one of my besties for my birthday celebration. It was pretty empty when we walked in but we sat at the bar since we didn't have a reservation- it was nice and started to fill up shortly after we arrived. What we got: The grilled calamari-was exceptionally tender... lots of flavor and spice not chewy at all. The razor clams- were very garlicky and lemony-delicious! The duck baclava- so interesting and different... tasted somewhat like a fancy bite of thanksgiving dinner with stuffing and all. Chorizo and cheese platter- good, it is what it sounds like. Drinks were fantastic as well, we tried a few different cocktails and also had a sample of an espresso martini- friendly bartenders! If you want to sit at a table instead of the bar, make a reservation... but the bar was nice! Good ambiance overall and would love to try other things on their menu- definitely a fun splurge night out on the town!, read more

On a busy night the service was great, ambiance cozy. We had the trumpet mushroom toast, tomato toast, halibut cheeks and of course, corn ribs. It was all delicious as usual. read more

Palo Tapas Bar - Great cocktails - Tapas Bars Near Me - Providence, Rhode Island

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YUM! Our favorites were the mushroom toast and the broccoli Caesar. The cheese board also had great selection and came with a large slices! The drinks were also delicious, and it was awesome you could customize your own! This is an awesome place for date night or to bring people in town. It's a ton of fun to share a bunch of dishes too! The restaurant itself is gorgeous; it has the feel of the first floor of a historic home that was redone into a modern bar and restaurant. My husband and I will definitely be back to try some more soon! read more

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We came here for dinner before a PPAC performance. It was recommended to us by our mixologist at The Eddy when we visited back in April. We are delighted that we took her advice. The ambiance was cool. It is an older building with lots of character. The interior space is very well laid out and features a very large "U" shaped bar. It has a cool vibe to it and makes you feel chill. We broke tradition and sat at a table this time. Our server was awesome throughout the night. He made great suggestions for both food and drink. He was always present when we needed him. The stars of the show were the food and drink. We tried a variety of Tapas and cocktails. I am not going to list them here. I have photos for you to look at. My descriptions wouldn't do them justice. Suffice it to say that everything was flavorful, innovative, and perfectly prepared. One photo I didn't take was my wife's Espresso Martini. It is called Cafe 43. She is very particular about espresso martinis, and she said it was hands down the best she has had. My only suggestion to you is to make this a MUST TRY on your next visit to Providence. We certainly will be back. read more

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This is an overdue review for one of the BEST restaurants in the world! Seriously can't go wrong here. I LOVE it here. Palo in Providence is hands down one of my favorite spots on Earth and I do not say that lightly. It's a clever spin on Spanish tapas with a warm, somehow therapeutic energy that just wraps around you the moment you walk in. Here's the game plan for dinner(you can always order more!): about 3 plates per couple (trust me on this), share a dessert, and order whatever mocktail or cocktail catches your eye, they're all crafted beautifully by PROS! And yes, it's always busy, so for the love of tapas, make a reservation. That said... you MIGHT get lucky at the bar if you are bad at planning ahead like I can be... IF you do everyone is amazing, we love Michelle and Isa! Two absolute gems who make the experience sparkle. Honestly, the whole team is solid though... David, Michael, and now Chris (the new manager) is doing a fantastic job carrying the torch since our BELOVED Carlos(former manager) moved on. PS Carlos, if you're reading this, we miss you!!! The most important part... Food.... TRY EVERYTHING. I mean it. But especially the tuna crudo. That Ajo Blanco sauce? I think about it at night. I dream about it. I'd write sonnets to it if I could. PLEASE PALO!!!! Never take it off the menu. Some things are sacred. So yeah. Come hungry. Come curious. Come back again and again. read more

Palo Tapas Bar - Tuna Crudo with Ajo Blanco sauce... one of the most incredible things I've ever eaten - Tapas Bars Near Me - Providence, Rhode Island

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I wish I had pictures to share of my food but it tastes too good to wait for a photo! I love the tomato bread, garlic shrimp, potatoes, and literally everything. I love to sit at the bar and talk to the bartender. It is always busy so try to make a reservation but for 1-2 people you can get lucky and get a bar seat. The best food and drinks around!! Reasonably priced too. read more

Delicious food, warm ambience, and attentive service. My friend and I enjoyed and lovely time here and it was my first visit. I highly recommend a reservation becausr it is very popular! They also offer an assortment of mocktails! read more

Palo Tapas Bar - Tapas Bars Near Me - Providence, Rhode Island

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Was finally able to come to Palo after hearing friends rave about it for years! Though we went on a Sunday night, the place was PACKED and for good reason! Their dishes are small yet filling and incredibly tasty!! Their mushroom toast and the falafel sandwiches were to die for!! Would recommend this restaurant as one of the " must visit" in Providence! read more

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One of my favorite meals in Providence so far. Beautiful historical space downtown, friendly and helpful service, romantic vibe and delicious food. We have had tapas many places including in Spain, and this was authentic while being a bit more unique than the usual fare. Will definitely be back! Try the chicken kebab! read more

If you're thinking about going, go. The food was tasty and flavorful. My party was celebrating a birthday and the server treated us to a wine tasting! Great service and a cozy atmosphere. read more

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I recently made a reservation for Palo Tapas Bar on Sunday, July 21 at 8:45pm for 4 Guests in the dining room through Resy. There is a note that our table will be held for 15 minutes and to call +1 401-414-7610 if running late. Palo closes at 10:00pm on Sunday and this was the latest I've been there. We were seated right away and were welcomed back. QR for the menu can be found on the table. I ordered a Aperol Spritz that had aperol, cava, and soda water. It was a nice drink, but preferred their sangria. We ordered some of our favorites to share with our visiting friends - Costillas de Maíz / Corn Ribs; Gambas al Ajillo / Garlic Shrimp; and Rabo de Toro / Oxtail. We also ordered the Croquetas de Maíz / Corn Croquettes from the Tapas de Temporada / Seasonal Tapas section. The Croquetas de Maíz / Corn Croquettes were creamy corn & mild green chile fritters (4) served with pepper jelly. The last tapa we ordered was Arayes / Pita Sliders which had ground beef filled pita bread, tahini sauce, and a side of pickles. The pita was crispy and paired very well with the tahini sauce. All the food was very good and everyone enjoyed it. Around 9:45pm, the waitress came around to let us know that it was last call for the kitchen and she'll be back around to ask if there was anything else we wanted to put in. We did want to put in another tapa so I grabbed her attention later only to find out the stove was already off. She never came back to ask us if we wanted anything. It was a little disappointing since usually their service is top notch. Prior to this time, I made a reservation for Palo Tapas Bar on Saturday, April 27 at 4:00pm for 4 Guests in the dining room through Google. We ordered some of our favorites to share with our visiting friends and some new dishes as well like the Baklava de Tomate / Tomato Baklava which had roasted tomatoes, summer vegetables, sun-dried tomato & walnut pesto, feta, and dagga (Palestinian tomato & dill salsa) and Setas al Jerez / Mushrooms with Sherry which had seared RI Mushroom Co mushrooms, sherry, and crispy shallots. We always enjoy bringing our friends to Palo Tapas Bar. The dishes are great for sharing and we have a great experience. read more

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Five stars for Palo. This is my favorite restaurant for a chic meal in Providence. Over the past few years I've visited several times and enjoyed meals and drinks at the bar and at tables, on weekends and during the week, and in larger and small groups. Here are my thoughts after consistently excellent food and service over the years. The location: Palo is located just adjacent to Downtown Providence, situated on the edge of the East Side and the Providence River. It's an easy walk from the bus tunnel, the RISD museum, Brown campus, and other offices downtown. The building itself is the stunning brick steeple building, with another restaurant-- New Rivers--occupying the South Main St. Side. The decor is arty, sophisticated, and a little moody, with hanging lights over the bar. It's a great spot to take friends from out of town or to celebrate a special occasion. The Drinks: the bartender at Palo is excellent. The menu offers an interesting selection of wines, beers, and cocktails including an extensive gin and tonic list with multiple unique flavors. And aside from the menu, the bartender is knowledgable and friendly and can make your drink of choice. The Food: Now onto the most important part, the tapas! Palo's menu reflects the season, with a substantial selection of core plates that are always offered. Given that it's Tapas, the portions are smaller; my recommendation is choosing at least two plates per person in your group, and planning to split each plate among two or three people. First, the charcuterie selection is excellent and very customizable to your tastes-- take care not to overlook it. The seasonal salad is always a top pick for me, and I don't think you can ever go wrong there. For classics, the swordfish kebabs (3) are succulent, meaty, and fresh from the ocean. Served with the perfect medley of pomegranate arils, pickled veg, and beets, it may be my favorite item on the menu. And I dream of the lamb lollipops served atop a stone dish of black lentils and tomatoes. They practically melt in your mouth. Truly the only critique I have is that Palo doesn't offer a physical menu-- you have to use a QR code and your phone. This can be difficult particularly when dining with older friends and relatives; and even with younger people I find that using the phone to read the menu takes diners out of the moment and disrupts the "eating out" experience for me. read more

Palo Tapas Bar - Manchego, Serrano ham, accoutrements - Tapas Bars Near Me - Providence, Rhode Island

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I can't believe I hadn't been here before. As someone who truly LOVES tapas, this place is officially on my list for future meals out. It features a lovely, cozy interior with exposed stone walls. There's an extensive menu with delicious Spanish bites to suit all tastes. We shared a variety of tapas including a meat and cheese board (we picked manchego cheese and serrano ham), patatas bravas, corn ribs, tortilla espanola, olives, garlic shrimp, pan con tomate, and mushrooms with sherry. Absolutely everything was phenomenal except for the mushrooms which were just ok for us. I would happily order all the other items next time, but would also love to throw a few other dishes into the mix to try even more of the menu. They also have a few different types of sangria and many other interesting cocktail options. I loved the elderflower and cava sangria and would definitely order it again. For dessert we had the nutella babka and it was fantastic. Would definitely recommend that too! Just a random note to add: they don't have any hot drinks so if you want coffee or tea, that's a no go. Our server was helpful and nice, but was generally pretty average. She didn't go above and beyond and was overall "fine." Not overly impressive but she took our orders and checked in on us a couple times and that was that. All in all, it's a great spot and the final bill was surprisingly reasonable considering the large quantity of dishes we ordered. read more

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Fun, friendly and upbeat environment. Great for a drink after work too. We sat at the bar and had several plates. Everything was terrific, but the star of the show was the corn- uniquely sliced and served with an aioli sauce that was out of this world. We also had the swordfish, mushrooms served on skewers, olives, a pasta with squid ink, calamari and shrimp with the heads on, and chorizo. Short walk to the train and local hotel read more

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Do not even try to visit. I spoke with an Avery over the phone and was told I would have a table when I arrive in fifteen minutes. I arrived and was greeted by Chris who told me there were no tables. I explained I had spoken to a female-sounding voice over the phone who explicitly said I would have a table. That did not matter to him. There is not accountability at this restaurant. Consider another place. read more

Make a reservation to be seated at a table or it is first come first serve for bar seating. I love tapa restaurants and recently travelled to Barcelona where I ate tapas everyday, so I was excited to try Palo. Overall, the food was delicious, albeit some dishes were a bit pricey for the serving (oxtail and shrimp). The cocktails were just okay - I was a little disappointed with the sangria. It tasted a bit bitter and my partners dirty martini had too much olive juice. My favorite dishes were probably the charcuterie board (the Iberico ham and the cheeses were so good!) and the tomato bread with the added anchovies. You can't go wrong with choosing the more simple tapas! read more

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Awesome tapas. Blended different flavors together I hadn't had before. Everything was delicious. New wine was exceptional! Manager was very welcoming and came around to each table to let us know the door was locked to keep everyone safe as there was an active shooter at the university. Appreciate his calm thoughtfulness. Asked each group where we parked. Calm and respectful and everyone continued to enjoy a lovely evening. Thank you so much! read more

As someone who has spent extended time living and traveling throughout Spain, this menu is a dream. The restaurant itself is absolutely gorgeous and very reminiscent of Andalucía. The patatas bravas rival the best ones I've had in Spain. This is my go-to restaurant near College Hill. read more

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This was my first visit to Palo and my boyfriend and I split a few tapas. We got the olives, which was a great dish to munch on while we waited for the rest of the meal. We got the corn fritters, ox tail, & little fried fish. The corn fritters and ox tail were our favorites, and we felt pretty perfectly full. The food came out quickly after we ordered, and we were probably in and out in about an hour. We had a reservation and got a small table. There are a number of smaller tables and a bar area. The bar area was very busy throughout the time we were eating, but the small tables were relatively quiet and relaxed. read more

Picked this place because it's proximity to Waterfire and was not disappointed! The space is beautiful, the service was fantastic and the food was absolutely delicious. We were seated promptly upon our reserved time, our server was extremely friendly and helpful. I opted for a gin (Mare) and tonic (Mediterranean) and it was one of the best G&T I've had, herbaceous and smooth, with just a hint of sweetness. Out of the food we've ordered, my favorite was the "marriage" of anchovies, it had just the perfect note of spiciness and saltiness, absolutely delicious. On the opposite spectrum, the grilled calamari was spicier than I expected. I was the heat was a tad less. Overall, all of the dishes we got were very good and I would happily eat them again. Highly recommend! read more

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Yes, yes and YES! Probably my favorite restaurant in Providence! Everything I've had is delicious and it's a great place for vegetarians and meat eaters alike. The garlic shrimp are slightly spicy, intensely garlicky and succulent. The roasted squash with pepitas and labneh is hearty, warm with a delightful contrast of textures between the creamy yogurt, soft squash and crunchy pumpkin seeds. I also recommend the manchego cheese, papas bravas, pan de tomate. Oh and the mushroom toast is heaven! You can tell all the ingredients are top notch - from the fresh tasting olive oil and vegetables to the bread. I'm picky about sangria- often it's weak and way too sweet but theirs is just right! You also can't go wrong with the wines or cocktails. Service is always in point and the atmosphere is cozy and inviting. The best! read more

Amazing tapas place!!! My friend is a regular here, and we went right before he moved out and I'm so glad he showed me this place!! Must get foods: tomato bread, jamon iberico, patatas bravas (the best I've had), shrimp gambas, corn ribs. There are definitely more that I'll need to explore but these were standouts to me!! Drinks were also great - the Alhambra is like a cosmo, but good fruit flavors and not too strong, which I appreciated :) they even have great mocktails too!! Service is amazing. Waiters are attentive and personable and have been really great to my friend over the years. Ambiance is also great, a bit dark, but good vibes for a cute date or drink and tapas with a small group of friends! I will say this place is probably best to eat with groups of 2-4. Reservations are harder to get for more than 4 people as the restaurant is a bit small, but it's still possible - just book in advance. Parking is a bit difficult - there's a paid lot right next to the restaurant, but some street parking around that's a bit of a walk. read more

My family took me here for my birthday dinner. Atmosphere was casual, friendly, and fun. I absolutely loved our server who recommended some delicious tapas dishes and surprised us with a love potion and dessert for my birthday. We ordered almost everything on the tapas menu, which I might add had great variety. The bill was less than $150! When I say we left full I really mean it. Would HIGHLY recommend and we will definitely be back. read more

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We got out of the RISD museum early and had time to kill before our dinner reservation. We wandered in and immediately loved the atmosphere: low lights, quiet volumes, exposed brick, lots of wood... what's not to love? We ordered the seasonal daiquiri (watermelon aguachiles) which was incorrectly made as a house daiquiri, but quickly remedied it. We also ordered the corn croquettes and the chile jelly was easily one of the best things I've eaten in a while. I almost wished we didn't have dinner reservations because the menu looked great and the service was fantastic. We will definitely be back. read more

Everything about this meal was outstanding. The restaurant itself is cozy and has an extensive menu and wine/drink list. We started with a beer and a pomegranate rose sangria. We ordered the pan con tomate and added on Serrano ham, garlic shrimp, Spanish omelet, olives and the corn ribs. Everything was fresh and delicious. The corn ribs and omelet were the highlights. Prices are reasonable for the quality and quantity of food. Would absolutely come back!! read more

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Palo is one of the best restaurants in Providence! They have a unique tapas menu featuring the cuisine of Andalusia. My husband and I have been a dozen times and we are never disappointed. Michelle behind the bar is friendly and knowledgeable. The wine menu features interesting options from Spain and Lebanon. The menu offers a unique takes on traditional tapas. The patas bravas are exquisite with a delicious harissa sauce. The gambas al ajillo, seasonal toast, seafood stew, mushroom shawarma, fish kabobs and roasted carrots are all fantastic. I highly recommend a side of the crispy rice. There are great vegetarian options, as well as, meat and seafood. The smoky mushroom shawarma would satisfy any carnivore. Samir (the owner) has created an inviting atmosphere transporting guests to Andalusia. He is always in the dining room checking in on guests, happy to share his passion for Andalusia. The rustic dining room is cozy with Samir's personal travel photos adorning the walls. Palo is a culinary love letter to a beautiful region. read more

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A lot could improve for a restaurant with such high regard. Went on Valentine's night with my girlfriend and we were seated at a table right next to the kitchen door. The service was friendly, however, we felt the pressure to pack up our food once we saw the whole staff was cleaning up shop and we hadn't even gotten our last plate out. The food was mid tier at best and the drinks were below average. In fairness, I went in with such high expectations considering these reviews but I will not be choosing this place for a special occasion ever again... Tip for the restaurant: do not offer late reservations if the restaurant can't provide the same service throughout night. read more

Palo's does it right. I was very impressed. The place has a great vibe. Old stone and wood mixed with modern touches create an elegant comfortable space. Their Spanish tapas are top notch. The spanish tapas are a hit. Their razor clams are rich with butter garlic. Order the olives side. Palo is a great spot. read more

What a beautiful spot for tapas and cocktails! Palo is in a historic building, and the interior has gorgeous exposed brick walls and lots of soft lighting. We were celebrating two birthdays, and as such were offered the choice of a complimentary cava (a sort of blush Prosecco from Spain) or a dessert (Nutella Navad babka). I had the cava, which was delicious and a perfect accompaniment for the numerous tapas we ordered. Or favorites were the chicken skewers, grilled cabbage "Cesar", stuffed grape leaves, and the burrata salad (the "pink" salad). We made a few less successful choices too, things that while tasty weren't what we'd hoped for: the swordfish kebab, which - while delicious - had the same flavorings and presentation as the chicken version, and regrettably the Spanish tortilla. I've been to several different regions of Spain and in each one the Spanish tortilla is the same (and my favorite food in Spain!), and quite different from the frittata at Palo. For calling a frittata a Spanish tortilla I subtracting one star; otherwise, this is a 5-star experience. read more

Been to almost all the dining destinations in PVD - Gracies, Oberlin, Gift Horse, Persimmon... and this is right up there with the best in town. Wow. Great intimate vibe, wonderful and inventive tapas, attentive yet inobtrusive service. Our favorites were the ccarrots and swordfish kabobs. But, everything was excellent. Highly recommended. read more

After dining here a few times per year every year since they opened, can say that Palo is holding up consistently well in terms of quality, still in early 2024. The food is mostly the same and the menu has not really changed in the last several years. Individual dishes may come and go (we really loved the lamb kabobs) but mostly the menu is identical to how it has always been. I ordered an alhambra drink and it was amazing. Refreshing, citrusy, really good! My girlfriend got a negroni which was decent. We actually traded drinks but I wasn't dissatisfied with the negroni. We ordered boquerones, pan con tomate (tomato bread), costillas de maiz (corn ribs), fideua negra, and tortilla. The fideua was by far my favorite of the night with amazing complex layers of flavor, but everything else was also good, as usual. We tried the scallops con garbanzos and it was really good, solid flavor but a bit unnecessarily spicy. The night we went, the tortilla was a bit overcooked and super heavy on potato, but still tasted OK. In our experience this was a super rare occurrence. Overall a great destination and in our experience, quite consistent and quite good. read more

I first have to talk about how lovely the staff here is. I called on a Saturday night at 5pm after going to another restaurant and getting turned away and the gentleman on the phone was so kind and said he would make something work for us and called me back in less than 20 minutes to let us know he had a spot for us. It was so appreciated by me and my party. The tapas were great and we tried a variety of things. My favorite was the corn ribs and the hummus platter. Most of the items are a bit spicy so beware! Some things were a bit much for me. But everyone else loved it. I would definitely recommend to go with a few people and try a bunch of different things! Great spot overall. read more

Very underwhelmed. Was really excited to try Palo because of all the great reviews but unfortunately did not enjoy our meal. The food didn't taste "bad", it was okay but that was it. It was just okay. Nothing in the tapas that has me thinking "wow I want this again". The mushrooms were my least favorite but that was simply because they were sweeter than I expected. The broccolini was my favorite and that was simply because I enjoy a grilled veggie with lemon. The service was good and our server was attentive and knowledgeable about the dishes. The ambiance was lively given it was a Friday night. read more

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Phenomenal place for Spanish tapas and cocktails. We made a reservation for right when they opened, which made service attentive and the food come out nice and quickly. Highly recommend ordering a three cheese and meat board -- they're insane (a great value)!! One of our cheeses was a Great Hill Blue cheese from Buzzards Bay, MA, which made me actually like blue cheese! Other must-orders: - The Iberian pork, which was fantastic - The squash with cheese and pomegranate - Patatas bravas For my first visit, I was really impressed with the array of dishes featured on the menu for such a small restaurant. Also absolutely loved the vibe! Follow me on Instagram at @bigtastebestplace for more read more

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I always have a good time at Palo! Service is quick and they have so many great tapas that both are signatures and seasonal items they cycle out. A great place to go with a group that, even when busy, always feels like an energized intimate gathering! read more

Food here is just amazing!!!! Makes you drink more and you will have a great time here. Be sure to order anything they recommend. Definitely will come back many times. read more

Always welcoming. Very cool ambience. Diverse, tasty, and well executed tapas. Plentiful offerings of wine, beer, and cocktails. Friendly, professional, and efficient servers (Michelle, David, Isabella). read more