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Taberna Tapas

3.7 (374 reviews)
ModerateSpanish, Tapas Bars
Closed • 5:00 pm - 10:30 PM

Taberna Tapas Photos

Business Info

TABERNA TAPAS ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Moderate noise
Casual
Outdoor seating
Good for groups

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Recommended Reviews - Taberna Tapas

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Dark Chocolate Mousse

WE LOVE THE FOOD! Everything was so lovely. Our server Mary took care of us and made sure we had everything we could have wanted! I have never had such dedicated staff services in Durham before! It was such a treat tasting all the delicious foods and desserts. Please let Mary know we really enjoyed her service to us. She checked on us often and made sure we felt safe even there were a couple of random folks bursting thru and disturbing the restaurant. Mary remained calm and made us feel very safe. And please send our love to the bartender, he made us a fun drink we wanted and he did it VERY well!

Octopus
Akul M.

We ordered several dishes including the octopus, lamb, brussel sprouts mushrooms and the chocolate churros. The meat dishes were all pretty good I would really recommend the octopus and the lamb. The vegetarian dishes were average nothing special. The vibes are cool and one of the few tapa places in Durham.

This restaurant, Taberna Tapas, fraudulently adjust the tip amount on my bill without my permission. My original tip amount is 4.38 dollars, but they adjust it to 9 dollars on their own. Don't come here to support this restaurant with fraud and dishonesty!

Wall decor
Mei T.

After a happy hour social at Alley Twenty Six, my team and I walked to Taberna Tapas for dinner. We ordered more drinks and a wide variety of dishes to share. We ordered 2 each of the following: Octopus Braised oxtail Spicy shrimp Beef empanadas Pork empanadas Meatballs Beets salad Roasted cauliflower Bacon wrapped dates Skirt steak & fries Everything tasted great. My top 2 favorites were the octopus and the oxtail. The skirt steak was the worst, super chewy meat. Definitely recommend this restaurant! It's fun, it's lively, and the food was amazing! The service wasn't great, but we enjoyed each other's company and the food too much to really care.

Qiongqiong M.

Came here on a Thursday night with a friend. She made a reservation but it didn't seem to be super crowded. Waiter was helpful in giving suggestion to veggie dishes. Tres mares was probably my favorite because it was very flavorful. The cauliflower was also very delicious I love the cheese sauce that was top of it. Honestly the dishes we ordered were delicious. Not pictured was the octopus which had a spicy kick to it! Had a good time here !

Paella
Davia N.

Great date spot. They set a smooth atmosphere here. Great service from Seth. He gave his suggestions and they were good, especially the paella and gambas. Their version of steak frites was the best and the the short rib is a must have. Definitely going back.

Empanadas de Carne

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2 months ago

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7 months ago

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7 months ago

Warm and welcoming staff. Food was delicious and sangria authentic. Will definitely be back soon!

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8 months ago

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4 years ago

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11 months ago

Absolutely delicious tapas and service was impeccable. Additionally they had awesome craft cocktails

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Little Bull - Tuna sandwich

Little Bull

(158 reviews)

You must visit this place. I spend a lot of time on the road and boy was this place a sight for…read moresore eyes. The flavors were absolutely amazing. I only got to take a picture of just a couple of what we ordered. My favorites: Little Asada - so flavorful and cooked perfectly Octopus and butter beans- prepared perfectly not rubbery. Great choice DIY hand roll - really fun and inventive way although had to fight to make my own roll NC Crudo - this tuna was really fresh. I mean it didn't taste like fish. It tasted like steak. Love the flavors they added to it. ceviche - great choice with the plantains Gambas à la plancha - the OG. Highly recommended. Shrimp cooked perfect. Overall it was so amazing. Service was great also they had a fun little wine list. Pro tip: in the spring get a spot out in the patio or outside. Highly recommended. Will be back!

Mexican-American Cuisine with a Vibrant Ambiance and Flavorful Complex Cuisine…read more You step right into a vibrant ambiance, with a beautifully decorated main dining room and a curated outdoor dining space that defines the evening as a place to bring family, friends, and professionals to enjoy lively conversations while savoring the Chef's cuisine. From the amazing service and the curated bar menu, with a bar staff that can create drinks based on your specific taste preferences, to an extraordinary selection of bold and flavorful cuisine, Little Bull is a Huge Gem in the Durham area. __ I have had the opportunity to travel the globe, 6 continents, 62 countries, and 33 US states, tasting some of the most memorable and sometimes not memorable culinary experiences. When looking at a restaurant, it is important to consider the entire dining experience, including ambiance, service, and food. Little Bull achieved excellence in all these categories. __ Tom Kha Ceviche - Snapper, coconut leche de tigre, mixed peppers, sweet potato, choclo, peanut, salsa macha, onions, and plantain chips. The snapper was incredibly fresh, which paired perfectly with the coconut leche de tigre. The broth was well balanced with richness from the peanut butter and salsa macha, sweetness from the sweet potato and choclo, and spice from the peppers and onions. The plantains were the perfect way to bring all the ingredients together. __ Gambas a La Plancha - Shrimp, salsa piquin, onion, and ciabatta. The shrimp was well-cooked and tender, delivered with the perfect char, bringing the right sweetness while pulling in the spicy and smoky flavors from the salsa piquin. The ciabatta was a nice accompaniment to this dish, helping you soak up the amazing base sauce. __ Winter Cabbage - Charred NC Cabbage, Salsa Malcojeta, Beans Mousseline, Cumin Vinaigrette, and Salsa Macha. This was a complex dish, with the creaminess of the mousseline, the charred flavor of the cabbage, the nuttiness of the salsa macha, and the earthiness of the cumin vinaigrette. While I figured this dish would have a little spice, this dish was super spicy. I would have liked the waiter to have advised us of this before we ordered the dish. __ Arepas - Cheese arepas, chicken guasacaca, cilantro and avocado aioli, avocado mousse, sour cream and pickled onions. The cheese arepas were cooked perfectly, with a nice, crisp exterior complementing the soft interior and pairing nicely with the chicken, cilantro, and avocado flavors. The pickled onions and sour cream added a nice balance to the dish. My only complaint would be that I would have liked a little more flavor. It seemed to be lacking something, making it a little bland. __ Presentation was impeccable. I love how they curated each dish and really highlighted all the ingredients. It definitely represents why they were mentioned in the Michelin guide. __ Overall, this is a must-visit restaurant for any occasion. This is the second time I visited the restaurant and have officially made it one of my go-to restaurants for different occasions.

Juju - Crispy Brussels SproutsBrussels

Juju

(777 reviews)

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Juju is the perfect spot for a night out. The ambiance is dark and moody, but perfect to enjoy all…read morethe various dishes that are amazing for sharing. It is hard to pick a favorite, I would easily eat all of these dishes again and again. We started with the sweet chili cucumbers, a great combination of sweet and a touch of spice and the crispy brussels sprouts, also on the sweeter side. For our main dishes we enjoyed the garlic ramen noodles and mongolian beef. The ramen had a beautiful presentation, that let's you choose your own combination in every bite. The beef is paired with fingerling potatoes and got rave reviews from the whole table.

Food: 4 Service: 1…read moreWent in for lunch. Place not busy at all -- maybe 6 small tables of 2 or 3. Server interrupted...and interrupted...and interrupted. Friend ordered the Midnight Clove cocktail and I ordered a G&T with Conniption gin. Server returned to interrupt us and say they were "out of" the Midnight Clove cocktail. Friend ordered something else. Server returned to interrupt us and say they were out of Conniption gin-- which is made literally a mile and a half away. Another server interrupted our conversation to deliver something we hadn't ordered.... They just seemed surprised and completely unprepared to be in business. Food was great, though, especially the soup and the best tofu I've ever had. Bahn mi was served on soft bread a bit like ciabatta --I'd have preferred the more traditional crusty bread.

Alley Twenty Six - Y'all when I say this burger lived up to the hype!!! IG: @betterwithju

Alley Twenty Six

(426 reviews)

$$

We had an extremely memorable experience at Alley Twenty Six, in large part to our amazing server,…read moreAnthony! We made a reservation for a Saturday night dinner and he made sure we were well taken care of all night. We started the night with their James Bears award winning cocktails, and every drink we ordered was a hit! Spiced strawberry mule, Sunset Sipper, and the table favorite: Earl Please. The latter two drinks were mocktails and they were still standouts! As for the food, the Alley burger was perfectly cooked: juicy patty paired with truffle cheese and simple toppings that really highlighted the burger itself. And shoestring fries are always a good choice with a delicious burger. Ricotta gnocchi was also very good. As our server Anthony said, let's get this burger nominated!

It's always exciting to go to Alley26, namely for their food. Out of all the options in a block…read moreradius (with the exception of sushi nearby), I will always chose Alley26. Over burgers, over French food, over ramen, over Indian. Why? Because Alley26 serves delectable oysters, succulent burgers, and incredible tin fish. Yes, tin fish. If you haven't seen their extensive menu of fish, you must! While it's not for everyone, it is a tinned fish enthusiasts heaven! I go here to celebrate milestones with a good friend and we always have a mini feast, paired with a glass or two of wine. My favorite time to go is when the weather is comfortable and we can sit in the alley way, it's soooo chic that it feels like you're sitting outdoors at a meal in Italy of France. Service is always on point and I forget the bartenders name that is super knowledgeable and super kind. When I remember, I'll circle back to update this review. If you're thinking about this place, definitely check it out! The only inconvenience though is that I believe is 21+ over, at least at night it is.

The Velvet Hippo Bar & Lounge - FARMERS ONLY - as smoky and delicious as a rancher's dating profile (Cerrissa)

The Velvet Hippo Bar & Lounge

(103 reviews)

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Great small bites. I recommend you trying the Elote dip it was AMAZING and perfect for sharing with…read moretwo or more friends! They have great drink specials for different days of the week! Very speedy service all of their bartenders are very sweet and will fix whatever drink to your liking The vibes are disco balls on the ceiling very open very Miami Beach vibes they have an indoor and an outdoor seating area not only that they have fireplaces. If you get a little too far from their heated porch area! The vibes just don't stop. They have an aesthetic fireplace in side as well as a fake tree in the middle beautiful for taking pictures Their bathrooms are adorable, but you might have to wait a little bit on a busy day. But this is the same problem with every bar. Very glad that they have more than one bathroom.

Okay, so wow. Durham has upped its game in terms of its social scene. We got to the VH at like 9?…read more9:30? on a Friday night and the line to get in was down at least one flight of stairs to the second floor. It did move fast for us so we were able to get in about 10 minutes later or so. It was latin night so the music was tailored to that so I won't comment on what that was like. The outdoor patio was wonderful. Not too loud. Some good seating options. You can access the bar from out there too. Took awhile to get to order while waiting in line. I had something purple... french 75? It was just okay. Jell-o shots were made with MEZCAL that night which my group found sooo gross. So beware. Overall I see the hype. But when we left around 10:30 or so the line was down the stairs, out the door, and down the block. I don't know if it was worth THAT.

Luna Rotisserie and Empanadas - Pollo a La Brasa / Crispy Yuca Frites / Maduro

Luna Rotisserie and Empanadas

(690 reviews)

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Came here after the Durham Farmers Market with a friend and wow this place was a surprise. …read more I went with the grain bowl and honestly it is one of the best I have had in downtown Durham. It is built on quinoa and rice with black beans and kale, then layered with corn salsa, tomato cortido, guacamole, and a creamy acevichado style sauce that pulls everything together. It is finished with a crunchy mix of pepitas, nuts, and grains. The balance is quite ideal in my view. My friend had the rotisserie chicken with two sides, kale and slaw, and it was just as impressive. Crispy skin, juicy inside, and really clean flavors. Simple food done right and GF friendly. Everything felt thoughtfully prepared. Prices land right where you would expect for the quality, roughly 16 to 21 dollars depending on what you order, and it feels worth it. My bowl plus side of dark chicken was plenty. A few notes. Parking is what you would expect for downtown, so plan accordingly. Service was solid and friendly, but nothing that stood out. The vibe inside is festive and relaxed, bright and open, and just a fun place to hang out for lunch. Porbably not a special occasion. I also suspect it could get loud when full. This is definitely going into my regular rotation. That grain bowl is going to be hard to pass up next time, so instead of replacing it I will probably just add a side or an empanada and start working my way through the rest of the menu.

The empanadas, arepas and Luna Grain Bowl were awesome. We had their generous portions and…read moreperfectly seasoned chicken, pork and brisket with these. Their cocktails were also very good. Nice decor and vibe. Service was also good.

Littler

Littler

(150 reviews)

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Littler is one of my absolute favorite restaurants in Durham! The menu is New American with a focus…read moreon seafood and seasonal delights. The restaurant itself is cozy with warm accents, brick walls, and wood paneling. I feel like I'm visiting a good friends home whenever I visit here. As for the menu, and I say this without exaggeration, the carrot cavatelli is one of the best dishes I have ever eaten in my life. I seriously dream about that carrot cavatelli. Here's some of my other favorites: Smoked Hamachi Puree- the toaste brioche goes perfectly with this pate-like fish dish, so insanely delicious Caramelized Onion Tart- the robiola foam is a dream and pairs perfectly with the apple Carrot Cavatelli- I would literally write the chef personally if this item was ever removed from the menu. Trust me, just order this for the table. King Trumpet- there's not much better than a grilled trumpet mushroom Seared Scallops- such a fantastic dish that comes with creamed greens and little pasta to accompany it Braised Beef Short Rib- meaty and delicious, exactly as you would expect Chocolate Mousse- a delicious, decadent dessert that's the perfect way to end a meal All in all, you can't have a bad meal at Littler. Plus the service is always excellent and they pay their staff a living wage! Definitely a do not miss in Downtown Durham

Incredible service from the staff + a cozy ambiance (perfected by the unique napkin rings and…read moredishware)! We were pleased with all the items ordered - especially the carrot cavatelli and escarole. We had the early spring 2025 menu to choose from. Entrees were delicious but slightly smaller than expected, which was the only downside. The bill definitely adds up if you have a drink with entrees

Taberna Tapas - spanish - Updated May 2026

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