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    Taps & Tapas by Chef Lino

    4.3 (18 reviews)
    Open • 11:00 am - 1:00 AM (Next day)
    Updated 2 months ago

    Taps & Tapas by Chef Lino Photos

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    Roxy V.

    Absolutely a date-night spot! The lighting is romantic, the atmosphere is soothing, and the whole place just feels special. The menu features Spanish cuisine, and everything we ordered was delicious! We started with the Pineapple Jalapeño Margarita, which had the perfect amount of spice with a subtle smoky flavor. Then came the Diablo Shrimp, which was packed with flavor and served in the cutest little tostada. Such a fun appetizer! For the grand finale, we ordered the Arrachera with Chimichurri. I asked for my steak medium, and it came out beautifully pink, juicy, and full of flavor. The chimichurri was the perfect finishing touch. Unfortunately out of crème brûlée, otherwise I definitely would have ordered that too! Needless to say, I was totally smitten with this place. The romantic ambiance, delicious food, and great cocktails make this a spot I'd happily come back to for a date night.

    Arrachera with chimichurri and patatas bravas
    Trish S.

    Enjoyed a tasty date night meal at Chef Lino's latest spot downtown. I really liked the interior space and comfortable furnishings. The drinks are very reasonable and well prepared. We tried the pork belly bites, and the chicken croquettas as apps. Both were good and surprisingly filling. We probably didn't need to order platas, but we enjoyed what we had. A skirt steak with the patatas bravas and chimichurri, and braised oxtails with white bean ragu. The oxtails were very rich and I ended up bringing most of it home with me. I'm looking forward to returning and trying more items.

    Bar tools
    Carolyn P.

    My mixologist & server, Megan, was so friendly and welcoming for my first visit to Taps & Tapas. I ordered the La Pirata cocktail. Bacardi Silver Rum, watermelon & pineapple juice, simple syrup & mint. So light and refreshing! For my Tapas I ordered the Chorizo de Pueblo, Spanish Chorizo sun-dried tomatoes with blistered shishito peppers & green olives on grilled ciabatta. What a flavor bomb! The spiciness of the chorizo and the mild heat of the shishitos was a delicious pairing with the brightness of the La Pirata cocktail. The Tapas menu is so creative and they have Vegetarian options, With a full bar and a host of Tap beers & seltzers. The decor is dark and sexy. The exposed brick walls, the leather banquettes and the black suede stools invite you to sit down and relax into the experience. They have a cute outdoor street seating area as well. Coming soon Live Music! As with all Chef Lino's endeavors the food and service are outstanding. Try them soon, you'll thank me!

    Croquetas de pollo 15.00 (These were my fav.)
    Franchesca A.

    Showed up right at 11 AM for opening lunch, we were the only customers at the time with full access to the AMI jukebox, The restaurant is dim, somewhat romantic and very clean. We sat at the bar on crushed velvet barstools that had matching floor length curtains that I appreciated, Tyler was our server. He was attentive, kind, very personable. Chef Linos son, Lino III was our bartender full of knowledge of all of the drinks on the menu.

    Menu

    I got the octopus ( pulpo) tostada for $22. This was a major letdown. The tostada is paper-thin and resembles a thin Dorito. Not much flavor to the tostada. The issue is that the octopus and the rest of the ingredients and whatever sauce is on it cause the tostada to instantly crumble and fall apart. It's not very enjoyable. It's not your usual tostada you get and enjoy. Flavor-wise, it was meh. Completely falls apart and ends up going everywhere. This wasn't worth the measly tiny portion for $22. It lacked flavor.

    Mussels and chorizo

    You get exactly what's advertised: taps and tapas. The inside of the restaurant looks brand new (at the time of this review, the restaurant is 2 months old). There are a handful of large booths, tables, and several barstools with access to 2+ large TVs, great for watching any live sports. The tapas were tasty - my gf and I ordered the oxtail plantain cups, patatas bravas, mussels/chorizo, pulpo tostada, and watermelon/feta. We enjoyed every dish, particularly the pulpo tostada (good flavor combination) and watermelon/feta (refreshing). Would definitely come back!

    menu 2026

    The service was really good and the food was amazing! We tried the Spanish Salad, Braised Chicken Thighs and the Chorizo de Pueblo. They also had seasonal desserts, a pumpkin creme brûlée and a pecan cake with ice cream. Everything was really fresh and very tasty, I'm definitely coming back !!!

    Mussels with chorizo

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    We went here with friends from Northern CA. We had a great experience with food & wait staff. The vibe of the location was cool!

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    Great service. Watermelon feta bites were delicious and the pork belly was like 3 whole steaks!

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    Ask the Community - Taps & Tapas by Chef Lino

    Review Highlights - Taps & Tapas by Chef Lino

    “Ordered 3 items from Tapas menu (crispy tacos, Diablo shrimp and Chorizo de Pueblo)...”

    Mentioned in 4 reviews

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    Asian Vegan Bistro - Cabbage rolls

    Asian Vegan Bistro

    4.5(125 reviews)
    4.6 mi
    •$$

    I'm not vegan anymore but this place is still absolutely amazing. You don't have to be vegan to…read moreenjoy good food. Their Thai tea is the best one I've had in town. The people are kind and the restaurant is very chill. I don't remember the name of the dish but I had like a beef noodle soup that was delicious.

    My husband and I visited Asian Vegan Bistro for dinner on a Friday night, and surprisingly, we…read moreappeared to be the only diners in the restaurant. On what is typically one of the busiest nights of the week, it did make us wonder if that was an early signal of what was to come. To start, the menu is undeniably extensive...spanning multiple Asian cuisines with a wide variety of dishes, from ramen to curries to appetizers like tofu satay and crispy enoki. While ambition and variety can be a strength, here it felt more like quantity came at the expense of execution. We ordered a range of dishes to get a fair sense of the kitchen: tofu satay, crispy enoki, tonkotsu-style ramen (soy milk-based), drunken noodles, and ma po tofu - all items that, on paper, should deliver bold, distinct flavors. Unfortunately, most fell flat. The tofu satay lacked depth, the crispy enoki was an interesting concept but noticeably under-seasoned, and the ramen broth missed the richness and complexity you'd expect from that style. The drunken noodles and ma po tofu similarly leaned mild and muted, rather than vibrant or aromatic. To be fair, the concept of a fully plant-based Asian menu is appealing, and there is clear effort behind offering such a wide selection. However, in this case, the breadth of options seems to dilute the overall quality and consistency of the dishes. Overall, while I appreciate the intention and inclusivity of a fully vegan menu, the execution didn't quite meet expectations...especially given how many flavorful reference points these dishes typically have.

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    Asian Vegan Bistro - Inside

    Inside

    Asian Vegan Bistro
    Asian Vegan Bistro - Menu

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    Menu

    Indian Village - Rice

    Indian Village

    4.9(76 reviews)
    4.0 mi

    I cannot say enough good things about the food here…read more I have not been disappointed in all the times I ate at Indian Village. Today I had the Garlic Naan, ALWAYS great, the Basmati Rice, and the Paneer Tikka Masala. Heaven!!!!!. I am stuffed and happy. Service is always great, they actually know be by name which is nice because to many restaurants I'm just a person. The atmosphere is pure Indian.

    This place just keeps getting better. I need to see them featured on more "best of" lists for…read moreBakersfield! The food is beyond incredible. I can't stop eating the paneer butter masala (surprising to absolutely no one), and the garlic naan. If you're brave, get it spicy-- it will blow your face off, but in a good way (like a hot kiss instead of a bomb). But be warned-- their drinks come in cans and if it's super hot, you may need to order more than one, lol. I impressed my company by not needing to drink much during my spicy meal, and yes this is a casual heat tolerance brag, I'm sorry! Anyway, the service is really wonderful even if the communication can be a little rusty because I'm a basic monolingual bish. They just want you to enjoy your food and your time with them, so don't be shy and ask questions if you're unsure about something you're ordering. They have vegan and vegetarian options. I've only gone with meat eaters and they have not been disappointed. This is one of the best restaurants in Bakersfield and I'm worried people are totally asleep at the wheel on this one. They deserve your support, they're family run and worthy of your time and money! Other awesome things to try: dal, any breads, egg rolls, any green curry.

    Photos
    Indian Village - Menu and inside of location

    Menu and inside of location

    Indian Village - Chickpea channa wrap

    Chickpea channa wrap

    Indian Village - Restaurant

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    Restaurant

    Ay Papa Que Rico - Special Whole Chicken Plate

    Ay Papa Que Rico

    4.6(438 reviews)
    3.1 mi
    •$$
    Family-owned & operated
    Catering service

    The food here is amazing! The empanadas are delicious, especially the cheese and jalapeño one! The…read moreCuban sandwich was also really good, and the papa rellena de carne was another favorite. The lady who took our order was super patient and helpful while we were figuring out what we wanted. We took our food to go, and even after about a 15-minute drive, everything still tasted fresh and just as good as it did when we first got it. One thing I really noticed both times I've been here is how clean and well cared for the restaurant is. Everything was wiped down, organized, and spotless. You can tell they stay on top of cleaning and are really meticulous about taking care of the place, which I appreciate. Amazing food, great service, and a very clean restaurant. Highly recommend!! we'll definitely be back!

    Had 2 great experiences with ay papa que Rico (el pollo Rikko)…read more Went in for lunch with my hubby and had their current meal deal $20 family meal. Chicken, rice, beans tortillas. It would feed 2 adults and 2 kids. chicken is so dang delicious! So flavorful. Really unique and can't be found anywhere else in town. The restaurant itself is a bit warm so be prepared! feels like you are in the Caribbean so it fits with the ambiance Then I placed a catering order for a work event. Talked with the owner who was very helpful and happy to work with us. We had food for 15, chicken, rice, beans, tortillas, Mac & cheese, and salad. $224 total after tax and they delivered for free here in town! Everyone at the event loved the food! They couldn't stop complimenting the chicken We will definitely be back for our family and to order some more catering!

    Photos
    Ay Papa Que Rico - Catering package of Chicken, Rice, Beans, and Plantains.

    Catering package of Chicken, Rice, Beans, and Plantains.

    Ay Papa Que Rico - Charbroiled Chicken

    Charbroiled Chicken

    Ay Papa Que Rico - Sample Platter

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    Sample Platter

    Locale Farm to Table Eatery - Western Burger

    Locale Farm to Table Eatery

    4.3(986 reviews)
    0.6 mi
    •$$
    Locally owned & operated
    8 years in business

    This place is amazing. Great service, good vibes, and beautiful art. My friend and I went to eat in…read morethe gallery. Very respectable service and attentive as well. I recommend this place. The food was amazing as well, I got the tri tip melt and my friend got the sweet potatoes and Brussel sprout bowl. Very delicious!!

    A Delicious Thank You to Teachers!…read more What an incredibly thoughtful way to give back to the community! One of our teachers at school entered a drawing for a free catered lunch from Locale Farm to Table, and we were so lucky to win! The drawing was the owner Heather's way of giving back and showing her appreciation for teachers. She was especially touched by our teacher's story, which made the win feel even more meaningful. Many of us who work at the school already dine at Locale and absolutely love the food, so we knew we were in for a treat. Heather brought some of their most popular dishes, including a hot honey goat cheese spread with Pyrenees bread, roasted butternut squash and Brussels sprouts, a fresh garden salad, and a chocolate and strawberry pastry for dessert. Everything was absolutely delicious! What really stood out, though, was how much thought Heather put into making sure everyone could enjoy the meal. She heard that we had some vegetarians among us and went above and beyond by preparing additional dishes without bacon so everyone had plenty to eat. That extra touch meant so much and really showed how genuinely caring and thoughtful she is. Having this incredible meal right before the first day of school was such a special treat. Teachers and school staff work incredibly hard, and feeling appreciated in such a generous way was truly wonderful. Thank you, Heather, for your generosity, kindness, and for supporting our school community! We are so grateful, and, of course, already looking forward to our next visit to Locale!

    Photos
    Locale Farm to Table Eatery
    Locale Farm to Table Eatery - Turkey Bacon Cheddar Melt

    Turkey Bacon Cheddar Melt

    Locale Farm to Table Eatery - Stone Fruit & Field Green Salad - Locally sourced ingredients!

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    Stone Fruit & Field Green Salad - Locally sourced ingredients!

    Kuma Sushi

    Kuma Sushi

    4.7(303 reviews)
    0.3 mi
    •$$
    Takes reservations
    Happy hour specials

    Kuma Sushi was a pleasant surprise. The ambiance is contemporary with a unique feel. The space is…read moreopen and airy, making it comfortable and inviting. One thing I noticed was the mix of different tables and chairs throughout the restaurant. It almost feels like a hodgepodge of furniture, but somehow it works and fits the contemporary vibe rather than feeling out of place. The food was excellent, the service was friendly, and the prices were very reasonable. We received our food surprisingly fast, which was a nice bonus. There was a mistake with one of our rolls, but the staff handled it well. They quickly remade the roll and brought us a replacement at no charge, which I really appreciated. One of the highlights was a custom roll with jalapeño, avocado, and asparagus. I added cream cheese and had it deep fried, and it honestly tasted like a sushi version of a jalapeño popper. It was absolutely amazing and something I would order again in a heartbeat. Overall, it was a great experience from start to finish. Good food, good service, reasonable prices, and a unique atmosphere. I would definitely recommend giving Kuma Sushi a try.

    Had ordered from the restaurant before on DoorDash and this time I decided to pop in. I was…read morepleasantly surprised at how cute the space is. The parking is a bit of a challenge right now due to the construction in downtown. However, there is a lot right next to them that you can park in and there is also parking on the street directly in front of their door. The restaurant is modern and decorated in Asian theme. The bathroom and the restaurant is very clean. And the staff was very attentive, professional, and very pleasant. I enjoyed the food I ordered via DoorDash, but this time I got it fresh right out of the kitchen and the counter, and it was amazing. We started with the jalapeño bomb, and mixed tempura in a size small. Both those appetizers were delicious and perfect for sharing. Then we ordered a California roll on soy paper, the Kuma special sushi roll, and the creamy salmon roll. Everything was fresh and very shareable. We could've easily shared our meal with two other people needless to say we had leftovers to take home. I definitely recommend this place and I look forward to going back. There are other things on the menu such as fried rice, udon, and teriyaki plates. They also had a couple of desserts, so I am definitely planning on trying one of those. Enjoy!

    Photos
    Kuma Sushi
    Kuma Sushi
    Kuma Sushi

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    Taps & Tapas by Chef Lino - vegan - Updated October 2026

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